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must therefore have their will. Well, this wilful, purse- 

 proud law-suit, lasted during the life of the first husband ; 

 after which his wife vext and chid, and chid and vext till 

 she also chid and vext herself into her grave ; and so the 

 wealth of these poor rich people was curst into a punish- 

 ment, because they wanted meek and thankful hearts ; for 

 those only can make us happy. I knew a man that had 

 health and riches, and several houses, all beautiful, and 

 ready furnished, and would often trouble himself and family 

 to be removing from one house to another ; and being 

 asked by a friend why he removed so often from one house 

 to another, replied, " It was to find content in some one of 

 them." But his friend, knowing his temper, told him, if he 

 would find content in any of his houses, he must leave 

 himself behind him ; for content will never dwell but in a 

 meek and quiet soul. And this may appear, if we read and 

 consider what our Saviour says in St. Matthew's Gospel ; 

 for He there says : " Blessed be the merciful, for they shall 

 obtain mercy. Blessed be the pure in heart, for they shall 

 see God. Blessed be the poor in spirit, for theirs is the 

 kingdom of heaven." And, " Blessed be the meek, for they 

 shall possess the earth." Not that the meek shall not also 

 obtain mercy, and see God, and be comforted, and at last 

 come to the kingdom of heaven ; but in the meantime he, and 

 he only, possesses the earth as he goes towards that kingdom 

 of heaven, by being humble and cheerful, and content with 

 what his good God has allotted him. He has no turbulent, 

 repining, vexatious thoughts that he deserves better ; nor 

 is vext when he sees others possest of more honour or more 

 riches than his wise God has allotted for his share ; but he 

 possesses what he has with a meek and contented quietness, 



