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…

I say this text of Scripture in Numb. doth clearly hold forth this, that the Lord brings the plague upon men for this sin of murmuring, he doth it in kingdoms and families, and upon particular persons. Though we cannot always point out the particular sin that God brings this for, yet this should be examined how far we are guilty of the sin of murmuring, because the Scripture holds forth this so clearly that Moses when he did but hear that they murmured, do they murmur, saith he go forth quickly and seek to pacify the anger of God, for wrath is gone out, and the plague is begun. And in 1 Cor. 10. 10. There you have a notable example of Gods heavy displeasure against murmuring, Neither murmur ye as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Take heed of murmuring as some of them did, (he speaks of the people of Israel in the wilderness,) but saith he what came of it? They were destroyed of the destroyer: Now the destroyer is thought to be the fiery serpents that were sent among them: They murmured and God sent fiery serpents to sting them. What do you think that such a cross and affliction doth sting you? perhaps such an affliction is upon you, and it seems to be grievous for the present, what do you murmur and repine? God hath greater crosses to bring upon you: Those people that murmur for the want of outward comforts, for want of water, (sometimes) and for the want of bread, they murmur, but the Lord sends fiery serpents among them. I may say to a murmuring heart, Woe to thee that strivest with thy maker, woe to that man, that woman, that strives against their maker, what doest thou else but strive against thy maker? Thy maker hath the absolute dispose of thee, and wilt thou strive against thy maker? what doth this murmuring discontented heart of thine do otherwise but wrangle and contend and strive even with God himself? Oh woe to him that strives against his maker! I may further say to thee, as God speaks to Job. Job, 38. 1, 2. when Job was impatient, Now God spake (saith the text) out of the whirlwind, ⟨p. 146⟩and said, who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? So doest thou speak against Gods ways, and his providences that hath fallen out concerning thy estate and outward comforts? who is this? Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?