Therefore, if you see a man contented with that which he hath, it is a great sign that godliness is entered into him: for the heart of man was made a Temple of God,1 & nothing can fill it but God alone.2 Therefore Paul saith after his conversion, that which he could never say before his conversion, I have learned ⟨p. 227⟩to be content. First he learned godliness, then godliness taught him contentation. Now (saith Paul) I have learned to be content, as though this were a lesson for every Christian to learn, to be content. For thus he must think, that as God said to Moses, when he could not obtain leave to go to Canaan.3 Let this suffice thee to see Canaan: so, whatsoever he giveth, he giveth this charge with it, Let this suffice thee. 4As Jeremiah saith, This is my sorrow, and I will bear it; so thou must say, This is my portion, and I will take it. This is the sign whether godliness be in a man, if he have joy of that which he hath; for the things that God giveth to the righteous,5 Paul saith he giveth them to enjoy, that is, if he have much, he can say with Paul,6 I have learned to abound: if he have little, he can say with Paul, I have learned to want: that is, if he have much, as Abraham, & Lot, & Jacob, & Job, & Joseph, yet it cannot corrupt his mind; but as the net was full of fishes,7 & yet did not rent, because they cast it at Christs commandment: so though the godly be full of riches, his hart is not rent, his mind not troubled, his countenance not changed, because he remembereth, these things were given him to do good,8 as Esther thought of her honour: if he have little, it is like the oil which served the widow as little as it was:9 for ⟨p. 228⟩a little to the righteous (saith David) is better than great riches to the ungodly: 10for when a man hath found the heavenly riches, he careth not for earthly riches, no more than he that walketh in the Sun, thinks whether the Moon shine, or no, because he hath no need of her light.11 Therefore we conclude with Christ, Blessed are they which thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied: not they which thirst after riches, nor they which thirst after honour, nor they which thirst after pleasure; they shall not be satisfied but thirst more, as the ambitious, voluptuous and covetous do, but they that thirst after righteousness, shall be satisfied, though they have no riches, nor honour, nor pleasure.
Therefore, if you see a man contented with that which he hath, it is a great sign that godlines is entered into him: for the heart of man was made a Temple of God,1 & nothing can fill it but God alone.2 Therefore Paul saith after his conuersion, that which hee could neuer saie before his conuersion, I haue learned ⟨p. 227⟩to be content. First he learned godlinesse, then godlines taught him cōtentation. Now (sayth Paul) I haue learned to be content, as though this were a lesson for euery Christian to learn, to be content. For thus hee must thinke, that as God sayd to Moses, when hee could not obtaine leaue to goe to Canaan.3 Let this suffice thee to see Canaan: so, whatsoeuer hee giueth, hee giueth this charge with it, Let this suffice thee. 4As Ieremie saith, This is my sorrow, and I will beare it; so thou must say, This is my portion, and I will take it. This is the signe whether godlines be in a man, if he haue ioy of that which hee hath; for the things that God giueth to the righteous,5 Paul saith he giueth thē to enioy, that is, if he haue much, he can say with Paul,6 I haue learned to abound: if he haue litle, he can say with Paul, I haue learned to want: that is, if he haue much, as Abraham, & Lot, & Iacob, & Iob, & Ioseph, yet it cannot corrupt his minde; but as the net was full of fishes,7 & yet did not rent, because they cast it at Christs commandement: so though the godly be full of riches, his hart is not rent, his minde not troubled, his countenance not changed, because he remembreth, these things were giuen him to do good,8 as Hester thoght of her honor: if he haue litle, it is like the oyle which serued the widow as litle as it was:9 for ⟨p. 228⟩
- 12. Cor. 3. 16.
- 2Phil. 4. 12.
- 3Deu. 3. 26.
- 4Jer. 10. 19.Ier. 10. 19.
- 51. Tim. 6. 17
- 6Phil. 4. 12.
- 7Joh. 21. 11.Ioh. 21. 11.
- 8Hest. 4. 14.
- 92. Kin. 4. 7.
- 10Psa. 37. 16.
- 11Mat. 5. 6.
