A65276:384
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.
A true Christian grows, 1. Formâ, in beauty. Grace is the best complexion of the soul; it is at the first plantation like Rachel, fair to look upon; but still the more it lives, the more it sends forth its rays of beauty. Abraham's faith was at first beautiful; but at last it did shine in its orient colours, and grew so illustrious, that God himself was in love ⟨p. 216⟩with it, and makes his faith a pattern to all Believers.
A true Christian growes, 1. Formâ, in beauty. Grace is the best complexion of the soule; it is at the first plantation like Rachel, faire to looke upon; but still the more it lives, the more it sends forth its rayes of beauty. Abrahams faith was at first beautifull; but at last it did shine in its orient colours, and grew so illustrious, that God himself was in love ⟨p. 216⟩with it, and makes his faith a paterne to all Beleevers.
2. A true Christian grows Suavitate, in sweetness. A poisonfull weed may grow as much as the Hyssop, or Rose-marry; the Poppy in the field, as the Corn; the Crab, as the Pearmain: but the one hath a harsh, sour taste, the other mellows as it grows; An hypocrite may grow in outward dimensions, as much as a child of God; he may pray as much, profess as much; but he grows only in magnitude, he brings forth sour grapes, his duties are leavened with pride; the other ripens as he grows, he grows in love, humility, faith, which do mellow and sweeten his duties, and make them come off with a better relish. The Believer grows as the flower, he casts a fragrancy and perfume.
2. A true Christian growes Suavitate, in sweetnesse. A poisonfull weed may grow as much as the Hyssop, or Rose-mary; the Poppy in the field, as the Corne; the Crab, as the Pearmaine: but the one hath a harsh, sowre taste, the other mellows as it growes; An hypocrite may grow in outward dimensions, as much as a childe of God; hee may pray as much, professe as much; but he growes onely in magnitude, hee brings forth sowre grapes, his duties are leavened with pride; the other ripens as he growes, he growes in love, humility, faith, which do mellow and sweeten his duties, and make them come off with a better relish. The Beleever growes as the flower, he casts a fragrancy and perfume.