A29686:154
A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…
A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain discovery of, or, what men are worth for eternity, and how 'tis like to go with them in another world ... / by Thomas Brooks ...A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain discovery of, or, what men are worth for eternity, and how 'tis like to go with them in another world ... / by Thomas Brooks ...
London : Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock ..., 1669
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.
Ninthly, a godly man may argue thus. To such who are poor in spirit, the Kingdom of heaven belongs, Mat. 5.3. By poor in spirit, is not meant poor in substance, that not being a thing praise worthy in it self,1 but the broken and humble in heart, who hath no high thoughts or conceits of himself, but is lowly in his own eyes, as a young child. Blessed are the poor in spirit; that is (non habentes inflantem spiritum) who hath no lofty or puffed up spirit.2 The poor in spirit, are those that are lowly, being truly conscious of their own unworthiness. Nulli pauperes spiritu nisi humiles; none are poor in spirit, but the humble. Blessed are the poor in spirit; that is, blessed are they whose spirits are brought into such an humble gracious frame, as willingly, quietly and contentedly to lye down in a poor low condition, when it is the pleasure of the Lord to bring them into such a condition. Blessed are the poor in spirit; that is, blessed are they who are truly and kindly ⟨p. 31⟩apprehensive and sensible of their spiritual wants, poverty and misery,3 that see their need of God's free grace to pardon them, that see their need of Christs righteousness to clothe them, that see their need of the Spirit of Christ to purge, change and sanctify them, that see their need of more heavenly wisdom to counsel them, that see their need of more of the power of God to support them, and of the goodness of God to supply them, and of the mercy of God to comfort them, and of the presence of God to refresh them, and of the patience of God to bear with them, &c. that see their need of greater measures of faith to conquer their fears, and of greater measures of wisdom to walk holily, harmlessly, bl•mlesly and exemplarily in the midst of temptations, snares and dangers; and that see their need of greater measures of patience to bear their burdens without fretting or fainting; and that see their need of greater measures of zeal and courage to bear up bravely against all sorts of opposition, both from within and from without; and that see their need of greater measures of love to cleave to the Lamb, and to follow the Lamb whither ever he goes;