TheArtofDivineContentment

byThomasWatson

TheIntroductiontotheText

TheFirstBranchoftheText,theScholar

TheSecondBranchoftheText

TheLessonitself,withtheProposition

TheResolvingofSomeQuestions

ShowingtheNatureofContentment

ReasonsPressingtoHolyContentment

UsesfortheChristian

MotivestoDivineContentment

ThreeCautions

HowaChristianMayKknowifHehasLearnedContentment

AChristianDirectory,orRULESaboutContentment

ConsolationtotheContentedChristian

TheIntroductiontotheText.

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I knowbothhow tohave a little, and I knowhow tohave a lot. In anyandallcircumstancesIhave learnedthesecretofbeingcontent—whetherwell-fedorhungry,whetherinabundanceorinneed.IamabletodoallthingsthroughHimwhostrengthensme."Philippians4:11-13

"Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward;" therefore we allneed to learn the same lesson as Paul. "I have learned," he said "inwhateverstateIam,therewithtobecontent,"Philippians4:11.Believers,especially, wish to attain to a holy composure in their tribulations andunderthestressescausedbyourincreasinglysecularsociety.

Thesewordsarebrought in toanticipateandpreventanobjection. Theapostle had, in the former verse, laid down many grave and heavenlyexhortations:amongtherest,"tobeanxiousfornothing."

Nottoexclude:1.Aprudentialcare;for,hewhoprovidesnotforhisownhouse,"hasdeniedthefaith,andisworsethananinfidel."(1Ti.5:8)

Nor,2.areligiouscare;forwemustgiveall"diligencetomakeourcallingandelectionsure."(2Pe.1:10)But,

3.toexcludeallanxiousworryabouttheoutcomesandeventsofthings;"donotbeanxiousaboutyourlife—whatyoushalleat."(Mat.6:25)AndinthissenseitshouldbeaChristian'scarenottobeanxious.TheintheGreek signifies "to cut the heart in pieces," a soul-dividingworry; takeheedofthis.Wearebidto"commitourwayuntotheLord;"(Psalm37:5)theHebrewwordis,"rollyourwayupontheLord."Itisourworktocastawayanxiety;(1Pe5:7)anditisGod'sworktotakecare.

Byourimmoderateworry,wetakehisworkoutofhishand.Worry,whenitisextreme,eitherdistrustfulordistracting,isverydishonorabletoGod;ittakesawayhisprovidence,asifhesatinheavenanddidnotmindthethingsherebelow;likeamanwhomakesaclock,andthenleavesittorunby itself. Immoderateworry takes theheart off frombetter things; andusuallywhilewe are thinking howwe shall live—we forget how todie.

Worryisaspiritualcankerwhichwastesanddispirits;wemaysoonerbyourworryaddafurlongtoourgriefthanacubittoourcomfort.Goddoesthreaten itasacurse, "theyshalleat theirbreadwithworry." (Ez. 12:1)Bettertofast—thaneatofthatbread."Beanxiousfornothing."

Now,lestanyoneshouldsay,"Yes,Paulyoupreachthattouswhichyouhave scarce learnedyourself;have you learnednot tobe anxious?" Theapostle seemed tacitly to answer that, in thewords of the text; "I havelearned,inwhateverstateIam,therewithtobecontent,"aspeechworthytobeengraveduponourhearts,andtobewritteninlettersofgolduponthecrownsanddiademsofprinces.

Thetextdoesbranchitselfintothesetwogeneralparts.

I.Thescholar,Paul;"Ihavelearned."

II.Thelesson;"ineverystatetobecontent."

TheFirstBranchof theText, theSCHOLAR,with theFirstProposition.

Ibeginwiththefirst:Thescholar,andhisproficiency;"Ihavelearned."OutofwhichIshallobservetwothingsbywayofexplanation.

1.Theapostledoesnotsay,"Ihaveheard,thatineveryestateIshouldbecontent,"but, "Ihave learned."Whenceour firstdoctrine, that it isnotenoughforChristianstoheartheirduty—buttheymustlearntheirduty.Itisonethingtohearandanotherthingtolearn;asitisonethingtoeatandanotherthingtocook.Paulwasapractitioner.Christianshearmuch—butit istobefeared, learnlittle.Therewerefourkindsofsoils intheparable, (Lu. 8:5) and but one good ground. This is an emblem of thistruth—manyhearers—butfewlearners.

Therearetwothingswhichkeepusfromlearning.

1.SLIGHTINGwhatwehear.Christisthepearlofgreatprice;whenwedisesteemthispearl,weshallneverlearneitheritsvalue,oritsvirtue.

The gospel is a raremystery. In one place, (Ac. 20:24) it is called "thegospelofgrace;"inanother,(1Cor.4:4)"thegospelofglory;"becauseinit,asinatransparentglass,thegloryofGodisresplendent.Buthewhohasdespisesthismystery,willhardlyeverlearntoobeyit.Hewholooksupon the things of heaven as unimportant things; and perhaps thedriving of a trade, or carrying on some politic design to be of greaterimportance, thisman is in thehigh road todamnation,andwillhardlyever learnof thingsconcerninghissalvation.Whowill learn thatwhichhethinksisscarcelyworthlearning?

2.FORGETTINGwhatwehear.Ifascholarhashisruleslaidbeforehim, andhe forgets themas fast ashe reads them,hewillnever learn.(Ja.1:25)Aristotlecallsthememorythescribeofthesoul;andBernardcalls it the stomach of the soul, because it has a retentive faculty, andturns heavenly food into nutrition. We have great memories in otherthings,werememberthatwhichisvain.Cyruscouldrememberthenameofeverysoldier inhishugearmy.Weremember injuries;his is to fill apreciouscabinetof themind,withdung.ButasHieromsays,howsoondoweforgetthesacredtruthsofGod!

Weareapttoforgetthreethings:ourfaults,ourfriends,ourinstructions.ManyChristiansarelikesieves;putasieveintothewater,andit isfull;but take it forth of thewater, and all runs out. Just so, while they arehearingasermon,theyremembersomething:butlikethesieveoutofthewater—as soonas theyaregoneoutof thechurch,all is forgotten. "Letthesesayings, (saysChrist)sinkdown intoyourears;" (Lu.9:44) in theoriginalitis,"putthesesayingsintoyourears,"asamanthatwouldhidethejewelfrombeingstolen,locksitupsafeinhischest.Letthemsinkin.TheWordmustnotfallonlyasdewthatwetstheleaf—butasrainwhichsoaks to the root of the tree, andmakes it fructify. O, how often doesSatan,thatfowloftheair,pickupthegoodseedthatissown!

USE.Letmeputyouuponaserioustrial.Someofyouhaveheardmuch—youhavelivedforty,fifty,sixtyyearsundertheblessedtrumpetofthe gospel—what have you learned? You may have heard a thousandsermons,andyetnotlearnedone.Searchyourconsciences.

1.YouhaveheardmuchagainstSIN.Areyouhearers—orareyou

learners? How many sermons have you heard against covetousness,that it is the root, on which pride and idolatry grow? One calls it ametropolitansin; it isacomplexevil, itdoes twistagreatmanysins inwithit.Thereishardlyanysin—butcovetousnessisamainingredientofit.Andyetareyoulikethetwodaughtersofthehorse-leech,whichcries,"give! give!" How much have you heard against rash anger, that is atemporaryinsanity;thatitrestsinthebosomoffools.Andupontheleastoccasion do your spirits begin to take fire?Howmuch have you heardagainst swearing. It is Christ's express mandate, "swear not at all."(Mat. 5:34)This sin of all othersmaybe termed theunfruitfulworkofdarkness.Itisneithersweetenedwithpleasure,norenrichedwithprofit—theusualcolorswithwhichSatanpaintssin.Whiletheswearershootshis oaths, like flying arrows at God to pierce his glory—God shoots "aflying scroll" of curses against him. And do you make your tongue aracketbywhichyou tossoaths as tennisballs?doyou sport yourselveswithoaths,asthePhilistinesdidwithSamson,whichwillatlastpullthehousedownonyou?Alas!howhavethey learnedwhatsin is,whohavenotlearnedtoleavesin!Doesheknowwhatavipersinis—whowillplaywithit?

2.YouhaveheardmuchofCHRIST.HaveyoulearnedChrist?TheJews, as Jerome says, carried Christ in their Bibles—but not in theirheart.Thesound"went intoall theearth; (Ro. 10:18) theprophetsandapostleswereastrumpets,whosesoundwentabroadintotheworld.Yetmanythousandswhoheardthenoiseofthesetrumpets,hadnotlearnedChrist,"theyhavenotallobeyed."(Ro.10:16)

(1.) A man may knowmuch of Christ—and yet not learn Christ. ThedevilsknewChrist.(Mat.1:24)

(2.)AmanmaypreachChrist, andyetnot learnChrist—asJudasandthefalseapostles.(Ph.4:15)

(3.)AmanmayprofessChrist,andyetnotlearnChrist.Therearemanyprofessorsintheworld,whoChristwillprofessagainst.(Mat.7:22,23)

Question.WhatitisthentolearnChrist?

1.TolearnChrististobemadelikeChrist,tohavethedivinecharacterofhisholinessengraveduponourhearts."Weallwithopenface,beholdingasinaglassthegloryoftheLord,arechangedintothesameimage."(2Cor. 3:18) There is a metamorphosis made; a sinner, viewing Christ'simageinthelooking-glassofthegospel, istransformedintothat image.Never did anyman look upon Christ with a spiritual eye—but hewentawayquitechanged.Atruesaintisadivinelandscapepicture,wherealltherarebeautiesofChristare livelyportrayedanddrawnforth—hehasthesamespirit,thesamejudgment,thesamewill—withJesusChrist.

2.To learnChrist, is tobelieve inhim—"myLord,andmyGod," (John20:28)whenwedonotonlybelieveGod—butinGod,whichistheactualapplication of Christ to ourselves, and as itwere—the spreading of thesacredmedicine of his blood upon our souls.You have heardmuch ofChrist,andyetcannotwithahumbleadherencesay,"myJesus;"donotbeoffendedifItellyou—thedevilcansayhiscreedaswellasyou!

3.To learnChrist, is to loveChrist.WhenwehaveBible-lives,our liveslikerichdiamondscastasparklinglusterinthechurchofGod,andare,insomesense,parallelwith the lifeofChrist,as the transcriptwith theoriginal.Somuchforthefirstnotionoftheword.

TheSecondBranchoftheText.

Thisword,"Ihavelearned,"isawordwhichimportsdifficulty.Itshowshowhard theapostle camebycontentmentofmind; itwasnot bred innature.Pauldidnotcomenaturallybyit—buthehad learned it. Itcosthimmanyaprayerandtear,itwastaughthimbytheSpirit.Whenceoursecond doctrine—that good things are hard to come by. Thebusinessoftruereligionisnotsoeasyasmostimagine."Ihavelearned,"says Paul. Indeed—you need not teach a man to sin; this is natural,(Psalm58:3)andthereforeeasy.Itcomesaswateroutofaspring.Itisaneasythingtobewicked;hellwillbetakenwithoutstorm;butmattersofpietymustbelearned.Thetradeofsinneedsnottobelearned—buttheartofdivinecontentment isnotachievedwithoutholy industry."Ihavelearned."

There are twopregnant reasonswhy theremust be somuch studyandexertion:

1. Because spiritual things are AGAINST nature. Everything inpietyisoppositetonature.Therearetwothingsintruereligion,andbothareagainstnature.

(1.)Mattersoffaith.As, formentobe justifiedby the righteousnessofanother,tobecomeafoolthathemaybewise,tosaveallbylosingall—thisisagainstnature.

(2.)Matters ofpractice.As, self-denial.As for aman todenyhis ownwisdom, and see himself blind. As to have his own will, and have itmeltedintothewillofGod.Astobepluckingouttherighteye,beheadingandcrucifyingthatsinwhichisthefavorite,andliesnearesttotheheart.Asforamantobedeadtotheworld,andinthemidstofneedtoabound.Asforhimtotakeupthecross,andfollowChrist,notonlyingolden—butinbloodypaths.Astoembracereligion,whenitisdressedinrags,andallthe jewels of honor and preferment are pulled off. All this is againstnature—andthereforemustbelearned.

Likewisewithself-examination;foramantotakehisheart,asawatch,allinpieces;tosetupaspiritualinquisition,andtraversethingsinhisownsoul;totakeDavid'scandleandlantern,(Psalm119:105)andsearchforsin;nay,asjudge,topassthesentenceuponhimself!(2Sa.34:17)Thisisagainstnature,andwillnoteasilybeattainedtowithoutlearning.

Likewisewithself-reformation;toseeaman,asCaleb,walkingoppositetohowheoncewalked, thecurrentofhis lifealtered,andrunningintothechannelofpiety—thisiswhollyagainstnature.Whenastoneascends,it isnotanaturalmotion—butaviolent.Justso, themotionof thesoulheaven-ward is a violentmotion, itmustbe learned; flesh andblood isnot skilled in these things; nature can no more cast out nature, thanSatancancastoutSatan.

2. Because spiritual things are ABOVE nature. There are somethings in the world that are hard to find out, which are not learnedwithoutstudy.Whatthenaredivinethings,whichareinsphereabovethe

world, and beyond all human learning?OnlyGod's Spirit can light ourcandlehere.Theapostlecallsthese"thedeepthingsofGod."Thegospelis full of jewels—but they are locked up—away from sense and reason.Theangelsinheavenaresearchingintothesesacreddepths.(1Pe.22)

USE.LetusbegtheSpiritofGodtoteachus.Wemustbe"divinelytaught." God's Spirit must must teach—or we cannot learn. "All yourchildren shall be taught of the Lord". (Is. 54:13) A manmay read thefigure on the dial—but he cannot tell how the day goes, unless the sunshinesuponthedial.Justso,wemayreadtheBibleover—butwecannotlearn effectually, until the Spirit of God shines into our hearts. (2 Cor.4:6)OimplorethisblessedSpirit!"IamtheLordyourGod,whoteachesyoutoprofit."(Is.48:17)Ministersmaytellusourlesson,Godalonecanteachus.

Wehavelostbothourhearingandsight,thereforeareveryunfittolearn.EversinceEvelistenedtotheserpent,wehavebeendeaf;andsinceshelooked on the tree of knowledge we have been blind. But when Godcomestoteach,heremovestheseimpediments.(Is.35:5)

Wearenaturallydead.(Ep.2:1)Whocanteachadeadman?Yet,behold,Godundertakes tomakedeadmentounderstandmysteries!Godis thegrandteacher.ThisisthereasonthepreachedWordworkssodifferentlyupon men. There are two men in one pew—the one is wrought uponeffectuallybytheSpirit;theotherliesattheordinancesasadeadchildatthebreast,andgetsnonourishment.Whatisthereasonforthis?Becausethe heavenly gale of the Spirit blows upon the one, and not upon theother.OnehastheanointingofGod,whichteacheshimallthings(1John2:27)theotherhasitnot.God'sSpiritspeakssweetly—butirresistibly.Inthat heavenly doxology, none could sing the new song—but those whowere sealed in their foreheads, (Re. 14:2) reprobates could not sing it.Thosewhoareskillfulinthemysteriesofsalvation,musthavethesealoftheSpiritupon them.Letusmake thisourprayer: "Lord,breatheyourSpirit into your Word!" We have a promise, which may add wings toprayer; "if you then being evil know how to give good gifts unto yourchildren;howmuchmoreshallyourheavenlyFathergivetheHolySpirittothosewhoaskhim?"(Lu.11:13)Andthusmuchofthefirstpartofthetext,thescholar,whichIintendedonlyasashortsummary.

TheLessonitself,withtheProposition.

I come to the second, which is the main thing—the lesson itself, "inwhatever state I am, therewith to be content."Herewas a rarepieceoflearningindeed!Thetexthasbutfewwordsinit;"ineverystatecontent:" but if that be true—that the most golden sentence is evermeasured by brevity and suavity, then, this is a most accomplishedspeech.The text is likeaprecious jewel—little inquantity—butgreat inworthandvalue!

ThemainpropositionIshallinsistupon,isthis—thatagraciousspiritisacontented spirit. The doctrine of contentment is very superlative, anduntilwehavelearnedthis—wehavenotlearnedtobeChristians.

1.ItisaHARDlesson.Theangelsinheavenhadnot learnedit; theywerenotcontented.Thoughtheirestatewasveryglorious—yettheywerestillsoaringaloft,andaimedatsomethinghigher;"theangelswhichkeptnot their firstestate."Theykeptnot theirestate,because theywerenotcontentedwiththeirestate.Ourfirstparents,clothedwiththewhiterobeofinnocencyinparadise,hadnotlearnedtobecontent;theyhadaspiringhearts,andwouldbecrownedwiththeDeity,and"beasgods."Thoughtheyhadthechoiceofallthetreesofthegarden—yetnonewouldcontentthembutthetreeofknowledge,whichtheysupposedwouldhavebeenaseye-salve to havemade them omniscient. O then, if this lessonwas sohardtolearnintheoriginalstateofinnocency,howhardshallwefindit,whoarecloggedwithcorruption!

2.ItisofUNIVERSALextent,itconcernsallpeople.

1.ItconcernsRICHmen.Onewouldthinkitneedlesstopressthoseto contentment whom God has blessed with great estates—but ratherpersuade them to be humble and thankful; nay—but I say, be content.Richmenhavetheirdiscontentsaswellasothers!Whentheyhaveagreatestate—yet they are discontented that they have no more; they wouldmake thehundred intoa thousand.Thedrunkard—themorehedrinks,themorehethirsts.Justsowithcovetousness.Anearthlyheartislikethe

grave, which is "never satisfied;" therefore I say to you, rich men—becontent! Richmen are seldom content with their large estates; thoughtheyhaveestateenough,theyhavenothonorenough; if theirbarnsarefull enough—yet their turrets are not high enough. They would besomebody in the world, as Theudas, "who boasted himself to besomebody." (Ac.5:36)Theynevergo so cheerfullyaswhen thewindofhonor and applause fills their sails; if this wind is low—they arediscontented.

OnewouldthinkHamanhadasmuchashisproudheartcoulddesire;hewassetabovealltheprinces,advanceduponthepinnacleofhonor,tobethesecondmaninthekingdom;(Es.3:1)yetinthemidstofallhispomp,becauseMordecaiwouldnotbowtohim—heisdiscontented,andfullofwrath,andtherewasnowaytoassuagethismadnessofrevenge—butbyspillingalltheJews'blood.Theitchofhonorisseldomallayed,withoutblood.ThereforeIsaytoyourichmen—becontent!

Richmen, ifwemay suppose them to be contentwith their honorandmagnificent titles—yet they have not always contentment in theirrelations.Shewholies inthebosom,maysometimesblowthecoals;asJob'swife,whowouldhavehimcurseGodhimself;"curseGod,anddie!"Sometimeschildrencausediscontent.Howoften is it seen that themother'smilk,nourishesaviper!Hewhooncesuckedherbreast,goesabout to suckherblood!Parents often gather thorns fromgrapes,andthistles fromfigs.Childrenaresweet-briar; liketherose,whichisafragrantflower—buthasitsprickles.Ourfamilycomfortsarenotallpurewine—butmixed; they have in themmoredregs than spirits. They arelikethatriverwhichinthemorningrunssweet—butintheeveningrunsbitter.Wehavenocharterofexemptiongrantedusinthislife;thereforerichmenhadneedbecalledupontobecontent.

2.Thedoctrineof contentment concernsPOORmen. Youwhosucksoliberallyfromthebreastsofprovidence—becontent;itisanhardlesson,thereforeithadneedbelearnedveryearly.Howhardis itwhenthelivelihoodisevengone,agreatestateboiledawayalmosttonothing—thentobecontented.ThemeansofsubsistenceisinScripturecalledourlife,becauseit istheverysinewsof life.Thewomaninthegospelspent"all her living upon the physicians;" (Lu. 8:43) in the Greek it is, she

spentherwholelifeuponthephysicians,becauseshespenthermeansbywhichsheshouldlive.Itishardtobecontentwhenpovertyhasclippedour wings! But, though hard, "contentment in poverty" is an excellentvirtue.

Theapostlehad"learnedineverystatetobecontent."GodhadbroughtPaulintoasgreatvarietyofconditionsaseverwereadofanyman—andyethewascontent;elsesurelyhecouldneverhavegonethroughitwithsomuchcheerfulness.Seeintowhatvicissitudesthisblessedapostlewascast!"Wearetroubledoneveryside,"(2Cor4:8)therewasthesadnessofhis condition; "but not distressed," there was his contentment in thatcondition."Weareperplexed,"thereishisaffliction;"butnotindespair,"thereishiscontentment.And,ifwereadalittlefurther,"inafflictions,innecessities,indistresses,instripes,inimprisonments,intumults,etc."(2Cor 6:4,5) there is his trouble. Behold his contentment, "as havingnothing—yetpossessingall things."When theapostlewasdrivenoutofall—yetinregardofthatsweetcontentmentofmindwhichwaslikemusicin his soul—he possessed all. We read a short map or history of hissufferings;"inprisonsmorefrequent,indeathsoften,etc."(2Cor.11:23,24, 25) Yet behold the blessed frame and temper of his spirit, "I havelearned,inwhateverstateIam,therewithtobecontent."Whicheverwayprovidenceblew,Paulhadsuchheavenlyskillanddexterity,thatheknewhow to steer his course. For his outward estate he was indifferent; hecouldbeeitheronthetop—orthebottom;hecouldsingeitherthedirge—ortheanthem;hecouldbeanythingthatGodwouldhavehimtobe."Iknowwhatitistobeinneed—andhowtoabound."Hereisararepatternforustoimitate!

Paul,inregardofhisfaithandcourage,waslikeacedar,hecouldnotbestirred.Butforhisoutwardcondition,hewas likeareedbendingeverywaywiththewindofprovidence.Whenaprosperousgaleblewuponhim,hecouldbendwiththat,"Iknowhowtobefull;"andwhenaboisterousgustofafflictionblew,hecouldbendinhumilitywiththat,"Iknowhowtobehungry."Paulwaslikeadice—throwitwhicheverwayyouwill—italwaysfallsuponabottom!LetGodthrowtheapostlewhicheverwayhewould—hefelluponthisbottomofcontentment!

Acontentedspiritislikeawatch:thoughyoucarryitupanddownwith

you,yet thespringof it isnotshaken,nor thewheelsoutof order—butthe watch keeps its perfect motion. So it was with Paul—though Godcarriedhimintovariousconditions—yethewasnotoverlyelatedwiththeone,norcastdownwiththeother.Thespringofhisheartwasnotbroken,thewheelsofhisaffectionswerenotdisordered—butkepttheirconstantmotiontowardsheaven—stillcontent.

The ship which lies at anchormay sometimes be a little shaken—butneversinks;fleshandbloodmayhaveitsfearsanddisquiets—butgracekeeps themafloat.AChristian, having cast anchor inheaven,hisheartneversinks.Agraciousspirit—isacontentedspirit.Thisisarareart!Pauldidnot learnitatthefeetofGamaliel."Ihavelearned,"(Ph.4:11)Iaminitiatedintothisholymystery;asifhehadsaid,Ihavegottenthedivineart,Ihavetheknackof it.Godmustmakeusrightartists.Ifweshouldputsomementoanartthattheyarenotskilledin,howunfitwouldtheybeforit!Putafarmertodrawingpictures—whatstrangeartworkwouldhemake?Thisisoutofhissphere.Takeagreatpainter,andputhimtoplough,orsethimtoplanting,orgraftingoftrees—thisisnothisart—heisnotskilledinit!Justso,bidanaturalmanlivebyfaith,andwhenallthingsgocontrary,tobecontented,youbidhimdowhathehasnoskillin, youmay as well bid an infant to guide the stern of a ship! To livecontented upon God in the deficiency of outward comforts, is an artwhich "flesh and blood has not learned;" nay, many of God's ownchildren,whoexcelinsomedutiesofreligion,whentheycometothisartofcontentment,howdotheybungle!Theyhavescarcelycommencedthelearningofthisart.

TheResolvingofSomeQuestions.

Fortheillustrationofthisdoctrine,Ishallpropoundthesequestions.

Question1.ShouldaChristianbeinsensibletohiscondition?

No—forthenheisnotasaint—butastoic.Racheldidwelltoweepforherchildren—there was nature. But her fault was, she refused to becomforted—there was discontent. Christ himself was sensible,when he

sweatgreatdropsofblood,andsaid,"Father,ifitispossible,letthiscuppass from me;" yet he was contented, and sweetly submitted his will:"nevertheless, not as I will—but as you will." The apostle bids us tohumbleourselves"underthemightyhandofGod,"(1Pe.5:6)whichwecannotdounlesswearesensibleofit.

Question2.WhetheraChristianmaylayopenhisgrievancestoGod.

Yes."UntoyouhaveIopenedmycause;"(Jer.20:12)andDavidpouredouthiscomplaintbeforetheLord.(Psalm142:2)WemaycrytoGod,anddesirehimtowritedownallourinjuries.Shallnotthechildcomplaintohisfather?Whenanyburdenisupontheheart,prayergivesvent,iteasestheheart.Hannah'sspiritwasburdened;"Iam"saysshe,"awomanofasorrowfulspirit."Nowhavingprayed,andwept,shewentaway,andwasno more sad. Here is the difference between a holy complaint and adiscontentedcomplaint;intheonewecomplaintoGod; intheotherwecomplainofGod.

Question3.Whatdoescontentmentexclude?

Therearethreethingswhichcontentmentbanishesoutofitsdiocese,andwhichcanbynomeansdwellwithit.

1. Contentment excludes a vexatious repining. Murmuring isproperlythedaughterofdiscontent."Imourninmycomplaint."(Psalm55:2)He does not say "Imurmur inmy complaint".Murmuring is nobetter thanmutiny in theheart; it isarisingupagainstGod.Whentheseaisroughandunquiet—itcastsforthnothingbutfoam.Justso,whentheheart is discontented—it casts forth the foamofmurmuring,anger,andimpatience!Murmuringisnothingelse,butthescumwhichboilsofffromadiscontentedheart!

