748.]
Every blessing which God bestows, whether on nations or individuals, calls for a suitable tribute of praise and thanksgiving. Such a tribute are we at this time called to pay : " Praise the Lord, O Jeru- salem ; praise thy God, O Zion."
In order that we may discharge this debt for so many mercies,
1. Let us view the hand of God in them —
[As " war and pestilence and famine are judgments sent of God," so peace and all other national blessings are the gifts of his gracious providence. " There is neither good nor evil in a city, but it proceeds from God." Especially must he be viewed in all those great mercies which have been vouchsafed to us. Israel of old had not more abundant reason for the ac- knowledgments made by them, than we ourselves to adopt their
strains k We are but too apt to be looking to second
causes, and to be giving to the creature the honour that is due to God only. But let us be on our guard against this, lest we turn into a curse every blessing that has been bestowed upon us.]
2. Let us duly appreciate their value —
[It is not easy for us, who have seen so little the calamities of war, to estimate in any measure aright, either the protection we have experienced, or the peace which has terminated all our dangers. But, if we could go over a field of battle where myriads of the dead and dying are strewed upon the ground ; if we could traverse whole provinces which have been desolated by fire and sword, where countless multitudes are reduced to the utmost possible distress and misery by their pitiless enemies ; if we could see with what rapid strides pestilence and famine are following in the train of war ; methinks we should need no exhortation to gratitude for the blessings we now enjoy.
True it is that spiritual blessings are of incalculably greater importance : and if we could say, that we had been protected from the incursions of sin and Satan — that we had been " blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Jesus ;" — that we had been brought to a state of peace with God and in our own consciences — and that we enjoyed in rich pro- fusion the bread of life — we should then have more abundant cause for praise. But we must not forget that our temporal blessings, especially when compared with the troubles which we might have been at this time enduring, have a most favourable aspect on our spiritual welfare ; and that the more spiritual we are, the more disposed we shall be to acknowledge God's kindness towards us, whereinsoever it has been displayed.
k See Ps. cxxiv. 1 — 8. L L 2