TheRareJewelofChristianContentment

byJeremiahBurroughs

TableofContents

1.ChristianContentmentDescribed

2.TheMysteryofContentment

3.HowChristTeachesContentment

4.TheExcellenceofContentment

5.TheEvilsofaMurmuringSpirit

6.AggravationsoftheSinofMurmuring

7.TheExcusesofaDiscontentedHeart

8.HowtoAttainContentment

ChristianContentmentDescribed

'Ihavelearned,inwhatsoeverstateIam,therewithtobecontent.'Philippians4:11

This textcontainsavery timelycordial to revive thedroopingspiritsofthesaintsinthesesadandsinkingtime.Forthe'houroftemptation'hasalready come upon all theworld to try the inhabitants of the earth. In

particular,thisisthedayofJacob'stroubleinourownbowels.

OurgreatApostleholdsforthexperimentallyinthisGospel-texttheverylife and soul of all practical divinity. In itwemay plainly readhis ownproficiencyintheschoolofChrist,andwhat lessoneveryChristianwhowould prove the power and growth of godliness in his own soul mustnecessarilylearnfromhim.

ThesewordsarebroughtinbyPaulasaclearargumenttopersuadethePhilippiansthathedidnotseekaftergreatthingsintheworld,andthathe sought not 'theirs' but 'them'.He did not long for greatwealth.Hisheartwastakenupwithbetterthings.'Idonotspeak',hesays,'inrespectofwant,forwhetherIhaveorhavenot,myheartisfullysatisfied,Ihaveenough:IhavelearnedinwhatsoeverstateIam,therewithtobecontent.''Ihavelearned'-Contentmentineveryconditionisagreatart,aspiritualmystery. It is to be learned, and to be learned as amystery. And so inverse12heaffirms:'Iknowhowtobeabased,andInowhowtoabound:everywhere and in all things I am instructed.' The word which istranslated'instructed'isderivedfromthewordthatsignifies'mystery';itis just as if he had said, 'I have learned the mystery of this business.'Contentment is to be learned as a great mystery, and those who arethoroughlytrainedinthisart,whichis likeSamson'sriddletoanaturalman, have learned a deepmystery. 'I have learned it'-I do not have tolearnitnow,nordidIhavetheartatfirst;Ihaveattainedit,thoughwithmuchado,andnow,bythegraceofGod,Ihavebecomethemasterofthisart.

'In whatsoever state I am'-The word 'estate' is not in the original, butsimply'inwhatIam',thatis,inwhateverconcernsorbefallsme,whetherIhavelittleornothingatall.

'Therewith to be content'-The word rendered 'content' here has greateleganceandfullnessofmeaningin theoriginal. In thestrictsense it isonlyattributedtoGod,whohasstyledhimself'Godall-sufficient',inthatherestsfullysatisfiedinandwithhimselfalone.Butheispleasedfreelytocommunicatehis fullness to the creature, so that fromGod inChristthesaintsreceive'graceforgrace'(John1:16).Asaresult,thereisinthemthesamegracethatisinChrist,accordingtotheirmeasure.Inthissense,

Paulsays,Ihaveaself-sufficiency,whichiswhatthewordmeans.

ButhasPaulgotaself-sufficiency?youwillsay.Howarewesufficientofourselves!OurApostleaffirmsinanothercase,'Thatwearenotsufficientofourselvestothinkanythingasofourselves'(2Corinthians3:5).

Thereforehismeaningmustbe,Ifindasufficiencyofsatisfactioninmyownheart, throughthegraceofChrist that is inme.ThoughIhavenotoutwardcomfortsandworldlyconveniencestosupplymynecessities,yetI have a sufficient portion between Christ and my soul abundantly tosatisfymeineverycondition.Thisinterpretationagreeswiththatplace:'A good man is satisfied from himself' (Proverbs 14:14) and also withwhatPaulaversofhimselfinanotherplace,that'thoughhehadnothingyethepossessedall things'.Becausehehadaright to thecovenantandpromise,which virtually contains everything, and an interest in Christ,the fountain and good of all, it is no marvel that he said that inwhatsoeverstatehewasin,hewascontent.

Thus youhave the true interpretation of the text. I shall notmake anydivisionofthewords,becauseItakethemonlytopromotetheonemostnecessaryduty, viz. quieting and comforting the hearts ofGod's peopleunder the troubles and changes theymeet with in these heart-shakingtimes.

The doctrinal conclusion briefly is this: That to be well skilled in themysteryofChristian contentment is the duty, glory and excellence of aChristian.

This evangelical truth is held forth sufficiently in the Scripture, yet wemaytakeoneortwomoreparallelplacestoconfirmit.In

1Timothy6:6and8youfindexpressedboththedutyandthegloryofit:'Having food and raiment', he says in verse 8, 'let us be therewithcontent'-thereistheduty.

'Butgodlinesswithcontentmentisgreatgain'(v.6)-thereisthegloryandexcellence of it; as if to suggest that godliness were not gain exceptcontentmentbewithit.ThesameexhortationyouhaveinHebrews:'Let

your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with suchthingsasyouhave'(Hebrews13:5).

IdonotfindanyApostleorwriterofScripturewhodealssomuchwiththis spiritual mystery of contentment as this our Apostle has donethroughouthisEpistles.

To explain and prove the above conclusion, I shall endeavor todemonstratefourthings:

1.THENATUREOFTHISCHRISTIANCONTENTMENT:WHATITIS.

2.THEARTANDMYSTERYOFIT.

3.WHATLESSONSMUSTBELEARNEDTOBRINGTHEHEARTTOCONTENTMENT.

4 . WHEREIN THE GLORIOUS EXCELLENCE OF THIS GRACECHIEFLYCONSISTS.

I offer the following description: Christian contentment is that sweet,inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to anddelightsinGod'swiseandfatherlydisposalineverycondition.

I shallbreakopen thisdescription, for it is aboxofpreciousointment,andverycomfortingandusefulfortroubledhearts,introubledtimesandconditions.

1.CONTENTMENTISASWEET,INWARDHEART-THING.

ITISAWORKOFTHESPIRITINDOORS.

Itisnotonlythatwedonotseektohelpourselvesbyoutwardviolence,orthat we forbear from discontented and murmuring expressions withperversewordsandbearingagainstGodandothers.Butitistheinwardsubmissionoftheheart.'Truly,mysoulwaitethuponGod'(Psalm62:1)and 'Mysoul,wait thouonlyuponGod'(verse5)-so it is inyourBibles,but the wordsmay be translated as correctly: 'My soul, be thou silentuntoGod.Holythypeace,Omysoul.'Notonlymustthetongueholdits

peace; the soul must be silent. Many may sit silently, refraining fromdiscontented expressions, yet inwardly they are bursting withdiscontentedexpressions,yetinwardlytheyareburstingwithdiscontent.

This shows a complicateddisorder and great perversity in their hearts.Andnotwithstandingtheiroutwardsilence,Godhearsthepeevish,fretfullanguageof their souls.A shoemay be smooth andneat outside,whileinside it pinches the flesh.Outwardly theremaybe great calmness andstillness, yet within amazing confusion, bitterness, disturbance andvexation.

Some people are so weak that they cannot restrain the unrest of theirspirits,but inwordsandbehavior theyrevealwhatwoefuldisturbancesthere are within. Their spirits are like the raging sea, casting forthnothingbutmire anddirt, and are troublesomenot only to themselvesbutalsotoallwithwhomtheylive.Others,however,areabletorestrainsuchdisordersofheart,asJudasdidwhenhebetrayedChristwithakiss,but even so they boil inwardly and eat away like a canker. So Davidspeaksofsomewhosewordsaresweeterthanhoneyandbutter,andyethavewarintheirhearts.

Inanotherplace,hesays, 'WhileIkeptsilencemyboneswaxedold'. Inthe same way these people, while there is a serene calm upon theirtongues,haveblustering stormsupon their spirits, andwhile theykeepsilence theirheartsare troubled and evenworn awaywith anguish andvexation.Theyhavepeaceandquietoutwardly,butwithinwarfromtheunrulyandturbulentworkingsoftheirheart.

If the attainment of true contentment were as easy as keeping quietoutwardly, itwould not needmuch learning. Itmight be hadwith lessstrengthandskill thananApostlepossessed,yea, less thananordinaryChristianhasormayhave.Therefore, there is certainlymore to it thancanbeattainedbycommongiftsandtheordinarypowerofreason,whichoftenbridlenature.Itisabusinessoftheheart.

2.ITISTHEQUIETOFTHEHEART.

Allissedateandstillthere.Thatyoumayunderstandthisbetter,Iwould

add that this quiet, gracious frame of spirit is not opposed to certainthings: 1 .Toaduesenseof affliction.Godgiveshispeople leave tobesensibleofwhattheysuffer.Christdoesnotsay,'Donotcountasacrosswhat is a cross'; he says, 'Take up your cross daily'. It is like physicalhealth:ifyoutakemedicineandcannotholdit,butimmediatelyvomititup, or if you feel nothing and it does not move you-in either case themedicinedoesnogood,butsuggeststhatyouaregreatlydisorderedandwillhardlybecured.So it iswiththespiritsofmenunderafflictions: ifthey cannotbearGod'spotions andbring themupagain, or if theyareinsensitivetothemandnomoreaffectedbythemthanthebodyisbyadraught of small beer, it is a sad symptom that their souls are in adangerous and almost incurable condition. So this inward quietness isnotinoppositiontoasenseofafflictions,for,indeed,therewouldbenotrue contentment if you were not apprehensive and sensible of yourafflictions,whenGodisangry.

2. It is not opposed to making an orderly manner our moan andcomplaint to God, and to our friends. Though a Christian ought to bequiet under God's correcting hand, he may without any breach ofChristian contentment complain to God. As one of the ancients says,Though notwith a tumultuous clamor and shrieking out in a confusedpassion,yetinaquiet,still,submissivewayhemayunbosomhishearttoGod. Likewise hemay communicate his sad condition to his Christianfriends, showing themhowGodhasdealtwithhim,andhowheavytheafflictionisuponhim,thattheymayspeakawordinseasontohiswearysoul.

3. It is not opposed to all lawful seeking for help in differentcircumstances,nortoendeavoringsimplytobedeliveredoutofpresentafflictionsbytheuseoflawfulmeans.No,ImaylayinprovisionformydeliveranceanduseGod'smeans,waitingonhimbecauseIdonotknowbutthatitmaybehiswilltoaltermycondition.AndsofarasheleadsmeImayfollowhisprovidence;itisbutmyduty,Godisthusfarmercifullyindulgenttoourweakness, andhewillnot take it ill atourhands ifbyearnest and importunate prayer we seek him for deliverance until weknow his good pleasure in thematter. Certainly seeking thus for help,withsuchsubmissionandholyresignationofspirit,tobedeliveredwhen

God wills, and as God wills, and how God wills, so that our wills aremelted into the will of God-this is not opposed to the quietness whichGodrequiresinacontentedspirit.

Butwhat,then,itwillbeasked,isthisquietnessofspiritopposedto?1.Itis opposed to murmuring and repining at the hand of God, as thediscontented Israelites often did. If we cannot bear this either in ourchildrenorservants,muchlesscanGodbearitinus.

2. To vexing and fretting, which is a degree beyond murmuring. Irememberthesayingofaheathen,'Awisemanmaygrievefor,butnotbevexed with his afflictions'. There is a vast different between a kindlygrievingandadisorderedvexation.

3.Totumultuousnessofspirit,whenthe thoughtsrundistractinglyandwork in a confused manner, so that the affections are like the unrulymultitude in the Acts, who did know for what purpose they had cometogether.TheLordexpectsyoutobesilentunderhisrod,and,aswassaidin

Acts 19:36, 'Ye ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly.' 4. It isopposed to an unsettled and unstable spirit, whereby the heart isdistracted from the present duty that God requires in our severalrelationships, towardsGod,ourselvesandothers.We shouldprizedutymore highly than to be distracted by every trivial occasion. Indeed, aChristianvalueseveryserviceofGodsomuchthatthoughsomemaybein the eyes of the world and of natural reason a slight and emptybusiness,beggarlyelements,orfoolishness,yetsinceGodcallsforit,theauthority of the command so overawes his heart that he is willing tospend himself and to be spent in discharging it. It is an expression ofLuther's that ordinary works, done in faith and from faith, are morepreciousthanheavenandearth.Andifthisisso,andaChristianknowsit,heshouldnotbedivertedbysmallmatters,but shouldanswereverydistraction, and resist every temptation, as Nehemiah did Sanballat,GeshemandTobiah,whentheywouldhavehinderedthebuildingofthewall,withthis:'IamdoingagreatworksothatIcannotcomedown:whyshould the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?'(Nehemiah6:3).

5.Itisopposedtodistracting,heart-consumingcares.AgraciousheartsoesteemsitsunionwithChristandtheworkthatGodsetsitaboutthatitwillnotwillingly suffer anything to come in to choke it or deaden it.AChristian is desirous that the Word of God should take such fullpossession as to divide between soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12), but hewouldnotallowthefearandnoiseofeviltidingstotakesuchaholdinhissoul as to make a division and struggling there, like the twins inRebekah's womb. A great man will permit common people to standoutsidehisdoors,buthewillnot let themcomeinandmakeanoise inhis closet or bedroom when he deliberately retires from all worldlybusiness. So awell-tempered spiritmay enquire after things outside inthe world, and suffer some ordinary cares and fears to break into thesuburbsof thesoul, soas to touch lightlyupon the thoughts.Yet itwillnot on any account allow an intrusion into the private room, whichshouldbewhollyreservedforJesusChristashisinwardtemple.

6.Itisopposedtosinkingdiscouragements.Whenthingsdonotfalloutaccordingtoexpectation,whenthetideofsecondcausesrunssolowthatweseelittleinoutwardmeanstosupportourhopesandhearts,thentheheartbeginstoreasonasdidhein

2Kings7:2:'IftheLordshouldopenthewindowsofheavenhowshouldthisbe?'WeneverconsiderthatGodcanopentheeyesoftheblindwithclayandspittle,hecanworkabove,beyond,andevencontrarytomeans.He often makes the fairest flowers of man's endeavors to wither andbrings improbable things to pass, in order that the glory of theundertakingmaybegiventohimself.Indeed,ifhispeoplestandinneedofmiracles tobringabout theirdeliverance,miracles fallaseasily fromGod'shandsastogivehispeopledailybread.God'sblessingmanytimesisasecretfromhisservantssothattheydonotknowfromwhichwayitiscoming,as'Yeshallnotseewind,neithershallyeseerain,yetthevalleyshallbefilledwithwater'(2Kings3:17).

Godwouldhaveustodependonhimthoughwedonotseehowthethingmaybebroughtabout;otherwise,wedonotshowaquietspirit.Thoughanafflictionisonyou,donotletyourheartsinkunderit.Sofarasyourheartsinksandyouarediscouragedunderaffliction,somuchyouneedtolearnthislessonofcontentment.

7.Itisopposedtosinfulshiftingsandshirkingstogetreliefandhelp.WeseethiskindofthinginSaulrunningtothewitchofEndor,andofferingsacrificebeforeSamuelcame.Nay,goodKingJehoshaphatjoinshimselfwithAhaziah (2Chronicles 20:35).AndAsa goes toBenhadad,KingofSyria,forhelp,'notrelyingupontheLord'(2Chronicles16:7,8),thoughtheLordhaddeliveredtheEthiopianarmyintohishandsconsistingofathousandthousand(2Chronicles14:12).AndgoodJacobjoinedwithhismother in lyingtoIsaac;notcontent toawaitGod's timeanduseGod'smeans,hemadetoogreatahasteandwentoutofhiswaytoprocuretheblessing which God intended for him. Thus do many, through thecorruptionof theirhearts and theweaknessof their faith,because theyarenotabletotrustGodandfollowhimfullyinallthingsandalways.Forthis reason, the Lord often follows the saintswithmany sore temporalcrosses,asweseeinthecaseofJacob,thoughtheyobtainthemercy.Itmaybethatyourcarnalheartthinks,IdonotcarehowIamdelivered,ifonly I may be freed from it. It is not so many times in some of yourhearts,when any cross or affliction befalls you?Do you not experiencesuchworkingsofspiritasthis?'Oh,ifIcouldonlybedeliveredfromthisaffliction in any way, I would not care'-your hearts are far from beingquiet.Thissinfulshifting is thenext thingwhich is inoppositionto thequietnesswhichGodrequiresinacontentedspirit.

8. The last thing that quietness of spirit is the opposite of it desperaterisings of the heart against God by way of rebellion. That is the mostabominable.Ihopemanyofyouhave learnedso far tobecontentas torestrain yourhearts from suchdisorders. Yet the truth is that not onlywickedmen,butsometimestheverysaintsofGodfindthebeginningsofthis,whenanafflictionremainsforalongtimeandisverysevereandanaffliction remains for a long and is very severe and heavy indeed uponthem,andstrikesthem,asitwere,inthemastervein.TheyfindintheirheartssomethingofarisingagainstGod,theirthoughtsbegintobubble,andtheiraffectionsbegintomoveinrebellionagainstGodhimself.

Especiallyisthisthecasewiththosewhobesidestheircorruptionshavealargemeasureofmelancholy.TheDevilworksbothuponthecorruptionsof their hearts and themelancholy disease of their bodies, and thoughmuchgracemaylieunderneath,yetunderafflictiontheremaybesome

risingsagainstGodhimself.

NowChristianquietness is opposed to all these things.When afflictioncomes,whateveritis,youdonotmurmur;thoughyoufeelit,thoughyoumakeyourcrytoGod,thoughyoudesiretobedelivered,andseekitbyallgoodmeans, yet you do notmurmur or repine, you do not fret or vexyourself,thereisnotatumultuousnessofspiritinyou,notaninstability,there are not distracting fears in your hearts, no sinkingdiscouragements,nounworthyshifts,norisingsinrebellionagainstGodinanyway:Thisisquietnessofspiritunderanaffliction,andthatisthesecondthing,whenthesoulissofarabletobearanafflictionastokeepquietunderit.

3. NOW THE NEXT THING I WANT TO EXPLAIN IN THEDESCRIPTION IS THIS, IT IS AN INWARD, QUIET, GRACIOUSFRAMEOFSPIRIT.

It is a frameof spirit and also a gracious frame.Contentment is a soulbusiness.First,itisinward;Secondly,quiet;Thirdly,itisaquietframeofspirit. Imean three thingswhen I say that contentment consists in thequietframeofthespiritofaman.

1.Thatitisagracethatspreadsitselfthroughthewholesoul.Itisinthejudgment,thatis,thejudgmentofthesoulofamanorwomantendstoquiet the heart-in my judgment I am satisfied. It is one thing to besatisfied in one's judgment and understanding, so as to be able to say,'ThisisthehandofGod,andiswhatissuitabletomyconditionorbestforme.

AlthoughIdonotsee thereason for the thing,yet Iamsatisfied inmyjudgmentaboutit.'Thenitisinthethoughtsofamanorwoman.Asmyjudgment is satisfied, somy thought are kept in order, so that it goesthroughthewholesoul.

Insomethereisapartialcontentment.Itisnottheframeofthesoul,butsome part of the soul has some contentment. Many a man may besatisfied in his judgment about a thingwho cannot for his life rule hisaffections,norhisthoughts,norhiswill.Idonotdoubtthatmanyofyou

know this in your own experience, if you observe theworkings of yourownhearts.Canyounot saywhena certainafflictionbefalls you, I canblessGodthatIamsatisfiedinmyjudgmentaboutit?IseethehandofGod and I should be content, yea, inmy judgment I am satisfied thatmineisagoodcondition.

ButIcannotformyliferulemythoughtsandwillandmyaffections.

MethinksIfeelmyheartheavyandsadandmorethanitshouldbe;yetmy judgment is satisfied. This seemed to be the position of David inPsalm 42: 'O my soul, why art thou disquieted?' As far as David'sjudgment went there was a contentedness, that is, his judgment wassatisfiedastotheworkofGodonhim.Hewastroubled,butheknewnotwhy:'Omysoul,whyartthoucastdownwithinme?'Thisisaverygoodpsalmforthosewhofeelafretting,discontentedsicknessintheirheartsatanytimetoreadandsing.HesaysonceortwiceinthatPsalm: 'Whyart thou cast down, O my soul?' and in verse 5, 'And why art thoudisquietedwithinme?hopethouinGod,forIshallyetpraisehimforthehelp of his countenance.'David had enough to quiet him, andwhat hehad, prevailed with his judgment. But after it had prevailed with hisjudgment,hecouldnotgetitanyfurther.Hecouldnotgetthisgraceofcontentmenttogothroughthewholeframeofhissoul.

Sometimes,agreatdealofdisturbanceisinvolvedingettingcontentmentinto people's judgments, that is, to satisfy their judgment about theircondition.Ifyoucometomany,whomthehandofGodisuponperhapsinagrievousmanner,andseektosatisfythemandtellthemtheyhavenocause tobesodisquieted, 'Oh,nocause?' says the troubledspirit, 'thenthereisnocauseforanyonetobedisquieted.Therehasneverbeensuchan affliction as I have.' And they have a hundred thingswithwhich toevadetheforceofwhatissaidtothem,sothatyoucannotsomuchasgetat their judgments to satisfy them.But there is a great deal of hope ofattainingcontentment,ifonceyourjudgmentsaresatisfied,ifyoucansitdownandsayinyourjudgment, 'Iseegoodreasontobecontented.'Yetevenwhenyouhavegotsofar,youmaystillhavemuchtodowithyourheartsafterwards.Thereissuchunrulinessinourthoughtsandaffectionsthat our judgments are not always able to rule our thoughts andaffections. That is what makes me say that contentment is an inward,

quiet, gracious frameof spirit-thewhole soul, judgment, thoughts,will,affectionsandallaresatisfiedandquiet.Isupposethatmerelyinopeningthissubjectyoubegintoseethatitisalessonthatyouneedtolearn,andthatifcontentmentislikethisthenitisnoteasilyobtained.

2. Spiritual contentment comes from the frame of the soul. Thecontentmentofamanorwomanwhoisrightlycontentdoesnotcomesomuch from outward arguments or from any outward help, as from thedispositionoftheirownhearts.Thedispositionoftheirownheartscausesand brings forth this gracious contentment rather than any externalthing.

Letmeexplainmyself.Someoneisdisturbed,supposeittobeachildoramanorawoman.Ifyoucomeandbringsomegreatthingtopleasethem,perhapsitwillquietthemandtheywillbecontented.Itisthethingyoubring thatquiets them,not thedispositionof theirownspirits,notanygoodtemperintheirownhearts,buttheexternalthingyoubringthem.ButwhenaChristian is content in the rightway, thequiet comesmorefromthetemperanddispositionofhisownheartthanfromanyexternalargumentorfromthepossessionofanythingintheworld.

I would unfold this further to youwith this simile: To be content as aresultofsomeexternalthingislikewarmingaman'sclothesbythefire.But to be content through an inward disposition of the soul is like thewarmth thataman's clotheshave from thenatural heat of the body.Amanwhoishealthyinbodyputsonhisclothes,andperhapsatfirstonacoldmorning they feelcold.Butafterhehashad themona littlewhiletheyarewarm.Now,howdidtheygetwarm?Theywerenotnearthefire?No,thiscamefromthenaturalheatofhisbody.Nowwhenasicklyman,thenaturalheatofwhosebodyhasdeteriorated,putsonhisclothes,theydonotgethotafteralongtime.Hemustwarmthembythefire,andeventhentheywillsoonbecoldagain.

This will illustrate the different contentments of men. Some are verygracious,andwhenanafflictioncomesonthem,thoughatfirstitseemsalittlecold,aftertheyhaveborneitawhile,theverytemperoftheirheartsmakestheirafflictionseasy.Theyarequietunderitanddonotcomplainofanydiscontent.Butnowthereareothersthathaveanafflictionupon

themandhavenotthisgoodtemperintheirhearts.Theirafflictionsarevery cold and troublesome to them.Maybe, if you bring some externalarguments tobearupon them like the fire thatwarms the clothes, theywillbequiet forawhile.But,alas, if they lackagraciousdisposition intheirownhearts,thatwarmthwillnotlastlong.Thewarmthofthefire,that is,acontentmentthatresultsmerelyfromexternalarguments,willnot last long. But that which comes from the gracious temper of one'sspiritwilllast.Whenitcomesfromthespiritofamanorwoman-thatistrue contentment. We shall, however, have more to say of this inexplainingthemysteryofcontentment.

3.Itistheframeofspiritthatshowsthehabitualcharacterofthisgraceofcontentment.Contentmentisnotmerelyoneact,justaflashinagoodmood.Youfindmanymenandwomenwho,iftheyareinagoodmood,willbeveryquiet.Butthiswillnothold.Itisnotaconstantcourse.Itisnot the constant tenor of their spirits to be holy and gracious underaffliction.

NowIsaythatcontentmentisaquietframeofspiritandbythatImeanthatyoushouldfindmenandwomeninagoodmoodnotonlyatthisorthat time, but as the constant tenor and temper of their hearts. AChristianwho, in the constant tenorand temperofhisheart, cancarryhimself quietly with constancy has learned this lesson of contentment.OtherwisehisChristianityisworthnothing,fornoone,howeverfuriousinhisdiscontent,willnotbequietwhenheisinagoodmood.

So first,contentment isaheart-business;secondly, it is thequietof theheart;andthenthirdly,itistheframeoftheheart.

4.CONTENTMENTISTHEGRACIOUSFRAMEOFTHEHEART.

Indeed, in contentment there is a compound of all graces, if thecontentment is spiritual, if it is truly Christian. There is, I say, acompoundofagreatmanyprecious ingredients,so it is in thisgraceofcontentment,whichweshallsaymoreofinunfoldingitsexcellence.Butnow the gracious frame of spirit is in opposition to three things: 1. Inoppositiontothenaturalquietnessofmanymenandwomen.Somearesoconstitutedbynaturethattheyaremorestillandquiet;othersareofa

violentandhotconstitutionandtheyaremoreimpatient.

2.Inoppositiontoasturdyresolution.Somementhroughthestrengthofasturdyresolutiondonotseemtobetroubled,comewhatmay.Sotheyarenotdisquietedasmuchasothers.

3. By way of distinction from the strength of natural (thoughunsanctified)reason,whichmayquiettheheartinsomedegree.ButnowIsaythatagraciousframeofspirit isnotmerelyastillnessof thebodywhich comes from its natural constitution and temper, nor a sturdyresolution,normerelythroughthestrengthofreason.

Youwillask,Inwhatwayisthegraceofcontentmentdistinguishedfromallthese?Morewillbespokenofthiswhenwecometoshowthemysteryofcontentmentandthe lessons tobe learned.Butnowwemayspeakalittlebywayofdistinctionfromthenaturalquietnessofspiritandsuchabodily constitution that you seldom find them disquieted. Now, markthesepeopleandyouwillseethattheyarelikewiseofaverydullspiritinany goodmatter; they have no quickness or liveliness of spirit in suchmatterseither.

But where contentment of heart springs from grace, the heart is veryquickand lively in theserviceofGod.Yea, themoreanygraciousheartcanbringitselftobeinacontenteddisposition,themorefititisforanyserviceofGod.AndjustasacontentedheartisveryactiveandbusyintheworkofGod,sohe isveryactiveandbusy insanctifyingGod'snameintheafflictionthatbefallshim.

The difference is very clear: The one whose disposition is quiet is notdisquietedasothersare,butneitherdoesheshowanyactivenessofspirittosanctifythenameofGod inhisaffliction.But,on theotherhand,hewhosecontentmentisofgraceisnotdisquietedandkeepshisheartquietwithregardtovexationandtrouble,andat thesametimeisnotdullorheavybut very active to sanctifyGod's name in the affliction that he isexperiencing.

