The Art of Divine Contentment

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.

1. 12. Excellency.2. Excellencie.
2. *Mat. 19. 29
3. *Psal. 4, 7.

Quest. But how comes a Christian to be contented in the deficiency of outward comforts?¹

1. 1Quest.

Answ. A Christian finds contentment distilled out of the breasts of the Promises.¹ He is poor in purse, but rich in Promise. There is one promise brings much sweet contentment into the soul; They that seek the Lord, shall not want any good thing^*. If the thing we desire be good for us, we shall have it; if it be not good, then the not having it is ⟨p. 124⟩good for us. The resting satisfied with this Promise, gives contentment.

Answ. A Christian findes contentment distilled out of the brests of the Promises.¹ He is poor in purse, but rich in Promise. There is one promise brings much sweet contentment into the soul; They that seeke the Lord, shall not want any good thing^*. If the thing we desire be good for us, we shall have it; if it be not good, then the not having it is ⟨p. 124⟩good for us. The resting satisfied with this Promise, gives contentment.

1. 1Answ.
2. *Ps. 34. 10.

1. 13 Excellency.
2. *1 Cor. 7. 35.

Discontent doth disjoint the soul, and it is impossible now that a Christian should go so steadily, and cheerfully in Gods service. O how lame is his devotion! The discontented person gives God but half a duty, his Religion is nothing but bodily exercise, it wants a soul to animate it. David would not offer that to God which cost him nothing^*; where there is too much worldly care, there is too little spiritual cost in a duty. The discontented person doth his duties by halves; he is just like Ephraim, a cake not turned^*; he is a cake baked on one side; he gives God the outside, but not the spiritual part, his heart is not in duty; he is baked on one side, but the other side dough; ⟨p. 126⟩and what profit is there of such raw, indigested services? He that gives God only the skin of worship, what can he expect more then the shell of comfort? Contentation brings the heart into frame; and then only do we give God the flower and spirits of a duty; when the soul is composed; now a Christian doth rem • gear, his heart is intense and serious. There are some duties which we cannot perform as we ought without Contentment; As,

Discontent doth disjoynt the soul, and it is impossible now that a Christian should go so steadily, and chearfully in Gods service. O how lame is his devotion! The discontented person gives God but halfe a duty, his Religion is nothing but bodily exercise, it wants a soul to animate it. David would not offer that to God which cost him nothing^*; where there is too much worldly care, there is too little spiritual cost in a duty. The discontented person doth his duties by halves; he is just like Ephraim, a cake not turned^*; he is a cake baked on one side; he gives God the outside, but not the spirituall part, his heart is not in duty; he is baked on one side, but the other side dough; ⟨p. 126⟩and what profit is there of such raw, indigested services? He that gives God only the skin of worship, what can he expect more then the shell of comfort? Contentation brings the heart into frame; and then only do we give God the flower and spirits of a duty; when the soule is composed; now a Christian doth rem • gere, his heart is intense and serious. There are some duties which we cannot performe as we ought without Contentment; As,

1. *2 Sa•• ▪ 24 24▪
2. *Hos. 7. 8

1. To rejoice in God. How can he rejoice that is discontented? he is sitter for Repining then Rejoicing.

1. To rejoyce in God. How can he rejoyce that is discontented? he is sitter for Repining then Rejoyceing.

2. To be thankful for mercy. Can a discontented person be thankful? he can be fretful, not thankful.

2. To be thankful for mercie. Can a discontented person be thankfull? he can be fretful, not thankful.

3. To justify God in his proceedings^*. How can he do this who is discontented with his condition? He will sooner censure Gods wisdom, then ⟨p. 127⟩clear his justice. Oh then how excellent is Contentation which doth prepare, and as it were string the heart for duty? Indeed Contentment doth not only make our duties lively and agile, but acceptable. 'Tis this that puts beauty and worth into them; for Contentment settles the soul: Now as it is with milk, when it is always stirring, you can make nothing of it, but let it settle a while and then it turns to cream: When the heart is overmuch stirred with disquiet and discontent, you can make nothing of those duties; how thin, how fletten, and jejune are they? But when the heart is once settled by holy Contentment, now there is some worth in our duties, now they turn to cream.

3. To justifie God in his proceedings^*. How can he doe this who is discontented with his condition? He will sooner censure Gods wisdome, then ⟨p. 127⟩cleare his justice. Oh then how excellent is Contentation which doth prepare, and as it were string the heart for duty? Indeed Contentment doth not only make our duties lively and agil, but acceptable. 'Tis this that puts beauty and worth into them; for Contentment settles the soul: Now as it is with milke, when it is alwaies stirring, you can make nothing of it, but let it settle a while and then it turnes to cream: When the heart is overmuch stirred with disquiet and discontent, you can make nothing of those duties; how thin, how fletten, and jejune are they? But when the heart is once setled by holy Contentment, now there is some worth in our duties, now they turn to cream.

