A77994:95
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…
The rare jewel of Christian contentment. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to two of the greatest congregations in England; viz. Stepney and Cripplegate, London.The rare jevvel of Christian contentment. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to two of the greatest congregations in England; viz. Stepney and Criplegate, London.
London: printed for Peter Cole, 1648
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
As Socrates it is said of him (though he were but a heathen) that what ever befell him he would never so much as change his countenance, and he got this power over his spirit merely by strength of reason and morality, but now this gracious contentment comes from principles beyond the strength of reason. I cannot open that, (from whence it comes) till we come to open the mystery of spiritual Contentment. I will only give you this one note of the difference between a man and woman that is contented in a natural way, and another that is contented in a spiritual way. Those that are contented in a natural way they overcome themselves when outward afflictions doth befall them, they are contented, yea and they are contented as well when they commit sin against God, either when they have outward crosses or when God is dishonoured it is all one, either when themselves are crossed or when God is crossed, but now a gracious heart that is contented with its own affliction, yet mightily rises when God is dishonoured.
As Socrates it is said of him (though he were but a heathen) that what ever befel him he would never so much as chang his countenance, and he got this power over his spirit meerly by strength of reason and morallity, but now this gracious contentment comes from principles beyond the strength of reason. I cannot open that, (from whence it comes) till we come to open the mystery of spiritual Contentment. I will only give you this one note of the difference between a man and woman that is contented in a natural way, and another that is contented in a spiritual way. Those that are contented in a natural way they overcome themselves when outward afflictions doth befall them, they are contented, yea and they are contented as well when they commit sin against God, either when they have outward crosses or when God is dishonoured it is all one, either when themselves are crost or when God is crost, but now a gracious heart that is contented with its own affliction, yet mightily rises when God is dishonoured.
The fifth is [Freely] freely submitting to, and taking complacency in Gods dispose, it is a free work of the spirit, now there are four things to be opened in this freedom of spirit.