Downame - Houston-Packer Collection BX5133.D76 C552 1611 v.2

47$ Ofthemanes to obtàinecontentatioa. andcheerefulneffe fullerheerewant, that there we mayhaue fulneffe; miferie that we may find boy; pouerty thatwe may be inriched with there treafures; and ignominieandcon- tempt, that wemay receiue this crowne of glory. And this argument ofeomfort and contentation our Sauiour Chrifl vfeth : for hauing perfuaded his difciples to relie on Gods tuk.».;s. prouidence without carking care, and promifed that ifthey would feeke firfl Gods kingdome and righteoufneffe, they fhouldhaue alloworldlyneceffaries fupplied unto them ; be- eattfe they werelike to haue force finali difcouragementby their fhort allowance of thefe derfied benefits, hee willeth themnot tofare for al this, becaufe it was their fathers plea- lure toglue them a kingdome. 4,Se17.12 The next meanes to attaine vnto contentation; is to line Thea.meaner an holy and chriflian life, walking in the wales ofGods ofcontentment command ements,in fincerityand vprigheneffe of heart;for io !elide a fini godlrneffcmuft enrich vs,beforewe canbe content with godtylife. that wee haue : firfl Godmildwellwithvsby hisfpirit,be t.Tun.r,.t fore weecanbe content to forbeare the worlds companie. Our heartsmil befilled with betterthings,beforewee can be willing to part with worfe;theymußt bee inriched with heauenly treafures, before wee will leaue immoderate fee, king ofearthlytrafh ; theymuff be indeedwith knowledge, faith, affiance, hope, loueand the refl of Gods fandlifying graces,before they can lightly efleeme of honours, riches, and earthly delights : for hauinganaturallappetite and hun- gring defires, either they mufbeefilled and fatisfiedwith thatwhich is good, orelfe theywill withvnfatiabie longing affeél andcourtworldlyvanities;like the flomacke, which vnleffeitbefuflicedwithwholefome food, willfucke in the wind,though being full ofit it is notfatisfied, but rather tor- mented. Againe, ifwee haue any true contentmentwe Inuit haueitin the Lord,as bath beenfhewed;but there is no con- tentmenttobe hadinGod without godlineffe t for howfb- euerthe Lordbe infinite in wifedorne,pow er, goodnes,loue, . and truth, yet wecannotcomfortablieapply anyofal this to our felues,for our vfe & benefit neither in truthdo they at al appettainevnto vs, vnleífc we performe fuch conditions as God

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