1. *Ezra. 9. 23

4. Contentment is the spiritual Arch, ¹or pillar of the soul; it fits a man to bear burdens; he whose heart is ready to sink under the least sin, by virtue of this hath a spirit invincible ⟨p. 128⟩under sufferings. A contented Christian is like the Camomile, the more it is trodden upon, the more it grows; as Physic works diseases out of the body, so doth Contentment work trouble out of the heart. Thus it argues; If I am under reproach, God can vindicate me; If I am in want, God can relieve me. Ye shall not see wind, nor rain; yet the valley shall be filled with water^*. Thus holy Contentment keeps the heart from fainting; in the Autumn when the fruit and leaves are blown off, still there is sap in the root: When there is an autumn upon our external felicity, the leaves of our estate drop off, still there is the sap of Contentment in the heart; and a Christian hath life inwardly, when his outward comforts do not blossom. The contented heart is never out of heart. Contentation is a golden shield, that doth beat back discouragement. Humility is like the lead ⟨p. 129⟩to the net, which keeps the soul down when it is rising through passion; and Contentment is like the cork which keeps the heart up when it is sinking through discouragement. Contentment is the great underpropper; it is like the Beam which bears whatever weight is laid upon it; nay, it is like a Rock that breaks the waves.

4. Contentment is the spirituall Arch, ¹or pillar of the soule; it fits a man to bear burdens; he whose heart is ready to sinke under the least sin, by vertue of this hath a spirit invincible ⟨p. 128⟩under sufferings. A contented Christian is like the Camomile, the more it is troden upon, the more it growes; as Physick works diseases out of the body, so doth Contentment work trouble out of the heart. Thus it argues; If I am under reproach, God can vindicate me; If I am in want, God can relieve me. Ye shall not see wind, nor raine; yet the valley shall be filled with water^*. Thus holy Contentment keeps the heart from fainting; in the Autumne when the fruit and leaves are blown off, still there is sap in the roote: When there is an autumne upon our external felicity, the leaves of our estate drop off, still there is the sap of Contentment in the heart; and a Christian hath life inwardly, when his outward comforts do not blossome. The contented heart is never out of heart. Contentation is a golden shield, that doth beat back discouragement. Humility is like the lead ⟨p. 129⟩to the net, which keeps the soule down when it is rising through passion; and Contentment is like the cork which keeps the heart up when it is sinking through discouragement. Contentment is the great underpropper; it is like the Beame which beares whatever weight is laid upon it; nay, it is like a Rock that breaks the waves.

1. 14. Excellency.4. Excellencie.
2. *2 Kings 3. 17.

'Tis strange to observe the same affliction lying upon two men, how differently they carry themselves under it. The contented Christian is like Samson, that carried away the gates of the City upon his back^*; he can go away with his cross cheerfully, and makes nothing of it; the other is like Issachar couching down under his burden^*: the reason is, the one is content, and that breeds courage; the other discontented, and that breeds fainting. Discontent swells the grief, and grief breaks the heart. When this sacred sinew of ⟨p. 130⟩Contentment begins to shrink, we go limping under our afflictions. We know not what burdens God may exercise us with, let us therefore preserve Contentment; as is our Contentment, such will be our courage. David with his five stones and his sling, defied Goliath, and overcame him. Get but Contentment into the sling of your heart, and with this sacred stone you may both defy the world and conquer it; you may break those afflictions which else will break you.

'Tis strange to observe the same affliction lying upon two men, how differently they carry themselves under it. The contented Christian is like Samson, that carried away the gates of the City upon his back^*; he can go away with his cross chearfully, and makes nothing of it; the other is like Issachar couching down under his burden^*: the reason is, the one is content, and that breeds courage; the other discontented, and that breeds fainting. Discontent swells the grief, and grief breaks the heart. When this sacred sinew of ⟨p. 130⟩Contentment begins to shrink, we go limping under our afflictions. We know not what burdens God may exercise us with, let us therefore preserve Contentment; as is our Contentment, such will be our courage. David with his five stones and his sling, defied Goliah, and overcame him. Get but Contentment into the sling of your heart, and with this sacred stone you may both defie the world and conquer it; you may break those afflictions which else wil break you.

1. *Judges 16. 3.
2. *Gen. 49. 14.

5. A fifth excellency is,¹ Contentment prevents many sins and tentations.

5. A fifth excellency is,¹ Contentment prevents many sinnes and tentations.

1. 15. Excellency.

