A30598:541
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 SAINTS DUTY IN TIMES OF EXTREMITY.THE SAINTS DVTY IN TIMES OF EXTREMITY.
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.
Resp. (My Brethren) you are to know, that the case now is far different from the case that was heretofore; the case heretofore was especially (for the present) directed against particulars, not against the general, though there were plots against the general, but the hazard and the danger was against such, and such particular men, as especially your Ministers that were most faithful and conscionable, they were the fore-front, they did bear the brunt, and it was aimed especially against them; ⟨p. 309⟩now the case is far different when the aim of the Adversary is against particulars, and not against the godly in general; when it is against particulars there may be all lawful means, by an avoiding and flying: when it is against the godly in general then every one should stand still, and keep in their ways and stations, to come in, and add what strength they can to the public cause; and certainly those that shall shift then, and think to fly then, God may justly meet with them; as we read of Jeremiah, and Uriah, Uriah the Priest he flies in public time of danger, and he was sent for, and catched, and put to death; Jeremiah stays, and is saved: But when the case is the danger of particular persons, then it is nothing against this text, to fly in any lawful way; many people will cry out against flying by a lawful way in times of danger, because they think they may shift from flying themselves; and if others that are in danger should not do so, they would be far enough from helping and assisting them in extremities, and yet they will be crying out against it; Peter Martyr I remember hath this answer to it; It is just for all the world in this case, as a man that hath a dangerous sickness upon him, and the Physicians tell him, there is no way but by taking such strong Physic, or by cutting off a leg, or a limb, now he comes and pleads, I will not so distrust God, and be so impatient of my present pain, as to take such a course to help me, I'll rather continue patient and quiet, and endure my present pain, and trust in God, rather than put my self to any such hazard; now is this man more patient, than another man that will take such strong Physic or have a member cut off? is it through the strength of his patience?
Resp. (My Brethren) you are to know, that the case now is far different from the case that was heretofore; the case heretofore was especially (for the present) directed against particulars, not against the generall, though there were plots against the general, but the hazard and the danger was against such, and such particular men, as especially your Ministers that were most faithful and conscionable, they were the fore-front, they did bear the brunt, and it was aimed especially against them;