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…

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, ⟨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 incouragement, it troubles him mightily, but if he be concious to hi•self that he hath deserved nothing he is content with a repulse.

Thirdly, I can do nothing, without me you can do nothing, saith Christ Joh. 15. 5. why should I stand much upon it to be troubled and discontented if I have not this and that, when the truth is I can do nothing? If you should come to one that is angry because he hath not such diet as he desires, and is discontented with it, you will answer him, I marvel what you do, what use you are of? Shall one that will sit still and be of no use, yet for all that he must have all the supply that possibly he can desire? Do but consider of what use you are in the world; if you consider what little need God hath of you, and what little use you are of, you will not be much discontented: If you have learned this lesson of self-denial, though God doth cut you short of such and such comforts, yet since that I do but little why should I have much, this very thought will bring down a mans spirit as much as any thing, That's the Third.