For if aman is to be free from discontent and worry it is not enoughmerelynottomurmurbutyoumustbeactiveinsanctifyingGod'sname

intheaffliction.Indeed,thiswilldistinguish it fromasturdyresolutionnottobetroubled.Thoughyouhaveasturdyresolutionthatyouwillnotbetroubled,doyoumakeitamatterofconsciencetosanctifyGod'snameinyourafflictionandis thiswhereyourresolutioncomes from?That isthemainthingthatbringsquietnessofheartandhelpsagainstdiscontentin a graciousheart. I say, the desire and care your soul has to sanctifyGod's name in an affliction is what quietens the soul, and this is whatotherslack.

Aquietnesswhichcomes formreasononlydoesnotdo thiseither. It issaidofSocratesthat,thoughhewereonlyaheathen,hewouldneversomuch as change his countenance whatever befell him, and he got thispoweroverhisspiritmerelybythestrengthofreasonandmorality.Butgracious contentment comes from principles beyond the strength ofreason. I cannot develop that until we come to unfold the mystery ofspiritualcontentment.

Iwillgiveyoujustonemarkofthedifferencebetweenamanorwomanwho is content in a natural way and one who is contention a spiritualway:Thosewhoarecontentinanaturalwayovercomethemselveswhenoutwardafflictionsbefallthemandarecontent.TheyarejustascontentwhentheycommitsinagainstGod.WhentheyhaveoutwardcrossesorwhenGod isdishonored, it isallone to them;whether they themselvesare crossed or whether God is crossed. But a gracious heart that iscontented with its own affliction, will rise up strongly when God isdishonored.

5. THE FIFTH CHARACTERISTIC IS CONTENTMENT IS FREELYSUBMITTINGTOANDTAKINGPLEASUREINGOD'SDISPOSAL.

Itisafreeworkofthespirit.Therearefourthingstobeexplainedinthisfreedom of spirit: 1. That the heart is readily brought over. Whensomeonedoesathingfreely,hedoesnotneedalotofmovingtogethimtodo it.Manymenandwomen,whenafflictionsareheavyupon them,maybebroughttoastateofcontentmentwithgreatado.Atlast,perhaps,theymaybebroughttoquiettheirheartsintheiraffliction,butonlywithagreatdealoftrouble,andnotatallfreely.IfIdesireathingofsomeoneelse and I get itwithmuchadoanda greatdeal of trouble, there isno

freedomofspirithere.Whenamanisfreeinathing,onlymentionitandimmediatelyhedoesit.Soifyouhavelearnedthisartofcontentmentyouwill not only be content andquiet yourhearts after a great ado, but assoonasyoucometoseethatitisthehandofGodyourheartactsreadilyandclosesatonce.

2.Itisfreely,thatis,notbyconstraint.Not,aswesay,patiencebyforce.

Thusmanywill say that youmustbe content: 'This is thehandofGodand you cannot help it.' Oh, but this is too low an expression forChristians.

Yet when Christians come to visit one another, they say, 'Friend (orneighbor), you must be content.' Must be content is too low for aChristian.

No,itshouldbe,'ReadilyandfreelyIwillbecontent.'Itissuitabletomyheart to yield to God and to be content. I find it a thing that comesnaturally thatmy soul should be content. Oh, you should answer yourfriends so who come and tell you that youmust be content: No, I amwillingtoyieldtoGod,andIamfreelycontent.Thatisthesecondpointaboutfreedomofspirit.Nowafreeactcomesinarationalmanner.Thatis freedom; it does not come through ignorance, because I know of nobetter condition or because I do not know whymy affliction is, but itcomes through a sanctified judgment. That is why no creature but arational creature can do an act of freedom. Liberty of action is only inrationalcreaturesandcomesfromhence,forthatisonlyfreedomthatisdoneinarationalway.NaturalfreedomiswhenI,bymyjudgment,seewhatistobedone,understandthething,andmyjudgmentagreeswithwhatIunderstand:thatisdonefreely.

But if a man does something, not understanding what he is doing, hecannot be said to do it freely. Suppose a child was born in prison andneverwentoutsideofit.Heiscontent,butwhy?Becauseheneverknewanything better. His being content is not a free act. But for men andwomenwhoknowbetter,whoknowthattheconditiontheyare in isanafflictedandsadcondition,andstillbyasanctified judgmentcanbringtheirheartstocontentment-thisisfreedom.

3.Thisfreedomisinoppositiontomerestupidity.Amanorwomanmaybecontentedmerelyfromlackofsense.Thisisnotfree,anymorethanamanwhoisparalysedinadeadlywayanddoesnotfeelitwhenyouniphimispatientfreely.Butifsomeoneshouldhavetheirfleshpinchedandfeelit,andyetforallthatcancontrolthemselvesanddoitfreely,thatisanothermatter.Soit ishere:manyarecontentedoutofmerestupidity.They have a dead paralysis upon them. But a gracious heart has senseenough,andyetiscontented,andthereforeisfree.

6. CONTENTMENT IS FREELY SUBMITTING TO AND TAKINGPLEASUREINGOD'SDISPOSAL.

Submitting to God's disposal-What is that? The word submit signifiesnothing else but 'to send under'. Thus in one who is discontented theheartwillbeunruly,andwouldevengetaboveGodsofarasdiscontentprevails.

But now comes the grace of contentment and sends it under, for tosubmitistosendunderathing.Nowwhenthesoulcomestoseeitsownunruliness-IsthehandofGodbringinganafflictionandyetmyheart istroubledanddiscontented-What, it says,will youbeaboveGod? Is thisnot God's hand and must your will be regarded more than God's? Ounder,under!getyouunder,Osoul!Keepunder!keeplow!keepunderGod'sfeet!YouareunderGod'sfeet,andkeepunderhisfeet!Keepunderthe authority of God, the majesty of God, the sovereignty of God, thepowerthatGodhasoveryou!Tokeepunder,thatistosubmit.ThesoulcansubmittoGodatthetimewhenitcansenditselfunderthepowerandauthorityandsovereigntyanddominionthatGodhasoverit.Thatisthesixthpoint,buteventhatisnotenough.Youhavenotattainedthisgraceofcontentmentunlessthenextpointistrueofyou.

7.CONTENTMENTISTAKINGPLEASUREINGOD'SDISPOSAL.

ThisissowhenIamwellpleasedinwhatGoddoes,insofarasIcanseeGodin it, though,asIsaid, Imaybesensibleof theaffliction,andmaydesirethatGodinhisduetimewouldremoveit,andmayusemeanstoremoveit.YetIamwellpleasedinsofarasGod'shandisinit.Tobewellpleased with God's hand is a higher degree than the previous one. It

comes from this: not only do I see that I should be content in thisaffliction,but I see that there is good in it. I find there ishoney in thisrock,andsoIdonotonlysay,Imust,orIwillsubmittoGod'shand.No,thehandofGodisgood, 'it isgoodthatIamafflicted.'Toacknowledgethat it is just that I am afflicted is possible in one who is not trulycontented.ImaybeconvincedthatGoddealsjustlyinthismatter,heisrighteous and just and it is right that I should submit to what he hasdone;OtheLordhasdonerighteouslyinallways!Butthatisnotenough!Youmustsay,'GoodisthehandoftheLord.'ItwastheexpressionofoldEli:'GoodisthehandoftheLord,'whenitwasasoreandhardword.ItwasawordthatthreatenedverygrievousthingstoEliandhishouse,andyetElisays,'GoodisthewordoftheLord.'Perhaps,someofyoumaysay,likeDavid,'ItisgoodthatIwasafflicted',butyoumustcometothis,'ItisgoodthatIamafflicted.'Notjustgoodwhenyouseethegoodfruitithaswrought,buttosaywhenyouareafflicted,'ItisgoodthatIamafflicted.Whatever the affliction, yet through the mercy of God mine is a goodcondition.'Itis,indeed,thetopandtheheightofthisartofcontentmentto come to this pitch and to be able to say, 'Well, my condition andafflictionsaresoandso,andverygrievousandsore;yet, throughGod'smercy,Iaminagoodcondition,andthehandofGodisgooduponmenotwithstanding.' I shouldhavegivenyouseveralScripturesabout this,butIwillgiveyouoneortwo,whichareverystriking.Youwillthinkitisahardlessontocomesofarasnotonlytobequietbuttotakepleasureinaffliction.

'Inthehouseoftherighteousismuchtreasure,butintherevenuesofthewicked is trouble' (Proverbs 15:6): here is a Scripture to show that agracioushearthascausetosaythatitisinagoodcondition,whateveritis.Inthehouseoftherighteousismuchtreasure;hishouse-whathouse?Itmaybeapoor cottage, andperhapshehas scarcely a stool to sit on.Perhapsheisforcedtositonastumpofwoodorpartofablockinsteadofastool,orperhapshehasscarcelyabedtolieon,oradishtoeatin.YettheHolyGhostsays,'Inthehouseoftherighteousismuchtreasure.'Let the righteousman be the poorestman in theworld-itmay be thatsomeonehascomeandtakenallthegoodsfromoutofhishousefordebt.Perhapshishouseisplunderedandallisgone;yetstill, 'Inthehouseoftherighteousismuchtreasure.'Therighteousmancanneverbemadeso

poor,tohavehishousesorifledandspoiled,buttherewillremainmuchtreasurewithin.Ifhehasbutadishoraspoonoranythingintheworldinhishouse,therewillbemuchtreasuresolongasheisthere.ThereisthepresenceofGodandtheblessingofGoduponhim,andthereinismuchtreasure.Butintherevenuesofthewickedthereistrouble.Thereismoretreasureinthepoorestbody'shouse, ifheisgodly,thaninthehouseofthe greatest man in the world, who has his fine hangings and finely-wroughtbedsandchairsandcouchesandcupboardsofplateandthelike.Whatever he has, he has not so much treasure in it as there is in thehouseofthepoorestrighteoussoul.

Itisnomarvel,therefore,thatPaulwascontent,foraverseortwoaftermytextyouread:'ButIhaveallandabound.Iamfull'(Philippians4:18).Ihaveall?Alas,poorman!whatdidPaulhavethatcouldmakehimsayhehad all?Wherewas there ever amanmore afflicted thanPaulwas?Many times he had not tatters to hang about his body to cover hisnakedness.Hehadnobreadtoeat,hewasofteninnakedness,andputinthestocksandwhippedandcruellyused,'YetIhaveall',saysPaul,forallthat.Yes,youwillfinditin2Corinthians:Heprofessestherethathedidpossessallthings:'Assorrowful,yetalwaysrejoicing;aspoor,yetmakingmany rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things' (2Corinthians6:10).

Markwhathesays-itis,'ashavingnothing'butitis'possessingallthings'.Hedoesnot say: 'Aspossessing all things', but 'possessing all things'. Ihaveverylittleintheworld,hesays,butyetpossessingallthings.Soyousee thataChristianhas cause to takepleasure inGod'shand,whateverhishandmaybe.

8. THEEIGHTHTHING INCONTENTMENT IS, SUBMITTING, ANDTAKINGPLEASUREINGOD'SDISPOSAL.

Thatistosay,thesoulthathaslearnedthislessonofcontentmentlooksup toGod inall things.Hedoesnot lookdownat the instruments andmeans, so as to say that such a man did it, that it was theunreasonableness of such and such instruments, and similar barbaroususagebysuchandsuch;buthelooksuptoGod.Acontentedheartlooksto God's disposal, and submits to God's disposal, that is, he sees the

wisdomofGodineverything.Inhissubmissionheseeshissovereignty,butwhatmakeshimtakepleasureisGod'swisdom.TheLordknowshowtoorderthingsbetterthanI.TheLordseesfurtherthanIdo;IonlyseethingsatpresentbuttheLordseesagreatwhilefromnow.AndhowdoIknow but that had it not been for this affliction, I should have beenundone.IknowthattheloveofGodmayaswellstandwithanafflictedcondition as with a prosperous condition. There are reasonings of thiskindinacontentedspirit,submittingtothedisposalofGod.

9.THELASTTHINGIS,THISISINEVERYCONDITION.

Nowweshallenlargeonthisalittle.

1.SUBMITTINGTOGODINWHATEVERAFFLICTIONBEFALLSUS:ASTOTHEKINDOFAFFLICTION.

2.ASTOTHETIMEANDCONTINUANCEOFTHEAFFLICTION.

3.ASTOTHEVARIETYANDCHANGESOFAFFLICTION:WHATEVERTHEY ARE, YET THERE MUST BE A SUBMISSION TO GOD'SDISPOSALINEVERYCONDITION.

1.Astothekindofaffliction.Manymenandwomenwill ingeneralsaythattheymustsubmittoGodinaffliction;Isupposethatifyouweretogonowfromoneendofthiscongregationtotheother,andspeakthustoevery soul: 'Would you not submit to God's disposal, in whateverconditionhemightplaceyou?',youwouldsay,'Godforbidthatitshouldbe otherwise!' But we have a saying, There is a great deal of deceit ingeneralstatements.Ingeneral,youwouldsubmittoanything;butwhatifit is in this or that particular case which crosses you most?-Then,anythingbutthat!Weareusuallyapttothinkthatanyconditionisbetterthan that condition in which God has placed us. Now, this is notcontentment;itshouldbenotonlytoanyconditioningeneral,butforthekindofaffliction,includingthatwhichmostcrossesyou.God,itmaybe,strikesyouinyourchild.-'Oh,ifithadbeeninmypossessions'yousay,'Iwouldbecontent!'Perhapshestrikesyouinyourmarriage.'Oh,'yousay,'Iwouldratherhavebeenstrickeninmyhealth.'Andifhehadstruckyouinyourhealth-'Oh, then, if ithadbeen inmytrading, Iwouldnothave

cared.' But we must not be our own carvers. Whatever particularafflictionsGodmayplaceusin,wemustbecontentinthem.

2.TheremustbeasubmissiontoGod ineveryaffliction,as to the timeandcontinuanceoftheaffliction.'PerhapsIcouldsubmitandbecontent',says someone, 'but this affliction has been on me a long time, threemonths,ayear,manyyears,andIdonotknowhowtoyieldandsubmitto it, my patience is worn out and broken.' I may even be a spiritualaffliction-youcouldsubmittoGod,yousay,inanyoutwardaffliction,butnotinasoul-affliction.

OrifitwerethewithdrawingofGod'sface-'YetifthishadbeenbutforalittletimeIcouldsubmit;buttoseekGodforsolongandstillhedoesnotappear,OhhowshallIbearthis?'Wemustnotbeourowndisposersforthe time of deliverance any more than for the kind and way ofdeliverance.

IwillgiveyouaScriptureortwoaboutthis.ThatwearetosubmittoGodforthetimeaswellasthekindofaffliction,seethelatterendofthefirstchapterofEzekiel:'WhenIsawitIfelluponmyface,andIheardavoiceof one that spake.' The Prophetwas cast down upon his face, but howlongmusthelieuponhisface?'Andhesaiduntome,Sonofman,standuponthyfeetandIwillspeakuntothee.Andthespiritenteredintome,whenhespakeuntome,andsetmeuponmyfeet.'Ezekielwascastdownuponhisface,andtherehemustlietillGodshouldbidhimtostandup;yea,andnotonlyso,buttillGod'sSpiritcameintohimandenabledhimtostandup.SowhenGodcastsusdown,wemustbe content to lie tillGodbidsusstandup,andGod'sSpiritentersintoustoenableustostandup.YouknowhowNoahwasputintotheArk-certainlyheknewtherewasmuchafflictionintheArk,withallkindsofcreaturesshutupwithhimfortwelvemonths together-itwasamighty thing,yetGodhavingshuthimup,eventhoughthewaterswereassuaged,NoahwasnottocomeoutoftheArktillGodbidhim.Sothoughwebeshutupingreatafflictions,andwemay thinkof thisand thatand theothermeans to comeoutof thataffliction,yet tillGodopensthedoor,weshouldbewillingtostay;Godhasputusin,andGodwillbringusout.SowereadintheActsofPaul,whentheyhadshuthiminprisonandwouldhavesentforhimout;'No',saysPaul,'theyshutusin,letthemcomeandfetchusout.'Soinaholy,

graciousway should a soul say, 'Well, this affliction that I am broughtinto,isbythehandofGod,andIamcontenttobeheretillGodbringsmeouthimself.'Godrequiresitatourhands,thatweshouldnotbewillingtocomeouttillhecomesandfetchesusout.

In Joshua4:10 there is a remarkable story thatmay serve our purposeverywell:WereadoftheprieststhattheyborethearkandstoodinthemidstofJordan(youknowwhentheChildrenofIsraelwentintothelandofCanaan theywent through the river Jordan).Now to go through theriverJordanwasaverydangerous thing,butGodhad told them to go.They might have been afraid of the water coming in upon them. Butmark,itissaid,'TheprieststhatbarethearkstoodinthemidstofJordantill every thingwas finished that theLordcommandedJoshua to speakuntothepeople,accordingtoallthatMosescommandedJoshua,andthepeoplehastedandpassedover:Anditcametopasswhenallthepeoplewere clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and thepriestsinthepresenceofthepeople.'NowitwasGod'sdisposalthatallthepeopleshouldpassoverfirst,thattheyshouldbesafeonland;butthepriestsmuststandstilltillallthepeoplehadpassedover,andthentheymusthaveleavetogo.ButtheymuststaytillGodwouldhavethemtogo,stay in all that danger! For certainly, to reason and sense, there was agreatdeal of danger in staying, for the text says that thepeople hastedover,buttheprieststheymuststaytillthepeoplehavegone,staytillGodcallsthemoutfromthatplaceofdanger.Andsomanytimesitprovesthecase thatGod ispleased todisposeof thingsso thathisministersmuststaylongerindangerthanthepeople,andlikewisemagistratesandthoseinpublicplaces,whichshouldmakepeopletobesatisfiedandcontentedwithalowerpositionintowhichGodhasputthem.Thoughyourpositionis low,yetyouarenot in thesamedangeras thosewhoare inahigherposition.God calls those in public positions to stand longer in the gapandplace of danger than other people, butwemust be content to stayeveninJordantilltheLordshallbepleasedtocallusout.

3.Andthenforthevarietyofourcondition.Wemustbecontentwiththeparticular affliction, and the time, and all the circumstances about theaffliction-forsometimesthecircumstancesaregreaterafflictionsthantheafflictions themselves-and for the variety. God may exercise us with

variousafflictionsoneafteranother,ashasbeenverynoticeable,evenoflate, that many who have been plundered and come away, afterwardshavefallensickanddied;theyhadfledfortheirlivesandafterwardstheplaguehascomeamongthem;andifnotthataffliction, itmaybesomeother. It is very rarely that one affliction comes alone; commonly,afflictions are not single things, but they come one upon the neck ofanother.Godmay strike oneman in his possessions, then in his body,theninhisname,wife,childordearfriend,andsoitcomesinavarietyofways;itisthewayofGodordinarily(youmayfinditbyexperience)thatoneafflictionseldomcomesalone.Nowthisishard,whenoneafflictionfollowsafteranother,whenthereisavarietyofafflictions,whenthereisamightychangeinone'scondition,upanddown,thisway,andthat:thereindeedisthetrialofaChristian.NowtheremustbesubmissiontoGod'sdisposal in them. I remember it was said even of Cato, who was aHeathen,thatnomansawhimtobechanged,thoughhelivedinatimewhenthecommonwealthwassooftenchanged;yet it issaidofhim,hewas the same still, though his condition was changed, and he passedthroughavarietyofconditions.OhthatthesamecouldbesaidofmanyChristians,thatthoughtheircircumstancesarechanged,yetthatnobodycouldseethemchanged,theyarethesame!Didyouseewhatagracious,sweetandholytempertheywereinbefore?Theyareinitstill.ThusarewetosubmittothedisposalofGodineverycondition.

Contentment is the inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freelysubmitting to and takingpleasure inGod's disposal in every condition:Thatisthedescription,andinitninedistinctthingshavebeenopenedupwhichwesummarizeas follows:First, thatcontentment isaheart-workwithinthesoul;Secondly,itisthequietingoftheheart;Thirdly,itistheframeofthespirit;Fourthly, it isagraciousframe;Fifthly, it isthefreeworkingofthisgraciousframe;Sixthly,thereisinitasubmissiontoGod,sendingthesoulunderGod;Seventhly,thereisatakingpleasureinthehandofGod;Eighthly, all is traced toGod'sdisposal;Ninthly, ineverycondition,howeverharditbeandhoweverlongitcontinue.

Nowthoseofyouwhohavelearnedtobecontent,havelearnedtoattaintothesevariousthings.Ihopethattheveryopeningofthesethingsmaysofarworkonyourheartsthatyoumaylayyourhandsuponyourhearts

onwhathasbeensaid,Isay,thattheverytellingyouwhatthelessonismaycauseyoutolayyourhandsonyourheartsandsay,'Lord,Iseethereismore toChristian contentment than I thought therewas, and I havebeenfarfromlearningthislesson.Indeed,IhaveonlylearnedmyABCinthislessonofcontentment.IamonlyinthelowerforminChrist'sschoolif I am in it at all.'We shall speak of these thingsmore later, butmyparticularaiminopeningthispointistoshowwhatagreatmysterythereis inChristiancontentment,andhowmanydistinct lessonstherearetobe learned, thatwemay come to attain to this heavenly disposition, towhichSt.Paulattained.

TheMysteryofContentment

Butyouwillobject:Whatyouspeakofisverygood,ifwecouldattaintoit;butisitpossibleforanyonetoattaintothis?Itispossibleifyougetskillintheartofit;youmayattaintoit,anditwillprovetobenotsuchadifficultthingeither,ifyoubutunderstandthemysteryofit.Therearemanythingsthatmendointheircallings,thatifacountrymancomesandsees,hethinksitamightyhardthing,andthatheshouldneverbeabletodoit.Butthatisbecausehedoesnotunderstandtheartofit;thereisatwistofthehandbywhichyoumaydoitwithease.Nowthatisthebusinessofthisbook,toopentoyoutheartandmysteryofcontentment.

There is a great mystery and art in what way a Christian comes tocontentment.Bywhathasbeenalreadyopenedtoyoutherewillappearsomemysteryandart,asthatamanshouldbecontentwithhisaffliction,andyetthoroughlysensibleofhisafflictiontoo;tobethoroughlysensibleofanaffliction,andtoendeavortoremoveitbyalllawfulmeans,andyettobecontent:thereisamysteryinthat.Howtojointhesetwotogether:to be sensible of an affliction asmuch as aman orwomanwho is notcontent; I am sensible of it as fully as they, and I seek ways to bedeliveredfromitaswellasthey,andyetstillmyheartabidescontent-thisis,Isay,amystery,thatisveryhardforacarnalhearttounderstand.Butgraceteachessuchamixture,teachesushowtomakeamixtureofsorrow

andamixtureofjoytogether;andthatmakescontentment,theminglingof joy and sorrow, of gracious joy and gracious sorrow together. Graceteachesushowtomoderateandtoorderanafflictionsothatthereshallbeasenseofit,andyetforallthatcontentmentunderit.

There are several things for opening the mystery ofcontentment.

1.THEFIRSTTHINGIS,TOSHOWTHATTHEREISAGREATMYSTERYINIT.

ItmaybesaidofonewhoiscontentedinaChristianwaythatheisthemost contentedman in theworld, and yet themostunsatisfiedman inthe world; these two together must needs be mysterious. I say, acontented man, just as he is the most contented, so he is the mostunsatisfiedmanintheworld.

Younever learned themysteryof contentmentunless itmaybe saidofyouthat,justasyouarethemostcontentedman,soyouarealsothemostunsatisfiedmanintheworld.

Youwillsay,'Howisthat?'Amanwhohaslearnedtheartofcontentmentis themost contentedwith any low condition that he has in theworld,andyethecannotbesatisfiedwiththeenjoymentofalltheworld.Heiscontented if he has but a crust, but bread and water, that is, if Goddisposesofhim,forthethingsoftheworld,tohavebutbreadandwaterforhispresentcondition,hecanbesatisfiedwithGod'sdisposalinthat;yetifGodshouldgiveuntohimKingdomsandEmpires,alltheworldtorule, if he should give it him for his portion, hewould not be satisfiedwiththat.Here is themysteryof it: thoughhisheart issoenlargedthatthe enjoyment of all the world and ten thousandworlds cannot satisfyhimforhisportion;yethehasaheartquietedunderGod'sdisposal,ifhegiveshimbutbreadandwater.Tojointhesetwotogethermustneedsbeagreatartandmystery.

Thoughhe iscontentedwithGodina little,yet thosethingsthatwouldcontentothermenwillnotcontenthim.Themenoftheworldseekafterwealth,andthinkiftheyhadthusmuch,andthusmuch,theywouldbe

content.Theydonotaimatgreatthings;butifIhad,perhapssomemanthinks,onlytwoorthreehundredayear,thenIshouldbewellenough;ifI hadbut a hundred a year, or a thousand a year, says another, then Ishouldbesatisfied.Butagraciousheartsaysthatifhehadtenhundredthousand times somuch a year, itwouldnot satisfy him; if he had thequintessence of all the excellences of all the creatures in the world, itcouldnotsatisfyhim;andyetthismancansing,andbemerryandjoyfulwhenhehasonlyacrustofbreadandalittlewaterintheworld.Surelyreligionisagreatmystery!Greatisthemysteryofgodliness,notonlyinthedoctrinalpartofit,butinthepracticalpartofitalso.

Godlinessteachesusthismystery,Not tobesatisfiedwithall theworldfor our portion, and yet to be content with the meanest condition inwhichweare.WhenLutherwassentgreatgiftsbyDukesandPrinces,herefusedthem,andhesays,'IdidvehementlyprotestthatGodshouldnotputmeoffso;'tisnotthatwhichwillcontentme.'AlittleintheworldwillcontentaChristian forhispassage.Mark,here lies themysteryof it,Alittle in the world will content a Christian for his passage, but all theworld,andtenthousandtimesmore,willnotcontentaChristianforhisportion.Acarnalheartwillbecontentwiththesethingsoftheworldforhis portion; and that is the difference between a carnal heart and agraciousheart.Butagraciousheartsays,'Lord,dowithmewhatyouwillfor my passage through this world; I will be content with that, but Icannot be content with all the world for my portion.' So there is themystery of true contentment. A contented man, though he is mostcontentedwiththeleastthingsintheworld,yetheisthemostdissatisfiedmanthatlivesintheworld.

A soul that is capable of God can be filled with nothing else but God;nothingbutGodcanfillasoulthatiscapableofGod.Thoughagraciousheart knows that it is capable of God, and was made for God, carnalhearts think without reference to God. But a gracious heart, beingenlarged to be capable of God, and enjoying somewhat of him, can befilledbynothingintheworld;itmustonlybeGodhimself.Thereforeyouwillobserve,thatwhateverGodmaygivetoagraciousheart,aheartthatisgodly,unlesshegiveshimselfitwillnotdo.Agodlyheartwillnotonlyhavethemercy,buttheGodofthatmercyaswell;andthenalittlematter

isenough in theworld, so be it he has theGod of themercywhich heenjoys.In

Philippians4:7,9(IneedgonofurthertoshowclearScriptureforthis)compare verse 7with verse 9: 'And the peace ofGodwhich passeth allunderstanding shall keep yourhearts andminds through JesusChrist.'ThepeaceofGodshallkeepyourhearts.Theninverse9: 'Thosethingswhichyehavebothlearned,andreceived,andheard,andseeninme,do:andtheGodofpeaceshallbewithyou.'ThepeaceofGodshallkeepyou,andtheGodofpeaceshallbewithyou.

HereiswhatIwouldobservefromthistext.ThatthepeaceofGodisnotenough toagraciousheartexcept itmayhave theGodof thatpeace.Acarnal heart could be satisfied if he might but have outward peace,thoughitisnotthepaceofGod;peaceinthestate,andhistrading,wouldsatisfy him. But mark how a godly heart goes beyond a carnal. Alloutwardpeaceisnotenough;ImusthavethepeaceofGod.ButsupposeyouhavethepeaceofGod.Willthatnotquietyou?No,ImusthavetheGodofpeace; as thepeaceofGod so theGodofpeace.That is, ImustenjoythatGodwhogivesmethepeace;ImusthavetheCauseaswellasthe effect. I must see from whence my peace comes, and enjoy theFountainofmypeace,aswellasthestreamofmypeace.Andsoinothermercies:haveIhealthfromGod?ImusthavetheGodofmyhealthtobemyportion,orelseIamnotsatisfied.Itisnotlife,buttheGodofmylife;itisnotriches,buttheGodofthoseriches,thatImusthave,theGodofmypreservation,aswellasmypreservation.

