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…

2 Secondly, In opposition to a sturdy resolution: As some men through the strength of some sturdy resolution, they have not ⟨p. 14⟩seemed to be troubled let come what will come▪ and so it may be that through a sturdy resolution at some times they are not so much disquieted as others are.

Thirdly, In way of distinction, from the very strength of reason (though not sanctified) the strength of natural reason may quiet the heart in some measure. But now I say, A gracious frame of spirit is not a mere stillness of body through a natural constitution and temper, nor sturdiness of resolution, nor merely through the strength of reason.

Thirdly, In way of dis•inc•ion, from the very strength of reason (though not sanc•ified) the strength of naturall reason may quiet the heart in some measure. But now I say, A gracious frame of spirit is not a meer stilnesse of body through a naturall constitution and temper, nor sturdinesse of resolution, nor meerly through the strength of reason.

You will say wherein is this graciousness of contentment distinguished from all these? More of this will be spoken to when we show the mystery of it, and the lessons that are learned, but now we may speak a little by way of distinction here, as now, from the natural stillness of mens spirits, many men and women have such a natural stillness of spirit▪ and constitution of body, that you shall find them seldom disquieted. But now mark these kind of people that are so, they likewise are very dull, of a dull spirit in any good thing, they have no quickness, nor liveliness of spirit in that which is good, but now mark where contentment of heart is gracious, the heart is very quick and lively in the service of God, yea the more any gracious heart can bring its self to be in a contented disposition h the more fit is it for any service of God, and is very active and lively in Gods service, not dull in the service of God: And as a Contented heart is very active and stirring in the work of God, so he is very active and stirring in sanctifying Gods name in the affliction that doth befall him: The difference will appear very clear thus, One that is of a still disposition, he is not disquieted indeed as others, neither hath he any activeness of spirit in sanctifying the name of God in the affliction but now one that is content in a gracious way as he is not disquieted, but keeps his heart quiet in respect to vexing and trouble, so on the other sde he is not dull nor heavy but is very active to sanctify Gods name in the affliction that is upon him, for it is not enough merely not to murmur not to be discontented and troubled, but you must be active in the sanctifying Gods name in the affliction. And indeed this will distinguish it from the other, from a sturdy resolution, I