An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Fourthly, I answer, Though the people of God have nor always days of such outward prosperity, nor years of such sensitive pleasures, yet they have that which is better, and if they have no pleasures, they do not want them. The Apostle could say (Phil. 4.11.) I have learned in what state soever I am, therewith to be content. What is pleasure if content be not? We may have outward pleasures, yet no content, but he that hath content within, cannot miss of pleasure. A man may have riches, but no contentment, but he that hath contentment is very rich, (1 Tim. 6.6.) Godliness with contentment is great gain, and great gain is prosperity: this great gain, this heart-pleasure, or soul-rest, contentment, is the assured portion of those who obey and serve the Lord what-ever their outward portion be in this world. And he may be said to spend his days in good, and his years in pleasure, who hath these pure gains of gracious contentment, resting the soul in God in all conditions. The life of man (that is, the comfort of his life) doth not consist in the abundance of that which he possesseth, (Luke 12.15.) or in sense-pleasures; but in that sweet composure and sedateness of his soul, resting by faith in the promises of God, or rather in the God of the promises, and so sucking sweetness from them.

Fourthly, I answer, Though the people of God have nor alwayes dayes of such outward prosperity, nor years of such sensitive pleasures, yet they have that which is better, and if they have no pleasures, they do not want them. The Apostle could say (Phil. 4.11.) I have learned in what state scever I am, therewith to be content. What is pleasure if content be not? We may have outward pleasures, yet no content, but he that hath content within, cannot miss of pleasure. A man may have riches, but no contentment, but he that hath contentment is very rich, (1 Tim. 6.6.) Godliness with contentment is great gaine, and great gaine is prosperity: this great gaine, this heart-pleasure, or soul-rest, contentment, is the assured portion of those who obey and serve the Lord what-ever their outward portion be in this world. And he may be said to spend his dayes in good, and his years in pleasure, who hath these pure gaines of gracious contentment, resting the soul in God in all conditions. The life of man (that is, the comfort of his life) doth not consist in the abundance of that which he possesseth, (