This worthy Man, especially in his latter times, was surrounded (through Gods blessing on him) with a very great confluence of what might give forth Contentment to a vast spirit of his rank and calling. He was enriched with a large measure of abilities and opportunities in serving his Lord (to glorify whom, and do much good to others, is the divine part of a man gracious (which he was) the highest and most solid satisfaction, and in many respects exceeds what personal ⟨image 3⟩communion with God, singly considered, brings in) Besides, he lived and dyed in a fullness of honour and esteem with the best of men, of Saints; yea, the worst of enemies: Likewise of estate, and outward comforts within his sphere and rank; all which might and did afford Contentment to what was outward in him. In the midst of these his study was to find out a more sublime way, and hidden art of self sufficiency, then was in the power of all things to contribute or teach: Such a skill as did not only poise & compose his spirit in the present enjoyment of all; but might fortify and furnish him with provision for the future against the loss of all, in times wherein no man knoweth what evil will be in the earth. This mark his first lines show he shot at: This Art some Philosophers of ⟨image 3⟩old pretended themselves Masters of, and to instruct other in, through the assistance of Natural and Moral elements, elevated to the utmost height their Principles could carry them; but in vain: Their Chemistry in this kind being able to produce no more but a sullen obstinacy and obdurateness of mind. The natural Spirit of a man feeling it self greater then all creatures, gathering up and consolidating it self into it self, is able (as Solomon says) to sustain its own, and all other infirmities. But that Autarchy this Author here presents, is a Mystery, which 1none of these Princes of the world knew, 2or the wisdom of man teacheth, but the holy Ghost teacheth; and which few, but those that are perfect, do attain: Teaching the soul to deny it self into weakness, emptiness, in and to its self and all things else; and thus dissolved to unite it self to him who only hath blessedness ⟨image 4⟩and all-sufficiency, with whom associated and made intimate, it melts it self into all his interests, making them its own, and thereby comes to have all that All-sufficiency of the High God to be its self-sufficiency:
THis worthy Man, especially in his latter times, was surrounded (through Gods blessing on him) with a very great confluence of what might give forth Contentment to a vast spirit of his ranck and calling. He was enriched with a large measure of abilities and opportunities in serving his Lord (to glorifie whom, and do much good to others, is the divine part of a man gracious (which he was) the highest and most solid satisfaction, and in many respects exceeds what personall ⟨image 3⟩communion with God, singly considered, brings in) Besides, he lived and dyed in a fulnesse of honor and esteem with the best of men, of Saints; yea, the worst of enemies: Likewise of estate, and outward comforts within his sphaere and rank; all which might and did afford Contentment to what was outward in him. In the midst of these his study was to finde out a more sublime way, and hidden art of selfe sufficiency, then was in the power of all things to contribute or teach: Such a skill as did not only poyse & compose his spirit in the present enjoyment of all; but might fortifie and furnish him with provision for the future against the losse of all, in times wherein no man knoweth what evil will be in the earth. This mark his first lines shew he shot at: This Art some Philosophers of ⟨image 3⟩old pretended themselves Masters of, and to instruct other in, through the assistance of Natural and Moral elements, elevated to the utmost height their Principles could carry them; but in vaine: Their Chymistry in this kinde being able to produce no more but a sullen obstinacie and obduratenesse of minde. The natural Spirit of a man feeling it selfe greater then all creatures, gathering up and consolidating it self into it self, is able (as Solomon saies) to sustaine its owne, and all other infirmites. But that Autarchy this Author here presents, is a Mystery, which 1none of these Princes of the world knew, 2or the wisdome of man teacheth, but the holy Ghost teacheth; and which few, but those that are perfect, do attaine: Teaching the soule to deny it selfe into weaknesse, emptinesse, in and to its selfe and all things else; and thus dissolved to unite it selfe to him who onely hath blessednesse ⟨image 4⟩and all-sufficiencie, with whom associated and made intimate, it melts it selfe into all his interests, making them its owne, and thereby comes to have all that All-sufficiency of the High God to be its self-sufficiency:
- 11 Tim. 6.6.
- 21 Cor. 2.
