The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Secondly, It seems by this Argument, that all the reasons, or the only reason, why we are content, and ought to be content when God denies us any common mercy, is the sovereignty and pleasure of God; for this is the reason expressed, and none but this. That the pleasure of God doth much, and ought to do much among Christians, I deny not; but that this must be the sole reason, as if no other reason should quiet us, I understand not this Divinity: With his leave, I shall give him other reasons why I am content and quiet, though God denieth me some common mercies, since it is his pleasure freely to give me himself, his Christ, his Love, his Grace, his Pardon and Peace, which are sure mercies; therefore I desire to be quiet and content, though he hath denied me many common mercies; and let me say this (with honour yet) to that holy man, that the will being a most hungry appetite, and ⟨p. 122⟩good, being the meat that must satisfy it; and this is Gods own work to make the faculty: then if the will be hungry, and sharp set after any common mercy, that it tastes as good, and very good for it, then if the temptation blows hard, it will be impossible to make that man quiet, contented, but either he must enjoy that particular good, or he must find some other good counterpoising, nay, overcoming and conquering that good, and what is that but God himself in Christ. Sovereignty doth not satisfy the appetite, in it self simply, it is no good for the will to possess; but the love of the Sovereign God, which gives the will union with God, this is heavenly food for this appetite; and this will do, when this good God will give out himself to the Soul, and make the Soul know it.

Secondly, It seems by this Argument, that all the reasons, or the only reason, why we are content, and ought to be content when God denies us any common mercy, is the soveraignty and pleasure of God; for this is the reason expressed, and none but this. That the pleasure of God doth much, and ought to do much among Christians, I deny not; but that this must be the sole reason, as if no other reason should quiet us, I understand not this Divinity: With his leave, I shall give him other reasons why I am content and quiet, though God denieth me some common mercies, since it is his pleasore freely to give me himself, his Christ, his Love, his Grace, his Pardon and Peace, which are sure mercies; therefore I desire to be quiet and content, though he hath denied me many common mercies; and let me say this (with honour yet) to that holy man, that the will being a most hungry appetite, and