1. It prevents many sins. Where there wants Contentment, there wants no sin; discontentedness with our condition, is a sin that doth not go alone, but is like the first link of the chain, which draws all the other links along with it. In particular, there are two sins which ⟨p. 131⟩Contentation prevents.

1. It prevents many sinnes. Where there wants Contentment, there wants no sin; discontentednesse with our condition, is a sin that doth not go alone, but is like the first link of the chaine, which drawes all the other linkes along with it. In particular, there are two sins which ⟨p. 131⟩Contentatation prevents.

1. Impatience. Discontent and Impatience are two Twins; This evil is of the Lord, why should I wait any longer^*? As if God were so tied that he must give us the mercy just when we desire. Impatience is no small sin, as will appear, if you consider whence it ariseth; As,

1. Impatience. Discontent and Impatience are two Twins; This evil is of the Lord, why should I wait any longer^*? As if God were so tied that he must give us the mercy just when we desire. Impatience is no smal sin, as wil appear, if you consider whence it ariseth; As,

1. *2 Kings 6. 33.

1. It is for want of faith. Faith gives a right notion of God; it is an intelligent grace; it believes that Gods wisdom tempers, and his love sweetens all ingredients; this works patience; Shall I not drink the cup which my Father hath given me? Impatience is the daughter of infidelity. If a patient hath an ill opinion of the Physician, and conceits that he comes to poison him, he will take none of his Receipts. When we have a prejudice against God, and conceit that he comes to kill us, and undo us, then we storm, and cry out through Impatience. We are like a foolish ⟨p. 132⟩man ('tis Chrysostoms simile) that cries out, Away with the plaster, though it be in order to a cure; is it not better that the plaster smart a little, then the wound fester and rankle?

1. It is for want of faith. Faith gives a right notion of God; it is an intelligent grace; it beleeves that Gods wisdome tempers, and his love sweetens all ingredents; this workes patience; Shall I not drinke the cup which my Father hath given me? Impatience is the daughter of infidelity. If a patient hath an ill opinion of the Physician, and conceits that he comes to poison him, he will take none of his Receits. When we have a prejudice against God, and conceit that he comes to kill us, and undo us, then we storme, and cry out through Impatience. We are like a foolish ⟨p. 132⟩man ('tis Chrysostoms simile) that cries out, Away with the plaister, though it be in order to a cure; is it not better that the plaister smart a little, then the wound fester and rankle?

2. Impatience is for want of love to God. We will bear his reproofs whom we love, not only patiently, but thankfully. Love thinks no evil^*. It puts the fairest and most candid gloss upon the actions of a friend; Love covers evil. If it were possible for God in the least manner to err, (which were blasphemy to think) love would cover that error; love takes every thing in the best sense; it makes us bear any stroke, It endureth all things^*; had we love to God, we should have patience.

2. Impatience is for want of love to God. Wee will bear his reproofs whom wee love, not onely patiently, but thankfully. Love thinks no evill^*. It puts the fairest and most candid glosse upon the actions of a friend; Love covers evill. If it were possible for God in the least manner to erre, (which were blasphemy to think) love would cover that errour; love takes every thing in the best sense; it makes us bear any stroke, It endureth all things^*; had wee love to God, we should have patience.

1. *1 Cor. 13.
2. *2 Cor. 13. 7.

3. Impatience is for want of Humility. The impatient man was never humbled under the burden of sin; he that studies his sins, the numberless number of them, how ⟨p. 133⟩they are twisted together, and sadly accented, is patient, and saith, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him^*. The greater noise drowns the lesser; when the sea roars the rivers are still, he that lets his thoughts expatiate about sin, is both silent and amazed, he wonders it is no worse with him. How great then is this sin of impatience? and how excellent is Contentation which is a Supersedeas or counterpoison against this sin. The contented Christian believing that God doth all in love, is patient, and hath not one word to say, unless to justify God^*. That is the first sin which Contentation prevents.

3. Impatience is for want of Humility. The impatient man was never humbled under the burden of sinne; he that studies his sinnes, the numberlesse number of them, how ⟨p. 133⟩they are twisted together, and sadly accented, is patient, and saith, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him^*. The greater noise drowns the lesser; when the sea roares the rivers are still, he that lets his thoughts expatiate about sinne, is both silent and amaz'd, he wonders it is no worse with him. How great then is this sinne of impatience? and how excellent is Contentation which is a Supersedeas or counterpoison against this sinne. The contented Christian beleeving that God doth all in love, is patient, and hath not one word to say, unlesse to justifie God^*. That is the first sin which Contentation prevents.

1. *Mica. 7. 9.
2. *Ps. 51. 4.