A gracious heart is not satisfied without this: to have the God of themercy,aswellasthemercy.InPsalm73:25,'WhomhaveIinheavenbutthee,andthereisnoneupontheearththatIdesirebesidethee.'Thereisnothinginheavenorearththatcansatisfyme,butyourself.IfGodgaveyounotonlyearthbutheaven,thatyoushouldruleoversun,moonandstars,andhavetheruleoverthehighestofthesonsofmen,itwouldnotbeenoughtosatisfyyou,unlessyouhadGodhimself.Thereliesthefirstmystery of contentment. And truly a contented man, though he is themost contented man in the world, is the most dissatisfied man in theworld;thatis,thosethingsthatwillsatisfytheworld,willnotsatisfyhim.

2.ACHRISTIANCOMESTOCONTENTMENT,NOTSOMUCHBYWAYOFADDITION,ASBYWAYOFSUBTRACTION.

Thatishiswayofcontentment,anditisawaythattheworldhasnoskillin. Iopen it thus:not somuchbyadding towhathewouldhave, or towhat he has, not by adding more to his condition; but rather bysubtracting from his desires, so as to make his desires and hiscircumstancesevenandequal.

Acarnalheartknowsnoway tobe contentedbut this: Ihave suchandsuchpossessions,andifIhadthisaddedtothem,andtheothercomfortadded that Ihavenotnow, then I shouldbe contented. perhaps I havelostmypossessions,ifIcouldonlyhavegiventomesomethingtomakeupmyloss,thenIshouldbeacontentedman.Butcontentmentdoesnotcomeinthatway,itdoesnotcome,Isay,byaddingtowhatyouwant,butbysubtractingfromyourdesires.ItisallonetoaChristian,whetherIgetuptowhatIwouldhave,orgetmydesiresdowntowhatIhave,eithertoattain what I do desire, or to bring down my desires to what I havealreadyattained.Mywealthisthesame,foritisasfittingformetobringmy desire down to my circumstances, as it is to raise up mycircumstancestomydesire.

Now I say that a heart that has no grace, and is not instructed in thismysteryofcontentment,knowsofnowaytogetcontentment,buttohavehis possessions raised up to his desires; but the Christian has anotherway to contentment, that is, he can bring his desires down to hispossessions, and soheattainshis contentment.Thus theLord fashionstheheartsofthechildrenofmen.Iftheheartofamanisfashionedtohiscircumstances,hemayhaveasmuchcontentmentasifhiscircumstanceswere fashioned to his heart. Somemen have amighty large heart, buttheyhavestraitenedcircumstances,andtheycanneverhavecontentmentwhentheyheartsarebigandtheircircumstancesarelittle.Butthoughamancannotbringhiscircumstancestobeasgreatashisheart,yetifhecan bring his heart to be as little as his circumstances, to make themeven,this is theway tocontentment.Theworld is infinitelydeceived inthinkingthatcontentmentliesinhavingmorethanwealreadyhave.Herelies thebottomand root of all contentment,when there is an evennessandproportionbetweenourhearts andour circumstances.That iswhy

manygodlymenwhoareinlowpositionlivemoresweetandcomfortablelivesthanthosewhoarericher.

Contentmentisnotalwaysclothedwithsilkandpurpleandvelvets,butitissometimes inahome-spunsuit, inmeancircumstances,aswellas inhigher.Manymenwhooncehavehadgreatestates,andGodhasbroughtthem into a lower position have had more contentment in thosecircumstancesthantheyhadbefore.Nowhowcanthatpossiblybe?Quiteeasily,ifyouonlyunderstoodthattherootofcontentmentconsistsinthesuitableness and proportion of a man's spirit to his possessions, anevenness where one end is not longer and bigger than the other. Theheartiscontentedandthereiscomfortinthosecircumstances.ButnowletGodgiveamanriches,nomatterhowgreat,yetiftheLordgiveshimuptotheprideofhisheart,hewillneverbecontented:ontheotherhand,let God bring anyone into mean circumstances, and then let God butfashionandsuithishearttothosecircumstancesandhewillbecontent.

It is the same inwalking: Suppose aman had a very long leg, and hisother legwas short-why, though one of his legswas longer than usual,stillhecouldnotgoaswellasamanbothofwhoselegsareshorterthanhis.Iwouldcomparealongleg,whenoneis longerthantheother,toaman who has a high position and is very rich and a great man in theworld,buthehasaveryproudheart, too,and that is longerand largerthanhisposition.Thismancannotbutbetroubledinhiscircumstances.Anotherman is in amean position, his circumstances are low and hisheart is low too, so that his heart andhis circumstances are even.Thismanwalkswith abundantlymore ease than the other. Thus a graciousheart thinks in thisway: 'TheLordhasbeenpleased tobringdownmycircumstances;nowiftheLordbringsdownmyheartandmakesitequaltomycircumstances,thenIamwellenough.'SowhenGodbringsdownhis circumstances, he does not so much labor to raise up hiscircumstances again as to bring his heart down to his circumstances.Eventheheathenphilosophershadalittleglimpseofthis:theycouldsaythatthebestrichesispovertyofdesires-thosearethewordsofaheathen.Thatis,ifamanorwomanhavetheirdesirescutshort,andhavenolargedesires,thatmanorwomanisrich.Sothisistheartofcontentment:notto seek to add to our circumstances, but to subtract form our desires.

Anotherauthorhassaid,Thewaytoberichisnotbyincreasingwealth,butbydiminishingourdesires.Certainlythatmanorwomanisrich,whohave their desires satisfied. Now a contented man has his desiressatisfied,Godsatisfiesthem,thatis,allconsidered,heissatisfiedthathiscircumstancesareforthepresentthebestcircumstances.

Sohecomestothiscontentmentbywayofsubtraction,andnotaddition.

3.ACHRISTIANCOMESTOCONTENTMENT,NOTSOMUCHBYGETTINGRIDOFTHEBURDENTHATISONHIM,ASBYADDINGANOTHERBURDENTOHIMSELF.

Thisisawaythatfleshandbloodhaslittleskillin.Youwillsay,'Howisthis?' In this manner: are you afflicted, and is there a great load andburdenonyoubecauseofyouraffliction?Youthinkthereisnowayintheworldtogetcontentment,but,Othatthisburdenwerebutoff!Oit isaheavyload,andfewknowwhataburdenIhave.What,doyouthinkthatthereisnowayforthecontentmentofyourspirit,buttogetridofyourburden?Oyouaredeceived.Thewayof contentment is toaddanotherburden,thatis,tolabortoloadandburdenyourheartwithyoursin;theheaviertheburdenofyoursinistoyourheart,thelighterwilltheburdenofyourafflictionbetoyourheart,andsoyoushallcometobecontent.Ifyouburdenwerelightened,thatwouldcontentyou;youthinkthereisnowaytolightenitbuttogetitoff.Butyouaredeceived;forifyoucangetyourhearttobemoreburdenedwithyoursin,youwillbelessburdenedwithyourafflictions.

Youwillsay,thisisastrangewayforamanorwomantogeteasetotheircondition, to lay a greater burden upon them when they are alreadyburdened?Youthinkthereisnootherway,whenyouareafflicted,buttobejollyandmerry,andgetintocompany.Ohnow,youaredeceived,yourburdenwillcomeagain.Alas,thisisapoorwaytogetone'sspiritquitted;poorman, the burdenwill be upon him again. If youwould have yourburdenlight,getaloneandexamineyourheart foryoursin,andchargeyour soul with your sin. If your burden is in your possessions, for theabuseofthem,orifitisaburdenuponyourbody,fortheabuseofyourhealthandstrength,andtheabuseofanymerciesthatnowtheLordhastakenawayfromyou,thatyouhavenothonoredGodwiththosemercies

thatyouhavehad,butyouhavewalkedwantonlyandcarelessly;ifyousofall to bemoaning your sin before the Lord, you shall quickly find theburdenofyourafflictiontobelighterthanitwasbefore.Dobuttrythispiece of skill and art, to get your souls contented with any lowcircumstancesthatGodputsyouinto.

Many times in a family, when any affliction befalls them, Oh, what anamountofdiscontentistherebetweenmanandwife!Iftheyarecrossedintheirpossessionsatland,orhavebadnewsfromacrosstheseas,orifthosewhomtheytrustedareruinedandthelike,orperhapssomethinginthe family causes strife between man and wife, in reference to thechildrenorservants,andthereisnothingbutquarrellinganddiscontentamong them, now they are many times burdened with their owndiscontent;andperhapswillsayonetoanother,Itisveryuncomfortableforustolivesodiscontentedaswedo.Buthaveyouevertriedthisway,husbandandwife?Haveyouevergotaloneandsaid,'Come,Ohletusgoand humble our souls beforeGod together, let us go into our chamberandhumbleoursoulsbeforeGodforoursin,bywhichwehaveabusedthosemercies thatGodhas takenaway fromus,andwehaveprovokedGodagainstus.Ohletuschargeourselveswithoursin,andbehumbledbefore the Lord together.'?Have you tried such away as this?Oh youwouldfindthatthecloudwouldbetakenaway,andthesunwouldshinein upon you, and youwould have a great dealmore contentment thanever you had. If aman's estate is broken, either by plunderers, or anyotherway;howshallthismanhavecontentment?How?Bythebreakingofhisheart.Godhasbrokenyourestate;Ohseektohimforthebreakingofyourheartlikewise.Indeed,abrokenestateandawholeheart,ahardheart,willnotjointogether;therewillbenocontentment.Butabrokenestateandabrokenheartwill so suitoneanother, as that therewillbemorecontentmentthantherewasbefore.

Addthereforetothebreakingofyourestate,thebreakingofyourheart,andthat is thewaytobecontented inaChristianmanner,which is thethirdmysteryinChristiancontentment.

4.ITISNOTSOMUCHTHEREMOVINGOFTHEAFFLICTIONTHATISUPONUSASTHECHANGINGOFTHEAFFLICTION,THEMETAMORPHOSINGOFTHEAFFLICTION,SOTHATIT

ISQUITETURNEDANDCHANGEDINTOSOMETHINGELSE.

Imeaninregardoftheuseofit,thoughforthethingitselftheafflictionremains.Thewayofcontentmenttoacarnalheartisonlytheremovingoftheaffliction.Othatitmaybegone!'No,'saysagraciousheart,'Godhastaughtmeawaytobecontentthoughtheafflictionitselfstillcontinues.'There isapowerofgrace to turnthisaffliction intogood; it takesawaythestingandpoisonof it.Takethecaseofpoverty,aman'spossessionsare lost:Well, is therenoway tobe contented till yourpossessions aremadeupagain?Tillyourpovertyisremoved?Yes,certainly,Christianitywould teach contentment, though poverty continues. It will teach youhowtoturnyourpovertytospiritualriches.Youshallbepoorstillastoyouroutwardpossessions,butthisshallbealtered;whereasbeforeitwasanaturalevil toyou, itcomesnowtobeturnedtoaspiritualbenefit toyou.Andsoyoucometobecontent.

ThereisasayingofAmbrose, 'Evenpovertyitselfisrichestoholymen.'Godlymenmaketheirpovertyturntoriches;theygetmorerichesoutoftheir poverty than ever they get out of their revenues. Out of all theirtradinginthisworldtheyneverhadsuchincomesastheyhavehadoutoftheir poverty. This a carnal heart will thing strange, that a man shallmakepovertythemostgainfultradethateverhehadintheworld.IampersuadedthatmanyChristianshavefounditso,thattheyhavegotmoregoodbytheirpoverty,thanevertheygotbyalltheirriches.YoufinditinScripture.

Therefore thingnot this strange that I amspeakingof.Youdonot findonegodlymanwhocameoutofanafflictionworse thanwhenhewentintoit;thoughforawhilehewasshaken,yetatlasthewasbetterforanaffliction.

But a great many godly men, you find, have been worse for theirprosperity.ScarcelyonegodlymanthatyoureadofinScripturebutwasworse for prosperity (except forDaniel andNehemiah-I do not read ofany hurt they got by their prosperity); scarcely, I think, is there oneexampleofagodlymanwhowasnotworseforhisprosperitythanbetter.Saoratheryouseeitisnostrangethingtoonewhoisgraciousthattheyshallgetgoodbytheiraffliction.

Lutherhasasimilarexpressioninhiscommentonthe5thchapteroftheGalatians, the 17th verse: he says, 'Christian becomes amighty workerandawonderfulcreator,thatis',hesays, 'tocreateoutofheavinessjoy,outofterrorcomfort,outofsinrighteousness,andoutofdeathlife.'Hebringslightoutofdarkness.ItwasGod'sprerogativeandgreatpower,hiscreating power to command the light to shine out of darkness. Now aChristianispartakerofthedivinenature,sotheScripturesays;graceispartof thedivinenature,and,beingpartof thedivinenature, ithasanimpression of God's omnipotent power, that is, to create light out ofdarkness,tobringgoodoutofevil-bythisawayaChristiancomestobecontent.GodhasgivenaChristiansuchpowerthathecanturnafflictionsintomercies, can turndarkness into light. If amanhad thepowerthatChristhad,whenthewaterpotswerefilled,hecouldbyawordturnthewater into wine. If you who have nothing but water to drink had thepower to turn it into wine, then you might be contented; certainly aChristianhasreceivethispowerfromGod,toworkthusmiraculously.Itisthenatureofgracetoturnwaterintowine,thatis,toturnthewaterofyouraffliction,intothewineofheavenlyconsolation.

Ifyouunderstandthisinacarnalway,Iknowitwillberidiculousforaministertospeakthustoyou,andmanycarnalpeoplearereadytomakesuchexpressionsastheseridiculous,understandingtheminacarnalway.

This is just likeNicodemus, in the third of John, 'What! can aman beborn when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother'swombandbeborn?'Sowhenwesayofgrace,thatitcanturnwaterintowine, and turnpoverty into riches, andmakepovertyagainful trade, acarnalheartsays,'Letthemhavethattradeiftheywill,andletthemhavewatertodrink,andseeiftheycanturnitintowine.'Oh,takeheedyoudonotspeak inascornfulwayof thewaysofGod;gracehas thepower toturnafflictions intomercies.Twomenmayhave the sameaffliction; tooneitshallbeasgallandwormwood,yetitshallbewineandhoneyanddelightfulnessandjoyandadvantageandrichestotheother.Thisisthemystery of contentment, not so much by removing the evil, as bymetamorphosingtheevil,bychangingtheevilintogood.

5. A CHRISTIAN COMES TO THIS CONTENTMENT NOT BYMAKINGUPTHEWANTSOFHISCIRCUMSTANCES,BUTBY

THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK OF HISCIRCUMSTANCES.

Thisisthewayofcontentment.TherearethesecircumstancesthatIamin,withmanywants:Iwantthisandtheothercomfort-well,howshallIcometobesatisfiedandcontent?Acarnalheartthinks,Imusthavemywantsmade up or else it is impossible that I should be content. But agraciousheartsays, 'What is thedutyof thecircumstancesGodhasputmeinto?Indeed,mycircumstanceshavechanged,Iwasnotlongsinceinaprosperousstate,butGodhaschangedmycircumstances.TheLordhascalledmenomoreNaomi,butMarah.NowwhatamItodo?WhatcanIthinknowarethosedutiesthatGodrequiresofmeinthecircumstancesthathehasnowputme into?Letme exertmy strength toperform theduties of my present circumstances. Others spend their thoughts onthingsthatdisturbanddisquietthem,andsotheygrowmoreandmorediscontented.

Letmespendmythoughts inthinkingwhatmyduty is, 'O',saysamanwhosecondition ischangedandwhohas losthiswealth, 'HadIbutmywealth,asIhadheretofore,howwouldIuseittohisglory?GodhasmademeseethatIdidnothonorhimwithmypossessionsasIoughttohavedone.OifIhaditagain,IwoulddobetterthanIdidbefore.'Butthismaybebutatemptation.Youshouldratherthink,'WhatdoesGodrequireofme in the circumstances I am now brought into?' You should labor tobringyourhearttoquietandcontentmentbysettingyoursoultoworkinthe duties of your present condition. And the truth is, I know nothingmoreeffectiveforquietingaChristiansoulandgettingcontentmentthanthis, setting your heart to work in the duties of the immediatecircumstances that you are now in, and taking heed of your thoughtsaboutotherconditionsasameretemptation.

I cannot better compare the folly of thosemen and womenwho thinktheywillgetcontentmentbymusingaboutothercircumstances than tothewayofchildren:perhapstheyhaveclimbedahillandlookagoodwayoff and see anotherhill, and they think if theywere on the topof that,theywouldbeabletotouchthecloudswiththeirfingers;butwhentheyareon the topof thathill, alas, they are as far from the clouds as theywere before. So it is with many who think, If I were in such

circumstances, then I should have contentment; and perhaps they getintocircumstances,andtheyareasfarfromcontentmentasbefore.Butthen they think that if theywere inother circumstances, theywouldbecontented,butwhentheyhavegotintothosecircumstances,theyarestillas far fromcontentment as before.No, no, letme considerwhat is thedutyofmypresent circumstances, and contentmyheartwith this, andsay,'Well,thoughIaminalowposition,yetIamservingthecounselsofGodinthosecircumstanceswhereIam;itisthecounselofGodthathasbroughtme into thesecircumstances that Iam in,andIdesire toservethecounselofGodinthesecircumstances.

ThereisaremarkableScriptureconcerningDavid,ofwhomitissaidthathe served his generation: 'After David had served his generationaccording to the will of God, then he slept.' It is a saying of PaulconcerninghiminActs13:36.InyourBiblesitis,'Afterhehadservedhisown generation according to the will of God', but the word that istranslatedwill,meansthecounselofGod,andsoitmaybetranslatedaswell, 'ThatafterDavid inhisgenerationhadservedGod'scounsel, thenhefellasleep'.Weordinarilytakethewordsthus,ThatDavidservedhisgeneration: that is, he did thework of his generation-that is to serve aman'sgeneration.But it isclearer ifyouread it thus,AfterDavid inhisgenerationhadservedthecounselofGod,thenDavidfellasleep.OthatshouldbethecareofaChristian,toserveoutGod'scounsels.WhatisthecounselofGod?ThecircumstancesthatIamin,Godhasputmeintobyhis own counsel, the counsel of his own will. Now I must serve God'scounsel in my generation; whatever is the counsel of God in mycircumstances, Imustbecareful toserve that.So I shallhavemyheartquietedforthepresent,andshallliveanddiepeaceablyandcomfortably,ifIamcarefultoserveGod'scounsel.

6.AGRACIOUSHEARTISCONTENTEDBYTHEMELTINGOFHISWILL ANDDESIRES INTOGOD'SWILL ANDDESIRES;BYTHISMEANSHEGETSCONTENTMENT.

Thistooisamysterytoacarnalheart.Itisnotbyhavinghisowndesiressatisfied,butbymeltinghiswill anddesires intoGod'swill. So that, inone sense, he comes to have his desires satisfied though he does notobtainthethingthathedesiredbefore;stillhecomestobesatisfiedwith

this,becausehemakeshiswilltobeatonewithGod'swill.Thisisasmalldegree higher than submitting to the will of God. You all say that youshouldsubmittoGod'swill;aChristianhasgotbeyondthis.HecanmakeGod'swillandhisownthesame.ItissaidofbelieversthattheyarejoinedtotheLord,andareonespirit;thatmeans,thatwhateverGod'swillis,Ido not only see good reason to submit to it, but God's will ismywill.Whenthesoulcanmakeover,asitwere,itswilltoGod,itmustneedsbecontented. Others would fain get the thing they desire, but a graciousheartwillsay,'OwhatGodwouldhave,Iwouldhavetoo;Iwillnotonlyyieldtoit,butIwouldhaveittoo.'Agracioushearthaslearnedthisart,notonlytomakethecommandingwillofGodtobeitsownwill-that is,whatGodcommandsmetodo,Iwilldoit-buttomaketheprovidentialwill of God and the operative will of God to be his will too. Godcommands this thing,whichperhaps youwho are Christiansmay havesomeskillin,butwhateverGodworksyoumustwill,aswellaswhatGodcommands.

YoumustmakeGod'sprovidentialwillandhisoperativewill,yourwillaswell as God's will, and in this way you must come to contentment. AChristianmakesoverhiswilltoGod,andinmakingoverhiswilltoGod,hehasnootherwillbutGod's.Supposeamanweretomakeoverhisdebtto another man. If the man to whom I owe the debt be satisfied andcontented,IamsatisfiedbecauseIhavemadeitovertohim,andIneednotbediscontentedandsay,'MydebtisnotpaidandIamnotsatisfied'.Yes, you are satisfied, for he to whom you made over your debt issatisfied. It is just the same, for all the world, between God and aChristian:aChristianheartmakesoverhiswilltoGod:nowthenifGod'swill is satisfied, then I am satisfied, for I have nowill ofmy own, it ismeltedintothewillofGod.Thisistheexcellenceofgrace:gracedoesnotonlysubjectthewilltoGod,butitmeltsthewill intoGod'swill,sothattheyarenowbutonewill.Whatasweetsatisfactionthesoulmusthaveinthiscondition,whenallismadeovertoGod.Youwillsay,Thisishard!Iwillexpressitalittlemore:Agraciousheartmustneedshavesatisfactionin thisway, because godliness teaches him this, to see that his good ismore inGodthan inhimself.Thegoodofmy lifeandcomfortsandmyhappinessandmygloryandmyrichesaremore inGodthan inmyself.Wemayperhapsspeakmoreof that,whenwecome to the lessons that

aretobelearned.Itisbythisthatagraciousheartgetscontentment;hemeltshiswillintoGod's,forhesays,'IfGodhasglory,Ihaveglory;God'sgloryismyglory,andthereforeGod'swillismine;ifGodhasriches,thenIhaveriches;ifGodismagnified,thenIammagnified;ifGodissatisfied,thenIamsatisfied;God'swisdomandholinessismine,andthereforehiswillmustneedsbemine,andmywillmustneedsbehis.'Thisistheartofa Christian's contentment: he melts his will into the will of God, andmakesoverhiswill toGod: 'OhLord, thoushaltchooseour inheritanceforus'(Psalm47:4).

7. THEMYSTERY CONSISTSNOT IN BRINGING ANYTHINGFROM OUTSIDE TO MAKE MY CONDITION MORECOMFORTABLE, BUT IN PURGINGOUT SOMETHING THATISWITHIN.

Nowthemenoftheworld,whentheywouldhavecontentment,andlackanything,Oh, theymusthave something fromoutside to content them.Butagodlymansays: 'Letmegetsomethingout that is inalready,andthenIshallcometocontentment.'Supposeamanhasafever,thatmakeswhathedrinks tastebitter:he says, 'Youmustput some sugar intomydrink'; his wife puts some in, and still the drink tastes bitter. Why?Becausethebitternesscomesfromabittercholerichumorwithin.Butletthe physician come and give him a bitter portion to purge out thebitternessthatiswithin,andthenhecantastehisdrinkwellenough.Itisjust the same with men of the world: Oh such a mercy added to thismercy,thenitwouldbesweet;butevenifGodshouldputaspoonfulortwo of sugar in, it would still be bitter. The way to contentment is topurgeoutyourlustsandbitterhumours.

'Fromwhencearewars,andstrifes?aretheynotfromyourluststhatarewithinyou?'(James4:1).

Theyarenotsomuchfromthingsoutside,but fromwithin. Ihavesaidsometimes,'Notallthestormsthatareabroadcanmakeanearthquake,butthevapoursthathavegotwithin.'Soifthoseluststhatarewithin,inyourheart,weregotout,yourconditionwouldbeacontentedcondition.These are themysteriousways of godliness, that themen of theworldneverthinkof.Whendidyoueverthinkofsuchawayasthis,togoand

purge out the diseases of your heart that are within? Here are sevenparticulars now named, and there are many more. Without theunderstandingof these things, and thepracticeof them, youwillnevercometoatruecontentmentinyourlife;Oh,youwillbebunglersinthistradeofChristianity.Buttherightperceivingofthesethingswillhelpyoutobeinstructedinit,asinamystery.

Themysteryofcontentmentmaybeshownevenmore.Agraciousheartgets contentment in a mysterious way, a way that the world is notacquaintedwith.

8.HELIVESUPONTHEDEWOFGOD'SBLESSING.

AdrianJuniususes the simile of a grasshopper to describe a contentedman, and says he has thismotto, 'I am content with what I have, andhopeforbetter.'Agrasshopperleadsandskipsupanddown,andlivesonthedew.

Agrasshopperdoesnot liveonthegrassasother thingsdo;youdonotknowwhatitfeedson.Otherthingsthoughaslittleasgrasshoppers,feeduponseedsorlittlefliesandsuchthings,butasforthegrasshopper,youdonotknowwhatitfeedsupon.InthesamewayaChristiancangetfoodthattheworlddoesnotknowof;heisfedinasecretwaybythedewoftheblessingofGod.Apoormanorwomanwhohasbutalittlewithgrace,livesamorecontentedlifethanhisrichneighborwhohasagreatincome;wefinditsoordinarily-thoughtheyhavebutlittle,yettheyhaveasecretblessingofGodwithit,whichtheycannotexpresstoanyoneelse.Ifyouweretocometothemandsay: 'Howisitthatyouliveashappilyasyoudo?', they cannot tell you what they have; but they find there is asweetnessinwhattheydoenjoy,andtheyknowbyexperiencethattheynever had such sweetness in former times. Even though they had agreater abundance in former times than they have now, yet they knowthey never had such sweetness; but how this comes about they cannottell. We may mention some considerations, in what godly men enjoy,whichmaketheirconditionsweet.

For example,Take these fouror five considerationswithwhicha godlymanfindscontentmentinwhathehas,thoughitiseversolittle.

1.Becauseinwhathehas,hehastheloveofGodtohim.Ifakingweretosendapieceofmeat fromhisown table, itwouldbea greatdealmorepleasant to a courtier than if he had twenty dishes as an ordinaryallowance;ifthekingsendsevenalittlethingandsays,'Goandcarryittothatmanasatokenofmylove',Oh,howdelightfulwouldthatbetohim!Whenyourhusbandsareatseaandsendyoua tokenof their love, it isworthmorethanfortytimeswhatyoualreadyhaveinyourhouses.EverygoodthingthepeopleofGodenjoy,theyenjoyitinGod'slove,asatokenofGod'slove,andcomingfromGod'seternallovetothem,andthismustneedsbeverysweettothem.

2.What theyhave is sanctified to themforgood.Othermenhavewhattheyenjoyinthewayofcommonprovidence,butthesaintshaveit inaspecialway.Othershavewhattheyhaveandnomore:meat,anddrink,andhouses,andclothes,andmoney,andthatisall.Butagraciousheartfindscontentmentinthis,Ihaveit,andIhaveasanctifieduseofittoo;IfindGodgoesalongwithwhatIhavetodrawmyheartnearertohim,andsanctifymyhearttohim.IfIfindmyheartdrawnnearertoGodbywhatIenjoy,thatismuchmorethanifIhaveitwithoutsanctifyingofmyheartbyit.Thereisasecretdewthatgoesalongwithit:thedewofGod'sloveinit,andthedewofsanctification.

