474 Ofthemotivesto obtairecontestation. rnerablebleffngsofGod, whereas our fumeshaue deferued, that they fhould all be taken fromvs, and his iudgements and puni(hmentsinfliCied, asa fit wages for our Gnfull fer- uice; then wouldwe notbe difcontented for that we haue not, but contented with that we haue, nor repine for wan- ting fome things, but reioyce that the Lord vouchfafethvs any thing. Againe, ifwe would but confider howmany be- nefits we inioy which others want,who aremuch more wor- thie; ifwe would Tooke how many come behind vs in re- wards,that go far before vs in defert ; we would not through difcontentmake our felues miferable, becaufe we cannot be fo happic as we delire; we would not fret becaufe force go before vs, but reioyce that weare preferred before fomany; nor repiningly thinke Gods liberalitie fcant and firait, be. cattle we haue not all, but rather admire and thankfully ex. toll his infinit bounty,that he vouchfafethvnto vs any thing, who haue dcferuednothing:whereas ifour fingerbe alwaies vpon our fores, and our eye vpon ourwants, neuer thinking what we haue, but what we delre; ifwe alwaieslookevpon thole who go beforevs, and neuer call backe our eye vpon thofe thatfollowvs ; ifwe compare our wants with others pleutie, and ourmiferies with their ioyes; neuerlooking at that wherein they alfo are defeo`ìiue, nor vpon thofeeuils, wherein theyhaue their (hare ; then can we neuer want for- rowand difcontent, becaufe we are our owne tormenters, nor hueat cafe with comfort and quietneffe,feeing wepicke quarrels again(+our owne peace, and whipour felues with rods ofour owne making. 4.Sett 4, And thus haue T (hewed that our contentment is to be That perfed found in Ipiritual and not inworldly things: but for as much aadfallcontes- as wee cannotheere haue full contentment, becaufe we are ration to not full of grace, nor be tlsroughly fatisfied with fpirituall ;eenlynappìner, befaundinhea thin s becaufe they are imperfe&l, and our delires alto g ' worldly and carnall;let vs aboneall things labour to attaine vnto heaueoly happines,and tobe partakers ofthofe eternall ioyes which will fully fatisfie without all loathing fatietie, lecing by the infinit wifdome and powerofGod theyare of fucha nature, that their fulueffe is accompanied with a con- tinual(
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