2.Contentmentexcludesanunevendiscomposure.Whenamansays,"Iaminsuchstraits,thatIknownothowtoevolveorgetout,Ishallbeundone!"Whenhisheadandheartaresodistracted,thatheisnotfittoprayormeditate,etc.Whenheisnothimself—justaswhenanarmyisrouted, oneman runs thisway, and another that, the army is put into

disorder; so a man's thoughts run up and down distracted, discontentdislocatesandunjointsthesoul,itpullsoffthewheels.

3.Contentmentexcludesachildishdespondency.Thisisusuallyconsequentupontheother.Amanbeinginahurryofmind,notknowingwhichwaytoextricate,orwindhimselfoutofthepresenttrouble,beginsto faint and sinkunder it. Forworry is to themind as a burden to theback;itloadsthespirits,andwithoverloading,sinksthem.Adespondentspiritisadiscontentedspirit.

ShowingtheNATUREofcontentment.

Having answered these questions, I shall in the next place, come todescribe this contentment. It is a sweet temper of spirit, whereby aChristiancarrieshimselfinanequalpoiseineverycondition.Thenatureofthiswillappearmoreclearinthesethreeaphorisms.

1. Contentment is a DIVINE thing. It becomes ours, not byacquisition—butasagiftfromGod.Itisasliptakenofffromthetreeoflife,andplantedbytheSpiritofGodinthesoul.It isa fruit thatgrowsnot in the garden of human learning—but is of a heavenly birth. It istherefore very observable that contentment is joined with godliness,"godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Tim. 6:6) Contentmentbeinganoutgrowthofgodliness,Icall itdivine, todistinguishit tothatcontentment,whichamoralmanmayarriveat.Heathenshaveseemedtohavethiscontentment—butitwasonlytheshadowandpictureofit—notthetruediamond.Theirswasbutcivil,thisissacred;theirswasonlyfromprinciples of human reason, this of religion; theirs was only lighted atnature's torch, this at the lamp of scripture. Reasonmay a little teachcontentment,asthus:whatevermyconditionbe,this iswhatIambornto;andifImeetwithcrosses,itisbuttheuniversalmisery:allhavetheirshare,whythereforeshouldIbetroubled?Reasonmaysuggestthis;andindeed,thismayberatherconstraint;buttolivesecurelyandcheerfullyuponGodintheabatementofcreaturesupplies,onlypietycanbringthisintothesoul'streasury.

2.ContentmentisanINTERNALthing.Itlieswithinaman;notinthebark—buttheroot.Contentmenthasbothitsfountainandstreaminthesoul.Thebeamsofcomfortwhichacontentedmanhas,donotarisefromforeigncomforts—butfromwithin.Assorrowisseatedinthespirit;"the heart knows its own bitterness;" (Proverbs 14:10) so contentmentlieswithinthesoul,anddoesnotdependuponexternals.HenceIgather,that outward troubles cannot hinder this blessed contentment. It is aspiritual thing, and arises from spiritual grounds—the apprehension ofGod'slove.Whenthereisatempestwithout,theremaybemusicwithin.A bee may sting through the skin—but it cannot sting to the heart;outwardafflictionscannotstingtoaChristian'sheart,wherecontentmentlies. Thievesmay plunder us of ourmoney and goods—but not of thispearlofcontentment,unlesswearewillingtopartwithit,foritislockedup in the cabinet of the heart. The soulwhich is possessed of this richtreasureofcontentment,islikeNoahintheark—itcansinginthemidstofadeluge.

3.ContentmentisanHABITUALthing.Itshineswithafixedlightin the soul. Contentment does not appear only now and then, as somestarswhichareseenbutseldom;it isasettledtemperoftheheart.Oneactiondoesnotdenominateapersontobeacontentedperson.Oneisnotsaidtobealiberalman,whogivesalmsonceinhislife;acovetousmanmaydoso.Butheissaidtobeliberal,whois"giventohospitality,"thatis,whouponalloccasionsiswillingtorelievethenecessitiesofthepoor.Justso,heissaidtobeacontentedman,whoisgiventocontentment.Itisnotcasualbutconstant.Aristotledistinguishesbetweencolors in thefacethatarisefrompassion,andthosewhicharisefromcomplexion.Thepalefacemaylookredwhenitblushes—butthisisonlyapassion.Heissaidproperlytoberuddywhoisconstantlyso—itishiscomplexion.Heisnotacontentedman,whoissouponsomeoccasions,whenthingsgowellwith him. A contented man, is so constantly—it is the habit andcomplexioninhissoul.

Reasonspressingtoholycontentment.

Havingopenedthenatureofcontentment,Icomenexttolaydownsomereasonsorargumentstocontentment,whichmaypreponderatewithus.

Thefirst is,God'sPRECEPT.Contentment is chargeduponusasaduty, "be contentwith such things as you have." (Heb. 13:5) The sameGod,whohasbidusbelieve,hasbidustobecontent.Ifweobeynot,werunourselvesintosin.God'sWordisasufficientwarrant;ithasauthorityinit.God'sWordmustbethestarwhichguides,andhiswilltheweightthatmovesourobedience;hiswillisalaw,andhasmajestyenoughinittocaptivateusintoobedience;ourheartsmustnotbemoreunquietthantheragingsea,whichathisWordisstilled.

Thesecondreasonenforcingcontentment,is,God'sPROMISE.Forhehassaid"Iwillneverleaveyou,norforsakeyou."(He.13:5)HereGod has engaged himself, under hand and seal for our necessaryprovisions.Ifakingshouldsaytooneofhissubjects,Iwilltakecareofyou;as longasIhaveanycrown-revenues,youshallbeprovided for; ifyouareindanger—Iwillsecureyou;ifinneed—Iwillsupplyyou.Wouldnot thatsubjectbecontent?Behold,Godhasheremadepromise to thebeliever,andas itwere,entered intobondforhissecurity,"Iwillneverleaveyou;"shallnotthischarmawaythedevilofdiscontent?"Leaveyourfatherless children with me, I will preserve them alive." (Jer. 49:11)MethinksIseethegodlymanonhisdeath-bedmuchdiscontented,andhearhimcomplainingwhatwillbecomeofmywifeandchildrenwhenheisdeadandgone.Godsays,"troublenotyourself,becontent,Iwilltakecareofyourchildren;andletyourwidowtrust inme."Godhasmadeapromise to us, that he will not leave us, and has entailed the promiseuponourwifeandchildren;andwillnot this satisfyus?True faithwilltakeGod'ssinglebond,withoutcallingforwitnesses.

Becontent,byvirtueofadecree.Whateverourconditionis,Godtheumpireoftheworld,hasfromeverlasting,decreedthatconditionforus,andbyhisprovidenceorderedalldetailsthereunto.LetaChristianoften

think with himself, "who has placed me here, whether I am in a highsphere, or in a lower. Not chance or fortune, as the blind heathensimagined.No! it is thewiseGodwhohasbyhisprovidencefixedmeinthisorb."

WemustactthatscenewhichGodwouldhaveus.Saynot,"suchanonehasoccasioned this tome!"Looknot toomuchat theunder-wheel.WereadinEzekiel,ofa"wheelwithinawheel."(Ez.1:16)God'sdecreeisthecauseoftheturningofthewheels,andhisprovidenceistheinner-wheelswhichmovealltherest.God'sprovidenceisthathelmwhichturnsaboutthewhole shipof theuniverse.Say then, asholyDavid, "Iwas silent, Iopened not mymouth, because you, Lord, did it." (Psalm 39:9) God'sprovidence, which is nothing else but the carrying on of his decree—should be a counterpoise against discontent. God has set us in ourstation,andhehasdoneitinwisdom.

Weimaginethatsuchaconditionoflifeisgoodforus;whereasifwewereourowncarvers,wewouldoftencuttheworstpiece.Lot,beingputtohischoice,choseSodom,whichsoonafterwasburnedwithfire.Rachelwasverydesirousofchildren,"givemechildrenorIdie,"anditcostherherlife inbringing forthachild.Abrahamwasearnest for Ishmael, "O thatIshmaelmightlivebeforeyou!"buthehadlittlecomforteitherfromhimorhisseed;hewasbornasonofstrife,hishandwasagainsteveryman,andeveryman'shandagainsthim.ThedisciplesweptforChrist'sleavingtheworld,theychosehisphysicalpresence:whereasitwasbestforthemthat Christ should be gone, for else "the comforter would not come."(John16:7)Davidchosethelifeofhischild,"heweptandfastedforit;"(2Sam. 12:16) whereas if the child had lived—it would have been aperpetualmonumentofhisshame.

Ifwewouldbeabletoparceloutourowncomforts,wewouldoftenparcelout that which is harmful to us. Is it not well for the child—that theparentshouldchooseforit?wereitlefttoitself,itwouldperhapschoosea knife to cut its own finger. It iswell for the patient, that he is at thephysician'sappointment.Theconsiderationofadecreedetermining,anda providence disposing of all things, should work our hearts to holycontentment.ThewiseGodhasorderedourcondition;ifheseesitbetterforustoabound—weshallabound;ifheseesitbetterforustobeinneed

—weshallbeinneed.BecontenttobeatGod'sdisposal.

God sees, inhis infinitewisdom, the same condition isnotbest for all;that which is good for one, may be bad for another. One season ofweatherwillnotserveallmen'soccasions,oneneedssunshine,anotherrain.Oneconditionoflifewillnotfiteveryman,nomorethanonesuitofapparelwillfiteverybody.Prosperityisnotfitforall,norisadversityfitforall.Ifonemanbebroughtlow,perhapshecanbearitbetter;hehasagreater stock of grace, more faith and patience; he can "gather grapesfrom thorns", pick some comfort out of the cross. Everyone cannot dothis.Anothermanisseatedinaneminentplaceofdignity;heisfitterforit;perhaps it isaplacewhichrequiresmorewisdom,whicheveryoneisnotcapableof;perhapshecanusehisestatebetter,hehasapublicheartaswellasapublicplace.ThewiseGodseesthatconditiontobebadforone,whichisgoodforanother;henceitis,thatheplacesmenindifferentorbsandspheres;somehigher,somelower.Onemandesireshealth,Godsees sickness is better for him; God will work spiritual health out ofphysical sickness, by bringing the body of death, into a consumption.Anothermandesires liberty,Godseesbondage tobebetter forhim;hewillworkhislibertybybondage;whenhisfeetarebound,hisheartshallbemostenlarged.Didwebelievethis,itwouldgiveachecktothesinfuldisputesandcavilsofourhearts:"ShallIbediscontentedatthatwhichisenactedbyGod'sdecree,andorderedbyHiswiseprovidence?"IsthistobeGod'child—orarebel?

Use I. Showing how a Christian may make his lifecomfortable.

It showshow aChristianmay come to lead a comfortable life, even anheaven upon earth, be the times what they will—by Christiancontentment.The comfort of life doesnot consist inhavingmuch; it isChrist'smaxim,"aman'slifeconsistsnotintheabundanceofthethingswhichhedoespossess,"(Lu.12:15)butitisinbeingcontented.Isnotthebeeaswellcontentedwithsuckingfromaflower—astheoxwhichgrazesonthemountains?Contentmentlieswithinaman,intheheart;andthewaytobecomfortable, isnotbyhavingourbarnsfilled—butourminds

quiet."Thecontentedman,"saysSeneca,"isthehappyman."

Discontentisafrettingtemper,whichdriesthebrains,wastesthespirits,corrodes and eats out the comfort of life.Discontentmakes aman notenjoywhathedoespossess.Adropor twoofvinegarwill sourawholeglass of wine. Just so, let a man have the affluence and all worldlycomforts—adroportwoofdiscontentwillembitterandpoisonall.

Comfortdependsuponcontentment.Jacobwenthalting,whenthesinewuponthehollowofhisthighshrank:so,whenthesinewofcontentmentbegins to shrink, we go halting in our comforts. Contentment is asnecessarytokeepthelifecomfortable,asoilisnecessarytokeepthelampburning.Thecloudsofdiscontentoftendroptheshowersoftears.

Would we have comfort in our lives? We may have it if we will. AChristianmay carve outwhatever conditionhewill to himself.Whydoyou complain of your troubles? it is not trouble which troubles—butdiscontentment.ItisnotoutwardafflictionwhichcanmakethelifeofaChristiansad;acontentedmindwouldsailabovethesewaters—butwhendiscontentgetsintotheheart,thenitisdisquietedandsinks.

UseII.AchecktothediscontentedChristian.

Here is a just reproof to such as are discontentedwith their condition.Thisdiseaseisalmostepidemic.SomenotcontentwiththecallingwhichGod has set them in, must be a step higher, from the plough to thethrone;who like the spider in theProverbs,will "be in kings' palaces."Othersdesiretogofromtheshoptothepulpit;(Nu.12:2)theywouldbeinthetempleofhonor,beforetheyareinthetempleofvirtue.Theyarelikeapes,whichmostshowtheirdeformitywhentheyareclimbing.Itisnot enough thatGod has bestowed gifts uponmen, in private to edify;thathehasenrichedthemwithmanymercies—butmustthey"seekyouthepriesthoodalso?"(Nu.16:10)

What is this but discontent arising from pride? These secretly tax thewisdomofGod,thathehasnotmadetheirconditionapeghigher.Everyman is complaining that his estate is no better, though he seldom

complains that his heart is no better.Oneman commends this kind oflife,anothercommendsthat;onemanthinksacountry-lifebest,anotheracity-life;thesoldierthinksitbesttobeamerchant,andthemerchanttobeasoldier.MendesiretobeanythingbutwhatGodwouldhavethem.How is it that noman is contented? Very few Christians have learnedPaul's lesson: neither poor nor rich know how to be content, they canlearnanythingbutthis.

Ifmen arepoor, they learn to be envious; theymalign those who areabove them. Another's prosperity is an eye-sore. When God's candleshines upon their neighbor's tabernacle, this light offends them. In themidst of poverty,men can, in this sense, abound—namely, in envyandmalice! An envious eye is an evil eye. They learn to be querulous, stillcomplaining,as ifGodhaddealthardlywiththem;theyareevertellingtheirneeds,theylackthisandthatcomfort,whereastheirgreatestneedisacontentedspirit.Thosethatarewellenoughcontentwiththeirsin—yetarenotcontentwiththeircondition.

Ifmenarerich, they learn tobecovetous; thirsting insatiablyafter theworld,andbyunjustmeansscrapingittogether;their"righthandisfullofbribes,"asthePsalmistexpressesit.(Psalm26:10)Putagoodcauseinonescale,andapieceofgoldintheother,andthegoldweighsheaviest.There are, says Solomon, four things that say, "it is not enough:"(Proverbs30:15)Imayaddafifth;theheartofacovetousman.

So we see that neither poor nor rich know how to be content. Nevercertainly since the creation did this sin of discontent reign, or ratherrage,morethaninourtimes;neverwasGodmoredishonored;youcanhardly speak with any—but the passion of his tongue betrays thediscontentofhisheart!Everyonelispsouthisdiscontent,andhereeventhestammeringtonguespeakstoofreelyandfluently.Ifwehavenotwhatwedesire,Godshallnothaveagoodlookfromus—butpresentlywearesickwithdiscontent.IfGodwillnotforgivethepeopleofIsraelfortheirlusts—theybidhimtaketheirlives;theymusthavequailstotheirmanna!Ahab, though a king, and one would think his crown-lands had beensufficient forhim—yet issullenanddiscontentedforNaboth'svineyard.Jonahthoughagoodmanandaprophet—yetreadytodieinapeeve;andbecauseGodkilledhisgourd. "Killme too!" sayshe.Rachel complains,

"giveme children, or I die;" she hadmany blessings, if she could haveseenthem—butlackedthisblessingofcontentment.

Godwillsupplyourneeds—butmusthesatisfyourluststoo!Manyarediscontentedforlackofatrifle—anotherhasabetterdress,aricherjewel,anewerfashion.Nero,notcontentwithhisempire,wastroubledthatthemusicianhadmoreskill inplaying thanhe.Howfoolisharesome,whopine away in discontent for the lack of those thingswhich if they had,wouldbutrenderthemmoresad!

UseIII.APERSUASIVEtocontentment.

It exhortsus to labor for contentment—this is thatwhichdoes beautifyandbespangleaChristian,andasaspiritualembroidery,doessethimoffintheeyesoftheworld.

ButmethinksIhearsomebitterlycomplaining,andsayingtome,Alas!howisitpossibletobecontented?"TheLordhasmademychainheavy!Hehascastmeintoaverysadcondition."

Thereisnosin—butlaborseithertohideitselfundersomemask;or,ifitcannotbeconcealed,thentovindicateitselfbysomeapology.ThissinofdiscontentIfindverywittyinitsapologies,whichIshallfirstunveilit—andthenmakeareply.Wemustlayitdownasarule,thatdiscontentisasin;sothatallthepretensesandapologieswithwhichitlaborstojustifyitself—arebutthepaintinganddressingofastrumpet.

Thefirstapologywhichdiscontentmakesisthis:"Ihavelostachild!"Paulina,uponthe lossofherchildren,wassopossessedwithaspiritofsadness, that she had liked to have entombed herself in her owndiscontent!Our lovetorelationsshouldneverbemore thanour love totruereligion.

1.Wemustbecontent,notonlywhenGodgivesmercies—butwhenHetakesaway. Ifwemust "ineverythinggive thanks," (1Th.5:18) then innothingshouldwebediscontented.

2. Perhaps God has taken away the cistern—that hemay give you themoreofthespring.Perhapshehasdarkenedthestarlight—thatyoumayhavemoresun-light.Godintendsyoushallhavemoreofhimself—andisnothebetterthantensons?Looknotsomuchuponatemporalloss—asuponaspiritualgain.Thecomfortsoftheworldruntodregs;thosewhichcomeoutofthegranaryofthepromise,arepureandsweet!

3.Yourchildwasnotgiven—butlent:"Ihave,saysHannah,lentmysonto the Lord;" (1 Sa. 1:28) she lent him! the Lord has lent him to her.Mercies are notgiven to us—but lent; what aman lends—hemay takebackagainwhenhepleases.Obenotdiscontentedthatamercyistakenawayfromyou—butratherbethankfulthatitwaslentyousolong.

4.Supposeyourchildtobetakenfromyou,eitherhewasgoodorbad;ifhewasrebellious,youhavenotsomuchpartedwithachild,asaburden;yougrieveforthatwhichmighthavebeenagreatergrieftoyou;ifhewaspious, then remember, he "is taken away from the evil to come," andplacedinhiscenteroffelicity.Thislowerregionisfullofvileandhurtfulvapors; how happy are those who aremounted into the celestial orbs!"The righteous are taken away," in the original it is, he isgathered. Awickedchild iscutoff—but thepious child isgathered. Even aswe seemengatherflowers,andpreservethem—sohasGodgatheredyourchildasa sweet flower thathemaypreserve itwithglory, andpreserve itbyhimforever.

Why then should a Christian be discontented? why should he weepexcessively? "Daughters of Jerusalem weep not for me—but weep foryourselves!"(Lu.23:28)Justso,couldwehearourchildrenspeakingtousoutofheaven,theywouldsay,"Weepnotforuswhoarehappy;welieupona soft pillow, even in thebosomofChrist!ThePrinceofPeace isembracingusandkissinguswiththekissesofhislips!Don'tbetroubledatourpreferment;weepnotforus,butweepforyourselves,whoareinasinfulsorrowfulworld!Youare inthevalleyof tears—butweareonthemountain of spices; we have gotten to our harbor—but you are stilltossinguponthewavesoftrouble"

OChristian!benotdiscontentedthatyouhavepartedwithsuchachild;butratherrejoicethatyouhadsuchachildtopartwith.Breakforthinto

thankfulness.Whatanhonorisittobeaparenttobegetsuchachild,thatwhile he lives increases the joy of the glorified angels, (Lu. 20:10) andwhenhediesincreasesthenumberoftheglorifiedsaints.

5.IfGodhastakenawayoneofyourchildren,hehas leftyoumore—hemighthavestrippedyouofall.HetookawayJob'scomforts,hisestate,hischildren!Indeedhiswifewasleft—butasacross.Satanmadeabowofthisrib,andshotatemptationbyheratJob,thinkingtohavehimshottotheheart;"curseGodanddie!"ButJobhaduponhimthebreast-plateofintegrity;and thoughhischildrenweretakenaway—yetnothisgraces;stillheiscontent,stillheblessesGod.

Othinkhowmanymerciesyoustillenjoy;yetyourbaseheartsaremorediscontentedatoneloss—thanthankfulforanhundredmercies!Godhaspluckedonebunchofgrapesfromyou—buthowmanypreciousclustersareleftbehind?

Youmayobject—but itwasmyonlychild—the staffofmy old age—theseedofmycomfort—andtheonlyblossomoutofwhichmyancientfamilydidgrow.

6.Godhaspromised you, if youbelong tohim, "anamebetter than ofsons and daughters." (Is. 56:5) Is he dead—who would have been themonument tohavekeptup thenameof a family?Godhas given youanew name, he has written your name in the book of life! Behold yourspiritualheraldry;hereisanamewhichcannotbecutoff.

HasGodtakenawayyouronlychild?hehasgivenyouhisonlySon!Thisisahappyexchange.Whatneedshecomplainoflosses—whohasChrist!He ishisFather'sbrightness, (He. 1:3)his riches, (Col.2:9)hisdelight.(Psalm42:1)IsthereenoughinChristtodelighttheheartofGod?andistherenotenoughinhimtoravishuswithholydelight?Heiswisdomtoteachus,righteousnesstoacquitus,sanctificationtoadornus;heisthatroyalandprincelygift,heisthebreadofangels,thejoyandtriumphofsaints;heisallinall.(Col.3:10)Whythenareyoudiscontented?Thoughyourchildislost—yetyouhavehimforwhomallthingsareloss.

7. Let us blush to think thatnature should outstripgrace. Pulvillus, a

heathen,whenhewasabouttoconsecrateatempletoJupiter,andnewswas brought him of the death of his son, would not desist from hisenterprise—but withmuch composure of mind, went through with theburial.

Thesecondapologywhichdiscontentmakesis,"Ihaveagreatpartofmy estate suddenly melted away!" God is pleased sometimes tobring his children very low, and cut them short in their estate; it fareswiththemaswiththatwidow,whohadnothinginherhouse,butapotofoil.(2Ki.4:2)Butbecontent.

1. God has taken away your estate—but not your eternalportion.This is a sacred paradox, honor and estate are no part of aChristian'sportion;theyareratherluxuriesthanessentials,andthereforethe loss of those cannot denominate amanmiserable. Still the portionremains; "theLord ismy portion, saysmy soul." (Lam. 3:24) Supposeonewereworthmillions,andheshouldchancetoloseapinoffhissleeve,thisisnopartofhisestate,norcanwesayheisundone.Justso,thelossofsublunarycomfortsisnotsomuchtoaChristian'sportion,asthelossofapinistoamillion."Thesethingsshallbeaddedtoyou,"(Mat.6:33)theyshallbecastinasoverplus.Whenamanbuysapieceofclothhehasaninchortwogivenintothemeasure;now,thoughhe losehis inchofcloth—yetheisnotundone,forstillthewholepieceremains.Justso,ouroutwardestateisnotsomuchinregardoftheportion,asaninchofclothistothewholepiece;whythenshouldaChristianbediscontented,whenthetitletohisspiritualtreasureremains?AthievemaytakeawayallthemoneythatIhave—butnotmyland.Justso,aChristianhasatitletotheland of promise. Mary has chosen the better part, which shall not betakenfromher.

2.Perhaps,ifyourestatehadnotbeenlost—yoursoulhadbeenlost; outwardcomfortsdooftenquench inward spiritualheat.Godcanbestowajeweluponus—butwefallsoinlovewithit,thatweforgetHimwho gave it. What pity is it, that we should commit idolatry with thecreature!Godisforcedsometimestodrainawayanestate:theplateandjewelsareoftencastover-boardtosavethepassenger.Manyamanmaycurse the time that ever he had such an estate: it has been anenchantmenttodrawawayhisheartfromGod;"thosewhowillberich,

fall into a snare." Are you troubled that God has prevented a snare?Richesarethorns;(Mat.13:7)areyouangrybecauseGodhaspulledawayathornfromyou?Richesarecomparedto"thickclay;"(Ha.2:6)perhapsyouraffections,whicharethefeetofthesoul,mighthavestucksofastinthis golden clay that they could not have ascended up to heaven. Becontent; ifGoddamsupouroutwardcomforts—it is that the streamofourlovemayrunfastertoHim!

3.Ifyourestatebesmall—yetGodcanblessalittle.Itisnothowmuchmoneywehave—buthowmuchblessing.Hewhooftencursesthebagsof gold, canbless themeal in thebarrel, and theoil in the cruise.What if youhavenot the full fleshpots? yet youhaveapromise, "Iwillabundantlyblessyourprovision,"(Psalm132:15)andthenalittlegoesalongway.Becontentyouhavethedewofablessingdistilled;adinnerofgreenherbs,whereloveis,issweet;Imayadd,wheretheloveofGodis.Anothermayhavemoreestatethanyou—butmoreworry;moreriches—but less rest;more revenues—butmore occasions of expense; he has agreater inheritance—yet perhaps "God gives a man riches, wealth, andhonorsothathelacksnothingofallhedesiresforhimself,butGoddoesnotallowhimtoenjoythem"(Ecc.6:2)hehasthedominionofhisestate,nottheuse;heholdsmore—butenjoysless.Inaword,youhaslessgoldthanhe,perhapslessguilt.

4.Youdidneversothriveinyourspiritualtrade;yourheartwasneversolow—aswhenyourconditionwas low;youwereneversopoor inspirit,never so rich in faith. You did never run the ways of God'scommandments so fast—as when some of your golden weights weretakenoff.Youneverhadsuchtradingforheavenallyourlife;thisismostabundantgain.Youdidnevermakesuchadventuresuponthepromise—as when you left off your sea-adventures. This is the best kind ofmerchandise.OChristian,youneverhadsuchincomesoftheSpirit,suchspring-tides of joy; and what though weak in estate, if strong inassurance? Be content—what you have lost one way, you have gainedanother.

5.Beyourlosseswhattheywillinthiskind,rememberineverylossthereisonlyasuffering—butineverydiscontentthereisasin—and one sin is worse than a thousand sufferings. What!

because some of my revenues are gone, shall I part with some of myholiness?shallmyfaithandpatiencegotoo?BecauseIdonotpossessanestate,shallInotthereforepossessmyownspirit?Olearntobecontent!

