2. Thy soul is exercised and enamelled with the graces of the Spirit, and is not here enough to give contentment? ⟨p. 144⟩Grace is of a divine birth; it is the new plantation; it is the flower of the heavenly Paradise; 'tis the embroidery of the Spirit; 'tis the seed of God*; 'tis the sacred unction; 2'tis Christs portraiture in the soul; 'tis the very foundation on which the superstructure of glory is laid. O, of what infinite value is Grace! What a Jewell is Faith! well may it be called precious Faith*. What is love, but a divine sparkle in the soul? A soul beautified with grace, is like a room richly hung with Arras, or Tapestry, or the Firmament bespangled with glittering Stars. These are the true riches*, which cannot stand with reprobation; and is not here enough to give the soul contentment? What are all other things but like the wings of a butterfly, curiously painted? but they defile our fingers. Earthly riches, saith Augustine, are full of poverty*; so indeed they are. ⟨p. 145⟩For, 1. They cannot enrich the soul; Often-times under silken apparel, there is a thread-bare soul. 2. These are corruptible. Riches are not for ever, as the wise man saith*. Heaven is a place where gold and silver will not go; a Believer is rich towards God*, why then art thou discontented? hath not God given thee that which is better then the world? What if he doth not give thee the box, if he gives thee the Jewel? What if he denies thee farthings, if he pays thee in a better coin? he gives thee gold, viz. spiritual mercies. Should not Josephs brethren have been content that their sacks were filled with corn, though there had not been money in the mouth of their sacks? What if the water in the bottle be spent? thou hast enough in the fountain; What need he complain of the worlds Emptiness that hath Gods Fullness? The Lord is my portion, 8saith David, then let ⟨p. 146⟩the lines fall where they will, in a sick-bed, or prison; I will say, The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
2. Thy soule is exercised and enamel'd with the graces of the Spirit, and is not here enough to give contentment? ⟨p. 144⟩Grace is of a divine birth; it is the new plantation; it is the flower of the heavenly Paradise; 'tis the embroydery of the Spirit; 'tis the seed of God*; 'tis the sacredunction; 2'tis Christs pourtraiture in the soule; 'tis the very foundation on whch the superstructure of glory is laid. O, of what infinite value is Grace! What a Jewell is Faith! well may it be call'd precious Faith*. What is love, but a divine sparkle in the soule? A soule beautified with grace, is like a roome richly hung with Arras, or Tapestry, or the Firmament bespangled with glittering Starres. These are the true riches*, which cannot stand with reprobation; and is not here enough to give the soule contentment? What are all other things but like the wings of a butterfly, curiously painted? but they defile our fingers. Earthly riches, saith Augustine, are full of poverty*; so indeed they are. ⟨p. 145⟩For, 1. They cannot enrich the soul; Often-times under silken apparell, there is a therd-bare soule. 2. These are corruptible. Riches are not for ever, as the wise man saith*. Heaven is a place where gold and silver will not goe; a Beleever is rich towards God*, why then art thou discontented? hath not God given thee that which is better then the world? What if he doth not give thee the box, if he gives thee the Jewel? What if he denies thee farthings, if he payes thee in a better coyne? hee gives thee gold, viz. spiritual mercies. Should not Iosephs brethren have been content that their sacks were fill'd with corne, though there had not been money in the mouth of their sacks? What if the water in the bottel be spent? thou hast enough in the fountaine; What need hee complaine of the worlds Emptiness that hath Gods Fulnesse? The Lord is my portion, 8
- *1 Joh. 3. 9.
- 21 Joh. 2. 27.
- *2 Pet. 1. 1.
- *Luke 16. 11.
- *Divitia corporals paupertatis plenae sunt. Aug.Divitia corporales paupertatis plenae sunt. Aug.
- *Prov. 27 24.
- *Luke 12 21.
- 8Psal. 16. 5.
