what Poverty of f irit, i Wed. though I be unworthy, yet- if God fhould give me all the world, it would no fatisfie me for my portion, I muff have himfelfe, I mull have heaven, and eternity, and glory.; This is a man of a true rayfed fpirir, and all men in the world are of poore, bafe, low fpirits, in comparifon of this man whole fpirit Godlinefs bath thus elevated in this gracious way. There- fore it's not every one that is poore in fpirit which is thus blefled. Well, but who then,: what poverty of fpirit is that that makes a man bleffed. For that you muff know, Fira thus, Bleffed are thofe that are poor in fpirit, notes thus;much,.when a man or woman (fo I find fome carry it) is willing in their fpirits to be in a low and poor condition, if God shall fo pleafe : So as to be willing though he hath never fo much of the world, yet if God ihall please to call for áll his eflate, he is willing in his fpirit to give it up to God, and to live poorly : Nov God doth give a man a comfortable eflate, he hath comings in, he bath all things wel about him in his family, I but now faith this foule,. it's true, I have received thefe good,mercies from -God, but yet God knowes this is in my Spirit, that God that fearches the hearts of all, and converfes with mans fpirits, _knowes that this is in my fpirit,that if the Lord will call for all diefe to give witnefle to his truth, I am here ready ro part with all thefe outward accommodations, and to live upon bread and water all my dayes,to live in as poor a condition as ever poor creature liv'd in in this world, to lay afide alt my pompe and riches, and glory that I have in this world, and willing to be in the loweft condition that anypoor almes body is, foe it that the Lord may have any glory by me :and I may further witneffe -to him:- Pelf, here's one that is truly poor in fpirit : It may be he is-nor poor in his eflate ; I confeife the Papifls make a great deal of doe about ,this, poor in fpirit that is -fay they, one that is wil- ling to vow poverty,,but God doth not call for this, but when ever he calls for your eflates, or any. comforts you have, that you fhould be willing to lay them down at his feet': fo much Cod requires of every man : And now examine as Igoe a- long,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=