The Art of Divine Contentment

Secondly, in regard of our afflictions we have deserved more. Thou hast punished us less then our iniquities deserve^*. Is our condition sad? we have deserved it should be worse; hath God taken away our estate from us? he might have taken away Christ from us: hath he thrown us into prison? he might have thrown us into hell; he might as well damn us, as whip us; this should make us contented.

Secondly, in regard of our afflictions we have deserved more. Thou hast punished us lesse then our iniquities deserve^*. Is our condition sad? we have deserved it should be worse; hath God taken away our estate from us? he might have taken away Christ from us: hath he thrown us into prison? he might have thrown us into hell; hee might as well damne us, as whip us; this should make us contented.

1. *Ezra 9. 13.

2. Let us compare our conditions with others,¹ and this will make us content; we look at them who are above us, let us look at them who are below us^*; we see one in his ⟨p. 251⟩silks, another in his sackcloth; one hath the waters of a full cup wrung out to him, another is mingling his drink with tears; how many pale faces do we behold, whom not sickness, but want hath brought into a consumption! think of this and be content. 'Tis worse with them, who perhaps deserve better then we, and are higher in Gods favour. Am I in prison? was not Daniel in a worse place, viz. the Lions den? Do I live in a mean cottage? look on them who are banished from their houses. We read of the Primitive Saints, that they wandered up & down in Sheeps skins and Goats skins, of whom the world was not worthy