them, but in vain: Their Chymiftrie,in this kind,being able to produce no more but a Jullen obftinacie and obdurateness of mind. The Natural Spirit of a Man, feeling it felf greater than all Creatures, gathering up, and confolidating its Self into its felf, is able (as Solomon faies) to fuftain its own, and all other infirmities. But that Autarchy this Author here prefents, is a Myfterie, which none of thefe Princes of the World knew, or the Wisdom of Man teacheth, but the Holy Ghoft teacheth; and which few, but thofe that are perfect, do attain; Teaching the foul to denie it felf into weakness, emptiness, in, and to its felf, and all things elfe, and thus diffolved to unitie it felf, to him who onely hath blessedness and ali-fufficiencie, with whom affociated and made intimate, it melts it felf into all His Interefts, making them its own, and thereby comes to have all that AllSufficiencie of the High God, to be its Self-fufficiencie: And then, what ftate can that fout be in, wherein it may not be content feeing it hath God to be the chiefest comfort in its best times, and onely comfort in its worst. This, though it be the inheritance of every Saint,in the right and title to it, yet the poffefsion and enjoyment of it, depends upon an improvement of this inheritance, and that upon a skill which is to be learned by experience and much exercife (as Paul peaks) I have learned in whatsoever eftate I am, therewith to be content. This piece of learning,this ferious fpirited Man inured himself unto, and digging for it as Rubies (as Solomon's Scholar for Wisdom) hath found it, and hath hewn forth this JEWEL (a Title given neither by himself,nor by us the Publishers, to the Subject it felf, yet the Materials themfalves deferving it) out of the Rock, and hath artificially cut it) that the innate Rays, of this fo glorious a Grace, might fine forth to others. And here it comes to be prefent ed, ed, though fet forth as the richest Jewels are, often for a while, in ruder metal, until bargained for, but then are placed in Tablets worthie of them. The onely feat this is ordained for, is, the precious Tablets of Mens Hearts, in,and from which alone, the native luftre of it will be made confpicuous. Reader, buy it, fet, and wear it there, and it shall (as Solomon speaks, Prov. 3. 22, &c.) be life unto thy foul, and grace unto thy neck: Thou shalt not be afraid when thon lieft down, yea, thy fleep fhall be fweet unto thee: for the Lord will be thy confidence. Thomas Goodwyn. William Bridge. The A 3 3 It is a frame of Spirit Contentment a Myfterie ibid ibid 18 ibid I A Chriftian is content, yet unfatisfied 2 A Chriftian comes to contentment by fubftraction 20 3 By adding another burden to that he bath 21 6 God ibid 7 22 5 By doing the work of his condition 24 I. It is spread through the whole foul 6 By melting his will into Gods will It is a frame offpirit freely submitting 27 I He hath the love of God in that he |