The Art of Divine Contentment

Answ. Make this five fold comparison.

1. Let us compare our condition and our desert together;¹ if we have not what we desire, we have more then we deserve. For our mercies, we have deserved less; for our afflictions, we have deserved more.

1. Let us compare our condition and our desert together;¹ if we have not what we desire, we have more then wee deserve. For our mercies, we have deserved lesse; for our afflictions, we have deserved more.

1. 11. Comparison.

First, in regard of our mercies, we have deserved less. What can we deserve? Can man be profitable to the Almighty? we live upon free grace. Alexander gave a great gift to one of his subjects; the man being much taken with it, This (saith he) is more then I am worthy of; I do not give thee this, saith the King, because thou ⟨p. 250⟩art worthy of it, but I give a gift like Alexander. Whatever we have is not merit, but bounty; the least bit of bread is more then God owes us; we can bring faggots to our own burning, but not one flower to the garland of our salvation; he that hath the least mercy, will die in Gods debt.

First, in regard of our mercies, we have deserved lesse. What can we deserve? Can man be profitable to the Almighty? we live upon free grace. Alexander gave a great gift to one of his subjects; the man being much taken with it, This (saith he) is more then I am worthy of; I do not give thee this, saith the King, because thou