Moralities.
1. THe malignity of mans nature undervalueth all that which it hath in hand, & little esteems many necessary things, because they are com∣mon. The Sun is not counted rare, because it shines every day, and the elements are held contemptible, since they are common to the poor as well as the rich. Jesus was despised in his own Countrey, because he was there known to all the world, and the disdain of that ungratefull Nation closed the hands of his great bounty. Is it not a great unhappiness to be weary and tyred with often communicating? to be wicked be∣cause God is good, and to shut up our selves close, when he would impart himself to us: Men make little account of great benefits and spiritual helps, for that they have them present. They must lose those favours to know them well, and seek outragiously without effect, what they have kickt away with contempt, because it was easily possest.
2. The choices and elections of God are not to be comprehended within our thoughts, but they should be adored by our hearts. He is Master of his own fa∣vours, and doth what he will in the Kingdoms of Nature, Grace, and Glory. He makes vessels of Pot∣ters earth, of gold and silver. He makes Holy-dayes and working-dayes (saith the Wiseman) his libera∣lites are as free to him, as his thoughts. We must not examine the reason why he doth elevate some, and abase others. Our eye must not be wicked, be∣cause his heart is good. Let us content our selves that he loves the humble, and to know that the lowest place of all, is most secure. No man is made reprobate without justice, no man is saved without mercy. God creates men to repair in many, that which he hath made; and also to punish in the per∣sons of many, that which he hath not made.
3. Jesus doth not cure his brethren; and yet cures strangers; to shew, that his powers are not tied to any nation, but his own will, So likewise the graces of God are not to be measured according to the nature of him who receives them, but by the pure bounty of him who gives them. The humility of some doth call him, when the presumption of others doth estrange him. The weak grounds of a dying law, did no good to the Jews, who disdained the grace of Jesus Christ, And that disdain deprived them of their adoption, of the glory of the New Testament, of all the pro∣mises, and of all Magistracy. They lost all, because they would keep their own wills. Let us learn by the grace of God to desire earnestly that good, which we would obtain effectually. Persons distasted and sur∣fetted cannot advance much in a spiritual life. And he that seeks after perfection coldly, shall never find it.