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…

First, Such a one learns to know that he is nothing, he comes to this, to be able to say, well I see I am nothing in my self, now that man or woman which indeed knows that he or she is nothing, and hath learned it throughly will be able to bear any thing: The way to be able to bear any thing, it is to know our selves to be nothing in our selves. Saith God to us, Wilt thou set thine heart upon that which is nothing? Pro. 23. 5. speaking of riches; Why blessed God doest not thou do so, thou hast set thy heart upon us and yet we are nothing. God would not have us set our hearts upon riches because they are nothing, and yet God is pleased to set his heart upon us, and yet we are nothing, that's Gods grace, free grace, and therefore it's no great matter what I suffer for I am as nothing.

Secondly, I deserve nothing, I am nothing, and I deserve nothing, suppose I have not this and that that others have, I am sure I deserve nothing except it be hell, you will answer any of your servants so that is not content, I marvel what you deserve? or your Children, do you deserve it that you are so eager upon it? you think to stop their mouths thus, so we may easily stop our own mouths, we deserve nothing and therefore why should we be impatient if we have not what we desire, ⟨p. 70⟩if we had deserved any thing, we might have some trouble of spirit, as a man that hath deserved well of the State, or of his friends and he finds not an answerable encouragement, it troubles him mightily, but if he be conscious to himself that he hath deserved nothing he is content with a repulse.

Secondly, I deserve nothing, I am nothing, and I deserve nothing, suppose I have not this and that that others have, I am sure I deserve nothing except it be hell, you will answer any of your servants so that is not content, I marvail what you deserve? or your Children, do you deserve it that you are so eager upon it? you think to stop their mouthes thus, so we may easily stop our own mouthes, we deserve nothing and therefore why should we be impatient if we have not what we desire,