promi f s ofevthIybleffïr s,&c. bleffings fromGod, as pledges ofhis fpeciall loue, and partof their childes portion : fo it windeth and pulleth up the foule toGodagaine.. Locke what love-tokens are to linke the hearts of welwillers, and bring them toge- ther,or to preferve,renew,and increafe affe6tion amongft friends ; fuch force have thegood things ofthis life to lift up the believing heart tocommune with the Lord. And fore, profperitie is the ñttell feafon for heavenly contem- plation : the leffe trouble liethupon our flute, the more liberty wehave. with freedome to thtnke upon fuch things as concerne our eternal' inheritance. Betides, faith can- not favourearthly bleffings, unleffe it tallehis love, and feed upon his goodneffe in them, If being invited to a Noblemans Table, he be pleaff°d to carve a bit uponour Trencher, that isbetter then all the feat'. The love of God, giving us earthly things toenjoy, is that whichgi- veth them the heft relifh. And ifwe tafle the fweetneffe of his loving kindneffe in thcfe things, we cannot but defire, and long to be refrefhedwith fuller communion with him. Ninthly, Faith breeds godly jealoutie and fufpition, left the heart fhould be drawne away with thepleating delights of' things tranftorie. For by grace we are mad e confèious ofour owneweakenefle, and of the fnare that is in every creature to take and intangle us. Profperity is pleafing,but dangerous. Childrenquickly furfet on fweet meats : Coozening companions give flattering fpeeches. Long peace begets idleneffe : Povertie is more fertileof 1 men : plentie ofriot,niceneífe, cafe, and fuch like. 11u- flering windes cannot pull the cloake from the traveller, who ca`.is it off in the heate of theSunne. We have ex- amples of' many great worthies, whohave caughtmuch hurt in profperity. Ilea hath effeminate" many Cap- taines, who could ever becruthed or overcome with the terroure of warre. Soft fands fwallowmore{hips then hard rockes fplit afunder. This makes thewak ngbelie- ver circumfpea to examine his heart, and watch over it, how 36i 9.
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