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The rare jewel of Christian contentment Wherein is showedThe rare jewel of Christian contentment Wherein is shewed
The rare jewel of Christian contentment Wherein is showed; 1. What contentment is. 2. The holy art or mystery of it. 3. Several lessons that Christ teacheth, to work the heart to contentment. 4. The excellencies of it. 5. The evils of murmuring. 6. The aggravations of the sin of murmuring. By Jeremiah Burroughs. The first of the eleven volumes that are published by Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simpson, Philip Nigh, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.The rare jewel of Christian contentment Wherein is shewed; 1. What contentment is. 2. The holy art or mystery of it. 3. Several lessons that Christ teacheth, to work the heart to contentment. 4. The excellencies of it. 5. The evils of murmuring. 6. The aggravations of the sin of murmuring. By Jeremiah Burroughs. The first of the eleven volumes that are published by Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhil, Sydrach Sympson, Philip Nye, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.
London: printed for Ben. Billingsley, 1666
THE RARE JEWEL OF CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT. › Sermon 4: SERMON, IV. at Stepney. Aug. 17. 1645.
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 a man that hath not a piece of his estate here, and a piece there, but he hath it all lies together; and the heart being patient under afflictions, finds it self to be in such an estate as this is, finds his whole inheritance to be together, and all entire within its self. And now still to show this by further similitudes; it is with him being filled with good things, just like as it is with many a man that enjoys abundance of comforts at home at his own house, God grants to him a convenient habitation, ⟨p. 60⟩a comfortable Yoke fellow, and fine Walks and Gardens, and hath all things at home that he could desire; now this man cares not much for going abroad: other men are fain to go abroad to take the air, but he hath a sweet air at home; and they are fain to go abroad to see friends, because they have railings and contendings at home; many ill husbands will give this reason (if his wife make any moan and complaint of his ill husbandry) of their bad husbandry, and will make that their excuse to go abroad, because they can never be quiet at home. Now we account those men most happy that have all at home; those that have close houses that are unsavoury, and smells ill, they delight to go into the fresh air; but it is not so with many others, that have those at home; those that have no good clear at home, they are fain to go abroad to friends, but those that have their tables furnished, they had as leave stay at home: So a carnal man, he hath but little Contentment in his own spirit; it is Austin's similitude, saith he, An ill conscience is like a scolding Wife; a man (saith he) that hath an ill conscience, he cares not to look into his own soul, but loves to be abroad, and looks into other things, but never looks to himself; but one that hath a good conscience, he delights in looking into his own heart, he hath a good conscience within him: And so a carnal heart, because there is nothing but filthiness, a filthy stink in himself, nothing but vileness and baseness within him, upon this it is that he seeks his Contentment elsewhere: and as it is with a vessel that is full of Liquor, if you strike upon it, it will make no great noise; but if it be empty, then it makes a great noise: So it is with the heart, An heart that is full of grace and goodness within, such a one will bear a great many strokes and never make any noise;
as a man that hath not a piece of his estate here, and a piece there, but he hath it all lies together; and the heart being patient under afflictions, findes it self to be in such an estate as this is, finds his whole inheritance to be together, and all intire within its self. And now still to shew this by further similitudes; it is with him being filled with good things, just like as it is with many a man that enjoys abundance of comforts at home at his own house, God grants to him a convenient habitation,