A30598:178
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
The rare jewel of Christian contentment wherein is showed, I. What contentment is, II. The holy art or mystery of it, III. Several lessons that Christ teacheth, to work the heart to contentment, IV. The excellencies of it, V. The evils of murmuring, VII. The aggravations of the sin of murmuring / by Jeremiah Burroughs.The rare jewel of Christian contentment wherein is shewed, I. What contentment is, II. The holy art or mystery of it, III. Several lessons that Christ teacheth, to work the heart to contentment, IV. The excellencies of it, V. The evils of murmuring, VII. The aggravations of the sin of murmuring / by Jeremiah Burroughs.
London: printed for Peter Cole, 1649
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, I can do nothing. Without me you can do nothing, saith Christ Joh. 15.5. why should I stand much upon it to be troubled and discontented if I have not this and that, when the truth is I can do nothing? If you should come to one that is angry because he hath not such diet as he desires, and is discontented with it, you will answer him, I marvel what you do, what use you are of? Shall one that will sit still and be of no use, yet for all that he must have all the supply that possibly he can desire? Do but consider of what use you are in the world; if you consider what little need God hath of you, and what little use you are of, you will not be much discontented: If you have learned this lesson of self-denials though God doth cut you short of such and such comforts, yet since that I do but little why should I have much, this very thought will bring down a mans spirit as much as any thing, That's the Third.
Thirdly, I can do nothing. Without me you can do nothing, saith Christ Joh. 15.5. why should I stand much upon it to be troubled and discontented if I have not this and that, when the truth is I can do nothing? If you should come to one that is angery because he hath not such dyet as he desires, and is discontented with it, you will answer him, I mervail what you do, what use you are of? Shall one that will sit still and be of no use, yet for all that he must have all the supply that possibly he can desire? Do but consider of what use you are in the world; if you consider what little need God hath of you, and what little use you are of, you will not be much discontented: If you have learned this lesson of self-denials though God doth cut you short of such and such comforts, yet since that I do but little why should I have much, this very thought will bring down a mans spirit as much as any thing, That's the Third.
Fourthly, So vile I am that I can receive no good neither of my self, I am not only an empty vessel, but a corrupt and unclean vessel that would spoil any thing that comes into it: so are all our hearts, every one of our hearts is not only empty of good, but are like a musty vessel that if any good liquor be poured into it it spoils it, And that's the Fourth thing.