THE Author of the ensuing Discourse (Now with God, reaping the Fruit of all his Labour, Diligence and Success in his Masters Service) did experience in himself (through the Grace of God) the Nature, Excellency and Comfort of a truly Broken, ⟨image 3⟩and Contrite Spirit. So that what is here written, is but a Transcript out of his own Heart: For God (who had much work for him to do) was still Hewing and Hammering him by his Word, and sometimes also by more than ordinary Temptations and Desertions: The Design, and also the Issue thereof, through Gods Goodness, was the humbling and keeping of him Low in his own Eyes. The truth is, (as himself sometimes acknowledged) he always needed the Thorn in the Flesh, and God in mercy sent it him, least under his Extraordinary ⟨image 3⟩Circumstances, he should be exalted above measure: which perhaps was the evil that did more easily beset him, than any other. But the Lord was pleased to over-rule it to work for his Good, and to keep him in that Broken Frame which is so acceptable unto him, and concerning which it is said, That he healeth the Broken in Heart, and bindeth up their wounds, Psal. 147. 3. And indeed it is a most necessary qualification that should always be found in the Disciples of Christ, who are most eminent, and as Stars of the first Magnitude in the Firmament ⟨image 4⟩of the Church: Disciples in the highest form of Profession need to be thus qualified in the exercise of every Grace, and the performance of every Duty: It is that which God doth principally, and more especially look after, in all our Approaches, and Accesses to him. It is to him that God will look, and with him God will dwell, who is poor, and of a Contrite Spirit, Isa. 57. 15. and 66. 2. And the reason why God will manifest so much respect to one so qualified, is, because he carries it so becomingly towards him: He comes and lies at ⟨image 4⟩Feet, and discovers a quickness of sense, and apprehensiveness of whatever may be dishonourable and distasteful to God, Psal. 38. 4. And if the Lord doth at any time but shake his Rod over him, he comes trembling, and kisses the Rod, and says, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him Good, 1 Sam. 3. 18. He is sensible he hath sinned and gone astray like a lost Sheep, and therefore will justify God in his severest Proceedings against him.
THE Author of the ensuing Discourse (Now with God, reaping the Fruit of all his Labour, Diligence and Success in his Masters Service) did experience in himself (through the Grace of God) the Nature, Excellency and Comfort of a truly Broken, ⟨image 3⟩and Contrite Spirit. So that what is here written, is but a Transcript out of his own Heart: For God (who had much work for him to do) was still Hewing and Hammering him by his Word, and sometimes also by more than ordinary Temptations and Desertions: The Design, and also the Issue thereof, through Gods Goodness, was the humbling and keeping of him Low in his own Eyes. The truth is, (as himself sometimes acknowledged) he always needed the Thorn in the Flesh, and God in mercy sent it him, least under his Extraordinary ⟨image 3⟩Circumstances, he should be exalted above measure: which perhaps was the evil that did more easily beset him, than any other. But the Lord was pleased to over-rule it to work for his Good, and to keep him in that Broken Frame which is so acceptable unto him, and concerning which it is said, That he healeth the Broken in Heart, and bindeth up their wounds, Psal. 147. 3. And indeed it is a most necessary qualification that should always be found in the Disciples of Christ, who are most eminent, and as Stars of the first Magnitude in the Firmament ⟨image 4⟩of the Church: Disciples in the highest form of Profession need to be thus qualified in the exercise of every Grace, and the performance of every Duty: It is that which God doth principally, and more especially look after, in all our Approaches, and Accesses to him. It is to him that God will look, and with him God will dwell, who is poor, and of a Contrite Spirit, Isa. 57. 15. and 66. 2. And the reason why God will manifest so much respect to one so qualified, is, because he carries it so becomingly towards him: He comes and lies at ⟨image 4⟩Feet, and discovers a quickness of sence, and apprehensiveness of whatever may be dishonourable and distasteful to God, Psal. 38. 4. And if the Lord doth at any time but shake his Rod over him, he comes trembling, and kisses the Rod, and says, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him Good,