3. A gracious heart has what he has free of cost; he is not likely to becalledtopayforit.Thedifferencebetweenwhatagodlymanhasandawickedman,isthis:Agodlymanisasachildinaninn,aninn-keeperhashis child in the house, and provides his diet, and lodging, andwhat isneedful for him.Now a stranger comes, and he has dinner and supperprovided,andlodging,but thestrangermustpay foreverything. Itmaybe that the child's fare is meaner than the fare of the stranger; thestranger has boiled and roast and baked, but hemust pay for it, theremust come a reckoning for it. Just so it is:many ofGod's people haveonlymeanfare,butGodasaFatherprovidesit,anditisfreeofcost,theyneednotpayforwhattheyhave,itispaidforbefore;butthewickedinalltheirpomp,andpride,andfinery:theyhavewhattheyaskfor,buttheremust come a reckoning for everything, they must pay for all at theconclusion,andisitnotbettertohavealittlefreeofcost,thantohavetopayforeverything?Graceshowsamanthatwhathehas,hehasfreeof

cost, from God as from a Father, and therefore it must needs be verysweet.

4.Agodlymanmayverywellbecontent,thoughhehasonlyalittle,forwhat he does have he has by right of Jesus Christ, by the purchase ofJesusChrist.Hehasarighttoit,adifferentkindofrighttothatwhichawickedmancanhavetowhathehas.Wickedmenhavecertainoutwardthings;Idonotsaytheyareusurpersofwhattheyhave;theyhavearighttoit,andthatbeforeGod,buthow?Itisarightbymeredonation,thatis,Godbyhisfreebountygivesittothem;buttherightthatthesaintshaveisarightofpurchase:itispaidfor,anditistheirown,andtheymayinaholymannerandholywayclaimwhatevertheyhaveneedof.Wecannotexpressthedifferencebetweentherightofaholyman,andtherightofthe wicked more fully than by the following simile: a criminal iscondemnedtodie,andyetbyfavorhehashissupperprovidedovernight.Nowthoughthecriminalhasforfeitedallhisrighttoallthings,toeverybitofbread,yetifheisgivenhissupperhedoesnotstealit.Thisistruethoughhehasforfeitedallrightsbyhisfault,andafterhehasoncebeencondemned he has no right to anything. So it is with the wicked: theyhave forfeited all their right to the comforts of this world, they arecondemnedbyGodascriminals,andaregoingtoexecution;butifGodinhisbountygivesthemsomethingtopreservethemhereintheworld,theycannot be said to be thieves or robbers.But if aman is given a supperovernightbeforehisexecution,isthatlikethesupperthathewaswonttohaveinhisownhouse,whenheatehisownbread,andhadhiswifeandchildrenabouthim?Oh,adishofgreenherbsathomewouldbeagreatdealbetterthananydaintiesinsuchasupperasthat.ButachildofGodhasnotarightmerelybydonation;whathehasishisown,throughthepurchaseofChrist.Everybitofbreadyoueat,ifyouareagodlymanorwoman,JesusChristhasboughtitforyou.

You go tomarket and buy yourmeat and drink with yourmoney, butknow that before you buy it, or paymoney,Christ has bought it at thehandofGodtheFatherwithhisblood.Youhaveitatthehandsofmenformoney,butChristhasboughtitatthehandofhisFatherbyhisblood.Certainlyitisagreatdealbetterandsweeternow,thoughitisbutalittle.

5.Thereisanotherthingthatshowsthesweetnessthatisinthelittlethat

theSaintshave,bywhichtheycometohavecontentment,whereasotherscannot,thatis,Everylittlethattheyhaveisbutasanearnestpenny*forall the glory that is reserved for them; it is given them by God as theforerunnerof thoseeternalmercies that theLord intends for them. [*Afirstinstalmentwhichguaranteesthattherestistofollow.]Nowifamanhas but twelve pence given to him as an earnest penny for some greatpossession that he must have, is that not better than if he had fortypoundsgiventohimotherwise?SoeverycomfortthatthesaintshaveinthisworldisanearnestpennytothemofthoseeternalmerciesthattheLordhasprovidedforthem.

Justaseveryafflictionthatthewickedhavehereisbutthebeginningofsorrows, and forerunnerof those eternal sorrows that theyare likely tohavehereafterinHell,soeverycomfortyouhaveisaforerunnerofthoseeternal mercies you shall have with God in Heaven. Not only are theconsolationsofGod'sSpirittheforerunnersofthoseeternalcomfortsyoushallhaveinHeaven,butwhenyousitatyourtable,andrejoicewithyourwifeandchildrenandfriends,youmaylookuponeveryoneofthosebutasaforerunner,yeatheveryearnestpennyofeternallifetoyou.Nowifthis is so, it is no marvel that a Christian is contented, but this is amystery to thewicked. I havewhat I have from the love ofGod, and IhaveitsanctifiedtomebyGod,andIhaveitfreeofcostfromGodbythepurchase of the blood of Jesus Christ, and I have it as a forerunner ofthose eternal mercies that are reserved for me; and in this my soulrejoices.ThereisasecretdewofGod'sgoodnessandblessinguponhiminhisestatethatothershavenot.

By all this youmay see themeaningof that Scripture, 'Better is a littlewithrighteousnessthangreatrevenueswithoutright'(

Proverbs 16:8). A man who has but a little, yet if he has it withrighteousness,itisbetterthanagreatdealwithoutright,yea,betterthanthegreatrevenuesofthewicked-soyouhaveitinanotherScripture.ThatisthenextthinginChristiancontentment:themysteryisinthis,thathelivesonthedewofGod'sblessing,inallthegoodthingsthatheenjoys.

9. NOTONLY INGOOD THINGSDOES A CHRISTIANHAVETHEDEWOFGOD'SBLESSING.

And find themvery sweet tohim,but in all the afflictions, all the evilsthatbefallhim,hecanseelove,andcanenjoythesweetnessofloveinhisafflictions as well as in hismercies. The truth is that the afflictions ofGod's people come from the same eternal love that Jesus Christ camfrom.Jeromesaid,'Heisahappymanwhoisbeatenwhenthestrokeisastrokeoflove.'AllGod'sstrokesarestrokesofloveandmercy,allGod'swaysaremercyandtruth,tothosethatfearhimandlovehim(

Psalm25:10).ThewaysofGod,thewaysofaffliction,aswellasthewaysof prosperity, aremercy and love to him. Grace gives aman an eye, apiercingeyetopiercethecounselofGod, thoseeternalcounselsofGodforgoodtohim,eveninhisafflictions;hecanseetheloveofGodineveryafflictionaswellasinprosperity.Nowthisisamysterytoacarnalheart.Theycanseenosuchthing;perhapsthemrich,buttheythingGodlovesthemwhenheprospers themandmakes themrich,but they thinkGodlovesthemnotwhenheafflictsmystery,graceenablesmentoseeloveintheveryfrownofGod'sface,andsocomestoreceivecontentment.

10. A GODLY MAN HAS CONTENTMENT AS A MYSTERY,because just as he sees all his afflictions come from the same love thatJesusChristdid,soheseesthemallsanctifiedinJesusChrist,sanctifiedinaMediator.Hesees,Isay,allthestingandvenomandpoisonofthemtakenout by the virtue of JesusChrist, theMediator betweenGod andman.Forinstance,whenaChristianwouldhavecontentmentheworksitout thus:what ismyaffliction?Is itpoverty thatGodstrikesmewith?-JesusChristhadnotahousetohidehisheadin,thefowlsoftheairhadnests,andthefoxesholes,buttheSonofmanhadnotaholetohidehishead in; nowmy poverty is sanctified by Christ's poverty. I can see byfaith the curse and sting and venom taken out of my poverty by thepovertyofJesusChrist.

Christ Jesuswaspoor in thisworld todeliverme from the curseofmypoverty. Somypoverty is not afflictive, if I can be contented in such acondition.That is theway,not to standand repine, because Ihavenotwhatothershave;no,butIampoor,andChristwaspoor,thathemightblessmypovertytome.

And so again, am I disgraced or dishonored? Is my good name taken

away? Why, Jesus Christ had dishonor put upon him; he was calledBeelzebub,andaSamaritan,andtheysaidhehadadevilinhim.Allthefoulaspersionsthatcouldbe,werecastuponJesusChrist,andthiswasforme,thatImighthavethedisgracethatiscastuponmesanctifiedtome. Whereas another man's heart is overwhelmed with dishonor, anddisgrace,andheseeksinthiswaytogetcontentment:perhapsyouhavebeenspokenillofandyouhavenootherwaytoeaseandrightyourselves,butiftheyabuseyou,youwillabusethemback;andsoyouthinktoeaseyourselves.Oh,butaChristianhasanotherway to easehimself: othersabuseandspeakillofme,butdidtheynotabuseJesusChrist,andspeakillofhim?AndwhatamIincomparisonofChrist?AndthesubjectionofChristtosuchanevilwasforme,thatthoughsuchathingshouldcomeuponme, Imight know that the curse of it is taken fromme throughChrist'ssubjectiontothatevil.

Thus,aChristiancanbecontentwhenanybodyspeaks illofhim.Now,thisisamysterytoyou,togetcontentmentinthisway.Soifmenjeerandscoffatyou,didtheynotdosotoJesusChrist?Theyjeeredandscoffedathim,andthatwhenhewasinhisgreatestextremityupontheCross:theysaid,Here is theKing of the Jews, and they bowed the knee, and said,HailKing of the Jews, and put a reed into his hand, andmocked him.NowIget contentment in themidstof scornsand jeers,byconsideringthatChristwasscorned,andbyactingfaithuponwhatChristsufferedforme.AmIingreatbodilypain?-JesusChristhadasgreatpaininhisbodyasIhave(thoughitistruehedidnothavethesamekindofsicknessesaswehave,yethehadasgreatpainandtorturesinhisbody,andthatwhichwasdeadly tohim,asmuchas any sickness is tous).TheexercisingoffaithonwhatChristendured,isthewaytogetcontentmentinthemidstofourpains.

Someone liesvexingand frettinghimself,andcannotbearhispain:areyouaChristian?Haveyouevertriedthiswayofgettingcontentment,toactyour faithonall thepainsandsufferings thatJesusChrist suffered:thiswouldbethewayofcontentment,andaChristiangetscontentmentwhen under pains, in this way. Sometimes one who is very godly andgracious, may be found bearing grievous pains and extremities verycheerfully,andyouwonderatit.Hegetsitbyactinghisfaithuponwhat

pains Jesus Christ suffered. You are afraid of death-the way to getcontentment is by exercising your faithon thedeathof JesusChrist. Itmaybe thatyouhave inward troubles inyoursoul,andGodwithdrawshimself fromyou; still your faith is to be exercised upon the sufferingsthat Jesus Christ endured in his soul. He poured forth his soul beforeGod,andwhenhesweatdropsofwaterandblood,hewasinanagonyinhisveryspirit,andhefoundevenGodhimselfabouttoforsakehim.NowthustoactyourfaithonJesusChristbringscontentment,andisnotthisa mystery to carnal hearts? A gracious heart finds contentment as amystery;itisnomarvelthatSt.Paulsaid,'Iaminstructedinamystery,tobecontentedinwhatsoeverconditionIamin.'

11.THEREISSTILLAFURTHERMYSTERY, for I hope youwillfindthisaveryusefulpointandthatbeforewehavefinishedyouwillseehow simple it is for one who is skilled in religion to get contentment,though it is hard for one who is carnal. I say, the eleventhmystery incontentmentisthis:AgracioushearthascontentmentbygettingstrengthfromJesusChrist;heisabletobearhisburdenbygettingstrengthfromsomeoneelse.Nowthisisariddle,anditwouldbecountedridiculousinthe schoolsof thephilosophers, to say, If there is aburdenonyouyoumust get strength formsomeoneelse. Indeed if youmusthave anothercomeandstandundertheburden,theycouldunderstandthat;butthatyoushouldbestrengthenedbythestrengthofsomeoneelse,whoisnotnear you as far as you can see, they would think ridiculous. But aChristian finds satisfaction in every circumstance by getting strengthfromanother,bygoingoutofhimselftoJesusChrist,byhisfaithactinguponChrist,andbringingthestrengthofJesusChristintohisownsoul,heistherebyenabledtobearwhateverGodlaysonhim,bythestrengththat he finds fromJesusChrist.Of his fullness dowe receive grace forgrace; there is strength in Christ not only to sanctify and save us, butstrength tosupportusunderallourburdensandafflictions,andChristexpectsthatwhenweareunderanyburden,weshouldactourfaithuponhimtodrawvirtueandstrengthfromhim.Faithisthegreatgracethatistobeactedunderafflictions.Itistruethatothergracesshouldbeacted,butthegraceoffaithdrawsstrengthfromChrist,inlookingonhimwhohasthefullnessofallstrengthconveyedintotheheartsofallbelievers.

Nowifamanhasaburdentobear,andyetcanhavestrengthaddedtohim-iftheburdenisdoubled,hecanhavehisstrengthtrebled-theburdenwillnotbeheavierbutlighterthanitwasbeforetohisnaturalstrength.

Indeed,ourafflictionsmaybeheavy,andwecryout,Oh,wecannotbearthem,wecannotbearsuchanaffliction.Thoughyoucannot tellhowtobearitwithyourownstrength,yethowcanyoutellwhatyouwilldowiththe strengthof JesusChrist? You say you cannot bear it? So you thinkthatChristcouldnotbearit?ButifChristcouldbearitwhymayyounotcometobearit?Youwillsay,CanIhavethestrengthofChrist?Yes,itismade over to you by faith: the Scripture says that the Lord is ourstrength,Godhimself isour strength, andChrist isour strength.TherearemanyScriptures to that effect, thatChrist's strength is yours,madeovertoyou,sothatyoumaybeabletobearwhateverliesuponyou,andthereforewe findsuchastrangeexpression in theEpistleofSt.Paul totheColossians,praying for thesaints: 'That theymightbestrengthenedwith allmight accordinguntohis gloriouspower', untowhat? 'Unto allpatienceand longsufferingwith joyfulness'-strengthenedwithallmight,according to the power of God, the glorious power of God, unto allpatience, and longsuffering with joyfulness. Youmust not therefore becontentwith a little strength, so that you are able to bear what amanmight bear by the strength of reason and nature, but you should bestrengthenedwithallmight,accordingtothegloriouspowerofGod,untoallpatience,andtoalllongsuffering.

Oh, you who are now under very heavy and sad afflictions more thanusual, look at this Scripture, and consider how it ismade good in you;andwhymayyounothave thisScripturemade good in you, if you aregodly? You should not be quiet in your own spirits, unless in somemeasureyougetthisScripturemadegood inyou,so thatyoumaywithsomecomfortsay,'ThroughGod'smercy,Ifindthatstrengthcomingintome that is spoken of in this Scripture.' You should laborwhen you areunderanygreataffliction(youwhoaregodly)towalksothatothersmayseesuchaScripturemadegoodinyou.ThisisthegloriouspowerofGodthat strengthens his servants to all longsuffering, and that withjoyfulness.Alas,itmaybethatyoudonotexerciseasmuchpatienceasawisemanorawisewomanwhohasonlynaturalreason.Butwhereisthe

power of God, the glorious power of God?Where is the strengtheningwith all might, unto all longsuffering and patience, and that withjoyfulness? It is true, the spirit of a man may be able to sustain hisinfirmities,may be able to sustain and keep up his spirits, the naturalspiritofamancandothat,butmuchmorewhenthespiritisenduedwithgraceandholiness,andwhenitisfilledwiththestrengthofJesusChrist.This is the way a godly man gets contentment, the mystery of it, bygettingstrengthfromJesusChrist.

12. A GODLY HEART ENJOYS MUCH OF GOD INEVERYTHINGHEHAS,ANDKNOWSHOWTOMAKEUPALLWANTSINGODHIMSELF.

That isanothermystery,hehasGod inwhathehas. Ispokeabout thatsomewhatbefore,inshowingthedewofGod'sblessinginwhatonehas,forGod is able to let out a great deal of his power in little things, andtherefore themiracles thatGodhaswrought,havebeenasmuch in thelittlethingsasingreat.NowjustasGodletsoutagreatdealofhispowerin working miracles in smaller things, so he lets out a great deal ofgoodnessandmercy,incomfortingandrejoicingtheheartsofhispeople,inlittlethings,aswellasingreat.Theremaybeasgreatrichesinapearlasinagreatdealoflumber;butthisisadifferentthing.

Further,justasagraciousheartlivesuponGod'sdewinthelittlethathehas,sowhenthelittlethathehasshallbetakenfromhim,whatshallhedothen?Then,youwillsay,Ifamanhasnothing,nothingcanbegotoutofnothing.But if thechildrenofGodhave their little taken fromthem,theycanmakeupalltheirwantsinGodhimself.Suchandsuchamanisapoorman,theplundererscameandtookawayeverythingthathehad;whatshallhedonowthatallisgone?Butwhenallisgone,thereisanartandskillthatgodlinessteaches,tomakeupallthoselossesinGod.Manymen whose houses have been burnt go about gathering, and so gettogetherbymanyhandsa little;butagodlymanknowswheretogo, togetupall,eveninGodhimself,sothathemayenjoythequintessenceofthesamegoodandcomfort ashehadbefore, foragodlymandoesnotlive somuch in himself as he lives in God. Now this is amystery to acarnalheart.IsayagraciousmandoesnotlivesomuchinhimselfasinGod;helivesinGodcontinually.Ifanythingiscutofffromthestream,he

knowshowtogotothefountain,andmakesupallthere.Godishisallinall,whilehe lives;Isay it isGodwhoishisall inall. 'AmnotI to thee'said Elkanah to Hannah, 'instead of ten children?' So says God to agraciousheart:'Youlackthis,yourestateisplundered-Why?AmnotItoyouinsteadoftenhomes,andtenshops,Iamtoyouinsteadofall;andnotonly insteadof all, but come tome, andyou shallhaveall again inme.'Thisindeedisanexcellentart,tobeabletodrawfromGodwhatonehadbeforeinthecreature.Christian,howdidyouenjoycomfortbefore?Was the creature anything to you but a conduit, a pipe, that conveyedGod'sgoodness toyou? 'Thepipe iscutoff,' saysGod, 'cometome, thefountain,anddrinkimmediately.'Thoughthebeamsaretakenaway,yetthesunremainsthesameinthefirmamentaseveritwas.Whatisitthatsatisfies God himself, but that he enjoys all fullness in himself; so hecomes to have satisfaction in himself. Now if you enjoy God as yourportion,ifyoursoulcansaywiththeChurchin

Lamentations3:24: 'TheLordismyportion,saithmysoul',whyshouldyounotbe satisfiedandcontented likeGod?God is contented,he is ineternalcontentmentinhimself;nowifyouhavethatGodasyourportion,whyshouldyounotbecontentedwithhimalone?SinceGodiscontentedwith himself alone, if you have him, you may be contented with himalone,and itmaybe, that is the reasonwhyyouroutwardcomfortsaretakenfromyou,thatGodmaybeallinalltoyou.Itmaybethatwhileyouhad these things theysharedwithGod inyouraffection,agreatpartofthestreamofyouraffectionranthatway;Godwouldhavethefullstreamruntohimnow.Youknowwhenamanhaswatercomingtohishouse,through several pipes, and he finds insufficient water comes into hiswash-house,hewillratherstoptheotherpipesthathemayhaveallthewatercomeinwherehewantsit.Perhaps,then,Godhadastreamofyouraffectionrunningtohimwhenyouenjoyedthesethings;yes,butagreatdealwasallowedtoescapetothecreature,agreatdealofyouraffectionsranwaste.NowtheLordwouldnothavetheaffectionsofhischildrentorun waste; he does not care for other men's affections, but yours areprecious,andGodwouldnothavethemtorunwaste;thereforehehascutoffyourotherpipesthatyourheartmightflowwhollytohim.Ifyouhavechildren,andbecauseyou letyourservantsperhaps feedthemandgivethemthings,youperceivethatyourservantsarestealingawaythehearts

ofyourchildren,youwouldhardlybeabletobearit;youwouldbereadytosendawaysuchaservant.Whentheservant isgone, thechild isatagreat loss, ithasnotgot thenurse,but the fatherormother intendsbysendingheraway,thattheaffectionsofthechildmightrunmorestronglytowards himself or herself, and what loss is it to the child that theaffections that ran in a rough channel before towards the servant, runnow towards the mother? So those affections that run towards thecreature,Godwouldhaveruntowardshimself,thatsohemaybeallinalltoyouhereinthisworld.

AgraciousheartcanindeedtellhowtoenjoyGodasallinalltohim.Thatis the happiness of heaven to have God to be all in all. The saints inheavendonothavehouses,and lands, andmoney, andmet anddrink,andclothes;youwillsay, theydonotneedthem-whynot?It isbecauseGod isall inall to them immediately.Nowwhileyou live in thisworld,youmay come to enjoy much of God, youmay have much of heaven,whileweliveinthislifewemaycometoenjoymuchoftheverylifethatisinheaven,andwhatisthatbuttheenjoymentofGodtobeallinalltous?ThereisonetextintheRevelationthatspeaksofthegloriousconditionofthe Church that is likely to be here even in this world: 'And I saw notempletherein,fortheLordGodAlmightyandtheLambarethetempleofit,andthecityhadnoneedofthesun,neitherofthemoontoshineinit, for thegloryofGoddid lighten it, and theLamb is the light thereof'(Revelation21:22).

They had no need of the sun or moon. It speaks of such a gloriousconditionthat theChurch is likely tobe inhere in thisworld; thisdoesnotspeakofheaven,butofagloriousestatethattheChurchshallbe inhere,inthisworld;andthatappearsplainly,foritfollowsimmediatelyinthe24thand24thverses,'AndtheKingsoftheearthdobringtheirgloryandhonorintoit';why,theKingsoftheearthshallnotbringtheirgloryand honor into heaven, but this is such a time, when the Kings of theearth shallbring their glory and honor to theChurch. And in the 26thverse, 'And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it';thereforehereitmustmeanthisworldandnotheaven.Nowisthereistobe such a time here in thisworld, whenGod shall be all in all, and incomparisonthereshallbenosuchneedofcreaturesasthereisnow,then

thesaintsshouldlabortoliveasnearthatlifeaspossiblytheycan,thatis,tomakeupallinGod.

Oh,thatyouwouldconsiderthismystery,that itmaybearealitytotheheartsofthesaintsinsuchtimesasthese.Theywouldfindthisprivilegethattheygetbygraceworththousandsofworlds.HenceisthatstatementofJacob'sthatIhavementionedinanothercase;itisremarkable,andisverypertinenthere. In that remarkable speechof Jacob, inGenesis33,whenhisbrotherEsaumethim,youfindinoneplacethatEsaurefusedJacob'spresent;inthe

8th verse, when Jacob gave his present to him, he refused it, and toldJacobthathehadenough:'WhatmeanestthoubyallthisdrovewhichImet?Andhesaid, theseare to findgrace in thysight:AndEsausaid, Ihaveenough.'Nowinthe

11thverseJacoburgesitstill,and,saysJacob,'Ibeseechthee,takeit,forIhaveenough.'NowinyourBibleitisthesameinEnglish-Ihaveenough,saith Esau, and I have enough, saith Jacob-but in the Hebrew Jacob'swordisdifferentfromEsau's:Jacob'swordsignifiesIhaveallthings,andyetJacobwaspoorerthanEsau.Oh,thisshouldbeashametousthatanEsaucansay,Ihaveenough.ButaChristianshouldsay,Ihavenotonlyenough,butIhaveall.

How did he have all?-because he had God who was all. It was aremarkable saying of one, 'He has all things who has him that has allthings'.Surelyyouhaveallthings,becauseyouhavehimforyourportionwhohasall things:Godhasall things inhimself,andyouhaveGodforyour portion, and in that you have all, and this is the mystery ofcontentment.ItmakesupallitswantsinGod:thisiswhatthemenoftheworldhavelittleskillin.

Now I have many other things still to open in the mystery ofcontentment.IshouldshowlikewisethatagodlymannotonlymakesupeverythinginGod,butfindsenoughinhimselftomakeupall-tomakeupeverything in himself, not from himself, but in himself-and that mayseem to be stranger than the other. To make up everything in God issomething,nay,tomakeupeverythinginhimself(notfromhimselfbut

inhimself)-agracioushearthassomuchofGodwithinhimself, thathehasenoughtheretomakeupallhisoutwardwants.InProverbs14:14weread, 'A good man shall be satisfied from himself', from that which iswithinhimself-thatisthemeaning.Agraciousmanhasabirdwithinhisown bosom which makes himmelody enough, though he lacks music.'TheKingdomofheaven iswithinyou' (Luke17:21).HehasaKingdomwithinhim,aKingdomofGod;youseehimspokenillofabroad,buthehasaconsciencewithinhimthatmakesupthewantofanameandcredit,thatisinsteadofathousandwitnesses.

13. A GRACIOUS HEART GETS CONTENTMENT FROM THECOVENANTTHATGODHASMADEWITHHIM.

Nowthisisawayofgettingcontentmentthatthemenoftheworlddonotknow:theycangetcontentment,iftheyhavethecreaturetosatisfythem;but in getting contentment from the Covenant of grace they have littleskill.Ishouldhaveopenedtwothingshere,first,howtogetcontentmentfromtheCovenantofgraceingeneral(butIshallspeakofthatinthenextsermon, and now, only a word on the second). Secondly, how he getscontentmentformtheparticularbranchesoftheCovenant,thatis,fromtheparticularpromisesthathehas,forsupplyingeveryparticularwant.Thereisnoconditionthatagodlymanorwomancanbein,butthereissomepromiseorotherintheScripturetohelphiminthatcondition.Andthatisthewayofhiscontentment,togotothepromises,andgetfromthepromise, thatwhichmay supply. This is but a dry business to a carnalheart;butitisthemostrealthingintheworldtoagraciousheart:whenhefindslackofcontentmentherepairstothepromise,andtheCovenant,andfalls topleadingthepromisesthatGodhasmade.AsIshouldhaveshownseveralpromisesthatGodhasmade,whatevertheaffliction,Iwillonly mention one, that is, the saddest affliction of all, in case of thevisitation,andtheplague(Psalm91).Thosewhose friendscannotcometothembyreasonoftheplague,andwhocannothaveothercomforts,inother afflictions might have their friends and other things to comfortthem-but in that they cannot.We read, 'There shall no evil befall thee,neithershallnayplaguecomenighthydwelling';thenthereisapromisefor thepestilence in the 5th and6th verses, this is a Scripture to thosewhoareindangerofit.Youwillsaythatthisisapromisethattheplague

shallnotcomenighthem;butmarkthatthesetwoarejoined:thereshallnoevilbefallthee,neithershalltheplaguecomenighthee,theevilof itshallnotcomenighthee.

Objection:Youwill say,but itdoes come tomany godlymen, andhowcan theymake use of this Scripture? It is rather a Scripture that maytroublethem,becausehereisapromisethatitshallnotcomenighthem,andyetitdoescomenighthemaswellasothers.

Answer:1 .Thepromisesofoutwarddeliverance thatweremadeto thepeopleofGodinthetimeofthelaw,weretobeunderstoodthenagreatdealmore literally, and fulfilledmore literally, than in the times of thegospelwhenGodmakesitupotherwisewithasmuchmercy.ThoughGodmadeaCovenantofgraceandeternallifeinChristwiththem,yetIthinkthere was another covenant too, which God speaks of as a distinctcovenant for outward things, to dealwith his people according to theirways, either in outward prosperity, or in outward afflictions, more sothannow, inamorepunctual, setway, than in the timesof thegospel.ThereforewhenthechildrenofIsraelsinnedagainstGod,theyweresuretohavepublic judgmentscomeupon them,and if theydidwell, alwayspublicmercies; the general, constant way of God was to deal with thepeople of the Jews according as they did well or ill, with outwardjudgmentsandoutwardmercies.Butitisnotsonowinthetimesofthegospel;wecannotbringsuchacertainconclusion,thatifGoddiddealsoseverelywithmenbysuchandsuchafflictions,hewilldealsowiththemnow, or that they shall have outward prosperity as they had then.Therefore,thatisthefirstthing,forunderstandingthisandallothertextsofthekind.

