2. Whatever is defective in the creature,1 is made up in Contentment. A Christian may want the comforts that others have, the land, and possessions; but God hath distilled into his heart that Contentment which is far better; In this sense that is true of our Saviour, He shall have in this life an hundred fold*. Perhaps he that ventured all for Christ, never hath his house or land again; I, but God gives him a contented spirit; and this breeds such joy in the soul, as is infinitely sweeter then all his houses and lands which he left for Christ. It was sad with David in regard of his outward comforts; he being driven (as some think) from his Kingdom, yet in regard of that sweet contentment he found in God, he had more comfort then men use to have in time of harvest and vintage*. One man hath house ⟨p. 123⟩and lands to live upon, another hath nothing, only a small trade; yet even that brings in a livelihood. A Christian may have little in the world, but he drives the trade of contentment; and so he knows as well how to want, as to abound. O the rare art, or rather miracle of contentment! Wicked men are often disquieted in the enjoyment of all things; the contented Christian is well in the want of all things.
2. Whatever is defective in the creature,1 is made up in Contentment. A Christian may want the comforts that others have, the land, and possessions; but God hath distilled into his heart that Contentment which is far better; In this sense that is true of our Saviour, He shall have in this life an hundred fold*. Perhaps he that ventured all for Christ, never hath his house or land again; I, but God gives him a contented spirit; and this breeds such joy in the soule, as is infinitely sweeter then all his houses and lands which he left for Christ. It was sad with David in regard of his outward comforts; he being driven (as some thinke) from his Kingdome, yet in regard of that sweete contentment he found in God, he had more comfort then men use to have in time of harvest and vintage*. One man hath house ⟨p. 123⟩and lands to live upon, another hath nothing, only a smal trade; yet even that brings in a livelihood. A Christian may have little in the world, but he drives the trade of contentment; and so he knowes as well how to want, as to abound. O the rare art, or rather miracle of contentment! Wicked men are often disquieted in the enjoyment of all things; the contented Christian is well in the want of all things.
- 12. Excellency.2. Excellencie.
- *Mat. 19. 29
- *Psal. 4, 7.
