June 29, 2009

Ingratitude

I thnk if there was more thankfulness among Christians, we should see a lot less melancholy or morose Christians, who are in no particular hardships, no more than average at least, but instead even amongst those who seem very well blessed, and very rich and very comfortable Christians, at least compared to many others, we see the woe is me attitude and melancholia over-flowing. When surrounded by blessings and quite discernibly so, it can only speak of an unthankful heart, because somethings or other may not be just quite perfect or as we would wish it to be in thos cases.

Let us all pray for more thankful hearts, whether we rich or poor. But let the rich not indulge such sinfulful passions and bents as melancholia at every turn as I have seen, but rather open their eyes and see what the Lord has given them that they deserve not, and be very thankful and humble that he stooped so low, and rather than woe is me, give thanks to Him. One cannot simulatenously be melancholic and praising God. Ingratitude is a sin whether its from the rich or the poor. But the sin is far more glaring in those who have a bounty given freely by God, compared to those of us who starve.

Many, by idolizing some prescribed forms now,cast off all forms of prayer; and too many from Cathedral chanting, are come to reject that sweet heavenly Gospel service of singing of Psalms: yea, so far from keeping a diary of by-past mercies, that they sleight and omit daily blessings of God in their families, and at their meals, for their daily bread and present mercies, though contrary to Scripture precepts and presidents; as if their food suited not their stomachs unless it were profane, (like themselves), that is, not sanctified by the Word and prayer.
The sacrifice of Thanksgiving was to be eaten on the same day, as one well notes; and in well-ordered families singing Psalms as Prayers hath been a daily exercise.
'Twas a grave and just reproof of a Right Reverend Father in this city, present with his brethren on their days of humiliation and prayer, he commended their petitions and confessions but discommended their failings in thanksgiving.
And 'twas well answered by another, to one complaining of many wants and weaknesses, Be Thankfull. Be thankfull.
We look more after our privileges of Christ, then our duty we are to practice towards him; like Tenants, not so ready with their Rents, as to see their Covenants with the landlord be made good to them.
But ingratitude is a sin condemned by the light of nature; the Heathen had their Hymns to their Gods. Lycurgus made no law against it: man in requiting kindness being a law unto himself.
In Athens a servant ungrateful after manumission, his Master had an action against him, and might reduce him to bondage.
The unthankful and unholy go together in the Word, and are parallel with the evil.
Unthankfulness is the grave, the hell of benefits, the curse of blessings, a wind that dries up mercies. Let nothing be lost, saith our Saviour; Bernard applies it to favour from God. [Joh nBeadle from A Journal or Diary of a Thankfull Christian.]

Lord, when in poverty we are so weighed down by our hunger, let us at least, at LEAST, be able to give thanks for your grace freely given and unmerited. Whether we be rich or poor, Father, please give us thankful hearts.