2. Perhaps their faith does not attain to this promise; and God oftenbringsmanyoutwardafflictions,becausethefaithofhispeopledoesnotreach the promise, and that not only in the Old Testament, but in thetimesoftheNewTestament.Zacharias'timemaybesaidtobeinthetimeoftheNewTestament,whenhewasstruckwithdumbnessbecausehedidnot believe; and that is given as the cause why he was struck withdumbness. But you will say now, has faith a warrant to believedeliverance,thatitshallbefullydelivered?Idarenotsayso,butitmayactuponit,tobelievethatGodwillmakeitgoodinhisownway.Perhaps

youhavenotdoneasmuch,andsobecauseof that, thispromise isnotfulfilledtoyou.

3.WhenGodmakessuchapromisetohispeople,yetstillitmustbewiththisreservation,thatGodmusthavelibertyforthesethreethings.

i.Thatnotwithstandinghispromise,hewillhavelibertytomakeuseofanythingforyourchastisement.

ii.Thathemusthaveliberty,tomakeuseofyourwealth,orliberties,orlives,forthefurtheranceofhisownends,ifitistobeastumblingblocktowickedandungodlymen.Godmusthaveliberty,thoughhehasmadeapromise to you he will not release the propriety that he has in yourpossessionsandlives.

iii. Godmust have sufficient liberty to make use of what you have, toshowthathiswaysareunsearchable,andhisjudgmentspastfindingout.Godreservesthesethreethingsinhishandstill.

Objection:Butyouwill say,What good then is there in suchapromisethatGodmakestohispeople?1.ThatyouareundertheprotectionofGodmorethanothers.Butwhatcomfortisthisifitbefallsme?Answer:Youhavethiscomfort,thattheevilofitshallbetakenfromyou,thatifGodwillmakeuseof this affliction for other ends, yet hewill do it so as tomake it up to you in some other way. Perhaps you have given yourchildrensomething,butafterwards ifyouhaveause for that thing,youwillcomeandsay,'Imusthaveit'.'Why,father?'thechildmaysay,'yougaveittome.''ButImusthaveit',saysthefather,'andIwillmakeituptoyouinsomeotherway.'Thechilddoesnotthinkthatthefather'sloveisever awhit the less tohim.Sowhen there is any suchpromise as this,thatGodbyhispromisegivesyouhisprotection,andyetforallthat,suchathingbefallsyou, it isonlyasifthefathershouldsay, 'Igaveyouthatindeed,butletmehaveitandIwillmakeituptoyouinsomeotherwaythatshallbeasgood.'Godsays,'Letmehaveyourhealthandliberty,andlife,anditshallbemadeuptoyouinsomeotherway.'2.Whenevertheplagueorpestilencecomestothosewhoareundersuchapromise, it isfearsomespecialandnotablework,andGodrequiresthemtosearchandexamineinaspecialmanner,tofindouthismeaning;thereissomuchto

belearnedinthepromisethatGodhasmadeconcerningthisparticularevil,thatthepeopleofGodmaycometoquietandcontenttheirheartsinthisaffliction.

IreadinthisPsalmthatGodhasmadeapromisetohispeople,todeliverthemfromtheplagueandpestilence,andyetIfindithascome.Itmaybethat Ihavenotmadeuseofmy faith in thispromiseheretofore; and ifGodbringsafflictionsuponme,yethewillmake itup someotherway.Godmadeapromisetodeliverme,oratleasttodelivermefromalltheevilofit;nowifthisthingdoesbefallmeandyetIhaveapromiseofGod,certainlytheevilofitistakenaway.Thispromisetellsmethatifitdoesbefallmeyetitisforsomenotableend,andbecauseGodhasauseformylife,andintendstobringabouthisglorysomewaythatIdonotknowof.And if he will come in a fatherly way of chastisement, yet I will besatisfiedinthething.SoaChristianheart,byreasoningoutoftheWord,comestosatisfyhissoulinthemidstofsuchaheavyhandofGod,andinsuch adistressed condition as that.Now carnal hearts do not find thatpower in the Word, that healing virtue that is in it, to heal theirdistractingcares,andthetroublesoftheirspirits;butwhenthosewhoaregodlycometoheartheWord,theyfindinit,as itwere,aplasterforalltheirwounds, and so they come to have ease and contentment in suchconditionsasareverygrievousandmiserabletoothers.Butasforotherparticularpromises,andmoregenerally for theCovenantofgrace,howand in what amysterious way the saints work to get contentment andsatisfaction to their souls, we shall refer to these things in the nextchapter.

In the last chapter we spoke of several things in the mystery ofcontentment,andattheclosewespokeoftwomore,butwedidnothavetime to open either of them. I shall now open them a littlemore fully,thenproceedtosomefewmore.

Thatisthenextthingthen:aChristianheartnotonlyhascontentmentinGod,andcertainlyhewhohasGod(whohimselfhasall)musthaveall,butheisabletomakeupallhisoutwardwantsofcreaturecomfortsfromwhathe finds inhimself.Thatmay seem tobemore strange. It is true,perhaps, that even though men do not feel by experience shat it is tomakeupallinGod,yetwemayconvincethemthatiftheyhavehimwho

hasall things then theyhaveall, for there is sucha fullness inGod,hebeing the infinite first being of all things, that may make up all theirwants.Buthere isanotherthing, that isbeyondthat;Isayagodlymancanmakeupwhateverhelackswithoutthecreature,hecanmakeitupinhimself. InProverbs14:14weread: 'Agoodmanshallbesatisfied fromhimself.' Suppose for example, that he lacks outward comforts, goodcheerandfeasting,agoodconscienceinacontinualfeast;sohecanmakeupthelackofafeastbythepeacethathehasinhisownconscience.Ifhelacksmelodyintheworld,hehasabirdwithinhimthatsingsthemostmelodioussongsintheworld,andthemostdelightful.Andthendoeshelackhonor?Hehashisownconsciencewitnessing for him, that is as athousand witnesses. The Scripture says (in Luke 17:21): 'Neither shalltheysay,Lohere!or,Lothere!forbeholdthekingdomofGodiswithinyou.'AChristian,then,whateverhelackshecanmakeitup,forhehasakingdominhimself:'thekingdomofGodiswithinyou'.

Ifakingmeetswithagreatdealoftroublewhenheisabroad,hecontentshimself with this: 'I have a Kingdom of my own.' It is said here, theKingdomofGod iswithin aman; now if those of youwho are learnedlook into theCommentaryon thisGospel by a certain scholar, youwillfind he has a very strange idea about this text: he confesses that it isunutterable and so it is, the kingdom of God is within you, but heunderstandsitthatthereissuchapresenceofGodandChristwithinthesoulofaman, thatwhenthebodydies,hesays, thesoulgoes intoGodandChrist,whoarewithinhim.Thesoul'sgoingintoGodandChrist,andenjoyingthatcommunionwithGodandChristthatiswithinitself,thatisHeaventoit,hesays.Heconfessesheisnotabletoexpresshimself,andothers cannot understand fully what he means; but certainly for thepresent,beforedeath,thereisaKingdomofGodwithinthesoul,suchamanifestationofGodinthesoulasisenoughtocontenttheheartofanygodlyman in theworld, theKingdom that he now haswithin him.Heneednotwaittillafterwards,tillhegoestoHeaven;butcertainlythereisaHeaveninthesoulofagodlyman,hehasHeavenalready.Manytimeswhenyougotocomfortyourfriendsintheirafflictions,yousay,'Heavenwill pay for all'; indeed, you may assuredly find Heaven pays for allalready.ThereisaHeavenwithinthesoulsofthesaints-thatisacertaintruth;nosoulshallevercometoHeaven,butthesoulwhichhasHeaven

cometoitfirst.Whenyoudie,youhopeyouwillgotoHeaven;butifyouwillgotoHeavenwhenyoudie,Heavenwillcometoyoubeforeyoudie.

Nowthisisagreatmystery,tohavetheKingdomofHeaveninthesoul;nomancanknow thisbut that soulwhichhas it.TheHeavenwhich iswithinthesoulforthepresentislikethewhitestoneandthenewname,that none but those that have it can understand it. It is a miserablecondition, my brethren, to depend altogether upon creatures for ourcontentment.Youknowthatrichmenaccountitagreathappiness,iftheydonotneedtogotobuythingsbythepennyasothersdo;theyhaveallthings for pleasure or profit on their own ground, and all theirinheritanceliesentiretogether,nobodycomeswithinthem,buttheyhaveeverythingwithinthemselves:thereliestheirhappiness.Whereasother,poorerpeopleare fain togo fromonemarket toanother toprovide thetheir necessities, great rich men have sheep and beeves, corn andclothing, andall thingselseof theirownwithin themselves, andhereintheyplacetheirhappiness.But this is thehappinessofaChristian, thathe has that within himself whichmay satisfy himmore than all these.ThereisaplaceinthefirstchapterofJamesthatseemstoalludetothecondition ofmenwho have all their wealthwithin themselves: 'But letpatience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect, and entire,wantingnothing' (James1:4).Thewordthereusedsignifies tohavethewholeinheritancetoourselves,notabrokeninheritance,butthatwhereall lieswithin themselves, not like amanwhohas a piece of his estatehere,andapiece there,butonewhohas itall lying together.Whentheheart ispatientunderafflictions it finds itself in suchanestateas this,findsitswholeinheritancetogether,andallcompletewithinitself.

Now to show this by further analogies: the onewho is filledwith goodthings is just likemanyamanwhoenjoysanabundanceofcomfortsathome, inhisownhouse.Godgrantshimapleasanthome,agoodwife,andfinewalksandgardens,andhehasallthingsathomethathecoulddesire.Nowsuchamandoesnotcaremuchforgoingout.Othermenarefain to go out and see friends, because they have quarrelling andcontending athome.Manypoorhusbandswill give this reason, if theirwivesmoan,andcomplainoftheirfaultsandshortcomings.Theymakeittheirexcusetogoout,becausetheycanneverbequietathome.Nowwe

accountthosemenmosthappywhohaveeverythingathome.Thosewhohaveconfinedhomesthatareunpleasantandevil-smellingdelighttogointothefreshair,butitisnotsowithmanyothersthathavegoodthingsat home. Thosewho have no good cheer at home are fain to go out tofriends,butthosewhosetablesarewell furnishedwouldassoonstayathome. So a carnal man has little contentment in his own spirit. It isAugustinewholikensabadconsciencetoascoldingwife:amanwhohasabadconsciencedoesnotcaretolookintohisownsoul,butlovestobeout,andtolookintootherthings;heneverlookstohimself.

Asitiswithavesselthatisfullofliquor,ifyoustrikeit,itwillmakenogreatnoise,butifitisemptythenitmakesagreatnoise;soitiswiththeheart,aheartthat is fullofgraceandgoodnesswithinwillbearagreatmanystrokes,andnevermakeanynoise,butifanemptyheartisstruckitwillmakeanoise.Whensomemenandwomenarecomplainingsomuch,andalwayswhining,itisasignthatthereisanemptinessintheirhearts.Iftheirheartswerefilledwithgracetheywouldnotmakesuchanoise.Amanwhosebonesarefilledwithmarrow,andhisveinswithgoodblooddoesnot complainof the coldasothersdo.Soagraciousheart,havingthe Spirit of God within him, and his heart filled with grace has thatwithinhimthatmakeshimfindcontentment.ItwasasayingofSeneca:'Those things that I sufferwill be incredibly heavywhen I cannot bearmyself.' But if I am no burden tomyself, if all is quietwithinmy ownheart, then I can bear anything. Many men through their wickednesshaveburdensoutside,butthegreatestburdenisthewickednessoftheirownhearts.Theyarenotburdenedwiththeirsinsinagodlyway,forthatwouldeasetheirburden,buttheystillhavetheirwickednessinitspower,andsotheyareburdenstothemselves.Thedisordersofmen'sheartsaregreatburdenstothem,butmanytimesagodlymanhasenoughwithintocontent him. Virtue is content with itself, to live well-it is a saying ofCicero,inoneofhisParadoxes-itfindsenoughwithinitsownsphereforliving happily. But how few are acquainted with this mystery! Manythink, O if I hadwhat anotherman has, how happily and comfortablyshould I live! But if you are a Christian, whatever your condition, youhaveenoughwithinyourself.Youwillsay,suchandsuchmenwhohaveallthingsneednotbebeholdentoanybody.

Therearemanywholaborandtakepainswhentheyareyoung,thattheymightnotbebeholdentoothers; they love to liveof themselves.NowaChristianmaydoso,notthathedoesnotliveuponGod(Idonotmeanthat),butuponwhathehasofGodwithinhimself:hecanliveuponthat,althoughhedoesnotenjoythecomfortsthatareoutsidehimself.Thatiswhat Imean, and those who are godly and keep close to God in theircommunion with him will understand what I mean by saying that aChristianhasthesupplyofallhiswantswithinhimself.HereyoumayseethatthespiritofaChristianisapreciousspirit;agodlyspiritisprecious,why?Becauseithasenoughtomakehimhappywithinhimself.

Thenextthingthatthemysteryofcontentmentconsistsinisthis,Thatagracious heart gets it supply of all things from the Covenant, and socomestohavecontentment,whichisadrythingtoacarnalspirit.

Therearetwothingsinthis:1.HegetscontentmentfromtheCovenantingeneral,thatis,fromthegreatcovenantthatGodhasmadewithhiminChrist.

2.HegetsitfromtheparticularpromisesthatGodhasmadewithhimintheCovenant.

1.From theCovenant in general. Iwill give you one Scripture for that,which is very striking: 'Althoughmy house be not so with God, yet hehathmadewithme an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, andsure: forthis isallmysalvation,andallmydesire,althoughhemake itnottogrow'(

2Samuel23:5).It isawonderfulstatementbyDavid,whodidnothavetheCovenantofGracerevealedas fullyaswehave.Markwhathesays:'AlthoughIfindnotmyhouseso',thatis,socomfortableineverywayasIwouldwish,althoughitisnotso,whathashegottocontenthisspirit?Hesays,'Hehasmadewithmeaneverlastingcovenant,'thisiswhathelpsineverything.Somemenwillsay,IamnotthusandthuswithGod,IdonotfindthatGodcomesinsofully,oritisnotwithmyhouseandfamilyasIhopeditmightbe,perhapsthereisthisorthatafflictionuponmyhouse.

Suppose theplaguewere tocome intoyourhouse,and it isnotsosafe,

andyoudonot enjoy suchoutward comfort in yourhouse as youoncedid. Can you read this Scripture and say, Althoughmy house is not soblessedwithhealthasothermen'shousesare,althoughmyhouseisnotso, yet he hasmadewithme an everlasting covenant. I am still one incovenantwithGod,theLordhasmadewithmeaneverlastingcovenant.Asforthesethingsintheworld,Iseetheyarebutmomentary,theyarenoteverlasting.Iseeafamilyinwhichallwaswellonlyaweekago,andnoweverythingisdown,theplaguehassweptawayagreatmanyofthem,andtherestareleftinsadnessandmourning.Weseethereisnorestinginthethingsofthisworld,yettheLordhasmadewithmeaneverlastingcovenantorderedinallthings.Ifinddisorderinmyheart,inmyfamily;buttheeverlastingcovenantisorderedinallthings,yes,anditissure.

Alas,thereisnocertaintyhereinthesethings.Wecanbesureofnothinghere,especially inthesetimes;weknowthatamancanbesureof littlethathehas,andwhocanbesureofhiswealth?Perhapssomeofyouhavehere livedwellandcomfortablybefore, allwaswell aboutyou, andyouthought your mountain was strong, but within a day or two you seeeverythingtakenawayfromyou-thereisnocertaintyinthethingsofthisworld;buthesays,theCovenantissure.WhatIventureatseaisnotsure,but here is an insurance office indeed, a great insurance office for thesaints,atwhichtheyarenotcharged,exceptintheexercisingofgrace,forthey may go to this insurance office to insure everything that theyventure,eithertohavethethingitself,ortobepaidforit.Inaninsuranceofficeyoucannotbesuretohavetheverygoodsthatyouinsured,but iftheyarelosttheinsurerspledgethemselvestomakeitgoodtoyou.Andthis Covenant of grace that God has made with his people is God'sinsuranceoffice,andthesaintsinalltheirfearsmayandoughttogototheCovenanttoinsureallthings,toinsuretheirwealthandinsuretheirlives.Youwillsay,Howaretheysure?Theirlivesandwealthgoaswellasother people's do. But God pledges himself to make up all. And markwhat follows, 'This is all my salvation'-Why, David, will you not havesalvation fromyourenemiesand fromoutwarddangers,pestilence andplague? The frame of his spirit is quieted, as though to say: if thatsalvationcomes,wellandgood,IshallpraiseGodforit;butwhatIhavein theCovenant, that ismy salvation, I look upon that as enough. Yes,and he goes further, 'This is all my salvation and all my desire'-Why,

David,istherenotsomethingelsethatyouwouldliketohavebesidesthisCovenant? No, he says, it is all involved in this. Surely, those men orwomenmustneedslivecontentedliveswhohavealltheirdesires?Now,says theholymanhere, this is allmy desire, thoughhemake it not togrow.ForallthisCovenant,perhaps,youwillnotprosperintheworldasothermendo, true;butIcanbearthat.ThoughGoddoesnotmakemyhousetogrow,Ihaveallmydesires.

ThusyouseehowagodlyheartfindscontentmentntheCovenant.Manyofyouspeakof theCovenantofGod,andof theCovenantofgrace;buthaveyoufounditaseffectualasthistoyoursouls,haveyousuckedthissweetnessfromtheCovenant,andcontentmenttoyourheartsinyoursadconditions. It is a special sign of true grace in any soul, thatwhen anyafflictionbefallshim,inakindofnaturalwayherepairsimmediatelytotheCovenant.Justasachild,assoonaseveritisindanger,neednotbetoldtogotohisfatherormother,fornaturetellshimso;soit iswithagraciousheart:assoonasitisinanytroubleorafflictionthereisanewnaturewhich carries him to the Covenant immediately, where he findseaseandrest.Ifyoufindthatyourheartsworkinthisway,immediatelyrunningtotheCovenant,itisanexcellentsignoftruegrace:somuchforthegeneralpoint.

2. But now for particular promises in the Covenant grace. A graciousheart looks upon every promise as coming from the root of the greatCovenant, of grace in Christ. Other men look upon some particularpromises,thatGodwillhelptheminstraits,andkeepthemandthelike,buttheydonotlookattheconnectionofsuchparticularpromises,totheroot,theCovenantofgrace.Christiansmissagreatdealofcomfortwhichtheymighthavefromtheparticularpromisesinthegospel,iftheywouldconsider their connection to the root, the great Covenant thatGod hasmadewiththeminChrist.Inthetimesofthelaw,theymightrestmoreuponoutwardpromisesthanwecaninthetimeofthegospel.IgaveyouthereasonwhywewholiveinthetimesofthegospelcannotdependsomuchonaliteralfulfillmentoftheoutwardpromisesthatwefindintheOld Testament, as they could in the time of the law. For there was aspecial covenant, that God pleased to call a New Covenant, by way ofdistinction from the other covenant, that ismadewith us in Christ for

eternallife.Soeventhelaw,wasgiventotheminamorepeculiarwayforanexternalcovenantofoutwardblessingsinthelandofCanaan,andsoGoddealtwiththeminamoreexternalcovenantthanhedoesnowwithhispeople.Yetgodlinesshasthepromiseofthislife,andthatwhichistocome.Wemaymakeuseofthepromisesforthislife,butyetnotsomuchtorestupontheliteralperformanceofthemastheyofoldmight.ButGodwillmakethemgoodinsomewayorother,inaspiritualwayifnotinanoutwardway.Wemust lay nomore upon outward promises than this,andthereforeifwelaymore,wemakethepromisetobearmorethanitwillbear.

Togivesomeexamples: tobelieve fullyandconfidently, that theplagueshall not comenigh a certain house, is, I say, to laymore upon such apromisethanitwillbear.Ifyouremember,Iopenedthatpromisein

Psalm91.NowifIhadlivedinthetimeofthelaw,perhapsImighthavebeensomewhatmoreconfidentoftheliteralperformanceofthepromise,thanIcanbenow in the timeof thegospel.Thepromisenowbearsnomorethanthis,thatGodhasaspecialprotectionoverhispeople,andthathe will deliver them from the evil of such an affliction, and if he doesbring such an affliction, it ismore than an ordinary providence it is aspecialprovidencethatGodhasinit.IthoughtIwouldgiveyouseveralpromisesforthecontentmentoftheheartinthetimeofaffliction:'Whenthou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through therivers, theyshallnotoverflow thee;when thouwalkest through the firethoushaltnotbeburnt,neithershalltheflamekindleuponthee'(Isaiah43:2).

Certainly,thoughthispromisewasmadeinthetimeofthelaw,itwillbemadegood toall thesaintsnow,onewayorother, either literallyor insomeotherway.Forwe findclearly that thepromise thatwasmade toJoshua, 'Iwill not fail thee nor forsake thee' (Joshua 1:5) is applied toChristiansinthetimeoftheGospel.

Sohereisthewayoffaithinbringingcontentmentbythepromises:thesaintsofGodhaveaninterestinallthepromisesthateverweremadetoour forefathers, from the beginning of the world they are theirinheritance,andgoonfromonegenerationtoanother.Bythattheycome

tohavecontentment,becausetheyinheritallthepromisesmadeinallthebookofGod.

Hebrews13:5showsthisplainly,thatitisourinheritance,andwedonotinheritlessnowthantheydidinJoshua'stime,butweinheritmore.

For youwill find in that place ofHebrews thatmore is said than is toJoshua.ToJoshuaGodsays,Hewillnotleavehimnorforsakehim;butinthisplaceinHebrewsintheGreektherearefivenegatives,Iwillnot,not,not,not,notagain.ThatistheforceofitintheGreek.Isay,therearefivenegativesinthatlittlesentence;asifGodshouldsay,Iwillnotleaveyou,noIwillnot,Iwillnot,Iwillnot,withsuchearnestnessfivetimestogether.Sothatnotonlyhavewethesamepromisesthattheyhad,butwehavethemmoreenlargedandmorefull, thoughstillnotsomuchintheliteralsense,forthat,indeedistheleastpartofthepromise.In

Isaiah 54:17Godmade a promise: That no weapon formed against hispeople shouldprosper,andevery tongue that shall riseagainst them injudgment they shall condemn, and mark what follows, 'This is theheritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me,saiththeLord.'Thisisagoodpromiseforasoldier,thoughstillweoughtnottolaytoomuchupontheliteralsense.True,itholdsforththusmuch,thatGod'sprotectionisinspecialmanneroverthesoldierthataregodly.'And every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shaltcondemn'-this is against falsewitness too.Ohyou,whose friendsneverleft youanything! youwill say,My friendsdiedanddidnot leavemeagroat;but I thankGod, hehasprovided forme.Though your father ormotherdiedandleftyounoinheritance,youhaveaninheritance inthepromise,'Thisistheirheritage.'Sothatthereisnogodlymanorwoman,butisagreatheir.

Therefore when you look into the book of God and find any promisethere,youmaymakeityourown;justasanheirwhoridesoveralotoffieldsandmeadowssays,Thismeadowismy inheritance,andthiscornfieldismyinheritance,andthenheseesafinehouse,andsays,Thisfinehouse ismy inheritance.He looks at themwith a different eye from astrangerwhoridesover those fields.Acarnalheart reads thepromises,and reads themmerely as stories, not that he has any great interest in

them.But every timea godlyman reads the Scriptures (remember thiswhenyouarereadingtheScripture)andtheremeetswithapromise,heoughttolayhishanduponitandsay,Thisispartofmyinheritance,itismine,andIamtoliveuponit.

This will make you contented; it is a mysterious way of gettingcontentment. And there are several other promises that bringcontentment(Psalm34:10,37:6;Isaiah58:10).SomuchforthemysteryofcontentmentbywayoftheCovenant.

There are two or three things more that show how a godly man hascontentment inamysteriouswaydifferent fromanycarnalheart in theworld, as follows: 14. HE HAS CONTENTMENT BY REALIZING THEGLORIOUSTHINGSOFHEAVENTOHIM.

HehasthekingdomofHeavenaspresent,andtheglorythatistocome;by faith hemakes it present. So themartyrs had contentment in theirsufferings,forsomeofthemsaid,'Thoughwehavebutahardbreakfast,yetweshallhaveagooddinner,weshallverysoonbeinheaven.''Dobutshutyoureyes',saidone, 'andyoushallbe inheavenatonce.' 'Wefaintnot',saystheApostle(

2Corinthians4:16).Why?Becausetheselightafflictionsthatarebutforamoment,work forus a farmore exceeding and eternalweight of glory.Theyseeheavenbeforethemandthatcontentsthem.Whenyousailorsseethehavenbeforeyou,thoughyouweremightilytroubledbeforeyoucould see any land, yet when you come near the shore and can see acertainland-mark,thatcontentsyougreatly.Agodlymaninthemidstofthe waves and storms that he meets with can see the glory of heavenbeforehimandsocontentshimself.Onedropofthesweetnessofheavenisenoughtotakeawayallthesournessandbitternessofalltheafflictionsintheworld.Weknowthatonedropofsourness,oronedropofgallwillmakebitteragreatdealofhoney.Putaspoonfulof sugar intoacupofgallorwormwood,anditwillnotsweetenit;butifyouputaspoonfulofgall into a cup of sugar, it will embitter that. Now it is otherwise inheaven:onedropofsweetnesswillsweetenagreatdealofsouraffliction,butagreatdealofsournessandgallwillnotembitterasoulwhoseesthegloryofheaven that is to come.Acarnalhearthasnocontentment but

from what he sees before him in this world, but a godly hearts hascontentmentfromwhatheseeslaidupforhiminthehighestheavens.

15. THE LAST THING THAT IWOULDMENTION IS THIS, AgodlymanhascontentmentbyopeningandlettingouthishearttoGod.Othermenorwomenarediscontented,buthowdotheyhelpthemselves?Byabuse,bybadlanguage.Someonecrossesthem,andtheyhavenowaytohelpthemselvesbutbyabuseandbybitterwords,andsotheyrelievethemselves in thatwaywhen they are angry. Butwhen a godlyman iscrossed,howdoesherelievehimself?-Heisawareofhiscrossaswellasyou,buthegoestoGodinprayer,andthereopenshishearttoGodandlets out his sorrows and fears, and then can come away with a joyfulcountenance.Doyou find thatyoucancomeaway fromprayerandnotlook sad? It is said of Hannah, that when she had been at prayer hercountenancewasnomoresaid(1Samuel1:18),shewascomforted:thisistherightwaytocontentment.

Thuswehavedonewiththemysteryofcontentment.Nowifyoucanbutputthesethingstogetherthatwehavespokenof,youmayseefullywhatanartChristiancontentmentis.

HowChristTeachesContentment

Contentmentisnotsuchapoorbusinessasmanymakeit.Theysay,'Youmustbecontent',andsoon.ButPaulneededtolearnit,anditisagreatartandmysteryofgodlinesstobecontentinaChristianway,anditwillbeseentobeevenmoreofamysterywhenwecometoshowwhatlessonsagraciousheartlearnswhenitlearnstobecontented.Ihavelearnedtobecontented;whatlessonshaveyoulearned?Takeascholarwhohasgreatlearningandunderstandinginartsandsciences;howdidhebegin?Hebegan,aswesay,hisABC,andthenafterwardshecametohisTestament,andBibleandaccidence,*andsotohisgrammar,andafterwardstohisotherbooks.[*Accidence=thepartofgrammardealingwithinflexions.]SoaChristiancomingtocontentmentisasascholarinChrist'sschool,andtherearemanylessonstoteachthesoultobringittothislearning;everygodlymanorwomanisascholar.ItcannotbesaidofanyChristianthatheisilliterate,butheisliterate,alearnedman,alearnedwoman.NowthelessonsthatChristteachestobringustocontentmentarethese:1.THELESSONOFSELF-DENIAL.