The thirdapology is,"It issadwithme inmyrelations—where Ishouldfindmostcomfort,thereIhavemostgrief!"Thisapologyor objection branches itself into two particulars, whereto I shall give adistinctreply.

1st.MyCHILDgoesoninrebellion—IfearIhavebroughtfortha child for the devil. It is indeed, sad to think, that hell should bepavedwith the skullsof anyofour children;andcertainly thepangsofgrief which the mother has in this kind, are worse than her pangs oftravail!Butthoughyououghttobehumbled—yetnotdiscontented; for,consider,

1.Youmaypicksomethingoutofyourchild'sundutifulness; thechild'ssinissometimestheparent'ssermon;theundutifulnessofchildrentous,maybeamementotoputusinmindofourundutifulnessoncetoGod.Time was, when we were rebellious children; how long did our heartstandoutasgarrisonsagainstGod?Howlongdidheparleywithusandbeseech us, beforewewould yield?Hewalked in the tenderness of hisheart towards us—but we walked in the stubbornness of our heartstowardshim;andsincegracehasbeenplantedinoursouls,howmuchofthewildoliveisstill inus?HowmanymotionsoftheSpiritdowedailyresist?HowmanyunkindnessesandaffrontshaveweputuponChrist?Let thisopena springof repentance; lookuponyourchild's rebellion—andmournforyourownrebellion!

2.Thoughtoseehimundutifulisyourgrief—yetnotalwaysyoursin.Hasaparentgiventhechild,notonlythemilkofthebreast—but"thesinceremilk of the Word?" have you seasoned his tender years with piouseducation?Youcandonomore;parentscanonlyworkknowledge,Godmustworkgrace;theycanonlylaythewoodtogether,itisGodwhomustmakeitburn.Aparentcanonlybeaguidetoshowhischildthewaytoheaven—theSpiritofGodmustbealoadstonetodrawhisheartintothatway."AmIinGod'sstead,"saysJacob,"whohaswithheldthefruitofthewomb?"(Ge.30:2)CanIgivechildren?So,isaparentinGod'ssteadto

give grace? who can help it, if a child having the light of conscience,Scripture, education, these three torches inhis hand—yet runswillfullyintothedeeppondsofsin?Weepforyourchild,prayforhim;butdonotsinforhimbydiscontent.

3.Saynot,youhavebroughtforthachildforthedevil;Godcanreformhim;hehaspromised"toturntheheartsofthechildrentotheirfathers"(Mal.4:6)and"toopenspringsofgrace in thedesert." (Is.35:6)Whenyour child is going full sail to the devil—God can blowwith a contrarywind of his Spirit and alter his course. When Paul was breathing outpersecutionagainst thesaints,andwassailinghellward,Godturnshimanother way; before he was going to Damascus, God sends him toAnanias;before a persecutor, nowapreacher. Thoughour children areforthepresentfallenintothedevil'spond,Godcanturnthemfromthepower of Satan, and bring them home the twelfth hour. Monica wasweepingforhersonAugustine:at lastGodsavedhim,andhebecameafamousinstrumentinthechurchofGod.

2. The second branch of the objection is—butmy HUSBANDtakesillcourses;whereIlookedforhoney,beholdasting!Itissadtohavethelivingandthedeadtiedtogether;yet, letnotyourheartfretwithdiscontent;mournforhissins—butdonotmurmur.For,

1.Godhasplacedyouinyourrelation,andifyouarediscontented, youquarrelwithGod.What!foreverycrossthatbefallsus,shallwecall theinfinitewisdomofGodintoquestion?Otheblasphemyofourhearts!

2.Godcanmakeyouagainerbyyourhusband'ssin;perhapsyouwouldhave never been so good—if he had not been so bad. The fire burnshottestinthecoldestclimate.Godoftenbyadivinechemistry,turnsthesinsofotherstoourgood—andmakesourmaladiesintoourmedicines.Themoreprofanethehusbandis,oftenthemoreholythewifegrows;themoreearthlyheis,themoreheavenlyshegrows.Godmakessometimesthe husband's sin a spur to thewife's grace.His exorbitance is often abellowstoblowuptheflameofherzealanddevotionthemore.Isitnotthus? Does not your husband's wickedness send you to prayer? youperhaps would have never prayed so much—if he had not sinned somuch.Hisdeadnessquickensyouthemore—thestoneofhisheartisan

hammer to break your heart. The apostle says, "the unbelievingwife issanctifiedby thebelievinghusband;" (1Cor.7:14)but in this sense, thebelievingwifeissanctifiedbytheunbelievinghusband;shegrowsbetter,hissinisawhetstonetohergrace,andamedicineforhersoul.

Thenextapology thatdiscontentmakes is—"ButmyFRIENDShavedealtveryunkindlywithme,andturnedagainstme."

It is sad,when a friendproves like a brook in summer. (Job 6:15) Thetravelerbeingparchedwithheat,comes to thebrook,hoping to refreshhimself—butthebrookisdriedup—yetbecontent.

1. You are not alone, other saints have been betrayed byfriends;andwhentheyhaveleaneduponthem,theyhavebeenasafootoutof joint.Thiswas true in the typeDavid; "itwasnotanenemythatreproachedme—but itwas you,Oman,my equal,my guide, andmineacquaintance;wetooksweetcounseltogether:(Psalm55:12,13,14)andin the antitype Christ; he was betrayed by a friend. So why should wethinkitstrangetohavethesamemeasuredealtouttous—asJesusChristhad?"theservantisnotabovehismaster".

2.AChristianmayoftenreadhissininhispunishment:hasnothe dealt treacherously with God? How often has he grieved theComforter, broken his vows, and through unbelief sided with SatanagainstGod! How often has he abused God's love, taken the jewels ofGod'smercies, andmade a golden calf of them—serving his own lusts!HowoftenhashemadethefreegraceofGod,whichshouldhavebeenabolttokeepoutsin,ratherakeytoopenthedoortoit!ThesewoundshastheLordreceivedinthehouseofhisfriends.Lookupontheunkindnessofyourfriend—andmournforyourownunkindnessagainstGod!ShallaChristian condemn that in another, which he has been too guilty ofhimself?

3.Hasyourfriendprovedtreacherous?perhapsyoudidreposetoomuchconfidence inhim. If you laymoreweight upon a housethanthepillarswillbear, itmustneedsbreak.Godsays, "trustnot in afriend:" (Mi. 7:5) perhaps you did putmore trust in him, than you diddaretoputinGod.FriendsareasVenice-glasses,wemayusethem—but

ifweleantooharduponthem,theywillbreak.Beholdmatterofhumility—butnotofsullennessanddiscontent.

4.Youhaveafriendinheavenwhowillneverfailyou;"thereisafriend"saysSolomon"whostickscloserthanabrother!"(Proverbs18:24)suchafriendisGod;heisverystudiousandinquisitiveonourbehalf;hehasadebatingwithhimself,aconsultingandprojectinghowhemaydousgood;heisthebestfriend,whogivescontentmentinthemidstofalldiscourtesiesoffriends.Consider,

(1.)He isa loving friend. "God is love;" (1John4:16)hencehe is saidsometimes to engraveuson the "palmofhishand," (Is. 49:16) thatwemayneverbeoutofhiseye.Hecarriesusinhisbosom,(Is.40:11)neartohis heart. There is no interruption or stint in his love; but as the Nileriver,itoverflowsallthebanks.Hisloveisasfarbeyondourthoughts—asitisaboveourdeserts!OtheinfiniteloveofGod,ingivingtheSonofhislove to bemade flesh, whichwasmore than if all the angels had beenmadeworms!GodingivingChristtousgavehisveryhearttous.Hereislove penciled out in all its glory, and engraved as with the "point of adiamond." All other love is hatred—in comparison of the love of ourFriend.

(2.)Heisacaringfriend:"Hecaresforyou!"(1Pe.5:7)Hemindsandtransactsourbusinessashisown—heaccountshispeople'sinterestsandconcernments as his interest.He provides for us—grace to enrich us—andglorytoennobleus.ItwasDavid'scomplaint,"nomancaresformysoul!"(Psalm142:4)aChristianhasafriendwhocaresforhim.

(3.)Heisawisefriend.(Da.2:20)Afriendmaysometimeserrthroughignorance or mistake, and give his friend poison instead of sugar; but"Godiswiseinheart;(Job9:4)heisskillfulaswellasfaithful;heknowswhatourdiseaseis,andwhatremedyismostpropertoapply;heknowswhatwilldousgood,andwhatwindwillbebesttocarryustoheaven.

(4.)He is a faithful friend.He is faithful in hispromises; "in hope ofeternal life which God, who cannot lie, has promised." (Titus 1:2) Godcannotlie;hewillnotdeceivehispeople;nay,hecannot:heiscalled"theTruth;"hecanaswellceasetobeGod—asceasetobetrue.TheLordmay

sometimeschangehispromise,aswhenheconvertsatemporalpromiseintoaspiritualpromise;buthecanneverbreakhispromise.

(5.)He is acompassionate friend, hence in Scripturewe read of theyearning of his affections. (Jer. 31:20) God's friendship is nothing elsebut compassion; for there is naturally no affection in us to desire hisfriendship, nor any goodness in us to deserve it; the loadstone is inhimself.When we were full of sin—he was full of love; when we wereenemies—he sent an embassageof peace;whenourheartswere turnedawayfromGod—hisheartwasturnedtowardsus.OthetendernessandsympathyofourFriendinheaven!Weourselveshavesomerelentingsofheart to those which are in misery; but it is God who begets all themerciesandaffectionsthatareinus,thereforeheiscalled"theFatherofmercies."(2Cor.1:3)

(6.) He is a constant friend: "his compassions fail not." (La. 3:22)Friends do often in adversity, drop off as leaves in autumn; these areratherflatterersthanfriends.JoabwasforatimefaithfultokingDavid'shouse;butwithinawhileproved false to thecrown,andwentafter thetreasonofAdonijah.(1Ki.1:7)Godisafriendforever:"havinglovedhisown which were in the world—he loved them to the end." (John 13:1)WhatthoughIamdespised?yetGodlovesme.Whatthoughmyfriendscastmeoff?yetGodlovesme;helovestotheend,andthereisnoendofthat love. This methinks, in case of discourtesies and unkindnesses, isenoughtocharmdowndiscontent.

Thenextapologyis,"IamundergreatREPROACHES!"Letnotthisdiscontentyou,for,

1. It is a sign there is some good in you.Theapplause of the wicked,usuallydenotessomeevilinus—andtheircensureusuallyimportssomegoodinus.(Psalm38:20)Davidweptandfasted,andthatwasturnedtohis"reproach".(Pe.4:14)Aswemustpasstoheaventhroughthespikesofsuffering,sothroughthecloudsofreproach.

2.IfyourreproachbeforGod,asDavid'swas,"foryoursakeIhavebornreproach;" (Psalm 69:7) then it is rather matter of triumph, thandejection.Christdoesnotsay,whenyouarereproachedbediscontented;

but rejoice! (Mat. 5:12)Wear your reproach as a diadem of honor, fornowaspiritof "gloryandofGodrestsuponyou." (1Pe.4:14)Putyourreproachesintotheinventoryofyourriches—asMosesdid.(He.11:26)ItshouldbeaChristian'sambitiontowearhisSavior's livery, though it issprinkledwithbloodandsulliedwithdisgrace!

3.Godwilldousgoodbyreproach:asDavidofShimei'scursing;"itmaybe, that the Lordwill requiteme good for his cursing this day." (2 Sa.16:12)Thisputsusuponsearchingoursin:achildofGodlaborstoreadhissin—ineverystoneofreproachwhichiscastathim.Besides,nowwehaveanopportunitytoexercisepatienceandhumility.

4. Jesus Christ was content to be reproached by us. He "endured thecross, scorning its shame." (He. 12:2) Itmayamazeus to think that hewhowasGod,couldenduretobespitupon,andbecrownedwiththorns;andwhenhewasreadytobowhisheaduponthecross,tohavetheJewsin scorn,wag their heads and say, "he saved others, himself he cannotsave."Theshameofthecrosswasasmuchasthebloodofthecross!Hisnamewascrucifiedbeforehisbody.ThesharparrowsofreproachwhichtheworldshotatChrist,wentdeeperintohisheart,thanthespear!Hissuffering was so ignominious, that the sun blushed to behold it. Itwithdrew its brightbeams, andmasked itselfwith a cloud; (andwell itmight, when the Sun of Righteousness was in an eclipse") All thisrevilementandreproach,didtheGodofgloryendureforus.

O then letusbe content to have our names eclipsed for Christ; let notreproach lieatourheart—but letusbind itasacrownaboutourhead!Thesewhoarediscontentedatareproach,willavoidanypersecutionforChrist.

5. Is notmany aman contented to suffer reproach formaintaining hislust? and shall not we for maintaining the truth? Some glory in thatwhichistheirshame,(Ph.3:19)andshallwebeashamedofthatwhichisourglory?Benottroubledatthesepettythings.Hewhoseheart isoncedivinely touchedwith the loadstone ofGod's Spirit, does account it hishonor—tobedishonoredforChrist,(Ac.15:4)anddoesasmuchdespisetheworld'scensure,ashedoestheirpraise.

6.WeliveinanagewhereinmendarereproachGodhimself.Thedivinityof the Son of God is blasphemously reproached by the Socinian. Theblessed Bible is reproached by the AntiScripturist, as if it were but alegendoflies,andeveryman'sfaithafable.ThejusticeofGodiscalledtothe bar of reason by the Arminians. The wisdom of God in hisprovidentialactings, is taxedby theAtheist.TheordinancesofGodaredecried by the Familists, as being too heavy a burden for a free-bornconscience, and too low and carnal for a sublime seraphic spirit. Thewaysof God, which have themajesty of holiness shining in them, arecalumniatedbytheprofane.ThemouthsofmenareopenagainstGod,asif hewere an hardmaster, and the path of true religion, too strict andsevere.IfmencannotgiveGodagoodword,shallwebediscontentedortroubledthattheyspeakhardlyofus?Suchaslabortoburythegloryoftruereligion, shallwewonder that "their throats are open sepulchers,"(Ro.3:13)toburyourgoodname?Oletusbecontented,whileweareinGod'sscouring-house, tohaveournamessullieda little; theblackerweseemtobehere,thebrightershallweshinewhenGodhassetusuponthecelestialshelf!

Thesixthapologythatdiscontentmakes,isdisrespect."Ihavenotthatesteem frommen, as is suitable tomyworthandgrace!" Anddoesthistroubleyou?Consider,

1.Theworldisanunequaljudge;asitisfullofchange—asofpartiality.Theworldgivesherrespects,asshedoesherplacesofpreferment;moreoften by favor, than desert.Have you realworth in you? It is better todeserverespect—andnothaveit;thanhaveit—andnotdeserveit!

2.Have you grace?God respects you, andhis judgment ismost worthprizing.A believer is a person of honor, being born ofGod: "Since youwere precious in my eyes, you have been honorable, and I have lovedyou."(Is.43:4)Lettheworldthinkwhattheywillofyou;perhapsintheireyes, you are vile; but in God's eyes, you are his dove, (Ca. 2:14) hisspouse, (Ca. 5:1) his jewel. (Mal. 3:17)Others account you thedregsofoffscouringoftheworld,(1Cor.4:14)butGodwillgivewholekingdomsforyourransom.(Is.43:3)Letthiscontent—itdoesnotmatterhowIamlookeduponintheworld—ifGodthinkswellofme.ItisbetterthatGodapproves—thanmanapplauds.Theworldmayhonorus—andGodputus

in his black book! What is a man the better that his fellow-prisonerscommendhim—ifhisjudgecondemnshim!OlabortokeepinwithGod;prize his love! Let worldlings frown on me—I am contented, being afavoriteofthekingofheaven!

3.IfyouareachildofGod,youmustexpectdisrespectfromtheungodly.Abelieverisintheworld—butnotoftheworld.Wearehereinapilgrimcondition,outofourowncountry,thereforemustnotlookfortherespectandacclamationoftheworld.Itissufficientthatweshallhavehonorinourowncountry.(He.13:14)Itisdangeroustobetheworld'sfavorite!

4.Discontentarisingfromdisrespect,savorstoomuchofpride.AhumbleChristianhasaloweropinionofhimself—thanotherscanhaveofhim.Hewhoistakenupaboutthethoughtsofhissins,andhowhehasprovokedGod, cries out, as Agur, "I ammore brutish than anyman!" (Proverbs30:2)andthereforeiscontented,thoughhebesetamong"thedogsofmyflock."(Job30:1)Thoughheislowinthethoughtsoftheungodly—yetheisthankfulthatheisnotlaidin"thelowesthell."(Psalm86:13)Aproudmansetsanhighvalueuponhimself;and isangrywithothers,becausetheywill not comeup to his price! Take heed of pride!O hadothersawindowtolookintotheirheart,ordidyourheartstandwhereyourfacedoes—youwouldwondertohavesomuchrespect!

The next apology is, "I meet with very great sufferings for thetruth!"Consider,

1. Your sufferings are not so great as your sins! Put these two in thebalance,andseewhichweighsheaviest;wheresin liesheavy, sufferingslielight.Acarnalspiritmakesmoreofhissufferings—andlessofhissins;helooksupononeatthegreatendofthetelescope—butupontheotheratthelittleendofthetelescope.Thecarnalheartcriesout,"Takeawaymyaffliction!"Butagraciousheartcriesout,"Takeawaymyiniquity!"(2Sa.24:10)Theonesays,"NeverhasanyonesufferedasIhavedone!"Buttheothersays,"NeverhasanyonesinnedasIhavedone!"(Mi.7:7)

2.Areyouunder sufferings:youhaveanopportunity to showthevalorandconstancyofyourmind.SomeofGod'ssaintswouldhaveaccounteditagreatfavor,tohavebeenhonoredwithmartyrdom.Onesaid,"Iamin

prison—until I be in prison". You count that a trouble, which otherswouldhavewornasanensignoftheirglory.

3. Even those who have gone only uponmoralprinciples, have shownmuch constancy and contentment in their sufferings. Curtius, beingbravelymountedand inarmor, threwhimself intoagreatgulf, thatthecity of Rome might, (according to the oracle,) be delivered from thepestilence.Andwe,havingadivineoracle,"thosewhowhokillthebody,cannot hurt the soul," shall we not withmuch constancy and patiencedevote ourselves to injuries forChrist, and rather suffer for the truth—thanthetruthsufferforus?

The Decii among the Romans, vowed themselves to death, that theirlegions and soldiersmightbe crownedwith thehonorof the victory.Owhat should we be content to suffer, to make the truth victorious!RegulushavingswornthathewouldreturntoCarthage,thoughheknewtherewasafurnaceheatingforhimthere—yetnotdaringtoinfringehisoath,hedidadventuretogo.WethenwhoareChristians,havingmadeavowtoChristinbaptism,andsooftenrenewedintheblessedsacrament,shouldwithmuchcontentmentratherchoosetosuffer, thanviolateoursacred oath! Thus the blessed martyrs, with what courage andcheerfulnessdidtheyyielduptheirsoulstoGod!Whenthefirewassettotheir bodies—yet their spirits were not at all fired with passion ordiscontent. Though others hurt the body, let them not be discontent;showby yourheroic courage, that you areabove those troubles,whichyoucannotbewithout.

The next apology is, "theprosperity of thewicked." "I envied thearrogantwhenIsawtheprosperityofthewicked!"Psalm73:3Itisoftenthattheevilenjoyallthegood—andthegoodendureall theevil.David,thoughagodlyman,stumbledatthis,andhadalmoststumbledbecauseofthis.Well,becontented;forremember,

1.Worldly goods are not theonly things, nor the best things; they aremeretemporalblessings.ThesearebuttheacornswithwhichGodfeedsswine! You who are believers have more choice fruit—the olive, thepomegranate,thefruitwhichgrowsonthetruevineJesusChrist!Othershave the fat of the earth—you have the dew of heaven! They have

muddiedpuddles—butyouhave thosespringsof livingwaterwhicharepurifiedwithChrist'sblood,andfilledwithhislove.

2.Toseethewickedflourishisratheramatterofpity,thanenvy!Thisisalltheheaventheywillhave!"Woetoyouwhoarerich,foryouhaveyouronlyhappinessnow!" (Luke6:24)Hence itwas, thatDavidmade ithissolemnprayer,"Delivermefromthewicked,frommenoftheworld,whohave their portion in this life!" (Psalm 17:15) These words are David'slitany—"good Lord, deliver me!" When the wicked have eaten of theirdainty dishes—there comes in a sad reckoningwhichwill spoil all. Theworldisfirstmusicalandthentragical!Weshouldnotenvyamanwhowill fryandblazeinhell—lethimhaveenoughofthefatof theearth.Oremember—foreverysandofmercywhich runsoutof thewicked,Godputsadropofwrathintohisvial!"Youarestoringupwrathforyourselfinthedayofwrath,whenGod’srighteousjudgmentisrevealed."Romans2:5

Thereforeasthatsoldiersaidtohisfellow,"doyouenvymygrapes?theycostmedear,Imustdieforthem!"SoIsay,doyouenvythewicked?alastheirprosperityislikeHaman'sbanquetbeforeexecution!Ifamanwereto be hanged, would one envy to see himwalk to the gallows throughpleasantfieldsandfinegalleries,ortoseehimgouptheladderinclothesofgold?Thewickedmayflourishintheirbraveryforawhile;but,whenthey flourish as the grass, "it is, that they shall be destroyed forever;(Psalm 92:7) the proud grass shall bemown down.Whatever a sinnerenjoys—hehasacursewithit,"Iwillcurseyourblessings!"(Malachi2:2)Andshallweenvyhim?Wouldweenvyadog--ifpoisonedfoodwasgiventoit!Thelongfurrowsinthebacksofthegodlyhaveaseedofblessinginthem, when the table of the wicked becomes a snare, and their honortheirhalter!

The next apology that discontentmakes for itself is "the evils of thetimes."Thetimesarefullofheresyandimpiety,andthisisthatwhichtroubles me. This apology consists of two branches, to which I shallanswerinspecie;and,

Branch1.ThetimesarefullofHERESY!Errorisatouch-stonetodiscoverbadmen.Thisisindeedsad;whenthedevilcannotdestroythe

church by violence—he endeavors to poison it; when he cannot withSamson'sfoxtailssetthecornonfire,thenhesowstares.Ashelaborstodestroythepeaceofthechurchbydivision,sothetruthofitbyerror.Wemaycryout,"Weliveintimeswhereinthereisasluiceopentoallnovelopinions,andeveryman'sopinionishisBible!"Well;thismaymakeusmourn—butletusnotmurmurorbediscontent.Consider,

1.Errormakesadiscoveryofmen.Errorrevealssuchasaretaintedandcorrupt.Whentheleprosybrakeforthintheforehead,thenwastheleperdiscovered.Errorisaspiritualbastard;thedevil is thefather,andpridethemother!Youneverknewanerroneousman,buthewasaproudman.Now, it is good that suchmen should be unveiled, to the intent,first,thatGod'srighteousjudgmentuponthemmaybeadored;secondly,thatothersbenot infected. If amanhas theplague, it iswell it breaksforth.Formypart,Iwouldavoidaheretic,asIwouldavoidthedevil,forheissentonthedevil'serrand.Iappealuntoyou;iftherewereatavernin this city, where under a pretense of selling wine, many bottles ofpoisonweretobesold,wereitnotwellthatothersshouldknowofit,thattheymight not buy? It is good that those that have poisoned opinionsshouldbeknown, that thepeopleofGodmaynotcomeneareither thescentorthetasteofthatpoison!

Errorisatouch-stonetodiscovergoodmen:ittriesthegold:"theremustbeheresies,thatthosewhoareapproved,maybemademanifest."(1Cor.11:19)ThusourlovetoChrist,andzealfortruthdoesappear.Godshowswho are the living fish; such as swim against the stream: who are thesoundsheep; suchas feed in thegreenpasturesof theordinances:whoarethedoves;suchasliveinthebestair,wherethespiritbreathes.Godsets a garland of honor upon these, "these are those who came out ofgreattribulation;(Re.7:14)sothesearetheythathaveopposedtheerrorsof the times, these are they that have preserved the virginity of theirconscience,whohavekepttheirjudgmentsoundandtheirheartsoft.Godwill have a trophy of honor set upon some of his saints, they shall berenowned for their sincerity, being like the cypress, which keeps itsgreennessandfreshnessinthewinter-season.

2.Benotsinfullydiscontented,forGodcanmaketheerrorsofthechurchadvantageoustotruth.ThusthetruthsofGodhavecome

tobemorebeatenoutandconfirmed;as it is in the law,onemay layafalsetitletoapieceofland,thetruetitlehasbythismeansbeenthemoresearchedintoandratified.SomehadneversostudiedtodefendthetruthbyScripture, ifothershadnotendeavoredtooverthrow itbysophistry;all themistsand fogsoferror thathaverisenoutof thebottomlesspit,havemadethegloriousSunoftruthtoshinesomuchthebrighter.HadnotAriusandSabelliusbroachedtheirdamnableerror,thetruthofthosequestionsabouttheblessedTrinitywouldneverhavebeensodiscussedand defended by Athanasius, Augustine, and others; had not the devilbroughtinsomuchofhisprincelydarkness,thechampionsfortruthhadnever run so fast to Scripture to light their lamps. So that God with awheelwithinawheel,over-rules these thingswisely,and turns them tothebest.Truthisaheavenlyplant—whichsettlesbyshaking.

3.Godraisesthepriceofhistruththemore;theveryshredsandfilings of truth are esteemed. When there is much counterfeit metalabroad,weprizethetruegoldthemore;purewineoftruthisnevermoreprecious,thanwhenunsounddoctrinesarebroachedandvented.

4.ErrormakesusmorethankfultoGodforthejeweloftruth.When you see another infectedwith the plague—how thankful are youthatGodhasfreedyoufromtheinfection!Whenweseeothershavetheleprosyinthehead—howthankfularewetoGodthathehasnotgivenusovertobelievealieandsobedamned!Itisagoodusethatmaybemadeeven of the error of the times—when it makes us more humble andthankful,adoringthefreegraceofGod,whohaskeptusfromdrinkingofthatdeadlypoison!

