A20559:611
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandments gathered from the mouth of a faithful pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholar in Cambridge.The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandements gathered from the mouth of a faithfull pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholler in Cambridge.
London: printed by John Harison for Thomas Man, 1603London: printed by Iohn Harison for Thomas Man, 1603
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The inward duty, is contentedness with ones own estate, with that portion whatsoever that God hath allotted unto us. To like so well of Gods division, as that we believe in our hearts that that measure is best and most profitable for us, that God our most merciful father hath appointed for us. This quietness with that part that falls to his share, is the duty commanded to every man, and is is the inward keeping of this commandment. This is commanded. Heb. 13. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness. This is the commandment. Why might some men say, I am not covetous, that you may try soon, and be content with those things that ye have; certainly so far as a man is void of covetousness, so far he is well content with that which he hath, and he that doth not think his own enough for himself, it is sure he is covetous after an other mans, I but how is it possible that one can be contented? I have so many wants & can see no means to supply them, how would you have one content now, and hath not enough maintenance, nor cannot tell how to get it? Nay ⟨p. 74⟩if one be a christian he hath enough to maintain him, for he hath the promise of God not to leave him nor forsake him, and is Gods promise nothing? is not his word sufficient assurance of all things needful? if God have bid one be content, and given him cause to be content, why should not he be content, is not his truth pawn good enough? what is to be believed, & whereupon may one depend, if not upon the word and promise of God?
The inward dutie, is contentednesse with ones owne estate, with that portion whatsouer that God hath allotted vnto vs. To like so well of Gods deuisiō, as that we beleeue in our hearts that that measure is best and most profitable for vs, that God our most mercifull father hath appointed for vs. This quietnesse with that part that fals to his share, is the dutie commanded to euerie man, and is is the inward keeping of this commandement. This is commanded. Heb. 13. 5. Let your conuersation be without couetousnesse. This is the commandemēnt. Why might some men say, I am not couetous, that you may trie soone, and be content with those thinges that yee haue; certainly so farre as a man is voide of couetousnesse, so farre hee is well content with that which he hath, and he that doth not thinke his owne enough for himselfe, it is sure hee is couetous after an other mans, I but how is it possible that one can bee contented? I haue so many wants & can see no meanes to supply them, how would you haue one contente now, and hath not enough maintenance, nor cannot tell how to get it? Nay