It is a hard lesson. You know that when a child is first taught, hecomplains: This is hard; it is just like that. I remember Bradford themartyr said, 'Whoever has not learned the lesson of the cross, has notlearned his ABC in Christianity.' This is where Christ begins with hisscholars,andthoseinthelowestformmustbeginwiththis;ifyoumeanto be Christians at all, you must buckle to this or you can never beChristian.Justasno-one canbe a scholarunlesshe learnshisABC, soyou must learn the lesson of self-denial or you can never become ascholarinChrist'sschool,andbelearnedinthismysteryofcontentment.That is the first lesson that Christ teaches any soul, self-denial, whichbringscontentment,whichbringsdownandsoftensaman'sheart.Youknowhowwhenyoustrikesomethingsoft itmakesnonoise,but ifyoustrikeahardthingitmakesanoise;sowiththehartsofmenwhoarefullof themselves,andhardenedwithself-love, if theyreceiveastroke theymake a noise, but a self-denying Christian yields to God's hand, andmakesnonoise.Whenyoustrikeawoolsackitmakesnonoisebecauseit

yields to the stroke; so a self-denying heart yields to the stroke andtherebycomes to this contentment.now thereare several things in thislessonofself-denial.Iwillnotenter intothedoctrineofself-denial,butonly show you how Christ teaches self-denial and how that bringscontentment.

1.Suchapersonlearnstoknowthatheisnothing.Hecomestothis, tobeabletosay, 'Well,IseeIamnothinginmyself.'Thatmanorwomanwho indeedknows thatheor she isnothing,andhas learned itthoroughly will be able to bear anything. The way to be able to bearanythingistoknowthatwearenothinginourselves.Godsaystous,'Wiltthousetthineeyesuponthatwhichisnot'(

Proverbs23:5)speakingofriches.Why,blessedGod,donotyoudoso?youhavesetyourheartuponusandyetwearenothing.Godwouldnothavesetourheartsuponriches,becausetheyarenothing,andyetGodispleasedtosethisheartuponus,andwearenothing:thatisGod'sgrace,freegrace,andthereforeitdoesnotmuchmatterwhatIsuffer,forIamasnothing.

2.Ideservenothing.Iamnothing,andIdeservenothing.SupposeIlackthisandthatthingwhichothershave?IamsurethatIdeservenothingexcept it be Hell. You will answer any of your servants, who is notcontent:Iwonderwhatyouthinkyoudeserve?oryourchildren:doyoudeserveitthatyouaresoeagertohaveit?Youwouldstoptheirmouthsthus,andsowemayeasilystopourownmouths:wedeservenothingandthereforewhyshouldwebeimpatientifwedonotgetwhatwedesire.Ifwehaddeservedanythingwemightbetroubled,asinthecaseofamanwhohasdeservedwellofthestateorofhisfriends,yetdoesnotreceiveasuitablereward,ittroubleshimgreatly,whereasifheisconsciousthathehasdeservednothing,heiscontentwitharebuff.

3.Icandonothing.Christsays, 'Withoutmeyoucandonothing'(John15:5).WhyshouldImakemuchofit,tobetroubledanddiscontentedifIhavenotgotthisandthat,whenthetruthisthatIcandonothing?Ifyouweretocometoonewhoisangrybecausehehasnotgotsuchfoodashedesires, and is discontented with it, you would answer him, 'I marvelwhatyoudoorwhatuseyouare!'Shouldonewhowillsitstillandbeof

nouse,yetforall thathaveall thesupplythathecouldpossibledesire?Do but consider of what use you are in theworld, and if you considerwhatlittleneedGodhasofyou,andwhatlittleuseyouare,youwillnotbe much discontented. if you have learned this lesson of self-denial,thoughGodcutsyoushortofcertaincomforts,yetyouwillsay, 'SinceIdo but little, why should I havemuch': this thought will bring down aman'sspiritasmuchasanything.

4.IamsovilethatIcannotofmyselfreceiveanygood.Iamnotonlyanemptyvessel,butacorruptanduncleanvessel:thatwouldspoilanythingthat comes into it. So are all our hearts: every one of them is not onlyemptyofgoodbutislikeamustybottlethatspoilsevengoodliquorthatispouredintoit.

5.IfGodcleansesusinsomemeasure,andputsintoussomegoodliquor,somegraceofhisSpirit,yetwecanmakeuseofnothingwhenwehaveit,ifGodbutwithdrawshimself.IfGodleavesusonemomentafterhehasbestoweduponusthegreatestgifts,andwhateverabilitieswecandesire,ifGod should say, 'I will give you them, now go and trade', we cannotprogress one foot further if God leaves us. Does God give us gifts andabilities? Then let us fear and tremble lest God should leave us toourselves, for thenhowfoully shouldweabuse thosegiftsandabilities.Youthinkothermenandwomenhavememoryandgiftsandabilitiesandyouwould fainhave them-but supposeGod should give you these, andthenleaveyou,youwouldutterlyspoilthem.

6.Weareworsethannothing.Bysinwebecomeagreatdealworsethannothing.Sinmakesusmorevilethannothing,andcontrarytoallgood.Itisagreatdealworsetohaveacontrarietytoallthatisgood,thanmerelyto have an emptiness of all that is good.We are not empty pitchers inrespectofgood,butwearelikepitchersfilledwithpoison,andisitmuchforsuchaswearetobecutshortofoutwardcomforts?7.Ifweperishwewill be no loss. If God should annihilate me, what loss would it be toanyone?God can raise up someone else inmy place to serve him in adifferentway.

NowputjusttheseseventhingstogetherandthenChristhastaughtyouself-denial.Imaycallthesetheseveralwordsinourlessonofself-denial.

Christ teachesthesoulthis,sothat,as in thepresenceofGodonarealsight of itself, it can say: 'Lord, I am nothing, Lord, I deserve nothing,Lord, I can do nothing, I can receive nothing, and can make use ofnothing,Iamworsethannothing,andifIcometonothingandperishIwillbenolossatallandthereforeisitsuchagreatthingformetobecutshort here?' A man who is little in his own eyes will account everyafflictionas little,andeverymercyasgreat.ConsiderSaul:Therewasatime,theScripturesays,whenhewaslittleinhisowneyes,andthenhisafflictionswerebutlittletohim:whensomewouldnothavehadhimtobeKingbut spokecontemptuouslyofhim,heheldhispeace;butwhenSaulbegantobebiginhisowneyes,thentheafflictionbegantobegreattohim.

Therewasneveranymanorwomansocontentedasaself-denyingmanorwoman.No-oneeverdeniedhimselfasmuchasJesusChristdid:hegavehischeekstothesmiters,heopenednothismouth,hewasasalambwhen he was led to the slaughter, hemade no noise in the street. Hedeniedhimselfaboveall,andwaswillingtoemptyhimself,andsohewasthemost contented that ever anywas in theworld; and the nearer wecome to learning to deny ourselves as Christ did, the more contentedshallwebe,andbyknowingmuchofourownvilenessweshall learntojustifyGod.

WhatevertheLordshalllayuponus,yetheisrighteousforhehastodealwithamostwretchedcreature.Adiscontentedheartistroubledbecausehehasnomorecomfort,butaself-denyingmanratherwondersthathehasasmuchashehas.Oh,saystheone,Ihavebutalittle;Aye,saysthemanwhohaslearnedthislessonofself-denial,butIratherwonderthatGodbestowsuponme the liberty of breathing in the air, knowing howvileIam,andknowinghowmuchsintheLordseesinme.Andthatisthewayofcontentment,bylearningself-denial.

8.Butthereisafurtherthinginself-denialwhichbringscontentment.

TherebythesoulcomestorejoiceandtakesatisfactioninallGod'sways;Ibeseechyoutonoticethis.Ifamanisselfishandself-loveprevailsinhisheart,hewillbegladof those things that suitwithhisownends,butagodlymanwhohasdeniedhimselfwillsuitwithandbegladofallthings

thatshallsuitwithGod'sends.Agraciousheartsays,God'sendsaremyendsandIhavedeniedmyownends;sohecomestofindcontentmentinallGod's ends and ways, and his comforts aremultiplied, whereas thecomfortsofothermenaresingle.ItisveryrarethatGod'swayshallsuitwith a man's particular end, but always God's ways suit with his ownends.ifyouwillonlyhavecontentmentwhenGod'swayssuitwithyourown ends, you can have it only now and then, but a self-denyingmandenieshisownends,andonlylooksattheendsofGodandthereinheiscontented. When a man is selfish he cannot but have a great deal oftroubleandvexation,forifIregardmyself,myendsaresonarrowthatahundredthingswillcomeandjostleme,andIcannothaveroominthosenarrowsendsofmyown.YouknowintheCitywhatagreatdealofstirthere is in narrow streets: since Thames street is so narrow they jostleandwrangleand fightonewithanotherbecause theplace issonarrow,butinthebroadstreetstheycangoquietly.Similarlymenwhoareselfishmeetandsojostlewithoneanother,onemanisforselfinonething,andanothermanisforselfinanotherthing,andsotheymakeagreatdealofstir. But thosewhose hearts are enlarged andmake public things theirends,andcandenythemselves,haveroomtowalkandneverjostlewithoneanotherasothersdo.Thelessonofself-denialisthefirstlessonthatJesusChristteachesmenwhoareseekingcontentment.

2.THEVANITYOFTHECREATURE.

ThatisthesecondlessoninChrist'sschool,whichheteachesthosewhomhe would make scholars in this art: the vanity of the creature, thatwhatever there is in the creature has an emptiness in it. 'Vanity ofvanities, all is vanity,' is the lesson that the wise man learned: thecreature in itself candousneither goodnorhurt; it is all but aswind.There is nothing in the creature that is suitable for a gracious heart tofeeduponfor itsgoodandhappiness.Mybrethren,thereasonwhyyouhavenotgot contentment in the thingsof theworld isnotbecauseyouhave not got enough of them-that is not the reason-but the reason is,becausetheyarenotthingsproportionabletothatimmortalsoulofyoursthat is capable of God himself. Many men think that when they aretroubledandhavenotgotcontentmentitisbecausetheyhavebutalittleintheworld,andthatiftheyhadmorethentheyshouldbecontent.That

is just as if aman were hungry, and to satisfy his craving stomach heshould gape and hold open his mouth to take in the wind, and thenshouldthinkthatthereasonwhyheisnotsatisfiedisbecausehehasnotgotenoughofthewind;no,thereasonisbecausethethingisnotsuitabletoacravingstomach.Yetthereisreallythesamemadnessintheworld:thewindwhich aman takes in by gapingwill as soon satisfy a cravingstomachreadytostarve,asallthecomfortsintheworldcansatisfyasoulwho knowswhat true happinessmeans. Youwould be happy, and youseekaftersuchandsuchcomfortsinthecreature.

Well,haveyougotthem?doyoufindyourheartssatisfiedashavingthehappinessthatissuitabletoyou?No,no,itisnothere,butyouthinkitisbecause you lack such and such things. O poor deludedman! it is notbecauseyouhavenotgotenoughofit,butbecauseitisnotthethingthatisproportionable to the immortal soul thatGodhasgivenyou.Whydoyou lay outmoney for thatwhich is not bread, and your labor for thatwhich satisfieth not? (Isaiah 55:2). You are mad people, you seek tosatisfyyourstomachwiththatwhichisnotbread,youfollowthewin;youwillneverhavecontentment.Allcreaturesintheworldsaycontentmentis not in us, riches say, contentment is not in me, pleasure says,contentmentisnotinme;ifyoulookforcontentmentinthecreatureyouwill fail.No, contentment is higher.When you come into the school ofChrist,Christteachesyouthatthereisavanityinallthingsintheworld,andthesoulwhich,bycomingintotheschoolofChrist,byunderstandingthegloriousmysteriesoftheGospel,comestoseethevanityofallthingsintheworld,isthesoulthatcomestotruecontentment.Icouldgiveyouan abundance of proverbs fromHeathenswhich show the vanity of allthings in theworld,and theydidnot learn thevanityof thecreature intherightschool.ButwhenasoulcomesintotheSchoolofJesusChrist,andtherecomestoseevanityinallthingsintheworld,thensuchasoulcomestohavecontentment.Ifyouseekcontentmentelsewhere,liketheuncleanspirityouseekforrestbutfindnone.

3.ATHIRDLESSONWHICHCHRISTTEACHESACHRISTIANWHENHECOMESINTOHISSCHOOLISTHIS:Heteacheshimto understand what is the one thing that is necessary, which he neverunderstood before. You knowwhat he said toMartha: 'OMartha thou

cumberest thyself aboutmany things, but there is one thingnecessary.'Before,thesoulsoughtafterthisandthat,butnowitsays,Iseethatitisnot necessary forme to be rich, but it is necessary forme tomakemypeacewithGod;itsnotnecessarythatIshouldliveapleasurablelifeinthisworld,butitisabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldhavepardonofmysin;itisnotnecessarythatIshouldhavehonorandpreferment,butitisnecessary that I should have God asmy portion, and havemy part inJesusChrist, it isnecessary thatmy soul shouldbe saved in thedayofJesusChrist.Theotherthingsareprettyfineindeed,andIshouldbegladifGodwouldgiveme them,a finehouse,and income,andclothes,andadvancementformywifeandchildren:thesearecomfortablethings,butthey are not the necessary things; Imay have these and yet perish forever,but theother isabsolutelynecessary.Nomatterhowpoor Iam, Imay have what is absolutely necessary: thus Christ instructs the soul.Many of you have had some thoughts about this, that it is indeednecessaryforyoutoprovideforyoursouls,butwhenyoucometoChrist'sschool,Christcausesthefearofeternitytofalluponyou,andcausessucharealsightof thegreat thingsofeternity,and theabsolutenecessityofthosethings,thatitpossessesyourheartwithfearandtakesyouofffromallotherthingsintheworld.

ItissaidofPompey,thatwhenhewascarryingcorntoRomeatatimeofdearth,hewasinagreatdealofdangerfromstormsatsea,buthesaid,'Wemustgoon,itisnecessarythatRomeshouldberelieved,butitisnotnecessarythatweshouldlive.'So,certainly,whenthesoulisoncetakenup with the things that are of absolute necessity, it will not be muchtroubledaboutotherthings.Whatarethethingsthatdisquietusherebutsomeby-mattersinthisworld?Anditisbecauseourheartsarenottakenupwith the one absolutely necessary thing.Who are themenwho aremostdiscontented,butidlepersons,personswhohavenothingtooccupytheirminds?Everylittlethingdisquietsanddiscontentsthem;butinthecaseof amanwhohasbusinessofgreatweightandconsequence, if allthingsgowellwithhisgreatbusinesswhichisinhishead,heisnotawareofmeanerthingsinthefamily.Ontheotherhandamanwholiesathomeandhasnothingtodofindsfaultwitheverything.Soitiswiththeheart:whentheheartofamanhasnothingtodo,buttobebusyaboutcreature-comforts,everylittlethingtroubleshim;butwhentheheartistakenup

with theweighty thingsof eternity,with thegreat thingsofeternal life,the things of here below that disquieted it before are things now of noconsequence to him in comparison with the other-how things fall outhere is notmuch regardedbyhim, if the one thing that is necessary isprovidedfor.

4.THESOULCOMESTOUNDERSTANDINWHATRELATIONITSTANDSTOTHEWORLD.

By that I mean as follows, God comes to instruct the soul effectuallythroughChristbyhisSpirit,onwhattermsit liveshere intheworld, inwhatrelationitstands.WhileIliveintheworldmyconditionistobebutapilgrim,astranger,atraveler,andasoldier.Nowrightlytounderstandthis,notonlybeingtaughtitbyrote,sothatIcanspeakthewordsover,butwhenmysoul ispossessedwiththeconsiderationof thistruth, thatGodhassetmeinthisworld,notasinmyhomebutasamerestrangerand a pilgrimwho is travelling to another home, and that I am here asoldierinmywarfare,Isay,arightunderstandingofthisisamightyhelptocontentmentinwhateverbefallsone.

For instance,whenaman isathome, if thingsarenotaccording tohisdesirehewillfindfaultandisnotcontent;butifamantravels,perhapshe does not meet with conveniences as he desires-the servants in thehousearenotathisbeckorarenotasdiligentashisownservantswere,andhisdietisnotasathome,andhisbednotasathome-yetthisthoughtmaymoderatehisspirit:IamatravelerandImustnotbefindingfault,Iaminanotherman'shouse,anditwouldbebadmannerstofindfaultinsomeoneelse'shouse,eventhoughthingsarenotasmuchtomylikingasathome.

Ifamanmeetswithbadweather,hemustbecontent;itistravellers'fare,wesay.Bothfairweatherandfoularethecommontravellers'fareandwemustbecontentwith it.Of course, if amanwereathomeand the rainpouredintohishouse,hewouldregarditasanintolerablehardship;butwhenheistravelling,heisnotsotroubledaboutrainandstorms.Whenyouareatsea,thoughyouhavenotasmanythingsasyouhaveathome,youarenot troubledat it; youare contented.Why?Becauseyouareatsea.

You are not troubled when storms arise, and though many things areotherwise thanyouwouldhave themathomeyouarestillquietedwiththefactthatyouareatsea.Whensailorsareatseatheydonotcarewhatclothes they have, though they are pitched and tarred, and but a cloutabout their necks, and any old clothes. They think of when they comehome:thentheyshallhavetheir finesilkstockingsandsuits,and lacedbands, and such things, and shall be very fine. So they are contentedwhile away,with the thought that it shall be differentwhen they comehome,andthoughtheyhavenothingbutsaltmeat,andalittlehardfare,yetwhentheycometotheirhousesthentheyshallhaveanything.

Thusitshouldbewithusinthisworld,forthetruthis,weareallinthisworldbutasseafaringmen,tossedupanddownonthewavesoftheseaof thisworld,andourhaven isHeaven;hereweare travelling, andourhomeisadistanthomeinanotherworld.Indeedsomemenhavebettercomfortsthanothersintravelling,anditistrulyagreatmercyofGodtous in England that we can travel with such delight and comfort,muchmore so than they can inother countries, and throughGod'smercywehaveasgreatcomforts inourtravellingtoHeaveninEnglandas inanyplaceunderHeaven.Thoughwemeetwithtravellers'faresometimes,yetitshouldnotbegrievoustous.TheScripturetellsusplainlythatwemustbehave ourselves here as pilgrims and strangers: 'Dearly beloved, Ibeseechyouasstrangersandpilgrims,abstain fromfleshly lusts,whichwaragainstthesoul'(1Peter2:11).

Considerwhat your condition is, you are pilgrims and strangers; so donotthinktosatisfyyourselveshere.Whenamancomesintoaninnandsees there a fair cupboard of plate, he is not troubled that it is not hisown.-Why?Becauseheisgoingaway.Soletusnotbetroubledwhenwesee that other men have great wealth, but we have not.-Why?We aregoingawaytoanothercountry;youare,asitwere,onlylodginghere,foranight.Ifyouweretoliveahundredyears,incomparisontoeternityitisnotasmuchasanight,itisasthoughyouweretravelling,andhadcometoaninn.Andwhatmadnessis itforamantobediscontentedbecausehe has not gotwhat he sees there, seeing hemay be going away againwithin less thanaquarterofanhour?You find thesame inDavid: thiswas the argument that tookDavid's heart away from the things of this

world,andsethimonotherthings:'Iamastrangerintheearth,hidenotthy commandments from me' (Psalm 119:19). I am a stranger in theearth-what then?-then, Lord, let me have the knowledge of yourcommandmentsanditissufficient.AsforthethingsoftheearthIdonotset store by them, whether I have much or little, but hide not thycommandmentsfromme,Lord,letmeknowtherulethatIshouldguidemylifeby.

Thenagain,wearenotonlytravelersbutsoldiers:thisistheconditioninwhich we are here in this world, and therefore we ought to behaveourselvesaccordingly.TheApostlemakesuseofthisargumentinwritingtoTimothy: 'ThouthereforeendurehardnessasagoodsoldierofJesusChrist'(2Timothy2:3).

The very thought of the condition of a soldier is enough to still hisdisquietofheart.Whenheisaway,hedoesnotenjoysuchcomfortsinhisquartersashehasinhisownhome:perhapsamanwhohadhisbedandcurtains drawn about him, and all comforts in his chamber, has nowsometimestolieonstrawandhethinkstohimself,Iamasoldieranditissuitabletomycondition.Hemusthavehisbedwarmedathome,buthemustlieoutinthefieldswhenheisasoldier,andtheverythoughtoftheconditioninwhichhe stands, calmshim inall things.Yes, andhegoesrejoicing,tothinkthatthisisonlysuitabletotheconditioninwhichGodhasput him. So it should bewith us in respect of thisworld.What anunseemlythingitwouldbetoseeasoldiergowhiningupanddownwithhis finger inhiseye,complaining, thathedoesnothavehotmeateverymeal,andhisbedwarmedashedidathome!NowChristiansknowthatthey are in their warfare, they are here in this world fighting andcombatingwiththeenemiesoftheirsoulsandtheireternalwelfare,andtheymustbewilling toendurehardnesshere.A rightunderstandingofthis fact thatGodhasput themintosuchacondition iswhatwillmakethemcontent,especiallywhentheyconsider that theyarecertainof thevictory and that ere long they shall triumphwith JesusChrist; then alltheirsorrowsshallbedoneaway,andtheirtearswipedfromtheireyes.Asoldier is content to endurehardness thoughhedoesnotknow that heshallhavethevictory,butaChristianknowshimselftobeasoldier,andknowsthatheshallconquerandtriumphwithJesusChristtoalleternity.

AndthatisthefourthlessonthatChristteachesthesoulwhenhebringsittohisschooltolearntheartofcontentment:hemakeshimunderstandthoroughlytherelationinwhichhehasplacedhimtothisworld.

5. CHRIST TEACHES US WHEREIN CONSISTS ANY GOODTHAT IS TO BE ENJOYED IN ANY CREATURE IN THEWORLD.

We have taught before that there is a vanity in the creature, that is,consideredinitself,yetthoughthereisavanityinthecreatureinitself,inrespectofsatisfyingthesoulforitsportion,yetthereissomegoodnessinthe creature, some desirableness. Now wherein does this consist? Itconsists not in the nature of the creature itself, for that is nothing butvanity,butitconsistsinitsreferencetothefirstbeingofallthings:thisisa lesson that Christ teaches. If there is any good in wealth or in anycomfortinthisworld,itisnotsomuchthatitpleasesmysenseorthatitsuitsmybody, but that it has reference toGod, the first being, thatbythese creatures somewhat ofGod's goodnessmight be conveyed tome,andImayhaveasanctifieduseofthecreaturetodrawmenearertoGod,thatImayenjoymoreofGod,andbemademoreserviceableforhisgloryintheplacewherehehassetme:thisisthegoodofthecreature.Oh,thatwewereonly instructed in this lesson,andunderstood, and thoroughlybelieved this! No creature in all the world has any goodness in it anyfurtherthanithasreferencetothefirstinfinitesupremegoodofall,thatsofarasIcanenjoyGodinit,sofaritisgoodtome,andsofarasIdonotenjoyGodinit,sofarthereisnogoodnessinanycreature.Howeasyitwouldbe,ifwereallybelievedthat,tobecontented!Supposeamanhadgreatwealthonlyafewyearsago,andnowitisallgone-Iwouldonlyaskthisman,Whenyouhadyourwealth,inwhatdidyoureckonthegoodofthatwealth to consist?A carnal heartwould say, Anybodymight knowthat:itbroughtmeinsomuchayear,andIcouldhavethebestfare,andbeamanof repute in theplacewhere I live, andmen regardedwhat Isaid;ImightbeclothedasIwould,andlayupportionsformychildren:thegoodofmywealthconsistedinthis.NowsuchamannevercameintotheschoolofChristtoknowinwhatthegoodofanestateconsisted,sonomarvel if he is disquieted when he has lost his estate. But when aChristian,whohasbeenintheschoolofChrist,andhasbeeninstructed

in the art of contentment, has some wealth, he thinks, In that I havewealthabovemybrethren,IhaveanopportunitytoserveGodthebetter,andIenjoyagreatdealofGod'smercyconveyedtomysoulthroughthecreature, andhereby I am enabled to do a great deal of good: in this Ireckon the good ofmywealth. And now that God has taken this awayfromme,ifhewillbepleasedtomakeuptheenjoymentofhimselfsomeotherway,willcallmetohonorhimbysuffering,andifImaydoGodasmuchservicenowbysuffering,thatis,byshowingforththegraceofhisSpiritinmysufferingsasIdidinprosperity,IhaveasmuchofGodasIhadbefore.SoifImaybeledtoGodinmylowcondition,asmuchasIwas in my prosperous condition, I have as much comfort andcontentmentasIhadbefore.

Objection. Youwill say, it is true that if I could honor God inmy lowestateasmuchas inmyprosperousestate then itwouldbe something,but how can that be? Answer. You must know that the special honorwhichGodhasfromhiscreaturesinthisworldisthemanifestationofthegracesofhisSpirit.ItistruethatGodgetsagreatdealofhonorwhenaman is in a public place, and so is able to do a great deal of good, tocountenancegodliness,anddiscountenancesin,butthemainthingisinourshowingforthvirtuesofhimwhohascalledusoutofdarkness intohis marvellous light. If I can say that, through God's mercy in myaffliction, I find thegracesofGod'sSpiritworkingas strongly inmeasevertheydidwhenIhadmywealth,IamwhereIwas; indeed,Iaminquiteasgoodacondition,forIhavethesamegoodnowthatIhadinmyprosperousestate.IreckonedthegoodofitonlyinmyenjoymentofGod,andhonoringofGod,andnowGodhasblessedthelackofittostirupthegracesofhisSpiritinmysoul.ThisistheworkthatGodcallsmetonow,andImustconsiderGodtobemosthonoredwhenIdotheworkthathecallsmeto;hesetmetowork inmyprosperousestate tohonorhimatthattimeinthatcondition,andnowhesetsmetoworktohonorhimatthis time in this condition.God ismost honoredwhen I can turn fromoneconditiontoanother,accordingashecallsmetoit.

Wouldyouaccount yourselves tobe honoredby your servants, ifwhenyousetthemaboutaworkthathassomeexcellence,theywillgoonandon,andyoucannotgetthemofffromit?Howevergoodtheworkmaybe,

yet if you call them off to another work, you expect them to manifestenoughrespecttoyou,astobecontenttocomeofffromthat,thoughtheyaresetaboutalesserwork,ifitismoreusefultoyourends.Inthesamewayyouwere in aprosperous estate, and thereGodwas calling you tosomeservicethatyoutookpleasurein;butsupposeGodsaid:'Iwilluseyou in a suffering condition, and I will have you to honor me in thatway.'?ThisishowyouhonorGod,thatyoucanturnthiswayorthatway,as God calls you to it. Thus having learned this, that the good of thecreatureconsistsintheenjoymentofGodinit,andthehonoringofGodbyit,youcanbecontent,becauseyouhavethesamegoodthatyouhadbefore,andthatisthefifthlesson.

6. CHRIST TEACHES THE SOUL WHOM HE BRINGS INTOTHIS SCHOOL IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR OWNHEARTS.