Branch 2. The times are full of IMPIETY! I live and converseamongtheprofane:"OthatIhadwingslikeadove,forthenwouldIflyawayandbeatrest."(Psalm55:6)

Itisindeedsad,tobemixedwiththewicked.Davidbeheld"transgressorsandwas grieved."AndLot (whowas a bright star in a darknight)wasvexed, or, as the word in the original may bear, wearied out, with thefilthylivesofthewicked;hemadethesinsofSodom,intospearstopiercehisownsoul.Weought, if there isanysparkofdivine love inus, tobeverysensibleofthesinsofothers—andtohaveourheartsbleedforthem.

Yet let us not break forth intomourning and discontent, knowing thatGod in his providence has permitted it, and surely not without somereasons;for,

1st.TheLordmakesthewickedahedgetodefendthegodly;thewiseGodoftenmakes thosewhoarewickedandpeaceable, ameans tosafeguardhispeople from thosewhoarewickedand cruel.ThekingofBabylonkeptJeremiah,andgavespecialorderforhislookingafter,thathedidlacknothing.(Jer.39:11,12)Godsometimesmakesbrazensinnerstobebrazenwallstodefendhispeople.

2nd. God does but interline and mingle the wicked with thegodly,thatthegodlymaybeameanstosavethewicked;suchisthebeautyofholinessthatithasamagneticforceinittoallureanddraweventhewicked.SometimesGodmakesabelievinghusbandameanstoconvert an unbelieving wife, and vice versa: "How do you know, wife,whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband,whetheryouwillsaveyourwife?"(1Cor.7:16)Thegodlylivingamongthewicked,bytheirprudentadviceandpiousexample,havewonthemtotheembracing of true religion. If there were not some godly among thewicked,how in apracticalway,without amiracle, canwe imagine thatthe wicked should be converted? those who are now shining saints inheaven,once serveddiverse lusts. (Ti. 3:3)Paulwasonceapersecutor;Augustinewasonceamanichee;Lutherwasonceamonk;butbythekindandholybehaviorofthegodly,wereconvertedtothefaith.

Thenextapologythatdiscontentmakes,is,smallnessofabilitiesandgifts."Icannot(saystheChristian)discoursewiththatfluency,norpraywiththatelegance,asothers."

1.Graceisbeyondgifts;youcompareyourgracewithanother'sgifts,thereisavastdifference.Gracewithoutgiftsisinfinitelybetterthangiftswithoutgrace. In religion, thevitals arebest.Giftsare amore extrinsicandcommonworkoftheSpirit,whichisincidenttoreprobates.Graceisamoredistinguishingwork,andisajewelhungonlyupontheelect.HaveyoutheseedofGod—theholyanointing?Becontent!

(1.) You say, You can not discourse with that fluency as others.

Experienceinreligion,isbetterthannotions;andheartimpressionsarebeyond vocal expressions. Judas (no doubt) could make a learneddiscourse on Christ—but well-fared the woman in the gospel, who feltvirtuecomingoutofChrist,(Lu.8:47).Asanctifiedheartisbetterthanasilvertongue!There isasmuchdifferencebetweengiftsandgraces, asbetweenatulippaintedonthewall,andonegrowinginthegarden!

(2.)Yousay,youcannotpraywiththateleganceasothers.Prayer isamatter more of the heart—than the head. In prayer it is not so muchfluencywhichprevails—asfervency,(Ja.5:16)norisGodsomuchtakenwith the elegance of speech, as the efficacy of the Spirit.Humility isbetterthanfluency;herethemourneristheorator;sighsandgroansarethebestrhetoric!

2. Be contented, for God does usually proportion a man'sabilitiestotheplacetowhichhecallshim;somearesetinahighersphereandfunction,theirplacerequiresmoregiftsandabilities;butthemost inferior member is useful in its place, and shall have a powerdelegatedforthedischargeofitspeculiaroffice.

The next apology is, the troublesof the church. "Alas,my disquietanddiscontent isnotsomuch formyself, as the church!The churchofGodsuffers."

I confess it is sad and we ought for this "to hang our harps upon thewillows."HeisawoodenleginChrist'sbody,thatisnotsensibleof thestateofthebody.AsaChristianmustnotbeproudflesh,soneitherdeadflesh.When the church of God suffers, he must sympathize; Jeremiahwept for the virgindaughter ofZion.Wemust feel our brethren's hardcords,throughoursoftbeds.Inmusic,ifonestringistouched,alltherestsound:whenGodstrikesuponourbrethren,our"affectionsmustsoundlikeaharp".Besensible—butgivenotwaytodiscontent.Forconsider,

1.Godsitsatthesternofhischurch.(Psalm46:5)Sometimesitisashiptosseduponthewaves,"afflictedandtossed!(Is.54:11)butcannotGodbringthisshiptohaven,thoughitmeetswithastormuponthesea?This ship in thegospelwas tossedbecause sinwas in it; but itwasnotoverwhelmed, because Christ was in it. Christ is in the ship of this

church,fearnotsinking;thechurch'sanchoriscastinheaven.Godloveshischurch,andtakesmuchcareofit.ThenamesofthetwelvetribeswereonAaron'sbreastplate,signifyinghowneartoGod'shearthispeopleare.Theyarehisportion,(De.27:9)andshallthatbelost?Theyarehisglory,(Is. 46:13) and shall that be finally eclipsed? Certainly not! God candeliver his church, not only from opposition—but by opposition; thechurch'spangsshallhelpforwardherdeliverance.

2.Godhasalwayspropagatedtruereligionbysufferings. Thefoundation of the church has been laid in blood, and these sanguineshowers have ever made it more fruitful. Cain put the knife to Abel'sthroat, and ever since, the church's veins had bled: but she is like thevine,whichbybleedinggrows; and like thepalm-tree,which themoreweightislaiduponit,thehigheritrises.Theholinessandpatienceofthesaints,under theirpersecutions,hasmuchaddedboth to thegrowthoftrue religion, and the glory of God. Basil and Tertullian observe of theprimitive martyrs, that many of the heathen, seeing their zeal andconstancy, turnedChristians.Religion is thatPhoenixwhichhasalwaysrevived and flourished in the ashes of holymen. Isaiah sawn asunder,Peter crucified atRomewithhis headupsidedown,Cyprian, bishop ofCarthage,andPolycarpofSmyrna,werebothmartyredfortruereligion—yet evermore the truth has been sealed by blood, and gloriouslydispersed;whereuponJuliandid forbear topersecute, not out of pity—butenvy,becausethechurchgrewsofast,andmultiplied,asNazianzenwellobserves.

Thetwelfthapologythatdiscontentmakesforitself,isthis,"itisnotmyafflictionswhichtroubleme—butitismySINSwhichdisquietanddiscontentme."

Besureit isso;donotprevaricatewithGodandyourownsoul; intruemourningforsinwhenthepresentsufferingisremoved—yetthesorrowisnotremoved.Butsupposetheapologyisreal,thatsinisthegroundofyourdiscontent;yetIanswer,aman'sdisquietaboutsinmaybebeyonditsbounds,inthesethreecases.

1.When it isdisheartening, that is,when it setsup sinabovemercy.IfIsraelhadonlyporedovertheirsting,andnotlookeduptothe

brazenserpent—theywouldneverhavebeenhealed.ThatsorrowforsinwhichdrivesusawayfromGod,issinful—forthereismoredespairin itthanremorse; thesoulhassomany tears in its eyes, that it cannot seeChrist!Sorrow,as sorrow,doesnot save, thatwere tomakeaChrist ofourtears!Butisuseful,asitispreparatoryinthesoul—makingsinvile,andChristprecious.Olookuptothebrazenserpent, theLordJesus!Asightofhisbloodwillrevive,theplasterofhismeritsisbroaderthanoursore.ItisSatan'spolicy,eithertokeepusfromseeingoursins;or,ifwedo see them—that wemay be swallowed up with sorrow; (2 Cor. 2:7).Eitherhewouldstupifyus,oraffrightus;eitherkeepthelooking-glassofthelawfromoureyes,orelsepenciloutoursinsinsuchcrimsoncolors,thatwemaysinkinthequicksandsofdespair!

2.Whensorrowisindisposing,ituntunestheheartforprayer,meditation, holy conference; it cloisters up the soul. This is notsorrow—but rather sullenness, and renders a man not so muchpenitential,ascynical.

3.When it isoutofseason.Godmadeus rejoice—andwehangupour harps upon the willows; he bids us trust—and we cast ourselvesdown, and are brought even to themargin of despair. If Satan cannotkeepusfrommourning—hewillbesuretoputusuponitwhenitisleastin season. When God calls us in a special manner to be thankful formercy, and put on our white robes—Satan will be putting us intomourning,and insteadofagarmentofpraise, clotheuswitha spiritofheaviness; so God loses the acknowledgment of mercy—and we thecomfort. If your sorrow has turned and fitted you for Christ, if it hasraised in you high prizings of him, strong hungerings after him, sweetdelightinhim—thisisasmuchasGodrequires.AChristiandoesbutsin—tovexandtorturehimselffurtherupontherackofhisowndiscontent.

And thus I hope I have answered the most material objections andapologieswhichthissinofdiscontentdoesmakeforitself.IseenoreasonwhyaChristianshouldbediscontented,unlessforhisdiscontent.Letme,inthenextplace,propoundsomethingwhichmaybebothasaloadstoneandawhet-stonetocontentment.

DivineMOTIVEStoContentment.

I.Consider theEXCELLENCYofcontentment.Contentment is aflower which does not grow in every garden. You would think it wereexcellent if I could prescribe a remedy or antidote against poverty.Behold,here is thatwhich ismoreexcellent, foramantobepoor—andyet have enough! Contentment teaches a man how to abound—in themidst of poverty. Contentment is a remedy against all our trouble, analleviation toall ourburdens, the cureof to everyworry.Contentment,thoughitbenotproperlyagrace(itisratheradispositionofmind,)yetinit there is a happy mixture of all the graces: it is a most preciouscompound,whichismadeupoffaith,patience,meekness,humility,etc.which are the ingredients put into it. Now there are these seven rareexcellenciesincontentment.

First excellency. A contented Christian carries heaven withhim. For, what is heaven—but that sweet repose and full contentmentthatthesoulshallhaveinGod.Incontentmenttherearethefirst-fruitsofheaven. There are two things in a contented spirit, whichmake it likeheaven.

(1.) God is there; something of God is to be seen in that heart. AdiscontentedChristianislikearoughtempestuoussea;whenthewaterisroughyoucanseenothingthere;butwhenitissmoothandserene,thenyoumaybeholdyourfaceinthewater.(Proverbs27:19)Whentheheartragesthroughdiscontent,itislikearoughsea,youcanseenothingthere,unless it ispassionandmurmuring;there isnothingofGod,nothingofheaveninthatheart!Butbyvirtueofcontentment,theheartbecomesliketheseawhenitissmoothandcalm,thereisafaceshiningthere;youmayseesomethingofChristinthatheart,arepresentationofallthegraces.

(2.)Restandpeaceare there. O what a peace is kept in a contentedheart! What a heaven! A contented Christian, is like Noah in the ark;thoughthearkwastossedwithwaves,Noahcouldsitandsingintheark.Thesoul that isgotten into thearkofcontentment, sitsquiet,and sailsabove all the waves of trouble; he can sing in this spiritual ark. The

wheelsof thechariotmove—but theaxlestirsnot; thecircumferenceoftheheavensiscarriedabouttheearth—buttheearthmovesnotoutofitscenter.Whenwemeetwithmotion and change in the creatures roundaboutus,acontentedspiritisnotstirrednormovedoutofitscenter.Thesails of a mill move with the wind—but the mill itself stands still, anemblemofcontentment;whenouroutwardestatemoveswiththewindofprovidence—yettheheartissettledthroughholycontentment;andwhenothersareshakingandtremblingintimesoftrouble,thecontentedspiritcansay,asDavid,"OGodmyheart is fixed!"(Psalm57:7)What is this,butapieceofheaven?

Second excellency.Whatever is defective in the creature, ismade up in contentment. A Christian may lack the comforts thatothers have—the land, and possessions; but God has instilled into hisheartthatcontentmentwhichisfarbetter:inthissensethatsayingofourSavioristrue,"heshallreceiveahundredfold."(Mat.19:29)Perhapshewhoventuredall forChrist,neverhashishouseor landagain:yes—butGodgiveshimacontentedspirit,andthisbreedssuchjoyinthesoul,asisinfinitelysweeterthanallhishousesandlandswhichheleftforChrist.

ItwassadwithDavidinregardofhisoutwardcomforts,hebeingdrivenfromhiskingdom;yet in regardof that sweet contentmenthe found inGod, he had more comfort than men have in the time of harvest andvintage.(Psalm4:7)Onemanhashouseandlandstoliveupon,anotherhas nothing, only a small trade; yet even that brings in a livelihood. AChristian may have little in the world—but he drives the trade ofcontentment;andsoheknowsaswellhowto lack,as toabound.Otherareart,orrathermiracleofcontentment!

Wickedmenareoftendisquietedintheenjoymentofallthings.Butthecontented Christian is joyful in the lack of all things! But how does aChristiancometobecontentedinthedeficiencyofoutwardcomforts?AChristian findscontentmentdistilledoutof thebreastsof thepromises.Heispoorinpurse—butrichinpromise.Thereisonepromisethatbringsmuch sweet contentment into the soul: "Thosewho seek theLord shallnotlackanygoodthing."(Psalm34:10)Ifthethingwedesireisgoodforus—weshallhaveit.Ifitisnotgood,thenthenothavingisgoodforus.Therestingsatisfiedwiththepromisegivescontentment.

Third excellency. Contentmentmakes aman in tune to serveGod.Itoilsthewheelsofthesoulandmakesitmoreagileandnimble;itcomposestheheart,andmakesitfitforprayer,meditation,etc.Howcanhe who is in a passion of grief, or discontent, "attend upon the Lordwithout distraction?" Contentment prepares and tunes the heart. Firstyoupreparetheviolin,andwindupthestrings,beforeyouplayascoreofmusic. Just so, when a Christian's heart is wound up to this heavenlyframeofcontentment,thenit is fit forduty.AdiscontentedChristianislike Saul, when the evil spirit came upon him—O what jarrings anddiscordsdoeshemake inprayer!Whenanarmy isput intoadisorder,thenitisnotfitforbattle;whenthethoughtsarescatteredanddistractedaboutthecaresofthislife,amanisnotfitfordevotion.Discontenttakestheheartwhollyoff fromGod,and fixes itupon thepresenttrouble,sothat a man's mind is not upon his prayer—but upon his trouble.Discontent disjoints the soul; and it is impossible now that a Christianshouldgososteadilyandcheerfully inGod'sservice.Ohow lame ishisdevotion!

The discontented person gives God but a half-duty, and his religion isnothingbutanexternalexercise,itlacksasoultoanimateit.DavidwouldnotofferthattoGodthatcosthimnothing."(2Sa.24:24)Wherethereistoo much worldly care, there is too little spiritual cost in a duty. Thediscontentedpersondoeshisdutiesbyhalves;heisjustlikeEphraim,"acakenotturned;"(Ho.7:8)heisacakebakedononeside;hegivesGodtheoutsidebutnotthespiritualpart;hisheartisnotinduty;heisbakedononeside—but theother sidedough;andwhatprofit is thereof suchraw undigested services? He who gives God only the skin of worship,whatcanheexpectmorethantheshellofcomfort?Contentmentbringstheheartintoframe,andonlythen,dowegiveGodtheflowerandsoulofaduty,whenthesouliscomposed.NowaChristian'sheartisintentandserious. There are some duties which we cannot perform as we ought,withoutcontentment,suchas:

(1.)TorejoiceinGod.Howcanherejoice—whoisdiscontented?heisfitterforrepining,thanrejoicing.

(2.) To be thankful for mercy. Can a discontented person be

thankful?Hecanbefretful,notthankful.

(3.)To justifyGodinhisproceedings.Howcanhedo thiswho isdiscontentedwith his condition? hewill sooner censureGod'swisdom,thanclearhis justice.Othen,howexcellent iscontentment,whichdoesprepare, and as it were, string the heart for duty? Indeed contentmentdoesnotonlymakeourdutieslightandagile—butacceptabletoGod.Itisthis that puts beauty andworth into them; for contentment settles thesoul. Now, as it is withmilk, when it is always stirring, you canmakenothingof it—but let it settleawhile,and then it turnstocream:whentheheartisovermuchstirredwithdisquietanddiscontent,youcanmakenothingofthoseduties.Howthin,howfleetingandtediousarethey!butwhen theheart is once settledbyholy contentment,now there is someworthinourduties,nowtheyturntocream.

Fourth excellency. Contentment is the spiritual pillar of thesoul. It fits aman to bear burdens.Hewho has a contented heart—isinvincible under sufferings.A contentedChristian is like the camomile,the more it is trodden upon—the more it grows. As medicine worksdisease out of the body—so does contentment work trouble out of theheart.Thusitargues,"ifIamunderreproach,Godcanvindicateme;ifIam inneed,Godcanrelieveme." "Youshallnotseewind,neither shallyouseerain—yet thevalleyshallbe filledwithwater." (2Ki.3:17)Thusholycontentmentkeepstheheartfromfainting.

Intheautumn,whenthefruitandleavesareblownoff,stillthereissapintheroot.Justso,whenthereisanautumnuponourexternalfelicity,theleavesofourestatedropoff—stillthereisthesapofcontentmentintheheart.AChristianhas life inwardly,when his outward comforts donotblossom.Thecontentedheartisneveroutofheart.

Contentmentisthegoldenshield,whichbeatsbackalldiscouragements.Humilityisliketheleadtothenet—whichkeepsthesouldownwhenitisrising through passion; and contentment is like the cork in the net—which keeps the heart up when it is sinking through discouragements.Contentment is the great under-prop; it is like the steel beam, whichbearswhateverweightis laiduponit;nay,it is likearockwhichbreaksthewaves.

Itisastonishingtoobservethesameafflictionlyingupontwomen—howdifferently they respond to it. The contented Christian is like Samson,whocarriedawaythegatesofthecityuponhisback;hecangoawaywithhis cross cheerfully, andmakesnothingof it: theother is like Issachar,couchingdownunder his burden. (Ge. 49:14)The reason is, the one isdiscontent,andthatbreedsfainting.Discontentswellsthegrief,andgriefbreaks the heart. When this sacred sinew of contentment begins toshrink,wego limpingunderourafflictions.WeknownotwhatburdensGodmay exercise uswith; let us therefore preserve contentment; as isourcontentment,suchwillbeourcourage.DavidwithhisfivestonesandhisslingdefiedGoliath,andovercamehim.Getbutcontentmentintothesling of your heart; and with this sacred stone youmay both defy theworldandconquer it; youmaybreak those afflictions,whichotherwisewouldbreakyou.

Fifth excellency. Contentment prevents many sins andtemptations.

First,ContentmentpreventsmanySINS.Wherecontentment is lacking—thereisnolackofsin!Discontentednesswithourconditionisasinthatdoesnotgoalone—butislikethefirstlinkofthechain,whichdrawsallthe other links along with it. In particular, there are two sins whichcontentmentprevents:

(1.)Contentmentprevents impatience.Discontentand impatience aretwins: "This evil is of the Lord—why should I wait on the Lord anylonger!"(2Ki.6:33)As ifGodweresobound—thathemustgiveusthemercyjustwhenwedesireit.Impatienceisnosmallsin;aswillappearifyou considerwhence it arises. It is for lack of faith.Faithgives a rightnotion of God; it is an intelligent grace; it believes that God's wisdomtempers— and his love sweetens all ingredients. This works patience."ShallInotdrinkthecupwhichmyFatherhasgivenme?"

Impatienceisthedaughterofinfidelity.Ifapatienthasabadopinionofthephysician,andthinksthathecomestopoisonhim,hewilltakenoneofhisremedies.Justso,whenwehaveaprejudiceagainstGod,andthinkthathecomestokillus,andundous—thenwestormandcryout,likeafoolishman,whocriesout"awaywiththeremedy!"thoughitisinorder

toacure.Isitnotbetterthattheremedysmartalittle—thanthewoundfesterandrankle?

ImpatienceisforlackofloveofGod.Wewillbearhisreproofs,whomwelove not only patiently—but thankfully. "Love thinks no evil." (1 Cor.13:5). Love puts the fairest, andmost kind gloss upon the actions of afriend;"lovecoversamultitudeofevil."IfitwerepossibleforGodintheleastmanner to err, whichwere blasphemy to think—love would coverthaterror!Lovetakeseverythinginthebestsense,itmakesusbearanystroke. "Loveenduresall things." (1Cor. 13:7)Hadwe love toGod—wewouldhavepatience.

Impatienceisforlackofhumility.Animpatientmanwasneverhumbledundertheburdenofsin.Hewhostudieshissins,thenumberlessnumberofthem,howtheyaretwistedtogether,andsadlyaccented;ispatientandsays, "I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinnedagainst him." The greater noise drowns the lesser noise; when the searoars—the rivers are still. Just so, he who lets his thoughts expatiateaboutsin,isbothsilentandamazed—hewondersthatitisnoworsewithhim.

How great then is this sin of impatience! And how excellent iscontentment, which is a counterpoise against this sin! The contentedChristianbelievingthatGoddoesall inlove, ispatient,andhasnotonewordofcomplaint.Thatisthesinthatcontentmentprevents.

(2.)Contentmentpreventsmurmuring,asinwhichisadegreehigherthan the other; murmuring is quarreling with God, and inveighingagainst him; "they spoke against God." (Nu. 21:5) The murmureressentially says, that God has dealt wrongly with him, and he hasdeserved better from him. The murmurer charges God with folly andunkindness. This is the language, or rather blasphemy of amurmuringspirit; "God might have been a wiser and better God to me." Themurmurer is a mutineer. The Israelites are called in the same textmurmurers and rebels: (Nu. 17:10) and is not rebellion as the sin ofwitchcraft? You who are a murmurer, are in the account of God as awitch,asorcerer,asonethatdealswiththedevil:thisisasinofthefirstmagnitude.

Murmuring often ends in cursing:Micah'smother fell to cursingwhenthe talents of silverwere taken away, (Ju. 17:2) so does themurmurerwhenapartofhisestateistakenaway.Murmuringisthedevil'smusic.ThisisthatsinwhichGodcannotbear,"HowlongshallIbearwiththisevilcongregation,whichmurmursagainstMe?"(Nu.14:27)Murmuringisa sinwhichwhets the swordagainst apeople: it is a land-destroyingsin; "neither murmur you as some of them also murmured, and weredestroyedof thedestroyer." (1Cor. 10:10)Murmuring isa ripeningsin;withoutmercyitwillhastenEngland'sfunerals.Othen,howexcellentiscontentment,whichpreventsthissin!Tobecontented,andyetmurmuris an impossibility. A contented Christian acquiesces in his presentcondition, and does not murmur—but admire. Herein appears theexcellencyofcontentment;itisaspiritualantidoteagainstsin.

Secondly,ContentmentpreventsmanyTEMPTATIONS.Discontentisadevilwhichisalwaystempting.

1st.Discontentputsamanuponsinfulmeans.Hewhoispooranddiscontented,willattemptanything;hewillgotothedevilforriches!Hewho is proud and discontented, will hang himself, as Ahithophel didwhen his counsel was rejected. Satan takes great advantage ofdiscontent; he loves to fish in these troubled waters.Discontent botheclipses reason, andweakens faith! It is Satan's policy, that he usuallybreaksoverthehedgewhereitisweakest;discontentmakesabreachinthesoul,andusuallyatthisbreachthedevilentersbyatemptation,andstormsthesoul.

HoweasilycanthedevilbyhislogicdisputeadiscontentedChristianintosin?He forms such a argument as this, "hewho is inneedmust studyself-preservation:butyouarenowinneed;thereforeyououghttostudyself-preservation."Hereupontomakegoodhisconclusion,he tempts totheforbiddenfruit,notdistinguishingbetweenwhatisneedful,andwhatislawful."What?"sayshe,"doyoulackalivelihood?neverbesuchafoolas starve—take therising side at a venture, be it good or bad; "eat thebread of deceit, drink the wine of violence." Thus you see how thediscontentedmanisapreytothatsadtemptationtosteal.

Contentmentisashieldagainstpoverty;forhewhoiscontented,knows

aswellhowtolack,astoabound.Hewillnotsintogetaliving;thoughhisfoodgrowsshort,heiscontent.Helivesasthebirdsoftheair—uponGod'sprovidence,anddoubtsnotbutheshallhaveenoughtopayforhispassagetoheaven.

2d.Discontent temptsamantoatheismandapostasy. "Surely,thereisnoGodtotakecareofthingsherebelow!Wouldheallowhisholypeopletobe inneed?"saysdiscontent."ThrowoffChrist's livery,desistfromthereligion!"ThusJob'swifebeingdiscontentedwithhercondition,says to her husband, "do you still retain your integrity?" As if she hadsaid,"doyounotsee,Job,whathasbecomeofallyourreligion?YoufearGodandeschewevil—andwhatareyouthebetter?seehowGodturnshishandagainstyou;hehassmittenyouinyourbody,estate,family—anddoyoustillretainyourintegrity?What!stilldevout?stillweepandprayforhim?youfool,castoffreligion,turnatheist!"Herewasasoretemptation,which the devil handed over to Job by his discontented wife. Only hisgrace,asagoldenshield,didwardofftheblowfromhisheart,"youspeakasoneofthefoolishwomen!"

"Whatprofitisit,"saysthediscontentedperson,"toservetheAlmighty?Thosewhonever trouble themselves about religion, are the prosperousmen, and I in themeanwhile suffer need. I will just as well give overdriving the trade of religion—if this be allmy reward!"This logicoftenprevails. Atheism is the fruit which grows out of the blossom ofdiscontent.

Othen,beholdtheexcellencyofcontentment!"IfGodismine,"saysthecontentedspirit,"itisenough;thoughIhavenolandsortenements,hissmilemakesheaven;hislovesarebetterthanwine.Ihavelittleinhand—butmuch inhope;my livelihood is short—but this is his promise, eveneternal life! I am persecuted by malice—but better is persecutedgodliness, than prosperouswickedness." Thus divine contentment is aspiritualantidotebothagainstsinandtemptation.

