C H A P.2. Epiftle to the ?heffalonians. V E R.IO: ofGrace. Thy e words were foúnd with mee, and I did eat them : and thy word was unto me the ioy and reioycing of nay heart. See Iob 23.12. `Pfal.119. And who fo confiders : t d Enmìtie of depraued nature againft the Law of (jod : 2 That this loue iffues fronthe e comforts our confciences have ta/ted; the power of it our foules haue experimented e infubduin the high thoughts to obedience of Chrig , and the blef ed e change it hath wrought , eafely acknowledgech the gift fupernaturall; farre abone, what nature eleuated to her highefl pitch, if fubfifling Within boundes of nature, can poffibly reach unto. Well is the foule that feeles it; bee hath Heauen vpon earth: thus difcerne it, and refl of tired of thy gracious eflate. a The rate its h valued at,is abone that of Gold and Siluer. z The foule that tabs it, i fearcheth for it as for Siluer ; withall the might gets this vnderftanding. 3 k Ci32ournes for deprivall, as Rachel for her children. 4 Is in a meafure fatisfied, neuer J fated with the pleafures of it. 5 A `" beautie it fees in the very feet of them that preach it; loues the ground they goe on. 6 Hates an Hell the adulteraters, n oppofeth to emery oppofte of the trueth, and proceedings of it. You that loue your foules, fallen on them this loue of truth. t If depth of learning, profound myftcries bee it that your mindes affect, loe here what o angels them- felurs lone ro pry into, reioyce to P learn in the Church. 2 Pleating to the vnderflandin is the knowledge of trueth. Perim is bonum intellethu,the halfe happineffe and perfe6Iion of the vnderflanding.Here fee fuch as no fete ce el fe reueales : God is he knowes , and reneales his owne be- ing, and manner ofexiflence. The true meanes of reconci- ling man to cod; and what all the wits of the World in vaine turmoiled and puzled themfelues to finde out, the way and meane of true tranquil'itie. 3 Oh 9 taft and fee how gracious the Lordis; experi- ment a while the power of this truth : What wonders will it worke in thy foule, may it there fway ? Thofe turbulent M g'e_g 161 Urea f.r6, d Ront.8.7. ° r.Pct.a.3, r I.Cor,to4. c Pfal.19,7. OP I. Mat,13:46. Pfal. 197z. Pro,z4. ' Pfa1.84 & 4z. r Pfal. 94,2. t.Pctx,z 3. "'Rom.ro.rq. " Gal,z,5, * °r Pct r.rz. P E; hef,3.ao. n Pfa1:34,8.
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