The rare jewel of Christian contentment. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to…The rare jevvel of Christian contentment. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to…

Whereas other poorer people are fain to go from one Market to another to provide them necessaries, but yet great rich men they have sheep and beeves, corn and clothing, and all things else of their own within themselves, and herein they place their happiness: But this is the happiness of a Christian, that he hath that within himself that may satisfy him more then all these; That place that we have in the first of James seems to allude to that condition of men that have all their estates within themselves, Jam. 1. 4. But let patience have her perfect work that we may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing, the word there used signifies to have the whole inheritance to our selves, not a broken inheritance, but that where all lies within themselves, as a man that hath not a piece of his estate here, and a piece there, but he hath it all lye together, and the heart being patient under afflictions finds it self to be in such an estate as this is, finds his whole inheritance to be together, and all entire within its self. And now still to show this by further similitudes, it is with him being filled with good things, just like as it is with many a man that enjoys abundance of comforts at home, at his own house, God grants to him a convenient habitation, ⟨p. 60⟩a comfortable yoke fellow, and fine walks and gardens, and hath all things at home that he could desire; now this man cares not much for going abroad, other men are fain to go abroad to take the air, but he hath a sweet air at home, and they are fain to go abroad to see friends, because they have railings and contendings at home; many ill husbands will give this reason, (if his wife make any moan, and complaint of his ill husbandry) of their bad husbandry, and will make that their excuse to go abroad, because they can never be quiet at home. Now we account those men most happy that have all at home; those that have close houses that are unsavoury, and smells ill, they delight to go into the fresh air, I but it is not so with many others that have these at home; those that have no good cheer at home, they are fain to go abroad to friends, but those that have their Tables furnished, they had as live stay at home;

Whereas other poorer people are fain to go from one Market to another to provide them necessaries, but yet great rich men they have sheep and beeves, corn and cloathing, and all things else of their own within themselves, and herein they place their happinesse: But this is the happinesse of a Christian, that he hath that within himselfe that may satisfie him more then all these; That place that we have in the first of James seems to allude to that condition of men that have all their estates within themselves,