Sixthexcellency.Contentmentsweetenseverycondition.Christturnedthewaterintowine.Justso,contentmentturnsthebitterwatersofMarah,intospiritualwine.

"HaveIbut little?Yet it ismorethanIdeserve.Thiscontentedspirit isgiven inmercy; it is the fruit of Christ's blood—it is the legacy of freegrace! A small present sent from a king—is highly valued. This little Ihave is with a good conscience; it is not stolen waters; guilt has notmuddiedorpoisonedit;itrunspure.Thislittle—isapledgeofmore:thisbitofbread—isapledgeofthatbreadwhichIshalleatinthekingdomofGod!This littlewater in the cruise—is a pledge of that heavenly nectarwhichshallbedistilledfromthetruevine!DoImeetwithsomecrosses?Mycomfortis,iftheyareheavy—Ihavenotfartogo;Ishallbutcarrymycross to Golgotha and there I shall leave it. My cross is light—incomparisonwith theweightofglory.HasGod takenawaymycomfortsfromme?Itiswell--theComforterstillabideswithme."

Thus contentment, as a honeycomb, drops sweetness into everycondition. Discontent is a leaven which sours every comfort; it putsvinegarintoeverymercy,itdoubleseverycross.Butthecontentedspiritsuckssweetnessfromeveryflowerofprovidence;itcanmakepoisonintoachoicemorsel.Contentmentisfullofconsolation.

Seventh excellency. Contentment is the best commentatoruponprovidence; itmakesa fair interpretationofallGod'sdealings.Let the providences of God be ever so dark or dismal, contentmentconstrues themever in thebest sense. Imaysayof it, as theapostleofcharity, "it thinksnoevil." (1Cor. 13:5) "Sickness(says contentment) isGod'sfurnacetorefinehisgold,andmakeitsparklethemore!Theprisonis an oratory, or house of prayer.What ifGodmelts away the creaturefromit?hesawperhapsmyheartgrewsomuchinlovewithit;hadIbeenlonginthatfatpasture,Iwouldhavesurfeited,andthebettermyestatehadbeen,theworsemysoulwouldhavebeen.Godiswise;hehasdonethis either to prevent some sin—or to exercise some grace." What ablessedframeofheartisthis!

A contented Christian is an advocate for God, against unbelief andimpatience:whereasdiscontent takeseverything fromGod in theworstsense;itcensuresGod—andallthatHedoes.Butthecontentedsoultakesallwell;andwhenhisconditioniseversobad,hecansay,"trulyGodisgood."(Psalm73:1)

II. The second motive to contentment. A Christian has thatwhichmaymakehimcontent.

1.Has not God given you Christ? In him there are "unsearchableriches!"(Ep.3:8)Heissuchagoldenmineofwisdomandgrace—thatallthesaintsandangelscanneverdigtothebottom!AsSenecasaidtohisfriendPolybius,"nevercomplainofyourhardfortune—aslongasCaesarisyourfriend."SoIsaytoabeliever,"nevercomplainofyourtroubles—as long as Christ is your friend!"He is an enriching pearl, a sparklingdiamond; the infinite lusterofhismeritsmakesus shine inGod'seyes.(Ep.1:7)Inhimthereisbothfullnessandsweetness;he isunspeakablygood.Pitchupyourthoughtstothehighestpinnacle,stretchthemtotheutmost bound, let them expatiate to their full latitude and extent—yetthey fall infinitely short of these ineffable and inexhaustible treasureswhichare lockedup inJesusChrist! Isnot thisenoughtogive thesoulcontentment? A Christian who lacks necessities—yet having Christ, hehasthe"onethingneedful."

2.Yoursoul isexercisedandenameledwith thegracesof theSpirit,andisnothereenoughtogivecontentment?Graceisofadivinebirth! it is the new plantation!. Grace is the flower of the heavenlyparadise! it is theembroideryof theSpirit!Grace is theseedofGod!(1John 3:9) Grace is the sacred unction! (1 John 2:20) Grace is Christ'sportraiture in the soul! Grace is the very foundation on whichsuperstructureofgloryislaid!O,ofwhatinfinitevalueisgrace!Whatajewel is faith!Wellmay itbe called "precious faith." (2Pe. 1:1)What islove—butadivinesparkleinthesoul?Asoulbeautifiedwithgrace,islikea room richly hungwith tapestry, or the sky bespangledwith glitteringstars.

Thesearethe"trueriches!"(Lu.16:11)Isnothereenoughtogivethesoulcontentment? What are all other things, but like wings of a butterfly,curiously painted—but they defile our fingers! Earthly riches cannotenrich thesoul:oftentimesundersilkenapparel there isa thread-baresoul.Earthlyrichesarecorruptible:"richesarenot forever,"asthewisemansays.(Proverbs27:24)Heavenisaplacewheregoldandsilverwillnot go. A believer is rich towards God! (Lu. 12:21)Why then, are youdiscontented?hasnotGodgivenyouthatwhichisbetterthantheworld?

Whatifhedoesnotgiveyouthebox—ifhegivesyouthejewel!Whatifhedeniesyoupennies—ifhepaysyou indiamonds!What ifhedeniesyoutemporalmercies—ifhegiveyouspiritualmercies.What if thewater inthe bottle is spent—you have enough in the fountain! What need hecomplainoftheworld'semptiness—whohasGod'sfullness!

"TheLordismyportion,"saysDavid,(Psalm16:5)thenletthelinesfallwhere theywill, in a sick-bed or prison, Iwill say, "the lines are fallenuntome inpleasantplaces, yes, I have a goodlyheritage!"Are younotheir to all the promises? Have you not a guarantee of heavenly glory?When you let go your hold ofnatural life—are you not sure of eternallife?Has notGod given you the pledge and first fruits of glory? Is nothereenoughtoworkyourhearttocontentment?

III. The thirdmotive is—Be content, for else we confute ourownprayers.Wepray, "May yourwill bedone." It is thewill ofGodthatweshouldareinsuchacondition;hehasdecreedit,andhesees itbestforus—whythendowemurmur,andarediscontentatthatwhichwepray for?eitherwearenot ingoodearnest inourprayer,whichargueshypocrisy;orwecontradictourselveswhicharguesfolly.

IV.Thefourthmotivetocontentmentis—BecausenowGodhashisend,andSatanmissesofhisend.

1.Godhashis end. God's end in all his providences, is to bring thehearttosubmitandbecontent.Indeed,thispleasesGodmuch—helovestoseehischildrensatisfiedwiththatportionhecarvesandallotsthem;itcontents him—to see us contented. Therefore let us acquiesce in God'sprovidence,nowGodhashisend.

2.Satanmissesofhisend.Theendwhythedevil, thoughbyGod'spermission, did smite Job in his body and estate—was to perplex hismind; he vexed his body with the purpose that he might disquiet hisspirit.He hoped to bring Job into a fit of discontent; and then thathewouldinanger,breakforthagainstGod.ButJobbeingsowell-contentedwith his condition—that he falls to blessing of God, and so he diddisappoint Satan of his hope. "The devil will cast some of you intoprison;"(Re.2:10)whydoesthedevil throwus intoprison?It isnotso

muchthehurtingourbody,asthemolestingourmind,thatheaimsat;hewould imprisonour contentment, anddisturb the regularmotionofoursouls—thisishisdesign.Itisnotsomuchtheputtingusintoaprison—as the putting us into a passion—which he attempts; but by holycontentment,Satanloseshisprey,andmissesofhisend.

The devil has often deceived us; the best way to deceive him, is bycontentmentinthemidstoftemptation;ourcontentmentwilldiscontentSatan.O, letusnotgratifyourenemy!Discontent is thedevil's delight!Nowitisashewouldhaveit,helovestowarmhimselfatthefireofourpassions.Repentanceisthejoyoftheangels—anddiscontentisthejoyofthedevils!Asthedevildancesatdiscord,sohesingsatdiscontent.Thefireofourpassionsmakes thedevil abonfire! It is a kindofheaven tohim—to see us torturing ourselves with our own troubles; but by holycontentment,wefrustratehimofhispurpose,anddoasitwereputhimoutofcountenance.

V. The fifth motive is to contentment is—By contentment aChristiangainsavictoryoverhimself.Foramantobeabletorulehis own spirit—this of all others, is the most noble conquest. Passiondenotesweakness;tobediscontentedissuitabletofleshandblood.Butto be in every state content, reproached—yet content, imprisoned—yetcontent;thisisabovenature;thisissomeofthatholyvalorandchivalrywhichonlyadivinespiritisabletoinfuse.Inthemidstoftheaffrontsoftheworld, to be patient; and in the changes of the world, to have thespiritcalmed—this isaconquestworthy indeedof thegarlandofhonor.Holy Job, divested and turned out of all, leaving his scarlet, andembracing the dunghill, (a sad catastrophe!) yet had learnedcontentment. It issaid, "he felldownupon thegroundandworshiped."(Job 1:20) One would have thought he should have fallen upon theground and blasphemed! No, he fell and worshiped! He adored God'sjustice and holiness! Behold the strength of grace! here was a humblesubmission—yetanobleconquest;hegotthevictoryoverhimself!Itisnogreat matter for a man to yield to his own passions, this is facile andcowardly—buttocontenthimselfindenyingofhimself,thisissacred.

VI.Thesixthgreatmotivetoworkthehearttocontentmentis—TheconsiderationthatallGod'sprovidences,howevercrossor

difficult,shalldoabelievergood."Andweknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgood,tothosewholoveGod."(Rom.8:28)Notonlyallgoodthings—butallevilthingsworkforgood;andshallwebediscontentedatthatwhichworks for our good?Suppose our troubles are sadly twistedtogether: what if sickness, poverty, reproach, law-suits, etc., unite andmustertheirforcesagainstus?allshallworkforgood;ourmaladiesshallbeourmedicines;andshallwerepineatwhichshallundoubtedlydousgood? "Unto the upright, there arises light in darkness." (Psalm 112:4)AfflictionmaybebaptizedMarah;itisbitter—butmedicinal.Becausethisis so full of comfort, and may be a most excellent remedy againstdiscontent,Ishallalittleexpatiate.Itwillbeinquiredhowtheevilsofafflictionworkforgood?Severalways.

First,Theyinstructus—theyTEACHus.ThePsalmisthavingveryelegantlydescribedthechurch'strouble,(Psalm74)prefixedthistitletothepsalm,aMaschil,whichsignifiesapsalmgivinginstruction;andthatwhichsealsupinstruction,worksforgood.Godputsussometimesundertheblackrodofdiscipline;"heartherod,andwhohasappointedit."(Mi.6:9) Godmakes our adversityour university. Affliction is a preacher;"blowthetrumpet inTekoa:"(Je.6:1) thetrumpetwastopreachtothepeople;"beinstructed,OJerusalem."(Je.6:8)SometimesGodspeakstothe minister to lift up his voice like a trumpet, (Is. 58:1) and here hespeakstothetrumpettoliftupitsvoicelikeaminister.

Afflictionsteachushumility.Wearecommonlyprosperousandproud,but corrections are God's corrosives to eat out the proud flesh. JesusChrist is the lily of thevalleys, (Can. 2:1)he dwells in ahumbleheart!God brings us into the valley of tears—that He may bring us into thevalley of humility; "remembering my affliction and my misery, thewormwoodandthegall;mysoulhas themstill inremembrance,and ishumbled inme. (La.3:19,20)Whenmenare grownproud,Godhasnobetterwaywiththem,thantobrewthemacupofwormwood.

Afflictionsarecomparedtothorns,(Ho.2:6)God'sthornsaretoprickthebubbleofpride.Supposeamanrunsatanotherwithaswordtokillhim;accidentally, it only lets out his abscess of pride; this does him good:God'sswordistoletouttheabscessofpride;andshallthatwhichmakesushumble,makeusdiscontented?

Afflictionsteachusrepentance;"Youhavedisciplinedme—andIhavebeendisciplined.AfterIstrayed,Irepented."(Jer.31:18,19)Repentanceis the precious fruit that grows upon the cross. When the fire is putunderthestill,thewaterdrops.Justso,fieryafflictionsmakethewatersof repentance drop and distill from the eyes; and is here any cause ofdiscontent?

Afflictionsteachustopraybetter,"theypouredoutaprayerwhenYourchasteningwasuponthem;"(Is.26:16)before,theywouldsayaprayer;nowtheypouredoutaprayer.Jonahwasasleepintheship—butawakeandatprayerinthewhale'sbelly.WhenGodputsunderthefire-brandsof affliction, now our hearts boil over themore; God loves to have hischildren possessed with a spirit of prayer. Never did David, the sweetsingerofIsrael,tunehisharpmoremelodiously,neverdidhepraybetter,thanwhenhewasinaffliction.Thusafflictionsinstructus;andshallwebediscontentatthatwhichisforourgood?

Secondly,AfflictionsTESTus.(Psalm66:10,11)Goldisnottheworseforbeingtried,orgrainforbeingfanned.Afflictionis thetouchstoneofsincerity, it trieswhatmetalwearemadeof;affliction isGod's fanandhissieve.Itisgoodthatmenbeknown;someserveGodforalivery;theyarelikethefisherman,whomakesuseofthenet,onlytocatchthefish;sothey go a-fishing with the net of religion, only to catch preferment:afflictiondiscoversthese.Hypocriteswillfailinastorm,truegraceholdsout in thewinter-season. That is a precious faithwhich, like the stars,shinesbrightestinthedarkestnight.Itisgoodthatourgracesshouldbebroughttotrial;thuswehavethecomfort,andthegospelthehonor—andwhythenbediscontented?

Thirdly,Afflictionsarepurgatives. These evilswork for our good,becausetheypurgeoutsin,andshallIbediscontentedatthis?WhatifIhavemoretrouble,ifIhavelesssin?Thebrightestdayhasitsclouds;thepurest gold its dross; the most refined soul has some measure ofcorruption.Thesaintslosenothinginthefurnace—butwhattheycanwellspare—their dross: is not this for our good? Why then should wemurmur? "I am come to send fire on the earth." (Lu. 12:49) Tertullianunderstandsitofthefireofaffliction.Godmakesthislikethefireofthe

threechildren,whichburnedonlytheirbondsandsetthematlibertyinthefurnace,sothefireofafflictionservestoburnthebondsof iniquity."BythisthereforeshalltheiniquityofJacobbepurged:andthisisallthefruit—totakeawayhissin."(Is.27:9)

Whenafflictionordeathcomestoawickedman,ittakesawayhissoul;when it comes to a godlyman, it only takes away his sin; is there anycause why we should be discontented? God steeps us in the brinishwatersofaffliction,thathemaketakeoutourspots.God'speoplearehishusbandry;(1Cor.3:9)theploughingofthegroundkillstheweeds,andtheharrowingoftheearthbreaksthehardclods:God'sploughingofusbyaffliction,istokilltheweedsofsin;hisharrowingofusistobreakthehard clouds of impenitency, that the heartmay be fitter to receive theseedsofgrace;andif this is thepurposeofaffliction,whyshouldwebediscontented?

Fourthly, Afflictions both exercise and increase our grace.Afflictionsexerciseourgraces;everythingismostinitsexcellencywhenitismostinitsexercise.Ourgrace,thoughitcannotbedead—yetitmaybeasleep,andhasneedofawakening.Whatadullthingisthefirewhenit ishid in theembers,or thesunwhen it ismaskedbehinda cloud!Asick man is living—but not lively; afflictions quicken and excite grace.God does not like to see grace in the eclipse. Now faith puts forth itspurestandmostnobleactsintimesofaffliction.Godmakesthefalloftheleafthespringofourgraces.Whatifwearemoreafflicted—ifgracesbemoreactive.

Afflictionsincreasegrace; as thewind serves to increase and blow uptheflame,sodoesthewindyblastsofafflictionaugmentandblowupourgraces;graceisnotconsumedinthefurnace—butitislikethewidow'soilin the cruise, which increased by pouring out. The torch, when it isbeatenburnsbrightest,sodoesgracewhen it isexercisedbysufferings.Sharp frosts nourish the good grain—so do sharp afflictions nourishgrace.Someplantsgrowbetterintheshadethaninthesun;theshadeofadversityisbetterforsomethanthesun-shineofprosperity.Naturalistsobservethatthecolewortthrivesbetterwhenitiswateredwithsaltwaterthan with fresh water, so do some thrive better in the salt water ofaffliction;andshallwebediscontentedatthatwhichmakesusgrowand

fructifymore?

Fifthly, These afflictions do bring more of God's graciouspresenceintothesoul.Whenwearemostassaulted,weshallbemostassisted;"Iwillbewithhimintrouble."(Psalm91:15)ItcannotbeillwiththatmanwithwhomGodis—byhispowerfulpresenceinsupporting,andhisgraciouspresenceinsweeteningthepresenttrial.Godwillbewithusintrouble,notonlytobeholdus—buttoupholdus,ashewaswithDanielin the lion's den, and the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace.Whatifwehavemoretroublethanothers—ifwehavemoreofGodwithusthanothershave?WeneverhavesweetersmilesfromGod'sface—thanwhen the world begins to frownupon us. Your statutes have beenmysong;where?notwhenIwasuponthethrone—but"inthehouseofmypilgrimage."(Psalm119:54)

Weread,theLordwasnotinthewind,norintheearthquake,norinthefire: (1Ki. 19:11) but in ametamorphical and spiritual sense,when thewindofafflictionblowsuponabeliever,Godisinthewind;whenthefireofafflictionkindlesuponhim,Godisinthefire—tosanctify,tosupport,tosweeten.IfGodiswithus,thefurnaceshallbeturnedintoafestival,theprison into aparadise, the earthquake into a joyful dance. O whyshouldIbediscontented,whenIhavemoreofGod'sgraciouspresence!

Sixthly,Theseevilsofafflictionareforgood,astheybringwiththemcertificatesofGod'slove,andareevidencesofhisspecialfavor.Afflictionisthesaint'slivery;itisabadgeofhonor!ThattheGodofgloryshouldlookuponaworm,andtakesomuchnoticeofhim—astoafflict him rather than lose him—is anhigh act of favor.God's rod is ascepterofdignity,JobcallsGod'safflictingofus,hismagnifyingofus.(Job 7:17) Some men's prosperity has been their shame, when othersafflictionshavebeentheircrown.

Seventhly, These afflictions work for our good, because theywork for us a far exceeding weight of glory. (2 Cor. 4:17) Thatwhichworksformygloryinheaven,worksformygood.Wedonotreadin Scripture that any man's honoror richeswork for him a weight ofglory—butafflictionsdo;andshallamanbediscontentedat thatwhichworksforhisglory?Theheaviertheweightofaffliction,theheavierthe

weight ofglory; not that our sufferingsmeritglory, (as the papists dowickedlyteach,)butthoughtheyarenotthecauseofourcrown—yettheyare theway to it; and God makes us, as he did our captain, "perfectthroughsufferings."(He.2:10)Andshallnotall thismakeuscontentedwithourcondition?

O I beseech you, look not upon the evil of affliction—but the good ofaffliction!AfflictionsinScripturearecalled"visitations."(Job7:18)God'safflictionsarebutfriendlyvisits.BeholdhereGod'srod,likeAaron'srodblossoming; and Jonathan's rod, it hashoneyat the end of it. Povertyshallstarveoutoursins;thesicknessofthebodycuresasin-sicksoul;Othen,insteadofmurmuringandbeingdiscontented,blesstheLord!Hadyounotmetwithsuchacross in theway—youmighthavegone tohellandneverstopped!

VII.Theseventhmotivetocontentmentis—Considertheevilofdiscontent.Malcontenthasamixtureofgriefandangerinit,andbothof these must needs raise a storm in the soul. Have you not seen thepostureofasickman?Sometimeshewillsituponhisbed,byandbyhewillliedown,andwhenheisdownheisnotquiet;firstheturnsontheonesideandthenontheother;heisrestless;thisisjusttheemblemofadiscontentedspirit.Themanisnotsick—yetheisneverwell;sometimeshe likes such a condition of life but is soon weary; and then anotherconditionoflife;andwhenhehasit—yetheisnotpleased;thisisanevilunderthesun.Nowtheevilofdiscontentappearsinthreethings.

FirstEvil.TheSORDIDNESSofitisunworthyofaChristian.

(1.)Itisunworthyofhisprofession.Itwasthesayingofaheathen,"bearyourconditionquietly;knowyouareaman;"soIsay,"bearyourconditioncontentedly,knowyouareaChristian."Youprofessestolivebyfaith: what? and not be content? Faith is a grace which substantiatesthingsnotseen;(He.11:1)faithlooksbeyondthepresent—itfeedsuponpromises; faith livesnotbybreadalone;when thewater is spent inthebottle, faith knows where to have recourse. Now to see a Christiandejectedinthelackofvisiblesupplies,whereisfaith?"O,"saysone,"myestate intheworld isdown."Ay,andwhichisworse—his faith isdown.Unlesshehasmanyoutwardcomforts—hewillnotbecontent.Truefaith

will trustGod'sheart—where it cannot tracehishand; andwill ventureuponGod'spromisethoughithasnothinginview.

Youwhoarediscontentedbecauseyouhavenotallthatyouwould,letmetellyou—eitheryourfaithisanonentity—oratbestbutanembryo.Itisaweakfaithwhichmusthavecrutchestosupportit.Nay,discontentisnotonly below faith—but below reason: why are you discontented? Is itbecauseyouaredispossessedof suchcomforts?Well,andhaveyounotreasontoguideyou?Doesnotreasontellyouthatyouarebuttenantsatwill?AndmaynotGodturnyououtwhenhepleases?Youholdnotyourestatebypersonalright—butuponGod'sfavorandcourtesy.

(2.)ItisunworthyoftherelationwestandintoGod.AChristianisinvestedwiththetitleandprivilegeofsonship,(Ep.1:5)heisanheirofthepromise.Oconsiderthelotoffree-gracewhichhasfallenuponyou!YouarenearlyalliedtoChrist,andofthebloodroyal;youareadvancedinsomesense,abovetheangels:"whyareyou,beingtheking'sson,leanfrom day to day?" (2 Sa. 13:4) Why are you discontented? O, howunworthy is this!as if theheir tosomegreatmonarchshouldgopiningupanddown,becausehemaynotpicksuchaflower.

Second Evil. Consider the SINFULNESS of discontent; whichappears in three things; the causes, the accompaniments, theconsequencesofit.

(1.)ItissinfulintheCAUSES.

Thefirstcauseofdiscontentispride.Hewhothinkshighlyofhis

deserts,usuallyisdiscontentwithhiscondition.Adiscontentedmanisaproud man, he thinks himself better than others, therefore finds faultwith thewisdomofGod. "Should the thing thatwas created say to theOnewhomadeit—Whyhaveyoumademelikethis?"(Ro.9:20)whyamInotinbettercircumstances?Discontentisnothingelsebuttheboilingoverofpride!

Thesecondcauseofdiscontentisenvy,whichAugustinecallsthesinofthe devil. Satan envied Adam the glory of paradise, and the robe of

innocency.Hewhoenvieswhathisneighborhas—isnevercontentedwiththatportionwhichGod'sprovidence,parcelsouttohim.Asenvystirsupstrife,soitcreatesdiscontent:theenviousmanlookssomuchupontheblessingswhichanotherenjoys—thathecannotseehisownmercies—andsodoescontinuallyvexandtorturehimself.Cainenviedthathisbrother'ssacrificewasaccepted,andhis rejected;hereuponhewasdiscontented,andpresentlymurderousthoughtsbegantoariseinhisheart.

The third cause of discontent is covetousness. This is a foul sin.Whence are vexing lawsuits—but from discontent? and whence isdiscontent—but from covetousness? Covetousness and contentednesscannotdwell in thesameheart.Avarice isneversatisfied.ThecovetousmanislikeBehemoth,"beholdhedrinksupariver."(Job40:23)"Thereare four things (saysSolomon)whichneverhaveenough." Imayaddafifth—the heart of a covetous man; he is continually craving.Covetousnessislikeawolfinthebreast,whichiseverfeeding.Becauseamanisneversatisfied—heisnevercontent.

Thefourthcauseofdiscontentisunbelief,whichisakintoAtheism.Thediscontentedpersoniseverdistrustful.Theprovisionsgrowscanty,andthedistrustfulpersonasks,"Iaminthesegreatdifficulties,canGodhelpme? Can he prepare a table in the wilderness? Surely he cannot. Myestateisexhausted,canGodhelpme?Myfriendsaregone,canGodraiseme upmore? Surely the arm of his power is shrunk. I am like the dryfleece, can any water come upon this fleece? If the Lord would makewindowsinheaven,mightthisthingbe?"(2Ki.7:2)Thustheanchorofhope,andtheshieldoffaith,beingcastaway,thesoulgoespiningupanddown. Discontent is nothing else but the echo of unbelief. Remember,distrustisworsethandistress.

(2.)DiscontentisevilinitsACCOMPANIMENTS,whicharetwo:

1.Discontentisjoinedwithasullenmelancholy.AChristianofaright temper should be ever cheerful in God: "serve the Lord withgladness;"(Psalm100:2)Asignthattheoilofgracehasbeenpouredintothe heart, is when the oil of gladness shines in the countenance.Cheerfulness credits religion; how can the discontented person becheerful? Discontent is a dogged, sullen humor. Because we have not

whatwedesire,Godshallnothaveagoodworkorlookfromus.Thisislike the bird in the cage, because she is pent up, and cannot fly in theopen air, therefore beats herself against the cage, and is ready to killherself. Thus that peevish prophet; "I do well to be angry, even untodeath!"(Jon.4:9)

2.Discontent isaccompaniedwithunthankfulness.Becausewehave not all we desire, we nevermind themercieswhichwe have.Wedeal with God as the widow of Zarephath did with the prophet: theprophetElijahhadbeenameans tokeepher alive in the famine, for itwas for his sake, that hermeal in the barrel, and her oil in the cruisefailednot.Butassoonaseverhersondies,shefallsintoapassion,andbeginstoquarrelwiththeprophet:"OmanofGod,whathaveyoudonetome?Haveyoucomeheretopunishmysinsbykillingmyson?"(1Ki.17:18)SoungratefullydowedealwithGod:wecanbecontenttoreceivemercies fromGod—but ifhecrossesus inthe least thing, then,throughdiscontent,wegrowtouchyandimpatient,andarereadytoflyuponGod!ThusGodlosesallhismercies.