Youmustlearnthisoryouwillneverlearncontentment.Youmustlearntoknowyourownheartswell, tobe good students of your ownhearts.Youcannotallbescholarsintheartsandsciencesintheworld,butyoumayallbestudentsofyourownhearts.ManyofyoucannotreadintheBook, but God expects you every day to turn over a leaf in your ownhearts.Youwillnevergetanyskillinthismysteryofcontentment,exceptyou study the book of your ownhearts. Sailors have their bookswhichthey study, those whowill be good navigators, and scholars have theirbooks, those who study Logic have their books according to that, andthose thatstudyRhetoricandPhilosophyhave theirbooksaccording tothat,andthosethatstudyDivinityhavetheirbookswherebytheycometobehelped in the study ofDivinity, but aChristian, next to theBook ofGod,istolookintothebookofhisownheart,andtoreadoverthat,andthiswillhelpyoutocontentmentinthreeways:1.Bystudyingyourheartyouwill comesoon todiscoverwhereinyourdiscontent lies.Whenyouarediscontentedyouwillfindouttherootofanydiscontentifyoustudyyourheartwell.Manymenandwomenarediscontented,andthetruthistheydonotknowwhy; they think thisand theother thing is thecause.Butamanorwomanwhoknowstheirownheartwillsoonfindoutwherethe root of their discontent lies, that it lies in some corruption anddisorderoftheheart,thatthroughGod'smercyIhavenowfoundout.It

issimilarto thecaseofa littlechildwho isveryawkward in thehouse,and when a stranger comes in he does not know what the matter is.Perhapshewillgivethechildarattle,oranut,orsomethingofthesorttoquietit,butwhenthenursecomessheknowsthetemperanddispositionofthechild,andthereforeknowshowtocalmit.Itisjustthesamehere:whenwearestrangerstoourownheartswearepowerfullydiscontented,anddonotknowhowtoquietourselves,becausewedonotknowwhereinthedisquiet lies,but ifweareverywellversedinourownhearts,whenanythinghappenstounsettleus,wesoonfindoutthecauseofit,andsoquicklybecomequiet.Whenamanhasawatch,andunderstandtheuseofeverywheelandpin,ifitgoesamisshewillsoonfindoutthecauseofit;butwhensomeonehasnoskillinawatch,ifitgoesamisshedoesnotknowwhat is thematter, and therefore cannotmend it. So indeed ourhearts are as a watch, and there are many wheels and windings andturnings there,andweshould labor toknowourheartswell, thatwhentheyareoutoftune,wemayknowwhatisthematter.

2.Thisknowledgeofourheartswillhelpustocontentment,becausebyitweshallcometoknowwhatbestsuitsourcondition.Amanwhodoesnotknowhisownheartdoesnotthinkwhatneedhehasofaffliction,andforthatreasonisuneasy,butwhenGodcomeswithafflictionstothemanorwoman who have studied their own hearts, they can say, 'I would nothavebeenwithout this affliction for anything in theworld,God has sosuitedthisafflictiontomycondition,andhascomeinsuchawaythatifthis affliction had not come I am afraid I should have fallen into sin.'When a poor countryman takes medicine, the medicine works, but hethinksitwillkillhim,becausehedoesnotknowthebadhumoursthatarein his body, and therefore he does not understand how suitable themedicine is for him. But if a doctor takes a purge, and it makes himextremelysick: 'I like this thebetter' he says, 'it is onlyworkingon thehumorthatIknowisthecauseofmydisease',andbecauseofthatsuchamanwhohasknowledgeandunderstandingofhisbody,andthecauseofhisdisorder, isnot troubledordisturbed.Sowouldwebe ifwedidbutknow the disorders of our own hearts. Carnalmen andwomen do notknow their own spirits, and therefore they fling and vex themselves ateveryafflictionthatbefallsthem,theydonotknowwhatdisordersareintheirheartswhichmaybehealedbytheirafflictions,ifitpleasesGodto

givethemasanctifieduseofthem.

3.Byknowingtheirownheartstheyknowwhattheyareabletomanage,andbythismeanstheycometobecontent.PerhapstheLordtakesawaymany comforts from them that they had before, or denies them somethings that they hoped to have got. Now by knowing their hearts theyknowthattheywerenotabletomanagesuchwealth,andtheywerenotabletomanagesuchprosperity.Godsawit,and,apoorsoulsays,'Iaminsomemeasure convinced by looking intomy own heart that I was notable tomanage sucha condition.'Amandesires greedily to hold on tomore than he is able to manage, and so undoes himself. Countrymenobservethatiftheyover-stocktheir land, itwillquicklyspoil them,andsoawisehusbandmanwhoknowshowmuchhisgroundwillbearisnottroubledthathehasnotasmuchstockasothers-why?Becauseheknowshehasnotgotenoughgroundforasgreatastock,and thatquietshim.Manymen and women who do not know their own hearts would fainhaveasprosperousapositionasothers,butiftheyknewtheirownheartstheywouldknowthattheywerenotabletomanageit.

Suppose one of your little children of three or fourwere crying for thecoatofher sisterwho is twelveorperhapseven twenty, andsaid, 'WhymaynotIhaveacoataslongasmysister's?'Ifshehad,itwouldsoontripup her heels, and scratch her face. But when the child comes tounderstanding,sheisnotdiscontentedbecausehercoatisnotaslongashersister's,butsays,'Mycoatfitsme,'andthereinsheiscontent.SoifwecometounderstandingintheschoolofChristwewillnotcry,WhyhaveInotgotsuchwealthasothershave?,but,TheLordseesthatIamnotabletomanage it and I see it myself by knowingmy own heart. There aresomechildrenwho,iftheyseeaknife,willcryforitbecausetheydonotknowtheirstrengthandthattheyarenotabletomanageit,butyouknowtheyarenotabletomanageitandthereforeyouwillnotgiveitthem,andwhen they come to sufficient understanding to know that they are notabletomanageit,theywillnotcryforit.Similarlywewouldnotcryforsomethingsifweknewthatwewerenotabletomanagethem.Whenyouvexand fret forwhatyouhavenotgot, Imaysay toyouasChristsaid,'Youknownotofwhatspirityouare.'ItwasasayingofCecolampadiustoParillus, when they were speaking about his extreme poverty, 'Not so

poor, though I have been very poor, yet I would be poorer; I could bewillingtobepoorerthanIam.'Asifheweretosay,Thetruthis,theLordknewwhatwasmoresuitableforme,andIknewthatmyownheartwassuch that a poor condition was more suitable to me than a rich. Socertainlywouldwesay,ifweknewourownhearts,thatsuchandsuchaconditionisbetterformethanifithadbeenotherwise.

7. THE SEVENTH LESSON BY WHICH CHRIST TEACHESCONTENTMENT IS the burden of a prosperous outward condition.One who comes into Christ's school to be instructed in this art neverattains toanygreat skill in it until he comes to understand theburdenthatisinaprosperouscondition.

Objection.Youwillsay,'Whatburdenisthereinaprosperouscondition?'Answer.Yes,thereiscertainlyagreatburden,anditneedsgreatstrengthtobear it. Just asmenneed strongbrains to bear strongwine, so theyneed strong spirits to bear prosperous conditions, and not to dothemselveshurt.Manymenandwomen lookat the shineandglitterofprosperity,buttheylittlethinkoftheburden.Thereisafourfoldburdeninaprosperouscondition.

1.Thereisaburdenoftrouble.Arosehasitsprickles,andtheScripturesaysthathethatwillberichpiercethhimselfthroughwithmanysorrows(

1Timothy6:10).Ifaman'sheartissetuponbeingrich,suchamanwillpiercehimselfthroughwithmanysorrows:helooksuponthedelightandgloryof richeswhichappearsoutwardly,buthedoesnotconsiderwhatpiercing sorrows he may meet with in them. The consideration of thetroublethatisinaprosperouscondition,Ihavemanytimesthoughtof,andIcannotthinkofanythingbettertocompareitwiththantotravellinginsomeopencountry,whereroundaboutisveryfairandsandyground,andyouseeatownagreatwayoffinavalleyandyouthin,Ohhowwellsituatedthattownis;butwhenyoucomeandrideintothetown,youridethroughadirtylaneandthroughalotoffearfullydirtyholes.Youcouldnotseethedirtylaneandholeswhenyouweretwoorthreemilesoff.Inthesameway,sometimeswelookupontheprosperityofmenandthink,thismanliveswellandcomfortably,butifweonlyknewwhattroubleshe

hasinhisfamily,inhispossessions,inhisdealingswithmen,wewouldnot thinkhispositionsohappy.Amanmayhaveavery finenewshoe,butnobodyknowswhereitpincheshimexcepttheonewhohasiton;soyouthinkcertainmenarehappy,buttheymayhavemanytroublesthatyoulittlethinkof.

2.Thereisaburdenofdangerinit.Meninaprosperouspositionareinagreat deal of danger. You see sometimes in the evening that when youlightupyour candles, themoths andgnatswill flyup anddown in thecandleandscorchtheirwings,andtheyfalldowndeadthere.Sothereisagreatdealofdangerinaprosperousestate, formenwhoaresetuponapinnacle on high are in greater danger than othermen are.Honey,weknow,invitesbeesandwaspstoit,andthesweetofprosperityinvitestheDevilandtemptation.Meninaprosperouspositionaresubjecttomanytemptations that other men are not subject to. The Scripture calls theDevilBeelzebub,thatis,theGodofflies,andsoBeelzebubcomeswherethe honey of prosperity is. Yes, they are in very great danger oftemptationswhoareinaprosperouscondition.Thedangersthatmenina prosperous position have more than others should be considered bythosewho are lower. Think to yourself: though they are aboveme, yettheyareinmoredangerthanIam.

Tall treesareagreatdealmorebroken than lowshrubs,andyouknowwhenashiphasallitssailsupinastorm,eventhetopsail,itisinmoredangerthanonewhichhasallitssailsdrawnin.Similarly,menwhohavetheirtopsailandallupsofinely,aremorelikelytobedrowned,drownedin perdition, than other men. You know what the Scripture says, howhard it is for richmen to go into the Kingdom ofHeaven; such a textshouldmakepoorpeoplecontentwiththeirstate.

WehaveastrikingexampleofthisinthechildrenofKohath:youwillfindthat theywere in amore excellent position than the other Levites, buttheywere inmore danger than the others, andmore trouble. That thechildrenofKohathwereinahigherpositionthantheotherLevitesIwillshowyoufromthefourthchapterofNumbers.Thereyoufindwhattheirposition was: 'This shall be a service of the sons of Kohath in thetabernacle of the congregation, about themost holy things.'Mark this,theLeviteswereexercisedaboutholythings,buttheserviceofthesonsof

Kohathwasaboutthemostholythingsofall.Andyoufindinthe21stofJoshuathatGodhonoredtheotherLevites,whichhonorthechildrenofAaron(beingofthefamiliesoftheKohathites,whowerethechildrenofLevi)had,fortheirswasthefirstlot(

Joshua21:10)andtheywerepreferredbeforetheotherfamiliesofLevi.Thosewhowere employed in themost honorable employment had themost honorable lot, the first lot fell to them. Thus you see how GodhonoredthechildrenoftheKohathites.ButtheotherLevitesmightsay,'HowhasGodpreferredthisfamilybeforeus?'Theyareindeedhonoredmorethantheothers.Butnoticetheburdenthatcomeswiththeirhonor;IwillshowyouitoutoftwoScriptures.Thefirstis

Numbers7:6-9,'AndMosestookthewagonsandfouroxenhegaveuntothe sons of Gershom, according to their service, and four wagons andeight oxen he gave unto the sons ofMerari according to their service,underthehandofIthamarthesonofAaronthepriest';butintheninthversehesays,'UntothesonsofKohathhegavenone,becausetheserviceof the sanctuary that belonged unto them, was, that they should bearupon their shoulders.' Mark, the other Levites had oxen and wagonsgiven to them, tomake their service easier, but, he says, to the sons ofKohath he gave none, but they should bear their service on theirshoulders. And that is the reasonwhyGod was so displeased, becausetheywantedmoreease inGod's service thanGodwouldhave them, forwhereas they should have carried it upon their shoulders, they wouldcarryituponacart.Hereyouseethefirstburdenthattheyhad,beyondwhat the other Levites had. And indeed, those who are in a morehonorable place than others have a burden to carry on their shouldersthatthosewhoareunderthemtonotthinkof,whileothershavewaysofeasingtheirburden.Manytimesthosewhoareemployedintheministry,or themagistracy,who sit at the stern to order the great affairs of thecommonwealthandstate,thoughyouthinktheyhaveafinelife,theylieawakewhenyouareasleep. Ifyouknewtheburdenthat layupontheirspirits, youwould think that your labor and burden were very little incomparisonoftheirs.

Thereisanotherburdenofdangerinmorethantherest,andyouwillfindit in Numbers 4:17: 'And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron

saying, Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites fromamongtheLevites,butthusdountothemthattheymayliveandnotdie:Whentheyapproachuntothemostholythings,Aaronandhissonsshallgo inandappoint themeveryone tohis serviceand tohisburden;buttheyshallnotgointoseewhentheholythingsarecovered,lesttheydie.'Markthistext:theLordsaystoMosesandAaron,'Cutyenotoffthetribeofthefamiliesof theKohathites fromamong theLevites', cut themnotoff-Why?Whathadtheydone?Hadtheydoneanythingamiss?No,theyhad not done anything to provoke God; but the meaning is this: takegreat care to instruct the familyof theKohathites in theduty that theyweretodo,for,saidGod,theyareinagreatdealofdanger,servinginthemostholythings.IftheygointoseetheholythingsmorethanGodwouldhavethemdo,itisasmuchastheirlivesareworth,andtherefore,ifyouneglect them, and do not inform them thoroughly in their duty, theywould be undone, said God. They are to administer in the most holythings,andiftheyshouldbutdaretopresumetodoanythingotherwisethanGodwouldhavethem,aboutthoseservices,itwouldcostthemtheirlives;andthereforedonotbecarelessofthem,forifyouneglectthemyouwill be ameans of cutting them off. Thus you see the danger that thefamilyof theKohathiteswere in; theywerepreferredbeforeothers,buttheywere inmoredanger.Soyou thinkofcertainmen inaparishwhobear the sway and are employed in public service, and carry all beforethem,butyoudonotconsidertheirdanger.Andsimilarlyministersstandintheforefrontofallthespiteandmaliceofungodlymen;certainlyGodemploys them in an honorable service, and a service that the angelswoulddelightin,butthoughtheserviceishonorable,aboveotherworks,yettheburdenofdangerislikewisegreaterthanthedangerofmeninaninferiorposition.NowwhenthesoulgetswisdomfromChristtothinkofthedangerthatitisin,thenitwillbecontentwiththelowestateinwhichitis.Apoormanwhoisinalowcondition,thinks,'Iamlowandothersareraised,butIknownowwhattheirburdenis',andso, ifhe isrightlyinstructedintheschoolofChrist,hecomestobecontented.

3.Inaprosperousconditionthereistheburdenofduty.Youlookonlyatthesweetnessandcomfort,thehonorandrespectthattheyhavewhoareinaprosperousposition,butyoumustconsiderthedutythattheyowetoGod.Godrequiresmoredutyattheirhandsthanatyours.Youareready

to be discontented because you have not got such gifts and abilities asothers have, but God requires more duty of those who have greaterwealth thanofyouwhohavenot suchwealth.Oh, youwould fainhavethehonor,but canyou carry the burdenof the duty? 4. The last is theburden of account in a prosperous condition. Those who enjoy greatwealthandaprosperousconditionhaveagreataccount togive toGod.Weareallstewards,andoneisastewardtoameanerman,perhapsbuttoanordinaryknight,another isa steward toanobleman,anearl-nowthestewardof themeanermanhasnotsomuchas theotherunderhishand,andshallhebediscontentedbecauseofthis?No,hethinks,Ihaveless, and I will have to give the less account. So your account, incomparisonoftheminister'sandmagistrate's,willbenothing:youaretogive an account of your own souls and so are they, you are to give anaccountforyourownfamilyandsoarethey,butyouwillnothavetogiveaccount for congregations, and for towns, andcitiesandcountries.Youthinkofprincesandkings-Oh,whatagloriouspositiontheyare in!Butwhatdoyouthinkofakingwhohastogiveaccountforthedisorderandwickednessinakingdomwhichhemightpossiblyhaveprevented?WhatanabundanceofglorymightaprincebringtoGodifhebenthissoulandallhisthoughtstoliftupthenameofGodinhiskingdom!NowwhatGodlosesthroughthelackofthis,thatking,princeorgovernormustgiveanaccount for. There is a saying of Chrysostomon that place inHebrewswhereitissaidthatmenmustgiveanaccountortheirsouls:hewondersthat anyman in a public place can be saved, because the account theyhave to give is so great. I remember I have read a sayingofPhilip, theKingofSpain: though the story saysofhim thathehad such a naturalconscience that he professed he would not do anything against hisconscience,no,notinsecret,forgainingaworld,yetwhenthismanwastodie,'Oh',hesaid,'thatIhadneverbeenaking!Oh,thatIhadlivedasolitaryandprivatelifeallmydays!ThenIshouldhavediedagreatdealmore securely, I should with more confidence have gone before thethrone of God to give my account. This is the fruit of my kingdom,becauseIhadallthegloryofit,ithasmademyaccounthardertogivetoGod'.Thushecriedoutwhenhewastodie.

And therefore youwho live in private positions, remember this: if youcome to Christ's school and are taught this lesson, youwill be quiet in

yourafflictions,orinyourprivateposition,becauseyouraccountisnotasgreatasothers.ThereisasayingIremembermeetingwith inLatimer'ssermonswhichhewaswonttouse:'Thehalfismorethanthewhole';thatis,when aman is in amean condition, he is but halfway towards theheightofprosperitythatothersarein,yet,hesays,thisissaferthoughitisameanerconditionthanothers.

Thosewhoareinahighandprosperousconditionhaveannexedtoittheburdenof trouble,ofdanger,ofduty,andofaccount.Andthusyouseehow Christ trains up his scholars in his school, and though they areotherwiseweak, yet by his Spirit he gives themwisdom to understandthesethingsaright.

8.CHRISTTEACHESTHEMWHATAGREATANDDREADFULEVILITISTOBEGIVENUPTOONE'SHEART'SDESIRES.

Itis,indeed,adreadfulevil,oneofthemosthideousandfearfulevilsthatcanbefallanymanonthefaceoftheearth,forGodtogivehimuptohisheart's desires. A kindred truth is that spiritual judgments are morefearful than any outward judgments. Now once the soul understandsthesethings,amanwillbecontentwhenGodcrosseshiminhisdesires.Youarecrossedinyourdesires,andsoyouarediscontentedandvexedandfrettedaboutit;isthatyouronlymisery,thatyouarecrossedinyourdesires?No,no,youareinfinitelymistaken;thegreatestmiseryofall isforGodtogiveyouuptoyourheart'slustsanddesires,togiveyouuptoyour own counsels. So you have it in Psalm 81:11, 12: 'But my peoplewouldnothearkentomyvoice,andIsraelwouldnoneofme,'-whatthen?-'SoIgave themupunto theirownheart lust, and theywalked in theirowncounsels.' 'Ohletmenothavesuchamiseryasthat',saidBernard,'fortogivemewhatIwouldhave,togivememyheart'sdesiresisoneofthe most hideous judgments in the world.' In Scripture we have nocertain,evidentsignofareprobate,wecannotsay,unlessweknewamanhadcommittedthesinagainsttheHolyGhost,thatheisareprobate,forwedonotknowwhatGodmayworkuponhim,butthenearestofallandtheblackestsignofa reprobate is this: forGod togiveamanup tohisheart's desires. All the pain of diseases, all the calamities that can bethoughtofintheworldarenojudgmentsincomparisonofthis.

Nowwhen the soul comes tounderstand this, it criesout,whyamI sotroubled that I have not got my desires? There is nothing that Godconveys his wrath more through than a prosperous condition. IrememberreadingofaJewishtraditionaboutUzziah:whenGodstruckhim with leprosy, they say that the beams of the sun darted upon theforehead of Uzziah, and he was struck with leprosy in this way. TheScripturesays,indeed,thatthepriestslookeduponhim,buttheysaythatthere was a special light and beam of the sun on his forehead thatrevealed the leprosy to the priests, and they say that was the way ofconveyingofit.Whetherthatwastrueornot,Iamsurethatthisistrue,that the strong beams of the sun of prosperity upon many men makethem to be leprous. Would any poor man in the country have beendiscontentedthathewasnot inUzziah'sposition?HewasagreatKing,aye,buttherewastheleprosyinhisforehead.Thepoormanmightsay,Though I livemeanly in the country yet I thankGodmybody iswholeand sound. Would not any man rather have homespun and skins ofbeaststoclothehimselfwith,tantohavesatinandvelvetthathadplaguein it? The Lord conveys the plague of his curse through prosperity, asmuch as through any thing in the world, and therefore when the soulcomestounderstandthis,thismakesitquietandcontent.

Andthen,spiritualjudgmentsarethegreatestjudgmentsofall.TheLordlayssuchandsuchanafflictionuponmyoutwardwealth,butwhatifhehad taken away my life? A man's health is a greater mercy than hiswealth,andyoupoorpeopleshouldconsiderthat.isthehealthofaman'sbody better than his wealth?What then is the health of aman's soul?Thatisagreatdealbetter.TheLordhasinflictedexternaljudgments,buthehasnotinflictedspiritualjudgmentsonyou,hehasnotgivenyouuptohardnessofheart,andtakenawaythespiritofprayerfromyouinyourafflicted condition. Oh, then, be of good comfort though you haveoutwardafflictionsuponyou;stillyoursoul,yourmoreexcellentpartisnotafflicted.Nowwhenthesoulcomestounderstandthis,thathereliesthe sore wrath of God, to be given up to one's desires, and to havespiritual judgments: thisquietshim,andcontentshim, thoughoutwardafflictionsareonhim.Perhapsoneofaman'schildrenhasthe fitofanagueor toothache,buthisnextdoorneighborhas theplague,orallhischildrenhavediedofit.Nowshallhebesodiscontentedthathischildren

have toothache when his neighbour's children are dead? Think thus:Lord,youhave laidanafflictedconditionuponme,but,Lord,youhavenotgivenmetheplagueofahardheart.

Now if you take these eight things before mentioned, and lay themtogether,youmaywellapplythatScriptureinthe29thofIsaiah,thelastverse, where it says, 'They also that erred in spirit shall come tounderstanding;andtheythatmurmuredshalllearndoctrine.'Havetherebeenanyofyou,asIfearmanymaybefound,whohaveerredinspirit,eveninregardofthistruththatwearenowpreachingof,andmanywhohavemurmured?Oh, that thisday youmight come tounderstand, thatChrist would bring you into his school, and teach you understanding.'And they thatmurmured shall learn doctrine'-what doctrine shall theylearn? These doctrines that I have opened to you. And if you will butthoroughlystudytheselessonsthatIhavesetbeforeyoureyes,itwillbeaspecial help andmeans to cure yourmurmurings and repinings at thehandofGod,andsoyouwillcometo learnChristiancontentment.TheLordteachyou thoroughlybyhisSpirit these lessonsof contentment! IwillonlyaddonemorelessoninthelearningofcontentmentandthenIshallcometothefourthhead,theexcellenceofcontentment.

9.THENINEANDLASTLESSONWHICHCHRISTTEACHESThose whom he instructs in this art of contentment is the rightknowledgeofGod'sprovidence,andthereinarefourthings.

1. The universality of providence,wherein the soulmust be thoroughlyinstructed in to come to this art of contentment. To understand theuniversality of providence, that is, how the providence of God goesthroughthewholeworldandextends itself to everything.Notonly thatGodbyhisprovidencerulestheworld,andgovernsallthingsingeneral,but that it reaches to everydetail; not only to order the great affairs ofkingdoms,butitreachestoeveryman'sfamily;itreachestoeverypersonin the family; it reaches to every condition; yea, to everyhappening, toeverythingthatfallsoutconcerningyouineveryparticular:notonehairfallsfromyourhead,notasparrowtotheground,withouttheprovidenceofGod.Nothingbefallsyou,goodorevil,butthereisaprovidenceoftheinfiniteeternalfirstBeinginthatthing;andthereinisGod'sinfiniteness,that it reaches to the least things, to the leastworm that is under your

feet.

Thenmuchmore does it reach to youwho are a rational creature; theprovidence of God ismore special towards rational creatures than anyothers. Now to understand in a spiritual way the universality ofprovidence in every particular happening frommorning to night everyday,thatthereisnothingthatbefallsyoubutthereisahandofGodinit-thisisfromGod,andisagreathelptocontentment.Everymanwillgrantthetruthofthething,thatitisso,butastheApostlesays,in

Hebrews 11:3: 'By faith we understand that the worlds weremade'; byfaithweunderstandit.Whybyfaith?wecanunderstandbyreasonthatnofinitethingcanbefromitself,andthereforethattheworldcouldnotbeofitself,butweunderstanditbyfaithinanotherwaythanbyreason.SowhateverweunderstandofGodinprovidence,yetwhenChristtakesuintohisschoolwecometounderstanditbyfaithinabettermannerthanwedobyreason.

2.Theefficacythatisinprovidence.Thatis,thattheprovidenceofGodgoesoninallthings,withstrengthandpower,andwillnottobealteredbyourpower.Supposewearediscontentedandvexedandtroubled,andwe fret and rage, yet we need not think we will alter the course ofprovidencebyourdiscontent.SomeofJob'sfriends,whentheysawthathewasimpatient,saidtohim:'Shalltheearthbeforsakenforthee?andshalltherockberemovedoutofhisplace?'(Job18:4).

So I may say to every discontented, impatient heart: what, shall theprovidenceofGodchangeitscourseforyou?Doyouthinkitsuchaweakthing, that because it does not please you it must alter its course?WhetherornotyouarecontenttheprovidenceofGodwillgoon,ithasanefficacyofpower,ofvirtue,tocarryallthingsbeforeit.Canyoumakeonehairblackorwhitewithallthestirthatyouaremaking?Whenyouareinashipatseawhichhasallitssailsspreadwithafullgaleofwind,andisswiftlysailing,canyoumakeitstandstillbyrunningupanddownin the ship? No more can you make the providence of God alter andchangeitscoursewithyourvexingandfretting;itwillgoonwithpower,dowhatyoucan.Dobutunderstandthepowerandefficacyofprovidenceand it will be a mighty means helping you to learn this lesson of

contentment.

3. The infinite variety of theworks of providence, and yet the order ofthings, oneworking towards another. there is an infinite variety of theworks of God in an ordinary providence, and yet they all work in anorderlyway.Weputthesetwothingstogether,forGodinhisprovidencecausesa thousand thousand things todependoneuponanother.Thereare an infinite number of wheels, as I may say, in the works ofprovidence;puttogetheralltheworksthateverGoddidfromalleternityoreverwilldo,andtheyallmakeupbutonework,andtheyhavebeenasseveralwheelsthathavehadtheirorderlymotiontoattaintotheendthatGodfromalleternityhasappointed.

We, indeed, look at things by pieces, we look at one detail and do notconsidertherelationthatonethinghastoanother,butGodlooksatallthingsatonce,andseestherelationthatonethinghastoanother.Whenachild looksat a clock, it looks first at onewheel, and thenat anotherwheel:hedoesnotlookatthemalltogetherorthedependencethatonehasuponanother;buttheworkmanhashiseyesonthemalltogetherandseesthedependenceofall,oneuponanother:soitisinGod'sprovidence.Nownotice how this works to contentment: when a certain passage ofprovidencebefallsme,thatisonewheel,anditmaybethatifthiswheelwerestopped,athousandotherthingsmightcometobestoppedbythis.Inaclock,stopbutonewheelandyoustopeverywheel,becausetheyaredependantupononeanother.SowhenGodhasordereda thing for thepresenttobethusandthus,howdoyouknowhowmanythingsdependuponthisthing?Godmayhavesomeworktodotwentyyearshencethatdependsonthispassageofprovidencethatfallsoutthisdayorthisweek.

And here, by theway,wemay seewhat a great deal of evil there is indiscontent,foryouwouldhaveGod'sprovidencealteredinsuchandsuchadetail:nowifitwereonlyinthatdetail,andthathadrelationtonothingelseitwouldnotbesomuch,butbyyourdesiretohaveyourwillinsucha detail, youmay cross God in a thousand things that he has to bringabout, because it is possible that a thousand things may depend uponthatonethingthatyouwouldfainhaveotherwisethanitis.Itisjustasifachildshouldcryoutandsay, 'Letthatonewheelstop';thoughhesaysonlyonewheel,yetifthatweretostop,itisasmuchasifheshouldsay

theymustallstop.

Soinprovidence:letbutthisonepassageofprovidencestop-itisasmuchas if a thousand stopped. Let me therefore be quiet and content, forthoughIamcrossedinsomeoneparticularthingGodattainshisend;atleast,hisendmaybefurtheredinathousandthingsbythisonethingthatIamcrossedin.Thereforeletamanconsider,thisisanactofprovidence,and how do I know what God is about to do, and how many thingsdependupon thisprovidence?Nowwearewilling tobe crossed inonething, so that our friend may attain to what he desires in a thousandthings.IfyouhavealoveandfriendshiptoGod,bewillingtobecrossedina fewthings, that theLordmayhavehisworkgoon ingeneral, inathousandother things.Now that is the third thing to be understood inGod'sprovidence,whichChrist teaches thosewhomhe instructs in theartofcontentment.

