A30598:423
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
THE RARE JEWEL OF CHRISTIAN Contentment. › Sermon 10 › Part 9: A Ninth Plea.
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.
A Ninth Plea.
Oh but the condition that God hath put me in makes me to be unserviceable, and this troubles me; it's true, if it were only an affliction and trouble to my self it were not so much, but I am put into such a condition by this affliction as I am unserviceable, and am like to do God no further service, God puts me into a mean estate, and what good can I do? and how burdensome is my life to me because I can do no service for God! and this is grievous to me.
Oh but the condition that God hath put me in makes me to be unservicable, and this troubles me; it's true, if it were only an affliction and trouble to my self it were not so much, but I am put into such a condition by this affliction as I am unservicable, and am like to do God no further service, God puts me into a mean estate, and what good can I do? and how burdensome is my life to me because I can do no service for God! and this is grievous to me.
Indeed if it he true that this is thy great grief, it is a good sign, If thou canst say as in the presence of God, above all afflictions here in this world to be laid aside & not to be employed in the service of God, I account that the greatest Affliction: I had rather bear any trouble in the world so I might do more service, then to be freed from trouble and to be laid aside and do little service: Canst thou say so? It is a good sign of grace for a man to account afflictions to be great because he can do the Lord but little service. Few men account that no affliction at all.
Indeed if it he true that this is thy great greife, it is a good sign, If thou canst say as in the presence of God, above all afflictions here in this world to be laid aside & not to be imployed in the service of God, I account that the greatest Affliction: I had rather bear any trouble in the world so I might do more service, then to be freed from trouble and to be laid aside and do little service: Canst thou say so? It is a good sign of grace for a man to account afflictions to be great because he can do the Lord but little service. Few men account that no affliction at all.