Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

466 0fthe meaner to obtain contentation. Hebr.t ;.p, we ought to be content with thole things which we haue, becaule the Lord hath promifed that he will not falle vs,nei- ther forfake vs ;if he had promifed his gifts and not hitnfelfe, theremight be caufe ofdifcontent, when they are wanting; as for example, ifhe had promilèd only honors, riches, and pleafures ofthe world, and Paid that there mould neuer falle, wefhould hauehad little comforror content in our difgrace, pouertie and bitter griefes, becaufe all there things haue left vs;but when hepromifcth vs himfelfe,thathe will neuer for- fake vs, we can neuer haue intl caufe ofdifcontent; becaufe what is wanting in our outward dive, he is readie to fupply by his inward graces, and able to make our little fufhcient,as well as plentie,and euen our nothing as good as all things. §.Se3,9. Seeing then our God in whom we trufl,isfoinfinitinwif- Tharchriftians dome and power, fo infinit allo in his loue towards vs, and may fsfelyand no leffe gratious in his promifes,then true in performance,as jecurelyrefion being truth it Idle, who cannot deceiue, and his words,Yea der ce ro¡ and Amen : what foule fhame were it for vs who profeffe Chritlianitie, and by often inflruólionhaue attained to the knowledge of thefe principles; not to rely our felttes wholly vpon him with full content, fubmitting our willes vnto his will,'and liking ofthat which bellpleafeth him, Peeing the Plasm ',mini very heathens,who were ignorant ofthis truft, anddeflitute r¡uicquidDea of all there hopes and comforts, could yet refigne them - placet. Sencc. felues over to be ruled at the pleafure of their diuine powers: ep ff.74 fo one of them faith, that that ought to pleafe man,whatfoe- necee efi pon_ uer pleafeth God : and againe,lt is neceffarie that euery man mæp etatit ergo that is good,fhoul d be ofgreat piety towards God,and con - dees effe, &c. fequently that he Puffer with a patient mind whatfoeuer hap - epí6 peneth vnto him, knowing that it happeneth by divine pro - uidence which gouerneth all things. Neither in truth can there be a more effe&uall argument,to moue vs veto conten- cation of mind, and to beare whatfoeuer befaliethvswith patience and comfort, then to confider, that God, who is in himfelfe infinite in wifedome and knowledge, and veto vs moll gratious and mercifuI!, doth fo order and gotterne all things with his prouidence, that not fo much as afparrow can light on the ground,or an haire fall from ourhead,but as they