A65276:253
The Art of Divine Contentment
Autarkeia, or, The art of divine contentment by Thomas Watson.
London: printed by T.M. for Ralph Smith, 1654
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.
1. God is there; Something of God is to be seen in that heart.1 A discontented Christian is like a rough tempestuous Sea; when the water is rough, you can see nothing there; but when it is smooth and serene, then you may behold your face in the water*. When the heart rageth through discontent, it is like a rough Sea; you can see nothing there, unless passion and murmuring; there is nothing of God, nothing of Heaven in that heart; but by virtue of Contentment, 'tis like the Sea when it is smooth and calm, there is a face shining there; you may see something of Christ in that heart, a representation of all the graces.
1. God is there; Something of God is to be seen in that heart.1 A discontented Christian is like a rough tempestuous Sea; when the water is rough, you can see nothing there; but when it is smooth and serene, then you may behold your face in the water*. When the heart rageth through discontent, it is like a rough Sea; you can see nothing there, unlesse passion and murmuring; there is nothing of God, nothing of Heaven in that heart; but by vertue of Contentment, 'tis like the Sea when it is smooth and calme, there is a face shining there; you may see something of Christ in that heart, a representation of all the graces.
- 11. Ibi Deus.
- *Prov. 27. 19.
2. Rest is there. O what a Sabbath is kept in a contented heart!1