The travels of true godliness, from the beginning of the world to this present…

CHAP. XIII.

Showing how Thoughtful meeting with his dear Friend Contentment, finding now nothing wanting in order to the making his Life sweet and comfortable here, and eternally happy hereafter, fell a singing Allelujahs, Hymns of Praise and Thanksgiving to God and the Lamb.

Shewing how Thoughtful meeting with his dear Friend Contentment, finding now nothing wanting in order to the making his Life sweet and comfortable here, and eternally happy hereafter, fell a singing Allelujahs, Hymns of Praise and Thanksgiving to God and the Lamb.

Thoughtful Christian, for so now we must call him, notwithstanding all the high and unutterable Blessings, Riches and Honour he had arrived at by his late embracing True Godliness, remained very sad and melancholy, being attended with many desponding Cogitations, by perceiving not only the great Distresses and Troubles which his Wife and Children were like to meet with in this world, but also what sad, unsettled and unhappy days he was fallen into, and of the abounding Evils and horrible Blasphemies which stared him in the face wherever he came; together with the low and deplorable condition the Church of Christ and True Religion was in, in this dismal hour, which Godliness perceiving, told him of one Contentment, whom he saw he had not yet found; and that if he could but obtain that favour to persuade him to dwell with him, his mind would remain sweetly settled and composed, and that he would enjoy all calmness and serenity of Soul imaginable, being delivered from all Anxious Thoughts about all present and future Events of things, and undergo all Crosses and ⟨p. 148⟩harshest Accidents with equanimity and acquiescence of Spirit, wholly submitting unto, and being fully satisfied with the Divine Disposal. Now this glorious, noble and Renowned Prince Contentment had been it seems travelling from place to place like a poor Pilgrim, as True Godliness had done, seeking a fit resting place, but could find none; for he had been to visit Riches, but no dwelling there; and Poverty also, but found no lodging there; with Youth he could find no abode, and Old Age was a stranger to him; Pleasure could give him no entertainment; Honours were forced to say, I know him not; he was not lodged in the Princes Palace, nor in the Peasants Cottage; the unmarried sought him, but could not find him' and the married wished for him, but there was no abiding for him neither; for none of all these States and simple Conditions of men could yield perfect Peace, Content and Serenity of Mind; but Thoughtful hearing Godliness speaking of him, that he was used to dwell with him, or where he took up his Lodging, sent presently his old Friend Consideration to seek out for him, and by the providence of God it was not long before he found him;