Case 3. Whether an incestuous marriage, contracted in simpli- city of heart, betwixt two persons ignorant of such a defilement; and so far consummate, as that children are born in that wedlock; ought to be made known THE REMEDY OF DISCONTENTMENT: OR, A TREATISE OF CONTENTATION IN WHATSOEVER CONDITION: FIT FOR THESE SAD AND TROUBLED TIMES. BY JOSEPH, BISHOP OF NORWICH. I HAVE perused this Treatise, entitled "The Remedy of Discon tentment;" and, judging it to be very pious, profitable, and necessary for these Sad and Distracted Times, I License it to be printed and published; and should much commend it to the Christian Reader, if the very name of the Author were not in itself sufficient, without any further testimony. 新 JOHN DOWNAME ΤΟ THE CHRISTIAN READER, GRACE AND PEACE. WHAT can be more seasonable, than, when all the world is sick of Discontentment, to give Counsels and Recipes of Contentation? Perhaps the patient will think it a time ill chosen for physic, in the midst of a fit but, in this case, we must do as we may. I confess, I would rather have staid till the paroxysm were happily over; that so, the humours being somewhat settled, I might hope for the more kindly operation of this wholesome medicine. But, parily, my age and weakness, despairing to outlive the public distemper; and, partly, my judgment, crossing the vulgar opinion for the season of some kind of Recipes; have now put me upon this safe and useful prescription. God is my witness, that I wrote this in the depth of mine own afflictions; the particulars whereof, it were unseasonable to trouble the world withal: as one, that meant to make myself my own patient, by enjoining myself that course of remedies, that I prescribe to others; and as one, who, by the powerful working of God's Spirit within me, labour to find my heart framed to those holy dispositions, which I wish and recommend to every Christian soul. If there be no remedy, but the worst of outward troubles must afflict us; it shall be happy yet, if we may find inward peace in our bosoms: which shall be, if we can reconcile ourselves to our offended God; and calm our spirits to a meek undergoing of those sufferings, which the Divine Providence hath thought fit to measure forth unto us. This is the main drift of this ensuing labour. Now the same God, who hath, in these blustering times, put into my heart these quiet thoughts of Holy Contentation, bless them in every hand, that shall receive them; and make them effectual to the good of every soul, that shall now and hereafter entertain them! that so their gracious proficiency may, in the day of the appearance of our Lord Jesus, add to the joy of my account; who am the unworthiest of the servants of God and his Church, J. N. HOW TO ABOUND. (1). Humility. 2. DISPOSITIONS. (2.) Self-Resignation. 3. RESOLUTIONS. (3.) True Inward Riches. (1.) That our Present Condition is best for us. (3.) To digest smaller Inconveniencies. This Analysis is arranged somewhat differently from that printed in the former editions, to render it more conformable to the Treatise itself. EDITOR. |