WereadinScriptureofthethank-offering;thediscontentedpersoncutsGod short of this; the Lord loses his thank-offering. A discontentedChristian repines in themidst ofmercies—asAdamwho sinned in themidst of paradise. Discontent is a spider which sucks the poison ofunthankfulnessoutofthesweetestflowersofGod'smercies!Discontentis a devilish chemistry,which extracts dross out of themost pure gold.The discontented person thinks everything he does for God toomuch,andeverythingGoddoesforhimtoolittle.

Owhat a sin is unthankfulness! It is an accumulative sin. Imay say ofingratitude: "there are many sins bound up in this one sin." It is avoluminous wickedness! How full of sin is discontent! A discontentedChristian,becausehehasnotalltheworld,thereforedishonorsGodwiththemercieswhichhehas.GodmadeEveoutofAdam'srib,tobeahelper—butthedevilhasmadeanarrowofthisrib,andshotAdamtotheheart!Justso,discontenttakestheribofGod'smercy,andungratefullyshootsat him—every blessing is employed against God. Thus it is oftentimes.Beholdthenhowdiscontentandingratitudeareinterwovenandtwistedonewithintheother:thusdiscontentissinfulinitsaccompaniments.

(3.)DiscontentissinfulinitsCONSEQUENCES,whicharethese.

1.DiscontentmakesamanveryunliketheHolySpirit.TheSpiritofGod is ameekSpirit. TheHoly Spirit descended in the likeness of adove,(Mat.3:16)adoveistheemblemofmeekness;adiscontentedspiritisnotameekspirit.

2.Discontentmakesaman like thedevil; thedevilbeing swelledwith the poison of envy and malice, is never content. Just so, is themalcontent.Thedevil isanunquietspirit,he isstill "walkingabout," (1Pe.5:8)itishisresttobewalking.Andhereinisthediscontentedpersonlike him; for he goes up and down vexing himself, "seeking rest, andfindingnone."Themalcontentisthedevil'spicture!

3.Discontentdisjoints thesoul, ituntunes theheart forduty."Is any among you afflicted, let him pray." (Ja. 5:13) But, is anymandiscontented?howshallhepray?"Liftupholyhandswithoutwrath."(1Ti.2:8)Discontentisfullofwrathandpassion;themalcontentcannotliftuppurehands; he lifts up leproushands—hepoisonshis prayers!WillGod accept a poisoned sacrifice!Chrysostom compares prayer to a finegarland; those whomake a garland, their hands had need to be clean.Prayerisapreciousgarland,theheartthatmakesit,hadneedtobeclean.Discontentthrowspoisonintothespring.Discontentputstheheartintoadisorder andmutiny, and such as one cannot serve the Lord "withoutdistraction."

4. Discontent sometimes unfits for the very use of reason.Jonah, in apassionof discontent, spokenobetter thanblasphemy andnonsense:"Idowelltobeangry—evenuntodeath!"(Jon.4:9)What?tobeangrywithGod!andtodie foranger!Surehedidnotknowwhathesaid!Whendiscontentrules,then,likeMoses,wespeakunadvisedlywithourlips.Thishumorevensuspendstheveryactsofreason.

5. Discontent does not only disquiet a man's self—but thosewhoarenearhim.This evil spirit troubles families, parishes, etc. Ifthere is but one string out of tune, it spoils all themusic. Just so, onediscontentedspiritmakes jarringsanddiscordsamongothers. It is this

ill-humor which breeds quarrels and law-suits. Whence are all ourcontentions—butforlackofcontentment?"Whatisthesourceofthewarsandthefightsamongyou?Don'ttheycomefromthecravingsthatareatwarwithin you?" (Ja. 4:1) in particular from the craving of discontent.WhydidAbsalomraiseawaragainsthisfather,andwouldhavetakenoffnot only his crown—but his head!Was it not his discontent? Absalomwouldbeking.WhydidAhabstoneNaboth?wasitnotdiscontentaboutthe vineyard? Oh this devil of discontent! Thus, you have seen thesinfulnessofit.

ThirdEvil.ConsidertheFOOLISHNESSofdiscontent.Imaysay,asthePsalmist,"surelytheyaredisquietedinvain:"(Psalm39:6)whichappearsthus,

1.Isitnotavainsimplethingtobetroubledatthelossofthatwhichis in itsownnature,perishingandchangeable?Godhasputavicissitudeintothecreature;alltheworldringschanges;andformetomeetwithinconstancyhereonearth—toloseafriend,estate,tobe inconstantfluctuation;isnomorethantoseeaflowerwitheroraleafdropoffinautumn!Thereisanautumnuponeverycomfort,afalloftheleaf.Now it is extreme folly to be discontented at the loss of those thingswhichareintheirownnature,loseable.WhatSolomonsaysofriches,istrueofallthingsunderthesun,"theytakewings—andflyaway!"Noah'sdovebroughtanolive-branchinitsmouth—butpresentlyflewoutoftheark, and never more returned. Such and such a comfort, brings to ushoneyinitsmouth—butithaswings;andtowhatpurposeshouldwebetroubled,unlesswehadwingstoflyafterandovertakeit?

2.Discontentisaheart-breaking."Bysorrowoftheheart,thespiritis broken." (Proverbs 15:13) It takes away the comfort of life. There isnoneofus,butmayhavemanymerciesifwecanseethem;nowbecausewehavenotallwedesire,thereforewewilllosethecomfortofthatwhichwehavealready.Jonahhavinghisgourdsmitten,awitheringvanity—wassodiscontented,thatheneverthoughtofhismiraculousdeliveranceoutof thewhale's belly; he takesno comfort of his life—butwishes thathemightdie.Whatfollyisthis!Wemusthaveallornone;hereinwearelikechildren, that throwaway thepiecewhich iscut for them,because theymayhavenobigger.Discontenteatsoutthecomfortoflife!

Besides,itwerewellifitwereseriouslyweighed,howharmfulthisiseventoourhealth; fordiscontent,as itdoesdiscruciatethemind—so itdoespinethebody.Itfretsasamoth;andbywastingthespirits,weakensthevitals.Thecancerofdiscontentharmsboththebodyandthemind—andisnotthisfolly?

3.Discontentdoesnoteaseusofourburden—but itmakes itheavier. A contented spirit goes cheerfully under its affliction.Discontentmakesourgriefasunsupportableasitisunreasonable.Iftheleg is well, it can endure a fetter and not complain; but if the leg isinjured, then the fetters trouble.Discontent ofmind, is the sorewhichmakesthefettersofafflictionmoregrievous.Discontenttroublesusmorethanthetroubleitself!Itsteepstheafflictioninwormwood.WhenChristwasupontheCross,theJewsbroughthimgallandvinegartodrink,thatitmightaddtohissorrow.Discontentbringstoamaninaffliction,gallandvinegartodrink!Thisisworsethantheafflictionitself.Isitnotfollyforamantoembitterhisownaffliction?

4. Discontent spins out our troubles the longer. One isdiscontentedbecauseheisinneed,andthereforeheisinneedbecauseheisdiscontented;hemurmursbecausehe isafflicted,and thereforehe isafflicted, because he murmurs. Discontent delays and adjourns ourmercies.Goddealshereinwithus,aswedowithourchildren—whentheyarequietandcheerful, theyshallhaveanything;but ifwe see themcryandfret,thenwewithholdfromthem.Justso,wegetnothingfromGodbyourdiscontent,butblows!Themorethechildstruggles,themoreitisbeaten:whenwestrugglewithGodbyoursinfulpassions,hedoubleshisstrokes;Godwill tameour peevishhearts.What did Israel get by theirpeevishness? theywerewithinelevendays journey toCanaan;andnowthey were discontented and began to murmur, so God leads them amarchoffortyyearslonginthewilderness.Isitnotfollyforustoadjournourownmercies?Thusyouhaveseentheevilofdiscontent.

VIII. The eighthmotive to contentment is this:Why is not aman contentwith thatwhichhehas? Perhaps if he hadmore hewould be less content. Covetousness is cancer which is never satisfied.Theworld is such that the more we have—the more we crave. The

world cannot fill the heart ofman.When the fire burns, how do youquenchit?notbyputtingoilintheflame,or layingonmorewood—butbywithdrawingthefuel.Whentheappetiteisinflamedafterriches,howmay a man be satisfied? not by having just what he desires—but bywithdrawing the fuel, and bymoderating and lessening his desires.Hewhoiscontentedhasenough!Amaninafeverthirsts;howdoyousatisfyhim? not by giving him liquid things, which will inflame his thirst themore;butbyremovingthecause,andsocuringthedistemper.Thewayfor a man to be contented, is not by raising his estate higher—but bybringinghisheartlower!

IX.Theninthmotivetocontentmentis—Theshortnessof life.Lifeis"butavapor,"saysJames.(Ja.4:14)Lifeisawheelever-running.Thepoetspaintedtimewithwingstoshowthevolubilityandswiftnessofit.Jobcomparesittoaswiftrunner,(Job9:25).Ourlifeisindeedlikeaday. Infancy is as it were the day-break, youth is the sun-rising,adulthood is thesun in themeridian,oldage is sun-setting,sickness istheevening—thencomesthenightofdeath.Howquicklyisthisdayoflifespent!Oftentimes this sungoesdownatnoon-day; life endsbefore theeveningofoldage comes.Nay, sometimes the sunof life setspresentlyaftersun-rising.Quicklyafterthedawningofinfancy,thenightofdeathapproaches.O,howshortisthelifeofman!

The consideration of the brevity of life, may work the heart tocontentment. Remember you are to be here but a day; you have but ashortwaytogo—andwhatistheneedofalongprovisionforashortway?Ifatravelerhasbutenoughtobringhimtohisjourney'send—hedesiresnomore.Wehavebutadaytolive,andperhapswemaybeinthetwelfthhour of the day. If God gives us but enough to bear our charges, untilnight,itissufficient,letusbecontent.Ifamanhadtheleaseofahouse—but for two or three days, and he should begin building and planting,wouldhenotbe judgedveryfoolish?Justso,whenwehavebutashorttime here, and death calls us presently off the stage—to thirstimmoderately after the world, and pull down our souls to build up anestate—isanextremefolly.

Therefore, as Esau said once, in a profane sense, concerning his birth-right,"Iamatthepointofdeath—sowhatprofitshallthisbirth-rightdo

tome?"so letaChristiansay ina religioussense, "Iamat thepointofdeath,mygraveisgoingtobemade—sowhatgoodwill theworlddotome?IfIhavebutenoughuntilsun-setting,Iamcontent."

X.Thetenthmotivetocontentmentis—Considerseriouslythenatureofaprosperouscondition.Thereareinaprosperousestatethreethings,

1.ThereismoreTROUBLEinaprosperouscondition.Manywhohaveabundanceofallthingstoenjoy—yethavenotsomuchcontentmentand sweetness in their lives, as some who go to their hard labor. Sad,anxiousthoughtsoftenattendaprosperouscondition.Worryistheevilspirit which haunts the richman—andwill not allow him to be quiet.When his chest is full of gold—his heart is full ofworry, either how tomanage,orhowtoincrease,orhowtosecurewhathehasgotten.Othetroublesandperplexitieswhichattendprosperity!Theworld'shighseatsareveryuneasy.Sunshineispleasant—butsometimesitscorcheswithitsheat. Thebee giveshoney—but sometimes it stings! Just so, prosperityhasitssweetness—andalsoitssting!"Butgodlinesswithcontentmentisgreatgain." 1Timothy6:6.Neverdid Jacob sleepbetter, thanwhenhehadtheheavensforhiscanopy,andahardstoneforhispillow.A largeestateisbutlikealongtrailinggarment,whichismoretroublesomethanuseful.

2. In a prosperous condition there ismoreDANGER; and thattwoways:

First, inrespectofaman'sSELF.Therichman's table isoftenhissnare;he is ready to engulf himself toodeep in these sweetwaters. Inthis sense it ishard toknowhow toabound. Itmustbe a strongbrainwhichcanbearheadywine.Just so,hehasneedhaveofmuchwisdomandgrace,toknowhowtobearaprosperouscondition;eitherheisreadytokillhimselfwithworry—ortogluthimselfwithlusciousdelights.Othehazardofhonor, thedamageofprosperity!Pride, lust,andworldliness,arethethreewormswhichbreedinprosperity.(De.32:15)Thepasturesof prosperityare dangerous.How soon arewe ensnared upon the softpillowofease!Prosperity is oftena trumpetwhich sounds a retreat—itcallsmen off from the pursuit of religion. The sun of prosperity often

dulls andputs out the fire of piety!Howmany souls has the cancer ofabundancekilled?"Peoplewhowanttogetrichfallintotemptationandatrapandintomanyfoolishandharmfuldesiresthatplungemenintoruinanddestruction.Fortheloveofmoneyisarootofallkindsofevil.Somepeople, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and piercedthemselveswithmanygriefs."(1Timothy6:9-10)

Theworld is fullofgoldensands—but theyarequick-sands! Prosperity,likesmoothJacob,willsupplantandbetray!Agreatestate,withoutmuchvigilance—will be a thief to rob us of heaven! Such as are upon thepinnacle of honor, are in most danger of falling. A more humblecondition, is lesshazardous.The littleboat ridessafelyalong,when thegallant ship with its large mast and top-sail, is cast away. Adam inparadisewas overcome, when Job on the dung-hillwas a conqueror.SamsonfellasleepinDelilah'slap.Justso,somehavefallensofastasleeponthelapofeaseandplenty,thattheyhaveneverawakeduntiltheyhavebeeninhell!

Theworld'sfawning—isworsethanitsfrowning!Itismoretobefearedwhen it smiles—than when it thunders. Prosperity, in Scripture, iscomparedtoacandle;"hiscandleshineduponmyhead:"(Job29:3)howmanyhaveburnttheirwingsaboutthiscandle!Thecornbeingover-ripe,withers; and fruit, when it mellows, begins to rot. Just so, when menmellowwiththesunofprosperity,commonlytheirsoulsbegintorot insin!"HowharditisfortherichtoenterthekingdomofGod!"(Lu.18:24)Hisgoldenweights keep him from ascending up the hill of God! Andshallwenotbecontent,thoughweareplacedinalowerorb?Whatifwehave not as much of the world, as others do?We are not in somuchdanger!Aswelacktherichesoftheworld—sowelacktheirtemptations.Otheabundanceofdanger—whichisinabundance!

Whenmen'sestatesarelow,theyaremoreseriousabouttheirsouls,andmorehumble.Butwhentheyhaveabundance,thentheirheartsbegintoswellwith their estates.Bring aman from the cold, starving climate ofpoverty—into the hot southern climate of prosperity—and he begins tolosehisappetitetogodlythings,hegrowsweak—andathousandtooneifallhisreligiondoesnotdie!ButbringaChristianfromarichflourishingestate intoa lowcondition—andhehasabetter appetite afterheavenly

things, hehungersmore afterChrist, he thirstsmore for grace, he eatsmoreoftheBreadofLife;thismanisnowlikelytoliveandholdoutinhis piety.Be content then,withmoderation; if youhave but enough topayforyourpassagetoheaven,itsuffices."Ifwehavefoodandclothing—wewillbecontentwiththese."1Timothy6:8

Secondly, a prosperous condition is dangerous in regard ofOTHERS.Agreatestate,forthemostpart,drawsenvytoit;whereasinlittlethere is quiet.David a shepherdwas quiet—butDavid akingwaspursuedbyhisenemies.Envycannotendureasuperior;anenviousmanknows not how to live—but upon the ruins of his neighbors; he raiseshimself higher—by bringing others lower. Prosperity is an eye-sore tomany. Such sheep as havemostwool—are soonest fleeced. Thebarrentree grows peaceably; but the fruit-laden tree shall have many savagesuitors. O then be contented to carry a lesser sail! He who has lessrevenues,haslessenvy.Suchasmakethegreatestshowintheworld,arethebulls-eyeforenvyandmalicetoshootat!

3. A prosperous condition has in it, a greater RECKONING;every man must be responsible for his talents. You who have greatpossessionsintheworld,doyouusethemforGod'sglory?Areyourichingood works? Grace makes a private person—a common good. Do youdisburseyourmoneyforpublicuses?Itislawful,inthissense,toputoutourmoney touse.O letusall remember thatwearebut stewards;andour Lord and Master will before long say, "give an account of yourstewardship!"Thegreaterourestate—thegreaterourresponsibilities;themoreourrevenues—themoreourreckonings.Youwhohavebutlittleinthe world—be content. God will expect less from you—where He hassowedmoresparingly.

XI.The eleventhmotive to contentment is—TheEXAMPLEofthose who have been eminent for contentment. Examples areusuallymore forcible thanprecepts.Abrahambeing called out to hardservice, and such aswas against flesh andblood,was content.GodbidhimofferuphissonIsaac.Thiswasgreatwork:Isaacwasthesonofhisoldage; the sonofhis love; the sonof thepromise;Christ theMessiahwastocomefromhisline,"inIsaacshallyourseedbecalled."SothattoofferupIsaacseemednotonlytoopposeAbraham'sreason—buthisfaith

too; for, if Isaacdies, theworld, foroughtheknew—mustbewithoutaMediator.Besides,ifIsaacmustbesacrificed,wastherenootherhandtodoit,butAbraham's?Mustthefatherneedsbetheexecutioner?Musthewhowas the instrumentof giving Isaachis being, be the instrumentoftaking it away?YetAbrahamdoesnotdispute orhesitate—butbelieves"against hope," and is content with God's prescription: so, when Godcalledhimtoleavehiscountry,hewascontent.

Somewouldhavearguedthus: "What! leavemy friends,mynative soil,myprosperoussituation,andbecomeawanderingpilgrim?"Abrahamiscontent. Besides, Abrahamwent blindfold, "He did not knowwhere hewasgoing."Godheldhiminsuspense;hemustgowander—heknowsnotwhere;andwhenhedoescome to theplacewhichGodhas laidout forhim,heknowsnotwhatoppositionsheshallmeetwiththere.Theworldseldom casts a favorable aspect upon strangers. Yet he is content, andobeys;"hesojournedinthelandofpromise."(He.11:9)

Behold a little his pilgrimage. First, he goes to Haran, a city inMesopotamia.Whenhehadsojournedthereawhile,hisfatherdies.ThenhemovedtoCanaan;thereafaminearises;thenhewentdowntoEgypt;afterthathereturnstoCanaan.Whenhecomesthere,itistruehehadapromise—buthe foundnothingtoanswerexpectation;hehadnot thereonefootofland—butwasanexile.Inthistimeofhissojourningheburiedhiswife; and as forhis dwellings, hehadno sumptuousbuildings—butlived in tents: all this was enough to have broken any man's heart.Abrahammightthinkthuswithhimself:"isthisthelandImustpossess?hereisnoprobabilityofanygood;allthingsareagainstme!"Well,ishediscontented?No!Godsays tohim, "Abraham,go, leaveyourcountry,"andthiswordwasenoughtoleadhimallovertheworld;heispresentlyuponhismarch.Herewasamanwhohadlearnedtobecontent.

Butletusdescendalittlelower,toheathenZeno,ofwhoSenecaspeaks,who had once been very rich, hearing of a shipwreck, and that all hisgoodsweredrowned at sea: "Fortune," sayshe, (he spoke in aheathendialect)"hasdealtwithme,andwouldhavemenowstudyphilosophy."Hewascontenttochangehiscourseoflife,toleaveoffbeingamerchant,andturnaphilosopher.Andifaheathensaidthus,shallnotaChristiansay,whentheworldisdrainedfromhim,"Godwouldhavemeleaveoff

following theworld,andstudyChristmore,andhow toget toheaven!"Do I see an heathen contented, and a Christian disquieted? How didheathens vilify those worldly things, which Christians did magnify?Though they knew not God, or what true happiness meant; yet, theywould speak very sublimely of a deity, and of the life to come, and forthoseelysiandelights,whichtheydidbutimagine—sotheyundervaluedanddespisedthethingsherebelow!Itwasthedoctrinetheytaughttheirscholars,andwhichsomeofthempracticed,thattheyshouldstrivetobecontentedwithalittle;theywerewillingtomakeanexchange,andhavelessgold—andmorelearning.Andshallnotwebecontentthen,tohavelessoftheworld—sothatwemayhavemoreofChrist!MaynotChristiansblush to see the heathens contentwith little of this world—and to seethemselvessoelattedwiththeloveofearthlythings,thatiftheybeginalittletoabate,andtheirprovisionsgrowshort,theymurmur,andarelikeMicah,"Youtookaway thegodsImade.WhatelsedoIhave?"(Judges18:24)Haveheathensgonesofarincontentment,andisitnotsadforustobediscontent?

Theseheroesof their time,howdid theyembracedeath itself! Socratesdied in prison; Herculus was burnt alive; Cato, who Seneca calls theportraitofvirtue,wasthrustthroughwithasword;buthowbravely,andwithcontentmentof spiritdid theydie? "Shall I (saidSeneca)weep forCato, orRegulus, or the rest of thoseworthies,whodiedwith somuchvalor and patience?" These severe afflictions did not make them altertheircountenance—anddoIseeaChristianappalledandamazed?Deathdid not affright them—and does it distract us? Did the spring-head ofnaturerisesohigh?andshallnotgrace,likethewatersofthesanctuary,risehigher?Wethatpretendtolivebyfaith—maywenotgotoschooltothemwhohadnootherpilotbutreasontoguidethem?

Nay, letme comea step lower, to creatures voidof reason;we see thatevery creature is contented with its allowance; the beasts with theirprovender,thebirdswiththeirnests;theyliveonlyuponprovidence.Andshallwemakeourselvesbelowthem?LetaChristiangotoschooltotheoxandthedonkeytolearncontentedness!Wethinkthatweneverhaveenough,andarealwaysstoringup."Lookatthebirdsoftheair;theydonot sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father

feedsthem.Areyounotmuchmorevaluablethanthey?"(Mat.6:26)ItisanmotivewhichChrist brings tomakeChristians contentedwith theircondition; thebirdsdonot storeup—yet theyareprovided for,andarecontented.Butifyouarediscontented,youaremuchworsethantheyare.Lettheseexamplesquickenus.

XII.Thetwelfthmotivetocontentmentis—WhateverafflictionortroubleachildofGodmeetswith—it isall thehellheshalleverhave!Whatever eclipsemay be upon his name or estate—it is alittle cloud which will soon be blown over—and then his hell is past.Deathbeginsawickedman'shell.Deathendsagodlyman'shell.Thinkwithyourself,"Whatismyaffliction?Itisbutatemporaryhell.Indeedifallmy hell is here on earth--it is but an easy hell.What is the cup ofaffliction,comparedtothecupofdamnation!"

Lazaruscouldnotgetacrumb;hewassodiseasedthatthedogstookpityonhim,andasiftheyhadbeenhisphysicians,lickedhissores.Butthiswasaneasyhell—theangelsquicklyfetchedhimoutofit!Ifallourhellisinthislife—andinthemidstofthishellwemayhavetheloveofGod,andthenitisnomorehell—butparadise!Ifallourhellishere,wemayseetotheendof it; it isbut skin-deep, it cannot touch the soul. It is a short-livedhell.Afteradrearynightofaffliction,comesthebrightmorningofglory!Sinceour livesareshort—ourtrialscannotbe long.Asourrichestakewingsandflyaway—sodooursufferings.Letuslearntobecontent,whateverourcircumstances.

XIII. The thirteenth motive to contentment is this—To havemuch of the world, and to lack contentment, is a greatjudgement.Foramantohaveahugestomach,thatwhateverfoodyougive him—he is still craving and is never satisfied—this is a greatjudgementupon theman!Likewise, youwho are a devourer ofmoney,and yet never have enough—but still cry, "give, give!" this is a sadjudgement!"Theyshalleat,andnothaveenough."(Ho.4:10)Thethroatofamaliciousman isanopensepulcher, (Ro.3:13) so is theheartofacovetousman.Covetousness isnotonlyasin—but thepunishmentofasin!Itisasecretcurseuponacovetousperson;heshallthirst,andthirst,andneverbesatisfied!"Whoeverlovesmoneyneverhasmoneyenough;whoeverloveswealthisneversatisfiedwithhisincome."(Ec.5:10)Andis

notthisacurse!

Itwasasevere judgementuponthepeopleofJudah,"Youhavefoodtoeat,butnotenoughtofillyouup.Youhavewinetodrink,butnotenoughtosatisfyyourthirst."(Haggai1:6)Oletustakeheedofthisplague!Didnot Esau say to his brother, "I have enough,my brother," (Gen. 33:9);and shall not a Christian say so much more. It is sad that our heartsshould be dead to heavenly things—that they are a sponge to suck inearthlyvanities!

Allthathasbeensaid,shouldbesufficienttoworkourmindstoheavenlycontentment.

ThreeCAUTIONS

Inthenextplace,Icometolaydownsomenecessarycautions.ThoughIsayamanshouldbecontentineveryestate—yettherearethreeestatesinwhichhemustnotbecontented.

I.HemustnotbecontentedinaNATURALestate.Herewemustlearnnottobecontent.

Asinnerinhisnaturalstate, isunderthewrathofGod, (John3:16)andshallhebecontentwhenthatdreadfulvialisabouttobepouredoutuponhim!Isitnothingtolieforeverunderthescorchingsofdivinefury?"Whocandwellwitheverlastingburnings!"

A sinner, as a sinner, isunderthepowerofSatan, (Ac. 26:18) andshallhebecontentinthisdreadfulstate!Whowouldbecontentedtostayintheenemies'quarters?Whilewesleepinthelapofsin,thedevildoesto us as the Philistines did to Samson— he cut out the lock of ourstrength,andputoutoureyes!Benot content,O sinner, in this estate!Foramantobeindebt,bodyandsoul;infeareveryhourtobearrestedand carried prisoner to hell—shall he now be content? Here I preachagainstcontentment.Ohgetoutofthiscondition!Iwouldhastenyououtof it—as theangelhastened lotoutofSodom; (Gen. 19:15)There is thesmellofthefireandbrimstoneuponyou!

