The Art of Divine Contentment

2. Discontent tempts a man to Atheism and Apostasy; ¹sure there is no God to take care of things here below; would he suffer them to be in want who have walked mournfully before him^*? saith discontent; Throw off Christs livery, desist from thy religion. Thus Jobs wife, being discontented with her condition, saith to her husband, Dost thou still retain thy integrity^*? as if she had said, Dost thou not see, Job, what is become of all thy Religion? Thou fearest God and eschewest evil, and what art thou ⟨p. 138⟩the better? see how God turns his hand against thee; he hath smitten thee in thy body, estate, relations, and Dost thou still retain thy integrity? what? still devour? still weep and pray before him? Thou fool, cast off Religion, turn Atheist. Here was a sore tentation that the Devil did hand over to Job, by his discontented wife; only his grace as a golden shield did ward off the blow from his heart, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women. What profit is it, saith the discontented person, to serve the Almighty? Those that never trouble themselves about Religion, are the prosperous men, and I in the mean while suffer want: as good give over driving the trade of Religion, if this be all my reward; This is a sore tentation, and oft it prevails; Atheism is the fruit that grows out of the blossom of discontent.

2. Discontent tempts a man to Atheisme and Apostacie; ¹sure there is no God to take care of things here below; would he suffer them to be in want who have walked mournfully before him^*? saith discontent; Throw off Christs livery, desist from thy religion. Thus Iobs wife, being discontented with her condition, saith to her husband, Dost thou still retain thy integrity^*? as if she had said, Dost thou not see, Iob, what is become of all thy Religion? Thou fearest God and eschewest evil, and what art thou