First, In Discontent, there is, A Dislike ⟨p. 39⟩of that Condition which God would have us to be Well-pleased with. Every part of our Condition is Ordered by that God, who ha's formed all things, and whose Kingdom Ruleth over all. We are told, in Psal. 75 6, 7. Promotion comes neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the De•art. [which lay both North and South of Canaan] But God is the Judge; He puts down one, and sets up another. Be our Condition High or Low, 'tis God that makes it so. And such is the Bounty, such the Mercy of our God unto us, that, He would have our minds Approve of that Condition which He ha's carved for u•. A sweet Acquiescence of Soul, in the Divine Dispensations towards us, i• as much our Duty, as it would be our Comfort; and it is as Necessary, as it would be Profitable for us Briefly, When our Condition ha's been so Circumstanced, that nothing but a LUST in the Heart, would wish it otherwise; and there is no way of God for the Mutation of it, we are then to be Satisfied in that Condition. So was that Excellent man, who could say in Phil 4. 11. I have Learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. ⟨p. 40⟩But now, Discontent, is a Vice which disturbs the Mind, at the View of something or other in our Condition, which God ha's not put us in a way for the Retrieving of. Would you see a Picture of Discontent? Let Angry Jonah give it you. In Discontent a man is Angry, that God ha's not furnished him with such or such a Gourd, as he thinks would give a Comfortable Shadow to him. Something there is in the Circumstances of his Place, his Life, his Bed, his Estate, and his Esteem, which he do's not Like, and which yet he cannot, or may not Help. Discontent is a Dissatisfaction, at the want of such Pleasures and Profits, & Honours, as God ha's denied unto us; and He ha's Denied whatever we cannot Regularly seek to Obtain; Whatever will not advance His Glories and Praises in the World. Would you hear what is the Discontent, which the Tenth Commandment is the Disallowance of? We are told, in Joh 2. •6. The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life. When a mans Carnal App•••es unto the Delights and Grandness of the World, •ast him into such a ••q••etment of Soul, ⟨p. 41⟩as hinders his Walk with God; There, is a Discontented man. Solomon speaks about Four Things that never say, It, is Enough!
First, In Discontent, there is, A Dislike ⟨p. 39⟩of that Condition which God would have us to be Well-pleased with. Every part of our Condition is Ordered by that God, who ha's formed all things, and whose Kingdom Ruleth over all. We are told, in Psal. 75 6, 7. Promotion comes neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the De•art. [which lay both North and South of Canaan] But God is the Judge; He puts down one, and sets up another. Be our Condition High or Low, 'tis God that makes it so. And such is the Bounty, such the Mercy of our God unto us, that, He would have our minds Approve of that Condition which He ha's carved for u•. A sweet Acquiescence of Soul, in the Divine Dispensations towards us, i• as much our Duty, as it would be our Comfort; and it is as Necessary, as it would be Profitable for us Breefly, When our Condition ha's been so Circumstanced, that nothing but a LUST in the Heart, would wish it otherwise; and there is no way of God for the Mutation of it, we are then to be Satisfy'd in that Condition. So was that Excellent man, who could say in Phil 4. 11. I have Learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. ⟨p. 40⟩But now, Discontent, is a Vice which disturbs the Mind, at the View of something or other in our Condition, which God ha's not put us in a way for the Retrieving of. Would you see a Picture of Discontent? Let Angry Jonas give it you. In Discontent a man is Angry, that God ha's not furnish'd him with such or such a Guord, as he thinks would give a Comfortable Shadow to him. Something there is in the Circumstances of his Place, his Life, his Bed, his Estate, and his Esteem, which he do's not Like, and which yet he cannot, or may not Help. Discontent is a Dissatisfaction, at the want of such Pleasures and Profits, & Honours, as God ha's deny'd unto us; and He ha's Deny'd whatever we cannot Regularly seek to Obtain; Whatever will not advance His Glories and Praises in the World. Would you hear what is the Discontent, which the Tenth Commandment is the Disallowance of? We are told, in Joh 2. •6. The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life. When a mans Carnal App•••es unto the Delights and Granden•s of the World, •ast him into such a ••qetment of Soul,