Thelongeramanstaysinhissin,themoredoessinstrengthen.Itishard to get out of sin, when the heart as a garrison is supplied andfortifiedbysin.Ayoungtreeiseasilyremoved—butwhenthetreeisoncerooted,thereisnostirringofit.Justso,youwhoarerootedinyourpride,unbelief, impenitency, itwill cost youmany a hard pull before you arepluckedoutofyournaturalestate!(Jer.6:16)Itisahardthingtohaveabrazenfaceandabrokenheart!"Hetravailswithiniquity;"(Psalm7:14)be assured, the longer you travail with your sins, the more and thesharperpangsyoumustexpectinthenewbirth.Obenotcontentedwithyour natural estate! David says, "why are you cast down, Omy soul?"(Psalm 43:5) But a sinner should say to himself, why are you notdisquieted,Omysoul?Whyisitthatyoulayafflictionssotoheart,andcannotlaysintoheart?Itisamercywhenwearedisquietedaboutsin.Amanhadbetterbeatthetroubleofsettingabone,thantobelame,andinpainallhislife.BlessedisthattroublethatbringsthesoultoChrist!Itisoneoftheworstsightstoseeabadconsciencequiet.Ofthetwo,betterisa fever than a lethargy. I wonder to see a man in his natural estatecontent.What!contenttogotohell!

II. Though, in regard of externals, a man should be in every estatecontent—yethemustnotbecontentissuchaconditionwhereinGodisapparentlydishonored.Ifaman'stradebesuchthathemusttrespassuponacommandofGod,andsomakea tradeofsin—hemustnot content himself in such a condition; God never called any man tosuchacallingasissinful;amaninthiscase,hadbetterlosesomeofhisgain, so hemay lessen some of his guilt. So, for servantswho live in aprofanefamily—thesuburbsofhell—wherethenameofGodisnotcalledupon,unlesswhenitistakeninvain—theyarenottocontentthemselvesinsuchaplace,theyaretocomeoutofthetentsofthesesinners;thereisadoubledangerinlivingamongtheprofane.

1. Lest we come to be infected with the poison of their evilexample.Joseph,livinginPharaoh'scourt,hadlearnedtoswear"bythelifeofPharaoh."(Ge.42:15)Wearepronetosuckinexample:mentakeindeeperimpressionsbytheeye—thantheear.Diveswasabadpattern,and he had many brethren that seeing him sin, trod just in his steps,thereforesayshe,"Ibegyoutosendhimtomyfather’shouse—becauseI

havefivebrothers—towarnthem,sotheywon’talsocometothisplaceoftorment!" (Lu. 16:27,28)Divesknewwhichway theywent. It is easytocatch a disease from another—but not to catch health. The bad willsooner corrupt the good—than the good will convert the bad. Take anequal quantity andproportion, somuch sweetwinewith somuch sourvinegar;thevinegarwillsoonersourthewinethanthewinewillsweetenthevinegar.

Siniscomparedtotheplague,(1Ki.8:37)andto leaven,(1Cor.5:7)toshowofwhataspreadingnatureitis.Abadmastermakesabadservant.Wedoasweseeothersdobeforeus,especiallythosewhoareaboveus.Ifthehead issick, theotherpartsof thebodyaredistempered.If thesunshinesnotuponthemountains,itmustneedssetinthevalleys.Wepray,"lead us not into temptation!" Lot was the world's miracle, who kepthimselffresh,inSodom'ssaltwater.

2. By living in an evil family, we are liable to incur theirpunishment. "Pour out Your wrath on the families that don’t call onYourname."(Jer.10:25)Forlackofpouringoutofprayer,thewrathofGodwas ready to be poured out! It is dangerous living in the tents ofKedar.WhenGodsendshisflyingscroll,writtenwithinandwithoutwithcurses, it enters into the house of the thief and the perjurer, "andconsumes the timber and the stones thereof." (Ze. 5:4) Is it not of sadconsequencetoliveinaprofanefamily,whenthesinofthemasterpullshishouseabouthisears?Ifthestonesandtimberbedestroyed,howshalltheservantescape?AndsupposeGoddoesnotsendatemporalscrollofcurses in the family, there is a spiritual scroll, and that is worse. "TheLord’scurse isonthehouseholdof thewicked!"(Proverbs3:33)Benotcontenttolivewherereligiondies.

"Salute the brethren, and Nymphas, and the church which is in hishouse."(Col.4:15)Thehouseofthegodlyisalittlechurch—butthehouseof thewicked isa littlehell. (Proverbs 7:27)Oh, incorporateyourselvesintoapiousfamily;thehouseofagodlymanisperfumedwithablessing."TheLord’scurse isonthehouseholdof thewicked,butHeblessesthehome of the righteous." (Proverbs 3:33)When the holy oil of grace ispouredonthehead,thesavorofthisointmentsweetlydiffusesitself,andthevirtueof it runsdownupontheskirtsof the family.Piousexamples

areverymagneticandforcible.Senecasaidtohissister,"thoughIleaveyounotwealth—yetIleaveyouagoodexample."Letusingraftourselvesamongthesaints.Bybeingoftenamongthespices—wecometopartakeoftheirfragrance.

III.Thethirdcautionis,thoughineveryconditionwemustbecontent—yetwearenottocontentourselveswithalittlegrace.Grace is the best blessing. Though we should be contented with acompetencyofestate—yetnotwithacompetencyofgrace.ItwastheendofChrist'sascension toheaven, togivegifts;and theendof thosegifts,"thatwemaygrowupintohiminallthingswhoisthehead,evenChrist.(Ep.4:15)Where theapostledistinguishesbetweenourbeing inChrist,andourgrowing inhim;ourmaturing, andour flourishing.Donotbecontentwithalittlepiety.

Itisnotenoughthatthereislife—buttheremustbefruit.Barrenness inthe law was accounted a curse: the further we are from the fruit, thenearerwearetocursing.(He.6:8)Itisasadthingwhenmenarefruitfulonly in theunfruitfulworksofdarkness.Benotcontentwithagrainortwoofgrace."MyFatherisglorifiedbythis:thatyouproducemuchfruitand prove to beMy disciples." (John 15:8) O covet more grace! neverthinkyouhaveenough.Wearebidtocovetthebestthings.(1Cor.12:31)Itisaheavenlyambition,whenwedesiretobehighinGod'sfavor.Itisablessedcontentmentwhenallthestrifeis"whoshallbemostholy".Paul,though he was content with a little of the world—yet not with a littlegrace."Idonotconsidermyselftohavetakenholdofit.ButonethingIdo: forgettingwhat is behind and reaching forward towhat is ahead, Ipursue asmy goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in ChristJesus." (Ph. 3:13,14) A true Christian is a wonder; he is the mostcontented—andyet the least satisfied.He is contentedwithamorsel ofbread,andalittlewaterinthecruise—yetneversatisfiedwithhisgrace;he pants and breathes after more. This is his prayer, "Lord, moreconformitytoChrist,morecommunionwithChrist!"Hewouldsincerelyhave Christ's image more lively pictured upon his soul. True grace isalwaysprogressive.Asthesaintsarecalledlampsandstars,inregardoftheir light—so they are called treesof righteousness, (Is. 61:3) for theirgrowth.Theyareindeedlikethetreeoflife,bringingforthseveralsortsof

fruit.

A trueChristian grows inbeauty. Grace is the best complexion of thesoul;itisatthefirstplantation,likeRachel,fairtolookupon;butstillthemoreit lives,themoreitsendsforthitsraysofbeauty.Abraham'sfaithwasatfirstbeautiful;butatlastdidshineinitsorientcolors,andgrewsoillustrious, that God himself was in love with it, andmakes his faith apatterntoallbelievers.

A true Christian grows in sweetness. A poisonous weedmay grow asmuchasthecorn;buttheonehasaharshsourtaste,theothermellowsasitgrows.Ahypocritemaygrowinoutwarddimensions,asmuchasachildofGod,hemayprayasmuch,professasmuch:buthegrowsonlyinmagnitude,hebringsforthonlysourgrapes,hisdutiesareleavenedwithpride; the other ripens as he grows; he grows in love, humility, faith,whichdomellowandsweetenhisduties,andmakethemcomeoffwithabetter relish.Thebelievergrowsas the flower,hecastsa fragrancyandperfume.

A true Christian grows in strength: he grows still more rooted andsettled.Themorethetreegrows,themoreitspreadsitsrootintheearth:aChristianwhoisaplantoftheheavenlyJerusalem,thelongerhegrows,themore he incorporates into Christ, and sucks spiritual juice and sapfromhim.He is adwarf in regardofhumility—buta giant in regardofstrength—heisstrongtododuties,tobearburdens,resisttemptations.

Hegrowsintheexerciseofhisgrace;hehasnotonlyoilinhislamp—buthis lamp is also burning and shining.Grace is agile anddexterous.Christ'svines flourish; (Ca.6:11)hencewe readof "a livelyhope, (1Pe.1:3)and"aferventlove;"(1Pe.1:22)hereistheactivityofgrace.Indeedsometimes grace is a sleepy habit of the soul, like sap in the vine, notexertingitsvigor,whichmaybeoccasionedthroughspiritualsloth,orbyreasonoffallingintosomesin;butthisisonlyforawhile:thespringofgracewill come, "the flowerswill appear, and the fig-tree put forthhergreenfigs."ThefreshgalesoftheSpiritsweetlyreviveandnourishgrace.The church of Christ, whose heart was a garden, and her graces aspreciousspices,prays for theheavenlybreathingsof theSpirit, thathersacredspicesmightflowout.(Ca.6:16)

AtrueChristiangrowsbothinthekindandinthedegreeofgrace.Tohisspirituallivinghegetsanaugmentation,"Makeeveryefforttoaddtoyourfaithgoodness;andtogoodness,knowledge;andtoknowledge,self-control;andtoself-control,perseverance;andtoperseverance,godliness;andtogodliness,brotherlykindness;andtobrotherlykindness,love.Forif youpossess thesequalities in increasingmeasure, theywill keep youfrombeing ineffectiveandunproductive inyourknowledgeofourLordJesusChrist."(2Pe.1:5-8)Hereisgracegrowinginitskind.Andhegoeson"fromfaith to faith;" (Ro. 1:17) there isgracegrowing in thedegree;"weareboundtothankGodalwaysforyou,brethren,becauseyourfaithgrowsexceedingly;"(2Th.1:3)itincreasesoverandabove.

Theapostlespeaksofthosespiritualplantswhichwereladenwithgospel-fruit. (Ph. 1:11) A Christian is compared to the vine, (an emblem offruitfulness)hemustbearfullclusters:wearebidtoperfectthatwhichislackinginourfaith.(1Th.3:10)AChristianmustneverbesooldastobepastbearing;hebringsforthfruitinhisoldage.(Psalm92:14)Aheaven-bornplant is evergrowing;henever thinkshegrowsenough;he isnotcontentunlessheaddseverydaytohisspiritualstature.Wemustnotbecontentjustwithsomuchgraceaswillkeeplifeandsoultogether,agrainortwowillnotsuffice—butwemustbestillincreasing,"withtheincreaseof God." (Col. 2:19)We had need renew our strength as the eagle. (Is.40:31)Oursinsarerenewed,ourtemptationsarerenewed,ourneedsarerenewed—andshallnotourstrengthberenewed?Obenotcontentwithgrace in its infancy!You look fordegreesofglory,beChristiansofhighdegrees.Thoughabeliever shouldbe contentedwith a little estate—yetnotwithalittlepiety.AChristianoftherightbreed, laborsstilltoexcelhimself,andcomenearertothatholinessinGod,whoistheoriginal,thepattern,andprototypeofallholiness.

Showing how a Christian may know whether he haslearnedthisDivineArtofContentment

Thushavinglaiddownthesethreecautions,Iproceed,inthenextplace,to anuse of trial.Howmay aChristian know that he has learned thislessonof contentment? I shall laydown somecharactersbywhich you

shallknowit.

1.A contented spirit is SILENTwhenunder afflictions. "I wassilent; Iwould not openmymouth, for You are the onewhohas donethis!" (Psalm39:9)Contentment silencesalldispute: "he sitsaloneandkeepssilence."(La.3:28)

There is a sinful silence—when God is dishonored, his truth wounded,andmenhold theirpeace, thissilence isa loudsin.And there isaholysilence—when the soul sits down quiet and content with its condition.WhenSamueltellsElithatdreadfulmessagefromGod,"thatjudgmentiscomingforhisfamily,"(1Sa.3:13,14)doesElimurmurordispute?No!hehasnot oneword to say againstGod: "It is the Lord'swill. Let himdowhathethinksbest."AdiscontentedspiritsaysasPharaoh,"whois theLord?"whyshouldIsufferallthis?whyshouldIbebroughtintothislowcondition?"whoistheLord?"Butagraciousheartsays,asEli,""ItistheLord'swill.Lethimdowhathethinksbest."WhenNadabandAbihu,thesonsofAaron,hadofferedupstrange fire,and firewent fromtheLordanddevouredthem,(Le.10:1) isAaronnowinapassionofdiscontent?No! "Aaron held his peace." A contented spirit is never angry—unlesswith himself for having hard thoughts ofGod.When Jonah said, "I dowelltobeangry,"thiswasnotacontentedspirit, itwasnotfittingforaprophet.

2. A contented spirit is a CHEERFUL spirit. Contentment issomething more than patience; for patience denotes only submission,contentment denotes cheerfulness. A contented Christian is more thanpassive; he does not only bear the cross—but takeup the cross. (Mat.6:24)He looksuponGodasawiseGod;andwhateverhedoes, it is inordertoacure.HencethecontentedChristian ischeerful,andwiththeapostle,"Idelightinweaknesses,ininsults,inhardships,inpersecutions,indifficulties."(2Cor.12:10)HedoesnotonlysubmittoGod'sdealings—butrejoicesinthem!Hedoesnotonlysay,"justistheLordinallthathasbefallenme," but "good is the Lord." This is to be contented. A sullenmelancholy ishateful toGod.It issaid,"Godlovesacheerfulgiver,"(2Cor.9:7)yesandGodlovesacheerfulliver!WearebidinScripture,"nottobeanxious,"butwearenotbidnottobecheerful.Hewhoiscontentedwithhiscondition,doesnotabateofhisspiritualjoy;andindeedhehas

thatwithinhimwhichisthegroundofcheerfulness;hecarriesapardonsealedinhisheart!(Mat.9:2)

3.AcontentedspiritisaTHANKFULspirit.Thisisadegreeabovecheerfulness;"ineverythinggivingthanks."(1Th.5:18)Agraciousheartspies mercy in every condition, therefore has his heart pitched up tothankfulness.OtherswillblessGodforprosperity—butheblesseshimforaffliction.Thushereasonswithhimself;amIinneed?Godseesitbetterformetolackthantoabound;Godisnowdietingme,heseesitbetterformyspiritualhealth sometimes tobekept fasting; thereforehedoesnotonlysubmit—butisthankful.Themalcontent isevercomplainingofhiscondition; the contented spirit is ever giving thanks. O what height ofgraceisthis!AcontentedheartisatemplewherethepraisesofGodaresungforth—notasepulcherwhereintheyareburied.

AcontentedChristian in thegreateststraits,hashisheart enlargedanddilatedinthankfulness;heoftencontemplatesGod'sloveinelection—heseesthatheisamonumentofmercy,thereforedesirestobeapatternofpraise.There isalwaysthankfulmusic inacontentedsoul; theSpiritofgrace works in the heart like new wine, which under the heaviestpressuresofsorrow,willhaveaventopenforthankfulness:thisistobecontent.

4.Hewhoiscontent,noconditioncomesamisstohim;soitisinthetext,"inwhateverconditionIam."AChristianshouldbecontentinany and every situation; either to lack or abound. The people of Israelknewneitherhowtoabound,noryethowtolack;whentheywereinneedtheymurmured;"canGodprepareatableinthewilderness?"andwhentheyate,andwerefilled, thenthey lifteduptheheel.Paulknewhowtomanageeverystate;hecouldbeeitheranotehigherorlower;hewasinthis sense an universalist, he learned to be content whatever thecircumstances.Ifhewasinprosperity,heknewhowtobethankful.Ifhewasinadversity,heknewhowtobepatient;hewasneitherliftedupwiththeone,norcastdownwiththeother.

ThusacontentedChristianknowshowtorespondtoanycondition.Wehave thosewho can be contented in some conditions—but not in everyestate; they can be content in a wealthy estate, when they have the

streamsofmilkandhoney;whileGodscandleshinesupontheirhead—now they are content—but if the wind turns and is against them—nowtheyarediscontented.Whiletheyhaveasilvercrutchtoleanupon—theyarecontented;butifGodbreaksthiscrutch—nowtheyarediscontented.ButPaulhadlearnedineveryestatetocarryhimselfwithanequanimityofmind.Otherscouldbecontentwiththeiraffliction—ifGodwouldallowthemtopickandchoose.Theycouldbecontent tobearsuchacrossoftheirchoosing; they could better endure sickness thanpoverty; or bearlossofestatethanlossofchildren;iftheymighthaveacrossoftheirownchoosing—theywouldbe content.A contentedChristiandoesnot go tochoosehiscross—butleavesGodtochooseforhim;heiscontentbothforthekindof theafflictionandthedurationof theaffliction.A contentedspiritsays,"letGodapplywhatevermedicinehepleases,andletitlieonaslongasitwill;Iknowwhenithasdoneitscure,andeatenthevenomofsinoutofmyheart,Godwilltakeitaway."

In a word, a contented Christian, being sweetly captivated under theauthority of the Word, desires to be wholly at God's disposal, andcheerfullylivesinwhatevercircumstancesthatGodhasplacedhimin.

5.Hewhoiscontentedwithhiscondition—toridhimselfoutoftrouble,willnot turnhimself intosin. Idenynotbut aChristianmay lawfully seek to change his condition: so far as God's providencegoesbefore,hemayfollow.Butwhenmenwillnotfollowprovidencebutrunbeforeit,ashewhosaid,"thisevilisoftheLord,whyshouldIwaitanylonger.(2Ki.6:33)IfGoddoesnotopenthedoorofhisprovidence,they will break it open—and wind themselves out of affliction by sin;bringingtheirsoulsintotrouble!Thisisfarfromholycontentment,thisisunbeliefbrokenintorebellion.AcontentedChristianiswillingtowaitGod's leisure, and will not stir until God opens a door. The contentedChristiansays,withreverence,"Godhascastmeintothiscondition;andthoughitissad,andtroublesome,yetIwillnotstir,untilGodbyaclearprovidence fetchesmeout."Thus thosebrave spiritedChristians; "theyaccepted not deliverance," (He. 11:35) that is, upon base dishonorableterms. Theywould rather stay in prison, thanpurchase their libertybycarnalcompliance.

Estius observes on the place, "they might not only have had their

enlargements—butbeenraisedtohonor,andputintoofficesoftrust—yetthehonorofChristwasdearertothem,thaneither libertyorhonor."Acontented Christian will not remove, until as the Israelites, he sees apillarof cloudand firegoingbeforehim. "It is good thatamanshouldbothhope,andquietlywaitforthesalvationoftheLord."(La.3:26)ItisgoodtowaitGod'sleisure—andnottoextricateourselvesoutoftrouble—untilweseethestarofGod'sprovidencepointingoutawaytous!

AChristianDirectory,orRULESaboutContentment.

Iproceednowtoanuseofdirection,toshowChristianshowtheymayattaintothisdivineartofcontentment.Certainlyit isfeasible,othersofGod'ssaintshavereachedtoit.Paulherehadit;andwhatdowethinkofthose we read of, in that little book ofmartyrs, (Hebrews 11)who hadtrialsofcruelmockingsandscourgings,whowanderedabout indesertsandcaves—yetwerecontented.Itispossibletoattaintothisdivineartofcontentment.AndhereIshalllaydownsomerulesforholycontentment.

Rule1.AdvanceFAITH.Allourdisquietsissuefromunbelief.Itisthiswhichraisesthestormofdiscontentintheheart.Osetfaitha-work!Itisthepropertyoffaithtosilenceourdoubtings,toscatterourfears,tostillthe heart when the passions are up. Faith works the heart to a sweetserene composure. It isnothaving fancy foodand raiment—but havingfaith, which will make us content. Faith chides down passion. Whenreason begins to sink—let faith swim! How does faith workcontentment?

1.Faithshowsthesoulthatwhateveritstrialsare—thattheyareallfromthehandofalovingheavenlyfather.Itisindeedabittercup—but"shallInotdrinkthecupwhichmyfatherhasgivenmetodrink?"Faithshowsthesoul thatwhatever its trialsare—that theyareallsent in love tomysoul.Godcorrectsme,withthesamelovewithwhichhecrownsme;Godisnowtrainingmeupforheaven.Heisonlypolishinghis'jewels'.Thesesufferings bring forth patience, humility, even the peaceful fruits ofrighteousness.(He.12:11)AndifGodcanbringsuchsweetfruitoutofourstock, let him graft me wherever and however he pleases. Thus faith

bringsthehearttoholycontentment.

2.Faithsucksthehoneyofcontentmentoutof thehiveof thepromise.Christ is the vine, the promises are the clusters of grapes which growupon this vine, and faithpresses the sweetwine of contentmentout ofthesespiritualclustersof thepromises. Iwillshowyoubutonecluster,"the Lordwill givegraceandglory;" (Psalm 84:11) here is enough forfaithtoliveupon.Thepromiseisthefloweroutofwhichfaithdistillsthespirits andquintessence of divine contentment. In aword, faith carriesupthesoul,andmakesitaspireaftermoregenerousandnobledelightsthantheearthaffords,andtoliveintheworld—abovetheworld.Wouldyoulivecontentedlives?Liveuptotheheightofyourfaith.

Rule 2. Labor for ASSURANCE. O let us get a saving interestcleared, between God and our souls! O, if there is an interest worthlooking after, it is an interest betweenGod and the soul! Labor to say,"MyGod."Tobewithoutmoney,andwithout friends,andwithoutGodtoo,issad.Buthewhosefaithflourishesintoassurance,whocansay,"IknowwhomIhavebelieved!"(2Ti.1:2)thatmanhasenoughtogivehisheartcontentment.Whenaman'sdebtsarepaid,andhecangoabroadwithoutfearofbeingarrested,whatcontentmentisthis!O,letyourtitletoheavenbecleared!IfGodisours,whateverwelackinthecreature, isinfinitelymadeupinhim.DoIlackbread?IhaveChrist,thebreadoflife.AmIunderdefilement?hisblood is like the treesof thesanctuary;notonlyforfood—butmedicine.(Ez.47:12)Ifanythingintheworldbeworthlaboringfor,itistogetsoundevidences,thatGodisours.Ifthisisoncecleared,whatcancomeamiss?NomatterwhatstormsImeetwith—iitiswellwithme,solongthatIknowwheretoputinforharbor.HewhohasGodtobehisGod, issowellcontentedwithhiscondition, thathedoesnotmuchcarewhetherhehasanythingelse.

TorestinaconditionwhereapersoncannotsaythatGodishisGod, ismatterof fear. IfapersoncantrulysaythatGod ishisGod—andyet isnotcontented—this isamatterofshame. "Davidencouragedhimself intheLordhisGod." (1Sa.30:6) Itwas sadwithhim—hiscityburnt,hiswivestakencaptive,hisalllost,andlikelytohavelosthissoldiers'heartstoo, (for they spoke of stoning him,) yet he had the ground ofcontentmentwithinhim;asavinginterestinGod,andthiswasapillarof

supporttohisspirit.HewhoknowsGodishis,andallthatisinGodisforhisgood—ifthisdoesnotsatisfyhim,Iknownothingthatwill.

Rule 3. Get a HUMBLE spirit. The humble man is the contentedman;ifhisestateislow,hisheartislowerthanhisestate,thereforeheiscontent.Ifhisesteemintheworldislow—hewhoislittleinhisowneyeswillnotbemuchtroubledtobelittleintheeyesofothers.Hehasaloweropinionofhimself,thanotherscanhaveofhim.Thehumblemanstudieshis own unworthiness; he looks upon himself as "less than the least ofGod'smercies:" (Ge. 32:10) and thena littlewillcontent him!He criesoutwithPaul,thatheisthechiefofsinners,(1Ti.1:15)thereforedoesnotmurmur—butadmire.Hedoesnotcomplainthathiscomfortsaresmall.Hethinksitismercy,thatheisoutofhell,thereforeheiscontented.Hedoes not go to carve out amore happy condition to himself; he knowsthattheworstpiecewhichGodcutsforhim—isbetterthanhedeserves.

A proudman is never contented; he is one that has a high opinion ofhimself; therefore under small blessings, he is disdainful; and undersmallcrosses,heisimpatient.Thehumblespiritisthecontentedspirit;ifhiscrossislight—hereckonsittheinventoryofhismercies;ifhiscrossisheavy—yet he takes it upon his knees, knowing thatwhen his estate isworse, it is to make him the better. Where you lay humility for thefoundation,contentmentwillbethesuperstructure.

Rule 4. Keep a clear CONSCIENCE. Contentment is the mannawhichislaidupinthearkofagoodconscience!Otakeheedofindulginginanysin!Itisasnaturalforguilttobreeddisquiet—asforputridmattertobreedvermin.SinliesasJonahintheship,itraisesatempest.Ifdustorsplintershavegottenintotheeye,theymaketheeyewater,andcauseasorenessinit;iftheeyebeclear,thenitisfreefromthatsoreness.Justso, ifsinhasgotten into theconscience,which isas theeyeof thesoul,thengriefanddisquietbreedthere.Keeptheeyeofconscienceclear—andall iswell.WhatSolomon says of a good stomach, Imay say of a goodconscience, "to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet." (Proverbs27:7) So to a good conscience, every bitter thing is sweet; it can pickcontentmentoutofthecross!AgoodconscienceturnsthebitterwatersofMarahintosweetwine.

