The Art of Divine Contentment

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 ⟨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; wee 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.

Secondly, in regard of our afflictions we have deserved more. Thou hast punished us less then our iniquities deserve^*. Is our condition sad? we have deserved it should be worse; hath God taken away our estate from us? he might have taken away Christ from us: hath he thrown us into prison? he might have thrown us into hell; he might as well damn us, as whip us; this should make us contented.

Secondly, in regard of our afflictions we have deserved more. Thou hast punished us lesse then our iniquities deserve