26 it e deceitfulneffe of Mans heart. deceitfulnes of our hearts in fuch promiles,and that indeed there things would in the event have pro- ved fèspents, andhones, which wee thought would have been ffhes, and bred; that they would have been very bitter and burthenfome unto us , which we fancied as matters of comfort and delight. 2 To reít contented in that eftate wherein we are; For howfoever wepromiCe much of our lelves, if our efiate fhould change for the better, as from povertie to riches, from obfcuritie to glor y , and greatneffe in the world, and prefume ofourown ftrength , not to be touched with thofe infirmities that ufually attend fuch eftates; yet we have lear- ned how deceitfull our hearts be 'herein. Have wee then a liberal and merciful afeetion in our poverty, let us not be over defirous of a richer condition ; For wee know not whether then we fhallbe of the Came minds, yea, or no : And that affection we have to liberality while we are poor is accepted of God for liberality it felfe. Take heed then of this deceit. Thou defireft to be rich, that thou mighteft be libe- rali; So much thy heart promiferh thee , that thou fhouldeft be very liberals, ifthou wert once rich : Loe thou art liberals, before thou art rich, in regard of the aftiion and difpofition of thy heart ; and when thou art rich, thou art not fo much as liberali in afetIion. Thou dolt not only not get that libe- rality in at ion , which thou promifedft thy felfe in riches, but alto thou leefeft, together with thy po- verty that liberality in afeelion whk-h then thou haddeft. O, deceitfull heart, who by promifing us more, makeft us to have lefts ! Delire then rather to
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