Wouldyouhaveaquietheart?Getasmilingconscience.Idonotwonderto hear Paul say that hewas content in every situation,whenhe couldmake that triumph, "I have lived in all good conscience to this day!"Whenonceaman'sreckoningsareclear,itmustneedsletinabundanceofcontentmentintotheheart.Goodconsciencecansuckcontentmentoutof the bitterest slanders; "our rejoicing is this, the testimony of ourconscience." (2Cor. 1:12) In caseof imprisonment,Paulhadhisprisonsongs, and couldplay the sweet lessons of contentment, when his feetwere in the stocks! (Ac. 16:25) Augustine calls contentment, "theparadiseofagoodconscience!"Andifitisso—theninprisonwemaybeinparadise!Whenthetimesaretroublesome,agoodconsciencemakesacalm.Ifconsciencebeclear,whatthoughthedaysarecloudy?

Isitnotacontentmenttohaveafriendalwaysbytospeakagoodwordforus?Sucha friend isconscience.Agoodconscience,asDavid'sharp,drivesawaytheevilspiritofdiscontent.Whenanxiousthoughtsbegintoarise,andtheheart isdisquieted,consciencesays toaman,asthekingdid to Nehemiah, "Why is your countenance sad?" So says conscience,"HavenotyoutheseedofGodinyou?arenotyouanheirofthepromise?have not you a treasure which can never be plundered? Why is yourcountenance sad?" O keep conscience clear—and you shall never lackcontentment! For a man to keep the pipes of his body—the veins andarteries—free from colds and obstructions, is the best way tomaintainhealth. Just so, to keep conscience clear, and to preserve it from theobstructions of guilt—is the best way to maintain contentment. First,conscienceispure—andthenpeaceable.

Rule5.LearntoDENYyourselves.Lookwelltoyouraffections,andbridle them in. Do two things: mortify your desires; moderate yourdelights.

1. Mortify your desires.We must not be of the dragon's temper,which,theysay—issothirsty,thatnowaterwillquenchitsthirst."Puttodeath the sinful, earthly things lurkingwithin you.Have nothing to dowith sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires." (Col. 3:5) Ourdesires, when they are inordinate, are evil. Crucify your desires—be asdeadmen—adeadmanhasnoappetite!

HowshouldaChristianmartyrhisdesires?

(1.)Getarightjudgmentofthethingsherebelow;theyarepoorbeggarlythings."Donotwearyourselfouttogetrich;havethewisdomtoshowrestraint.Castbutaglanceatriches,andtheyaregone,fortheywillsurelysproutwingsandflyofftotheskylikeaneagle"(Proverbs23:4-5)Theappetitemustbeguidedbyreason.Theaffectionsarethefeetofthesoul;thereforetheymustfollowthejudgment,notleadit.

(2.) Often seriouslymeditate ofmortality. Death will soon croptheseflowerswhichwedelightin;andpulldownthefabricofourbodieswhichwesogarnishandbeautify.Think,whenyouare lockingupyourmoneyinyourchest—thatyoushallshortlybelockedupinyourcoffin!

2.Moderateyourdelights.Donotsetyourhearttoomuchuponanycreaturecomfort.Whatweover-love,weshallover-grieve.Rachelsetherhearttoomuchuponherchildren,andwhenshehadlostthem,shelostherselftoo!Suchaveinofgriefwasopened,ascouldnotbestaunched,"she refused to be comforted." Here was discontent. When we let anycreature creature lie too near our heart—when God pulls away thatcomfort—a piece of our heart is torn awaywith it! Toomuch fondnessends in frowardness. Those who would be content in the lack ofcomforts, must be moderate in the enjoyment of comforts. Jonathandipped the rod in honey—he did not thrust it in. Let us take heed ofengulfing ourselves in pleasure! It is better have a spare diet, than, byhavingtoomuch,toglutourselves.

Rule 6. Getmuch ofHEAVEN into your heart. "You satisfy memorethantherichestoffoods.(Psalm63:5)Spiritualthingstrulysatisfy!Themorethatheavenisinus—thelessearththatwillcontentus.Hewhohas once tasted the love of God, his thirst is much quenched towardsearthly things. The joys of God's Spirit are heart-filling and heart-cheering joys; hewhohas these, hasheavenbegun inhim! (Ro. 14:27)And shall not we be content to be in heaven? O get a heavenly heart!"Seekthosethingswhichareabove."(Col.3:1)Flyaloftinyouraffections,thirst after the graces and comforts of the Spirit! The eaglewhich flieshigh in the air, does not fear the stinging of the serpent. The serpentcreeps on his belly, and stings only such creatures as creep upon the

earth.

Rule7.Looknotsomuchonthedarksideofyourcondition,asonthebrightside.Godchequershisprovidences,whiteandblack—asthepillarofthecloudhaditslightsideanddarkside.Lookonthelightsideoftheestate;wholooksonthebacksideofalandscape?Supposeyouhave lostmuch ina law-suit—there is thedarkside;yetyouhavesomelandleft—thereisthelightside.Youhavesicknessinyourbody—thereisthedarkside;butyoualsohavegraceinyoursoul—thereisthelightside.Youhaveachildtakenaway—thereisthedarkside;yourhusbandlives—there is the light side. God's providences in this life are variouslyrepresentedbythosespeckledhorsesamongthemyrtle-treeswhichwerered and white. (Ze. 1:1)Mercies and afflictions are interwoven—Godspeckleshiswork.

"O,"saysone,"Ilacksuchacomfort!"Butweighallyourmercies inthebalance—andthatwillmakeyoucontent.Ifamanlackedafinger,wouldhebesodiscontentedforthelossofthat,asnottobethankfulforalltheother parts and joints of his body? Look on the light side of yourcondition,andthenallyourdiscontentswilleasilydissolve.Donotporeuponyourlosses—butponderuponyourmercies.What!Wouldyouhaveno afflictionsat all—and only all good things?Would you have no evilaboutyou—whohassomuchevil inyou?Youarenot fullysanctified inthislife—howthenthinkyoutobefullysatisfiedinthis life?Never lookforperfectionofcontentment,untilthereisperfectionofgrace.

Rule 8. Consider in what a POSTURE we stand here in theworld.

1.Weareinamilitarycondition—wearesoldiers, (2Ti.2:3)Asoldieriscontentwithanything.Thoughhehasnothisstatelyhouse,hisrich furniture,his softbed,his full table—yethedoesnot complain;hecan lie on straw as well as down; he minds not his lodging—but histhoughts run upon dividing the spoil, and the garland of honor whichshall be set upon his head. For hope of this, is he content to run anyhazard, and endure any hardship.Would it not be absurd to hear himcomplain,thathelackssuchprovisionandisdiscontenttolieoutinthefields?AChristianisamilitaryperson,hefightstheLord'sbattles,heis

Christ'sensignbearer.Now,what thoughheendureshard fate,andthebullets fly about him? He fights for a crown—and therefore must becontent!

2. We are in a nomadic condition—we are pilgrims andtravelers. A man who is in a strange country, is contented withanything.Thoughhehasnot that respector attendancewhichhe looksforathome,noriscapableoftheprivilegesandamenitiesofthatplace—he is content.He knows, when he comes into his own country, he haslandstoinherit,andthereheshallhavehonorandrespect.SoitiswithachildofGod,heisinapilgrimcondition;"Iamastrangerwithyou,andasojourner,asallmyfatherswere!"(Psalm39:12)ThereforeletaChristianbecontent;he is intheworld—butnotoftheworld:he isbornofGod,andisacitizenoftheNewJerusalem!(He.12:22)Therefore,though"hehungersandthirsts,andhasnocertaindwelling-place,"(1Cor.4:11)yethe must be content: it will be better—when he comes into his owncountry.

3.We are in a mendicant condition—we are beggars. We beg atheaven'sgate,"giveusthisdayourdailybread."WeliveuponGod'salms,therefore must be content with anything. A beggar must not pick andchoose—he is contented with the scraps. Oh, why do you who are abeggar,murmur?Oh,whydoyouwhoarefedoutofthealms-basketofGod'sprovidence,murmur?

Rule9.Donot letyourhopedependuponEXTERNALthings.Donotleanuponsandypillars.Weoftenbuildourcomfortuponsuchafriendorestate—andwhenthatpropisremoved—allourjoyisgone,andourheartsbegineithertofailorfret!Alamemanleansonhiscrutches—and if they break, he is undone! Let not your contentment go uponcrutches, which may soon fail. The ground of contentment must bewithinyourself.TheGreekwordwhichisusedforcontentment,signifiesself-sufficiency.AChristianhasthatwithinhim—whichisabletosupporthim—thatstrengthoffaith,andgoodhopethroughgrace,asbearsuphisheart in the deficiency of outward comforts. The philosophers of old,whentheirestatesweregone—yetcouldtakecontentmentinthegoodsofthemind—learningandvirtue.AndshallnotabelievermuchmoreinthegracesoftheSpirit,thatrichenamelandembroideryofthesoul!Saywith

yourself,"iffriendsleaveme,ifrichestakewings—yetIhavethatwithinme,whichcomfortsme—aheavenlytreasure!Whentheblossomsofmyestateareblownoff,still there is thesapofcontentment, in therootofmyheart!IhavestillasavinginterestinGod,andthatinterestcannotbebrokenoff!"Oneverplaceyourfelicityinthesepoorandbeggarlythingsherebelow!

Rule 10.Letusoften compareour condition.Make this fivefoldcomparison.

1.Letuscompareourconditionandourdeserttogether. Ifwehavenotwhatwedesire—wehavemorethanwedeserve.Forourmercies—wehavedeservedless.Forourafflictions—wehavedeservedmore.

First.InregardofourMERCIES—wehavedeservedless.Whatcanwedeserve?CanamanbeprofitabletotheAlmighty?Weliveuponfree grace! Alexander gave a great gift to one of his subjects; themanbeingmuchtakenwithit,said,"thisismorethanIamworthyof!""Idonotgiveyouthis,"saidtheking,"becauseyouareworthyofit—butIgiveagift likeAlexander!"Whateverwehave isnotmerit—butbounty! TheleastbitofbreadismorethanGodowestous!Wecanbringfaggotstoourownburning—butnotoneflowertothegarlandofoursalvation.Hewhohastheleastmercy—willdieinGod'sdebt!

Secondly. In regard of our AFFLICTIONS—we have deservedmore."youhavepunisheduslessthanouriniquitiesdeserve.(Ex.9:13)Is our condition sad? We have deserved it should be worse. Has Godtakenawayourestatefromus?HemighthavetakenawayChristfromus.Has he thrown us intoprison?Hemight have thrownus into hell!Hemightaswelldamnus,aswhipus!Thisshouldmakeuscontented.

2.Letuscompareourconditionwithothers—andthiswillmakeuscontent.Welookat themwhoareaboveus, letus lookat themwhoarebelowus;wecanseeoneinhissilks,anotherinhissackcloth;onehasafullcupofthechoicestwinewrungouttohim,anotherisminglinghisdrinkwithtears.Howmanypalefacesdowebehold,whompovertyhasbroughtintoacomsumption!Thinkofthis—andbecontent.

It is worse with them, who perhaps deserve better than we—and arehigherinGod'sfavor.AmIinprison?WasnotDanielinaworseplace—thelion'sden!DoIliveinapoorcottage?lookonthosewhoarebanishedfromtheircottages.Wereadoftheprimitivesaints,"Someweremocked,and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained indungeons. Some died by stoning, and somewere sawed in half; otherswerekilledwiththesword.Somewentaboutinskinsofsheepandgoats,hungryandoppressedandmistreated."(He.11:37,38)

Have you a gentle illness? look on those who are tormented with thestone, the gout, cancer etc. Others of God's children have had greaterafflictions, and have borne them better than we. Daniel fed only uponvegetablesanddrankonlywater—yetwasfairerthantheywhoateoftheking's portion. (Dan. 1:15) Some Christians who have been in a lowercondition,whohavehadonlybreadandwater,havebeenmorepatientand contented, than we who enjoy abundance. Do others rejoice inaffliction—and do we repine? Can they take up their cross and walkcheerfullyunderit—anddoweunderalightercrossmurmur?

3.LetuscompareourconditionwithChrist'scondition,whenHewasuponearth.Whatapoor,baseconditionwasHepleasedtobeinforus!Hewascontentedwithanything."ForyouknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,thatthoughHewasrich—yetforoursakeshebecamepoor!" (2 Cor. 8:9)He could have brought down a house from heavenwithhim,ortakenthehighplacesoftheearth—buthewascontentedtobeinthewine-press,thatwemightbeinthewine-cellar;andtolivepoorthatwemightbeeternallyrich!Thefeedingtroughwashiscradle,andthecobwebswerehiscanopy.Hewhoisnowpreparingmansionsforusin heaven—had none for himself on earth, "he had nowhere to lay hishead."Christ tookuponhimthe formofaservant. (Ph.2:7)WedonotreadnotthatHehadanymoney.Whenheneededmoney,hehadtoworkamiracleforit.(Mat.17:27)JesusChristwasinalowcondition.Hewasneverhigh—butwhenhewas liftedupuponthecross,andthatwashisgreatest humility! He was content to live poor—and die cursed! OcompareyourconditionwithHis—andlearntobecontent!

4. Let us compare our present condition—with what it onceWAS—andthiswillmakeuscontent.

First,LetuscompareourSPIRITUALestatewithwhat itwasonce.Whatwerewe—whenwelayinourblood?Wewereheirstohell,having no right to pluck one leaf from the tree of promise! It was aChristlessandhopelesscondition!(Ep.2:12)ButnowGodhascutoffourdestinyofhellanddamnation.Hehastakenyououtofthewildolivetreeofnature—andengraftedyouintoChrist,makingyoulivingbranchesofthatlivingvine!Hehasnotonlycausedthelighttoshineuponyou—butintoyou, (2Cor. 6:6) andhasmade you anheir of all the privileges ofdivinesonship!Isnotthisenoughtomakethesoulcontent.

Secondly,LetuscompareourTEMPORALestatewithwhat itwasonce.Alas!Wehadnothingwhenwesteppedoutofthewomb;"forwebroughtnothingintothisworld."(1Ti.6:7)Ifwehavenotthatwhichwe now desire—we have more than we brought with us! We broughtnothingwithus—butsin!Othercreaturesbringsomethingwiththemintotheworld;thelambbringswool,thesilk-wormsilk,etc.Butwebroughtnothingwithus—but sin!What if our condition at present is low? It isbetter than it was once; therefore, having food and clothing, let us becontent.Whateverwehave,God'sprovidence fetches ituntous!And ifwe loseall—yetwehaveasmuchaswebroughtwithus!ThiswaswhatmadeJobcontent,"NakedIcameoutofmymother'swomb!"(Job1:21)As if he had said, though God has taken away all from me—yet whyshould Imurmur? I amas richas Iwaswhen I came into theworld! IhaveasmuchleftasIbroughtwithme;nakedIcameIhither!ThereforeblessedbethenameoftheLord.

5.Letuscompareourpresentcondition—withwhat itshortlySHALL BE. There is a time shortly coming, when, if we had all theriches of the Indies, they would do us no good—wemust die, and cancarrynothingwithus.Sosaystheapostle,"Wedidn'tbringanythingwithuswhenwecameintotheworld—andwecertainlycannotcarryanythingwith us when we die!" (1 Ti. 6:7) Therefore it follows, "So if we haveenoughfoodandclothing,letusbecontent."Opentherichman'sgrave—and see what is there—you may find the miser's bones—but not hisriches!Werewetoliveforeverhereonearth,orcouldwecarryourrichesintotheeternalworld—thenindeedwemightbediscontented,whenwelookuponouremptymoneybags.Butitisnotso;Godmaypresentlyseal

awarrantfordeathtoapprehendus—andwhenwedie,wecannotcarryourestatewithus!Honorandrichesdonotdescendintothegrave—whythen are we troubled at our outward condition? Why do we clotheourselveswithdiscontent?Olayupastockofgrace!Berichinfaithandgood works—these riches will follow us! (Re. 14:13) No other coin butgrace,willpasscurrentinheaven,silverandgoldwillnotgothere.LabortoberichtowardsGod,(Luke12:21)andasforotherthings,benotmuchconcerned—forweshallcarrynothingwithusintotheeternalworld!

Rule11.Donottobringyourconditiontoyourmind—butbringyour mind to your condition. The way for a Christian to becontented, isnotby raisinghis estatehigher—butbybringinghisheartlower! It is not bymaking hisbarnswider—but his heartnarrower. Awholekingdomwillnotcontentoneman;anothermanissatisfiedwithapoor hut.What is the difference?The one tries to satisfy his lusts—theother his necessity. The one thinks what hemay yet obtain—the otherwhathemayspare.

Rule12.Studythevanityofthecreature.Itmattersnotwhetherwehave less ormore of these earthly things—for they havevanitywrittenupontheir frontispiece.Theworld is likeashadowwhichdeclines.Theworldisdelightful—butdeceitful.Theworldpromisesmorethanithas—anditfailsuswhenwehavemostneedofit.Alltheworldrings'change',andisconstantonlyinitsdisappointments!Whatthen,ifwehavelessofthatwhichisatbestbutuncertainandchanging?Theworldisasfullofchange—as of motion; so what if God cut us short in these passingvanities?Themoreamanhastodowiththeworld—themorehehastodowithvanity!Theworldmaybecomparedtoice,whichissmooth—butslippery!TheworldmayalsobecomparedtotheEgyptiantemples—verybeautifulandsumptuouson theoutside—butwithinnothing tobe seenbuttheimageofanape!Everycreaturesaysconcerningsatisfaction,"itisnotinme!"Theworldisnotafillingcomfort—butaflyingcomfort.Theworldislikeagameattennis;providencebandieshergoldenballs,firstto one, then to another.Why are we discontented at the loss of thesethings—but becausewe expect that from them, that which they cannotgive?"Jonahwasexceedinggladofthegourd."(Jon.4:6)Whatavanitywasthat!Isitmuchtoseeagourdsmittenandwithering?

Rule 13. Get the 'imagination' regulated. It is the 'imagination'which raises the price of things, above their real worth. What is thereasonone flower isworth fivedollars—andanotherperhapsnotworthone penny? 'Imagination' raises the price—the difference is ratherimaginary than real. Just so, the reason why it is better to havethousands than hundreds is—because men 'imagine' it so! If we could'imagine'a lowercondition tobebetter—ashaving lessworry in it, andlessaccountingtogiveforit—itwouldbefarmoreprized.Thewaterfromapapercup,tastesassweetasifitcameoutagoldenchalice.Thingsareas we 'imagine' them. Ever since the fall, the 'imagine' is distempered;"Godsawthattheimaginationofthethoughtsofhisheart,wasonlyevilallthetime."(Ge.6:5)'Imagination'looksatthingsthrougha'magnifyingglass'.Pray thatGodwill sanctifyyour 'imagination'; a lower conditionwouldcontentyou,ifthemindand'imagination'weresetright.DiogenespreferredhissolitarylifebeforeAlexander'sroyalty.Fabriciuswasapoorman—yet despised the gold of King Pyrrhus. Could we cure ourdistempered 'imagination'—we would soon conquer our discontentedheart!

Rule14.Considerhowlittlewillsufficenature.Thebodyisbutasmallthing—andiseasilynourished.Christhastaughtustoprayforourdailybread.Natureiscontentwithalittle.Nottothirst,nottostarve—isenough. "Having food and clothing, let us be content." The stomach issooner filled—than theeye!howquicklywould aman be content, if hewouldstudyrathertosatisfyhishunger—thanhishumor.

Rule 15. Believe that the present condition is best for us. Thefleshisnotacompetentjudge.Gluttonsareforrichbanquets—butamanwhoregardshishealth,isratherforsolidfood.Vainmenimaginethataprosperouscondition isbest for them;whereasawiseChristianhashiswillmeltedintoGod'swill,andthinks itbest tobeatGod'swill.Godiswise—he knows best what we need; and if we could acquiesce in Hisprovidencial dealingswith us—the quarrel would soon be at an end.Owhat a strange creaturewouldman be—if hewerewhat he couldwishhimself tobe!Becontent tobeatGod'sallowance.Godknowswhich isthefittestpasturetoputhissheepin;sometimesamoresparsegrounddoeswell—whereasalushpasturemayrot.DoImeetwithsuchacross?

Byit,Godshowsmewhattheworldis;hehasnobetterwaytoweanme.DoesGod stintme inmy temporals?He is nowdietingme.Do Imeetwith losses? It is, that Godmay keepme from being lost. Every crosswind shall at last—blow me to the right port! Did we believe thatconditionbestwhichGodparcelsouttous,wewouldcheerfullysubmit,andsay,"thelineshavefallentomeinpleasantplaces."

Rule16.Donot toomuch indulge the flesh. The flesh is aworseenemythanthedevil,itisabosom-traitor!Anenemywithin—isworst!Iftherewerenodeviltotempt,thefleshwouldbeanotherEve—totempttothe forbidden fruit. O take heed of giving way to it!Whence is all ourdiscontent—butfromourflesh?Thefleshputsusupon the immoderatepursuitoftheworld.Thefleshhuntsforeaseandluxury—andifitbenotsatisfied, then discontent begins to arise! O let it not have the reins!Martyrtheflesh!Inspiritualthingsthefleshisasluggard;butinsecularthings, it is a horse-leech, crying "give, give!" The flesh is an enemy tosuffering:itwillnevermakeamanamartyr.Okeepitundercontrol!PutitsneckunderChrist'syoke,stretchandnail it tohis cross!Never letaChristianlookforcontentmentinhisspirit—untilthereisconfinementinhisflesh.

Rule 17.Meditatemuchon the glorywhich shall be revealed.Therearegreat things laidup inheaven.Though thingsaresad for thepresent—yet letusbecontent inthat itshortlywillbebetter; it isbutashort while—and we shall be with Christ, bathing ourselves in thefountain of love!We shallmore never complain of needs and injuries!Ourcrossmaynowbeheavy—butonesightofChristwillmakeusforgetall our former sorrows! There are two things that should givecontentment.

1. That God will make us able to bear our troubles. "God isfaithful; hewill not let yoube temptedbeyondwhat you can bear. Butwhen you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you canstandupunderit."(1Cor.10:13)

2. After we have suffered a while—we shall be perfected inglory!Thecrossshallbeourladderbywhichweshallclimbuptoheaven!Becontent—thescenewillsoonalter;Godwillbefore long,

turn outwater intowine—the hope of this is enough to drive away alldistempersfromtheheart.BlessedbeGod—itwillshortlybebetter!"Wehavenocontinuingcityhere,"thereforeourafflictionscannotcontinue.Awisemanalwayslookstotheendofamatter;"Theendofthejustmanispeace."(Psalm37:37)Methinksthesmoothnessoftheend—shouldmakeamendsfortheruggednessoftheway.Oeternity,eternity!Thinkoftenoftheeternalkingdomprepared.Davidwasadvancedfromthefield—tothethrone! First he held his shepherd's staff—and shortly after the royalscepter.God'speoplemaybeputtohardserviceshereonearth—butGodhaschosenthemtobekings—tosituponthethronewiththeLordJesus!Thisbeingweighedinthebalanceoffaith,wouldbeanexcellentmeanstobringthehearttocontentment.

Rule 18. Be much in prayer. The last rule for contentment is, bemuchinprayer.BegofGod,thathewillworkourheartstothisblessedframe."Isanymanafflicted?lethimpray!"(Ja.5:14)Justso,isanymandiscontented? lethimpray.Prayergivesvent: theopeningofavein letsoutbadblood.Justso,whentheheartisfilledwithsorrowanddisquiet,prayer lets out the bad blood. The key of a prayer, oiled with tears,unlockstheheartofall itsdiscontents!Prayer isaholycharm, todriveawaytrouble.Prayeristheunbosomingofthesoul—theunloadingofallourcaresintoGod'sbreast;andthisushersinsweetcontentment.Whenthereisanyburdenuponourspirits,byopeningourmindtoafriendwefindourheartsgreatlyeasedandquieted.Itisnotourstrongresolutions—but our strong requests to God, which must give the heart ease introuble.ByprayerthestrengthofChristcomesintothesoul—andwherethatis,amanisabletogothroughanycondition.Paulcouldbeineverystatecontent;butthatyoumaynotthinkhewasabletodothishimself,hetellsyouthatthoughhecouldlackandabound,and"doallthings;"yetitwasthroughChriststrengtheninghim.(Ph.4:13)

ConsolationtotheContentedChristian.

The last use is of comfort—an encouraging word to the contentedChristian.Ifthereisanheavenuponearth—youhaveit!OChristian!Youmayleapoveryourtroubles,and,withtheleviathan,laughattheshakingofaspear.(Job41:7)Youareacrowntoyourprofession;youholditout

to all the world—that there is virtue enough in piety, to give the soulcontentment. You show the highest degree of grace. When grace isreigning inourhearts, it iseasy forus tobecontent.Butwhengrace isdeclining, andmeetswith crosses, temptations, agonies; now the heartbecomesdiscontent.

ToacontentedChristian,Ishallsaytwothingsforafarewell.

1.God is exceedinglypleasedwith sucha frameofheart. Godsays of a contented Christian, as David once said of Goliath's sword,"there isnone likethat,give it tome!"IfyouwouldpleaseGod,andbemenwhomhedelightsin—becontented.Godhatesafrowardspirit.

2.ThecontentedChristianshallbenoloser.WhatdidJoblose,byhis patience?God gave him twice asmuch as he had before.What didAbrahamlose,byhiscontentment?hewascontenttoleavehiscountryatGod's call: the Lordmakes a covenant with him, that he would be hisGod.Hechangeshisname;nomoreAbram—butAbraham,thefatherofmanynations. (Ge.17)Godmakeshisseedas thestarsofheaven;nay,honors, himwith this title, "the father of the faithful." (Ge. 18:17) TheLordmakes known his secrets to him, "shall I hide fromAbraham thethingsthatIwilldo?"Godsettlesarichinheritanceuponhim,thatlandwhichwasatypeofheaven,andafterwardstranslatedhimtotheblessedparadiseofglory!

GodwillbesuretorewardthecontentedChristian.AsourSaviorsaidinanother case, to Nathaniel, "You shall see greater things than these!"(John 1:50) So I say, are you contented,OChristian,with a little? Youshallseegreaterthingsthanthese!Godwilldistillthesweetinfluencesofhisloveintoyoursoul.Hewillblesstheoilinyourcruise;andwhenthatisdone,Hewillcrownyouwithaneternalenjoymentofhimself!Hewillgiveyouheaven—whereyoushallhaveasmuchcontentmentasyoursoulcanpossiblythirstafter!