4. Christ teaches them the knowledge of providence, that is, Theknowledge of God's usual way in his dealings with his people moreparticularly. The other is the knowledge of God in his providence ingeneral.ButtherightunderstandingofthewayofGodinhisprovidencetowardshispeopleandsaintsisanotablelessontohelpusintheartofcontentment. If we once get to know aman's way and course wemaybettersuit,andbecontentto livewithhim,thanbeforewegottoknowhis way and course.When we come to live in a society with men andwomen,themenandwomenmaybegood,buttillwecometoknowtheirwayandcourseanddisposition,manythingsmaycrossus,andwethinkthey are veryhard, butwhenwe come to be acquaintedwith theirwayandspirits,thenwecansuitandcottonwiththemverywell;thereasonofourtroubleisbecausewedonotunderstandtheirway.Soitiswithyou:thosewhoarebutasstrangerstoGod,anddonotunderstandthewayofGodaretroubledwiththeprovidencesofGod,andtheythinkthemverystrange and cannot tell what to make of them, because they do notunderstand the ordinary course and way of God towards his people.Sometimesifastrangercomesintoafamilyandseescertainthingsdone,hewonderswhatisthematter,butthosewhoareacquaintedwithitarenot at all troubledby it.When servants first come together anddonotknowoneanother,theymaybefrowardanddiscontented,butwhenthey

get to be acquainted with one another's ways, then they are morecontented;justsoitiswhenwefirstcometounderstandGod'sways.

Butyouwillsay,WhatdoyouunderstandbyGod'sways?BythatImeanthreethings,andwhenwegettoknowthemweshallnotwondersomuchattheprovidenceofGod,butbequietandcontentedwiththem:

1.GOD'SORDINARYCOURSEISTHATHISPEOPLEINTHISWORLDSHOULDBEINANAFFLICTEDCONDITION.

GodhasrevealedinhisWord,andwemaytherefindhehassetitdownashisordinarywayevenfromthebeginningoftheworldtothisday,butmoreespeciallyinthetimesoftheGospel,thathispeoplehereshouldbeinanafflictedcondition.Nowmenwhodonotunderstandthisstandandwonder to hear that the people of God are afflicted, and their enemiesprosperintheirway.WhenthosewhoseekGodinhiswayandseekforreformation are afflicted, wounded and spoiled, and their enemiesprevail,theywonderatit;butonewhoisintheschoolofChrististaughtbyJesusChristthatGodbyhiseternalcounselshassetthisashiscourseandway, tobring up his people in thisworld in an afflicted condition.ThereforetheApostle says, 'Account it not strange concerning the fierytrial'(1Peter4:12).Wearenotthereforetobediscontentedwithit,seeingGodhassetsuchacourseandway,andweknowitisthewillofGodthatitshouldbeso.

2. USUALLYWHENGOD INTENDS THE GREATESTMERCYTO ANY OF HIS PEOPLE HE BRINGS THEM INTO THELOWESTCONDITION.

God seems to go quite across and work in a contrary way: when heintends the greatestmercies to his people he first usually brings themintoaverylowconditions.Ifitisabodilymercy,anoutwardmercythatheintendstobestow,hebringsthemphysicallylow,andoutwardlylow;if it isamercy in theirpossessions thathe intends tobestow,hebringsthemlowinthatandthenraisesthem;andintheirreputations,hebringsthemlowthere,andthenraisesthem;andintheirspiritsGodordinarilybringstheirspiritslowandthenraisestheirspirits.UsuallythepeopleofGod, before the greatest comforts, have the greatest afflictions and

sorrows.Now those who understand God's ways think that when Godbringshispeople into sadconditions,he is leavingand forsaking them,andthatGoddoesnotintendanygreatgoodtothem.ButachildofGod,whoisinstructedinthiswayofGod,isnottroubled;'Myconditionisverylow,'hesays,'butthisisGod'swaywhenheintendsthegreatestmercy,tobring men under the greatest afflictions.' When he intended to raiseJosephtobesecondinthekingdom,Godcasthimintoadungeonalittlebefore. So when God intended to raise David and set him upon thethrone,hemadehimtobehuntedasapartridgeinthemountains(

1 Samuel 26:29).God dealt thiswaywith his Son: Christ himself wentintoglorybysuffering(Hebrews2:10);andifGodsodealswithhisownSon,muchmorewithhispeople.

Alittlebeforedaybreakyouwillobserveitisdarkerthanitwasanytimebefore,soGodwillmakeourconditionsa littledarkerbeforethemercycomes.WhenGodbestowedthelastgreatmercyatNaseby*wewereinavery low condition;God knewwhat he had to do beforehand, he knewthathistimewascomingforgreatmercies:itisthewayofGodtodoso.[*In 1645, the parliamentary army won a decisive victory against theRoyalists at Naseby, Northamptonshire. The messages which comprisethisbookwerepreachedbyBurroughsinthatyear.]Beinstructedarightin thiscourseandway thatGod is accustomed towalk in and thatwillgreatlyhelpustocontentment.

3. IT IS THEWAYOFGOD TOWORKBY CONTRARIES, TOTURNTHEGREATESTEVILINTOTHEGREATESTGOOD.

Tograntgreatgoodaftergreatevilisonething,andtoturngreatevilintothegreatestgoodisanother,andyetthatisGod'sway:thegreatestgoodthatGodintendsforhispeople,hemanytimesworksoutofthegreatestevil, the greatest light is brought out of the greatest darkness. Iremember,Lutherhasastrikingexpressionforthis:hesays,'ItisthewayofGod:hehumblesthathemightexalt,hekillsthathemightmakealive,heconfoundsthathemightglorify.'ThisisthewayofGod,hesays,buteveryonedoesnotunderstandit.Thisistheartofarts,andthescienceofsciences, the knowledge of knowledges, to understand this, that Godwhenhewillbringlife,bringsitoutofdeath,hebringsjoyoutofsorrow,

and he brings prosperity out of adversity, yea and many times bringsgraceoutofsin,thatis,makesuseofsintoworkfurtheranceofgrace.itisthewayofGodtobringallgoodoutofevil,notonlytoovercometheevil, but to make the evil work toward the good. Now when the soulcomes to understand this, it will take away our murmuring and bringcontentmentintospirits.ButIfeartherearebut fewwhounderstanditaright; perhaps they read of such things, and hear such things in asermon,buttheyarenotinstructedinthisbyJesusChrist,thatthisisthewayofGod,tobringthegreatestgoodoutofthegreatestevil.

TheExcellenceofContentment

Havingconcludedourstudyofthelessonswearetolearn,wecometothenextsub-division,whichis,theexcellenceofthisgraceofcontentment.

There is, indeed,agreatdealofexcellence incontentment; that is,as itwere,anotherlessonforustolearn.

Theapostlesays'Ihavelearned',asifheshouldsay:BlessedbeGodforthis!Oh!itisamercyofGodtomethatIhavelearnedthislesson,Ifindso much good in this contentment, that I would not for a world bewithoutit.

'Ihavelearnedit',hesays.

Now even the heathen philosophers had a sight of the great excellencethatisincontentment.IrememberreadingofAntisthenes,whodesiredofhisgods(speakingaftertheheathenishway)nothinginthisworldtomakehislifehappybutcontentment,andifhemighthaveanythingthathe would desire tomake his life happy, he would ask of them that hemight have the spirit of Socrates, to be able to bear any wrong, anyinjuries that he met with, and to continue in a quiet temper of spiritwhatsoever befell him; for that was the temper of Socrates: whateverbefell him he continued the same man, whatever cross befell him,howevergreat,nobodycouldperceiveanyalterationofhisspirit.Thisa

heathenattainedtobythestrengthofnature,andacommonworkoftheSpirit. now Antisthenes saw such an excellence in this spirit that, asSolomonwhenGod said to him: 'What shall I give thee?' askedof himwisdom,sohesaid:'IfthegodsshouldputittometoknowwhatIwouldhave,Iwoulddesirethisthing, thatImighthavethespiritofSocrates.'Hesawwhatagreatexcellencetherewasinthis;andcertainlyaChristianmayseeanabundanceofexcellenceinit.Ishalllabortosetitouttoyouinthischapterthatyoumightbeinlovewiththisgraceofcontentment.

1.BycontentmentwecometogiveGodtheworshipthatisduetohim.ItisaspecialpartofthedivineworshipthatweowetoGod,tobe content in a Christian way, as has been shown to you. I say it is aspecial part of thedivineworship that the creature owes to the infiniteCreator, inthatI tendertherespect that isdue frommeto theCreator.ThewordthattheGreekshavethatsignifies,'toworship'isthesameastocomeandcrouchbeforesomeone,as ifadogshouldcomecrouchingtoyou, and be willing to lie down at your feet. So the creature in theapprehensionof its own baseness, and the infinite excellence that is inGodaboveit,whenitcomestoworshipGod,comesandcrouchestothisGod,and liesdownat the feetofGod: then the creatureworshipsGod.Whenyou see adog come crouching to you, andbyholding yourhandoverhim, you canmakehim lie down at your feet, then consider, thusshouldyoudobeforetheLord:youshouldcomecrouchingtohim,andliedownathis feet, evenon your backs or bellies, to lie down in thedustbeforehimsoas tobewilling thathe shoulddowithyouwhathewill.Justassometimesyoumayturnadogthiswayorthatway,upanddown,withyourhand,andthereheliesbeforeyou,accordingtoyourshowinghimwithyourhand;sowhenthecreatureshallcomeandliedownthusbefore theLord, thenacreatureworshipsGodand tenders theworshipthatisduetohim.NowinwhatdispositionofheartdowethuscrouchtoGod more than when we have this state of contentment in all theconditionsthatGoddisposesusto?ThisiscrouchingtoGod'sdisposal,tobelikethepoorwomanofCanaan,whowhenChristsaid,'Itisnotfittogivechildren'smeattodogs',said 'Thedogshavecrumbs', IamadogIconfess,butletmehaveonlyacrumb.Andsowhenthesoulshallbeinsuchadispositionastoliedownandsay,'Lord,Iambutasadog,yetletmehaveacrumb',thenithighlyhonorsGod.Itmaybethatsomeofyou

have not your table spread as others have, but God gives you crumbs;now, says the poorwoman, dogs have crumbs, andwhen you can findyour hearts thus submitting to God, to be but as a dog, and can becontentedandblessGod foranycrumb, I say this isagreatworshipofGod.

YouworshipGodmorebythisthanwhenyoucometohearasermon,orspendhalfanhour,oranhour,inprayer,orwhenyoucometoreceiveasacrament.ThesearetheactsofGod'sworship,buttheyareonlyexternalactsofworship,tohearandprayandreceivesacraments.Butthisisthesoul'sworship,tosubject itself thustoGod.YouwhooftenwillworshipGod by hearing, and praying, and receiving sacraments, and yetafterwards will be froward and discontented-know that God does notregardsuchworship,hewillhavethesoul'sworship,inthissubjectingofthe soul unto God. Note this, I beseech you: in active obedience weworshipGodbydoingwhatpleasesGod,butbypassiveobediencewedoaswellworshipGodbybeingpleasedwithwhatGoddoes.nowwhenIperformaduty,IworshipGod,IdowhatpleasesGod;whyshouldInotaswellworshipGodwhenIampleasedwithwhatGoddoes?As itwassaidofChrist'sobedience:Christwasactiveinhispassiveobedience,andpassive inhis active obedience; so the saints are passive in their activeobedience,theyarefirstpassiveinthereceptionofgrace,andthenactive.Andwhentheycometopassiveobedience,theyareactive,theyputforthgraceinactiveobedience.WhentheyperformedactionstoGod,thenthesoul says: 'Oh! that I could do what pleases God!'When they come tosufferanycross:'Oh,thatwhatGoddoesmightpleaseme!'IlabortodowhatpleasesGod,andIlaborthatwhatGoddoesshallpleaseme:hereisaChristianindeed,whoshallendeavorboththese.ItisbutonesideofaChristiantoendeavortodowhatpleasesGod;youmustaswellendeavortobepleasedwithwhatGoddoes,andsoyouwillcometobeacompleteChristian when you can do both, and that is the first thing in theexcellenceofthisgraceofcontentment.

2.INCONTENTMENTTHEREISMUCHEXERCISEOFGRACE.

There ismuch strength of grace, yea, there ismuch beauty of grace incontentment; there is much exercise of grace, strength of grace, andbeautyofgrace:Iputallthesetogether.

1.Muchexerciseofgrace.Thereisacompoundofgraceincontentment:thereisfaith,andthereishumility,andlove,andthereispatience,andthereiswisdom,andthereishope;almostallgracesarecompounded.Itisanoilwhichhastheingredientsofeverykindofgrace;andtherefore,thoughyoucannotseetheparticulargrace;yetinthisoilyouhaveitall.

GodseesthegracesofhisSpiritexercisedinaspecialmanner,andthispleasesGodatthehearttoseethegracesofhisSpiritexercised.Inoneaction that you do you may exercise one grace especially, but incontentmentyouexerciseagreatmanygracesatonce.

2.There isagreatdealof strengthofgrace in contentment. It arguesagreatdealofstrengthinthebodyforittobeabletoendurehardweatherandwhatever comes, andyetnot tobemuchalteredby it; so it arguesstrength of grace to be content. You who complain of weakness ofmemory, of weakness of gifts, you cannot do what others do in otherthings; but have you this gracious heart-contentment, that has beenexplained toyou? Iknowthatyouhaveattained to strengthofgrace inthis,whenitisasspiritualashasbeenshowntoyouintheexplicationofthis point. If a man is distempered in his body, and has manyobstructions,hasanillstomach,andhisspleenandliverobstructed,andyet for all this his brain is not disordered, it is an argument of a greatstrength of brain; thoughmany evil fumesmay arise from his corruptstomach,yetstillhisbrainisnotdisorderedbuthecontinuesinthefreeexerciseofhisreasonandunderstanding.Everyonemayunderstandthatthismanhasaverystrongbrain,whensuchthingsdonotupsethim.Ifotherpeoplewhohaveaweakbraindonotdigestbutonemeal'smeat,the fumes that arise from their stomachdisorder their brain andmakethemunfit foreverything,whereas thesehave strongheads, and strongbrains,andthoughtheirstomachsareillandtheycannotdigestmeat,yettheystillhavethefreeuseoftheirbrain:this,Isay,arguesstrength.Soitisinaman'sspirit:youfindmanywhohaveweakspirits,andiftheyhaveany ill fumes, if accidents befall them, you will soon find them out oftemper;butthereareothermen,whothoughthingsfumeup,stillkeepinasteadyway,andhavetheuseofreasonandoftheirgraces,andpossesstheirsoulsinpatience.

Irememberitisreportedoftheeaglethatitisnotlikeotherfowls:whenotherfowlsarehungrytheymakeanoise;buttheeagleisneverheardtomakenoisethoughitlacksfood.Nowitisfromthemagnitudeofitsspiritthat itwillnotmake such complaints as other fowlsdowhen they lackfood, because it is above hunger, and above thirst. Similarly it is anargumentofagraciousmagnitudeofspirit,thatwhatsoeverbefallsit,yetitisnotalwayswhiningandcomplainingasothersdo,butitgoesoninitswayandcourse,andblessesGod,andkeepsinaconstanttenorwhateverbefalls it. Such things as cause others to be dejected and fretted andvexed,andtakeawayallthecomfortoftheirlivesmakenoalterationatallinthespiritsofthesemenandwomen.This,Isay,isasignofagreatdealofstrengthofgrace.

3. It is also an argument of a great deal of beauty of grace. There is asaying of Seneca, a heathen, 'When you go out into groves andwoods,and see the tallness of the trees and their shadows, it strikes a kind ofawful fear of a deity in you, and when you see the vast rivers andfountainsanddeepwaters,thatstrikesakindoffearofaGodinyou,but',hesaid,'doyouseeamanwhoisquietintempests,andwholiveshappilyinthemidstofadversities,whydonotyouworshipthatman?'Hethinkshimamanworthyofsuchhonorwhowillbequietandliveahappylife,thoughinthemidstofadversities.ThegloryofGodappearsheremorethaninanyofhisworks.ThereisnoworkwhichGodhasmade-thesun,moon, stars and all the world-in which so much of the glory of Godappearsasinamanwholivesquietlyinthemidstofadversity.Thatwaswhatconvincedtheking:whenhesawthatthethreechildrencouldwalkinthemidstofthefieryfurnaceandnotbetouched,thekingwasmightilyconvincedby this, that surely theirGodwas the greatGod indeed, andthattheywerehighlybelovedoftheirGodwhocouldwalkinthemidstofthefurnaceandnotbetouched,whereastheotherswhocameonlytothemouthofthefurnaceweredevoured.SowhenaChristiancanwalkinthemidstoffierytrials,withouthisgarmentsbeingsinged,andhascomfortand joy in themidstof everything (when likePaul in the stockshecansing,whichwroughtuponthejailor)itwillconvincemen,whentheyseethe power of grace in the midst of afflictions. When they can behavethemselves in a gracious and holymanner in such afflictions as wouldmakeothersroar:Oh,thisisthegloryofaChristian.

ItiswhatissaidtobethegloryofChrist,(foritisthoughtbyinterpretersto bemeant of Christ) inMicah 5:5: 'And thisman shall be the peacewhentheAssyrianshallcomeintoour land,andwhenheshall tread inourpalaces.'Thismanshallbe thepeacewhen theAssyrianshall comeintoourland-foronetobeinpeacewhentherearenoenemiesisnogreatthing,butthetextsays,whentheAssyrianshallcomeintoourland,thenthismanshallbe thepeace.That is,whenall shallbe inahubbubanduproar,yetthenthismanshallbepeace.Thatisthetrialofgrace,whenyoufindJesusChristtobepeaceinyourheartswhentheAssyrianshallcome into the land. Youmay think you find peace in Christ when youhave no outward troubles, but is Christ your peace when the Assyriancomesinto the land,when theenemycomes?Supposeyou shouldheartheenemycomemarchingtothecityandtheyhadtakentheworks,andwereplundering,whatwouldbeyourpeace?JesusChristwouldbepeacetothesoulwhentheenemycomesintothecity,andintoyourhouses.Ifanyofyouhavebeenwheretheenemyhascome,whathasbeenthepeaceof your souls? What is said of Christ may be applied to this grace ofcontentment:whentheAssyrian,theplunderers,theenemies,whenanyaffliction, trouble, distress befalls such a heart, then this grace ofcontentment bring peace to the soul; it brings peace to the soul at thetimewhentheAssyriancomesintotheland.Thegraceofcontentmentisanexcellentgrace: there ismuchbeauty,muchstrength in it, there isagreatdealofworthinthisgrace,andthereforebeinlovewithit.

3. BY CONTENTMENT THE SOUL IS FITTED TO RECEIVEMERCY,ANDTODOSERVICE.

Iwillput these two together: contentmentmakes the soul fit to receivemercy, and to do service. No man or woman in the world is as fit toreceivethegraceofGod,andtodotheworkofGod,asthosewhohavecontentedspirits.

ThosewhoarecontentedarefittedtoreceivemercyfromtheLord.Ifyouwantavesseltotakeinanyliquor,youmustholditstillforifthevesselstirsandshakesupanddown,youcannotpourinanything,butyouwillsay,'Holdstill',thatyoumaypouritinandnotloseany.Soifwewouldbe vessels to receive God's mercy, and would have the Lord pour hismercyintous,wemusthavequiet,stillhearts.Wemustnothavehearts

hurrying up and down in trouble, discontent and vexing, but still andquiet hearts, if we receivemercy from the Lord. If a child throws andkicksupanddownforathing,youdonotgive ithimwhenhecriesso,butfirstyouwillhavethechildquiet.Eventhough,perhaps,youintendhimtohavewhathecriesfor,youwillnotgiveithimtillheisquiet,andcomes,andstandsstillbeforeyou,andiscontentedwithoutit,andthenyou will give it him. And truly so does the Lord deal with us, for ourdealingswith him are just as your froward children's are with you. Assoon as you want a thing from God, if you cannot have it you aredisquietedatonce andall in anuproar, as itwere, in your spirits.Godintendsmercytoyou,buthesays,'Youshallnothaveityet,Iwillseeyouquietfirst,andtheninthequietnessofyourheartscometome,andseewhatIwilldowithyou.'Iappealtoyouwhoareinanywayacquaintedwith the ways of God, have you not found this to be the way of Godtowards you/ When you were troubled for want, perhaps, of somespiritualcomfortandyourheartswerevexedatit,yougotnothingfromGodallthatwhile;butifyouhavegotyourheartintoaquietframe,andcansay,'Well,itisrightthattheLordshoulddowithhispoorcreatureswhathewill, I amunderhis feet, and am resolved todowhat I cantohonorhim, andwhateverhedoeswithme, Iwill seekhimas longas Ilive,IwillbecontentwithwhatGodgives,andwhetherhegivesornotIwill be content.' 'Are you in this frame?' saysGod, 'now you shall havecomfort,nowIwillgiveyouthemercy.'Aprisonermustnotthinkhewillgetridofhischainsbypullingandtearing;hemaygallhisfleshandrendit to theverybone,butcertainlyhewillnotbeunfettered sooner. If hewantshisfetterstakenoffhemustquietlygiveuphimselftosomemantotakethemoff.Ifabeggarknocksonceortwiceatthedoorandyoudonotcome, and thereuponhe is vexedand troubled and thinks itmuch thatyou let him stand a little while without anything, you think that thisbeggarisnotfittoreceiveanalms.Butifyouheartwoorthreebeggarsatyourdoor,andoutofyourwindowyouhearthemsay,'Letusbecontenttostay,perhapstheyarebusy,itisrightthatweshouldstay,itiswellifwegetanything in theend,wedeservenothingatall, and thereforewemaywellwait awhile', youwould then quickly send them an alms. SoGoddealswiththeheart:whenitisinadisquietmoodthenGoddoesnotgive;butwhentheheartliesdownquietlyunderGod'shand,thenisitinafitframetoreceivemercy.'Yourstrengthshallbetositstill,'saysGod,

'youshallnotbedeliveredfromBabylonbutbyyoursittingstill.'

4. AS CONTENTMENTMAKES FIT TO RECEIVEMERCY, SOFITTODOSERVICE.

Othequietfruitsofrighteousness,thepeaceablefruitsofrighteousness!Theyindeedprosperandmultiplymostwhentheycometobepeaceablefruitsofrighteousness.Asthephilosopherssayofeverythingthatmoves,nothing moves but upon something that is immovable. A thing whichmovesupontheearth,couldnotmoveiftheearthwerenotstill.

Objection.Theshipsmoveuponthesea,andthatisnotstill.

Answer.Buttheseasmoveuponthatwhichisstillandimmovable.

Nothing moves but it has something immovable that upholds it. Thewheelsinacoachmoveupanddown,buttheaxle-treedoesnotmoveupanddown;soitiswiththeheartofaman.AstheysayoftheHeaventhatitmovesupanddownuponapolethatisimmovable,soitisintheheartofaman:ifhewillmovetodoservicetoGod,hemusthaveasteadyheartwithinhim.ThatmusthelphimtomoveintheserviceofGod,forthosewhohaveunsteady,disturbedspiritswhichhavenosteadfastnessatallinthemarenotfittodoserviceforGod,butsuchashavesteadfastnessintheirspiritsaremenandwomenfittodoanyservice.Thatisthereasonwhy, when the Lord has any great work for one of his servants to do,usually he first quiets their spirits, he brings their spirits into a quiet,sweetframe,tobecontentedwithanything,andthenhesetsthemaboutemployment.

5.CONTENTMENTDELIVERSUSFROMANABUNDANCEOFTEMPTATIONS.

Oh,thetemptationsthatmenofdiscontentedspiritsaresubjectto!TheDevillovestofishintroubledwaters.Thatisourproverbaboutmenandwomen,theirdispositionistofishintroubledwaters,theysayitisgoodfishingintroubledwaters.ThisisthemaximoftheDevil,helovestofishintroubledwaters;whereheseesthespiritsofmenandwomentroubledandvexed,theretheDevilcomes.Hesays,'Thereisgoodfishingforme',

whenheseesmenandwomengoupanddowndiscontented,andhecangetthemalone,thenhecomeswithhistemptations:'Willyousuffersuchathing?' he says, 'take this shift, this indirectway, do younot seehowpoor you are, others are well off, you do not know what to do for thewinter,toprovidefuelandgetbreadforyouandyourchildren',andsohetempts them to unlawful courses. This is the special disorder that theDevil fastensupon,whenhegetsmenandwomentogive theirsouls tohim: it is from discontent, that is the ground of all who have beenwitches,andsohavegivenupthemselvestotheDevil: theriseof ithasbeentheirdiscontent.

ThereforeitisnoticeablethatthoseuponwhomtheDevilworks,tomakethem witches, are usually old and melancholy people, and womenespecially, and those of the poorer sortwho are discontented at home.Their neighbors trouble them and vex them, and their spirits areweakand they cannot bear it, soupon that theDevil fastenshis temptationsand draws them to anything. If they are poor, then he promises themmoney; if they have revengeful spirits, then he tells them that he willrevengethemuponsuchandsuchpersons:nowthisquietsandcontentsthem.Oh! there is occasion of temptation for theDevilwhenhemeetswith a discontented spirit! Luther said of God, 'God does not dwell inBabylon,but inSalem.'Babylonsignifiesconfusion,andSalemsignifiespeace;nowGoddoesnotdwell inspiritsthatare inaconfusion,buthedwells in peaceable and quiet spirits. Oh, if you would free yourselvesfrom temptations, labor for contentment. It is the peace of God thatguards the heart from temptation. I remember reading of one MariusCuriowhohadbribes sent tohim, to tempthim tobeunfaithful tohiscountry.Whenhewas sitting athomeatdinnerwith adishof turnips,andtheycameandpromisedhimrewards:saidhe,'Thatmanwhocanbecontented with this fare that I have will not be tempted with yourrewards. I thankGod I amcontentwith this far, andas for rewards letthembe offered to those that cannot be content to dinewith a dish ofturnips.' So the truth is, as we see clearly, that the reason why manybetray their trust, as in the service of Parliament and the Kingdom, isbecause they cannot be contented to be in a low condition. If aman iscontentedtobeinalowcondition,andtogomeanlyclothedifGodseesfit, such a one is shot-free, you mighty say, from thousands of

temptations of theDevil, that prevail against others to the damning oftheirsouls.

Oh, insuch timesas these,whenmenare indangerof the lossof theirwealth,Isaymenwhohavenotgot thisgraceare inamost lamentablecondition,theyareinmoredangerfortheirsoulsthantheyarefortheiroutwardpossessions.Youthink it isasadthingtobe indangerofyouroutwardpossessionsthatyoumay loseeverything inanight;but if youhavenotthiscontentedspiritwithinyou,youareinmoredangerofthetemptationsoftheDevil,tobeplunderedinthatwayofanygood,andtobeledintosin.Oh,whenmenthinkthus,thattheymustliveasfinelyastheywerewonttodo, theymakethemselvesapreytotheDevil,but forsuch as can say, 'let God dowithmewhat he pleases, I am content tosubmittohishand in it', theDevilwill scarcelymeddlewith suchmen.Therewasanotablesayingofaphilosopherwholivedonmeanfare:ashewas eatingherbs and roots, someone said to him, 'If youwould butpleaseDionysius,youneednoteatherbsandroots';butheansweredhimthus, 'If you would but be content with suchmean fare, you need notflatter Dionysius.' Temptations will no more prevail over a contentedman,thanadartthatisthrownagainstabrazenwall.

6.THESIXTHEXCELLENCEISTHEABUNDANTCOMFORTSINAMAN'SLIFETHATCONTENTMENTWILLBRING.

Contentmentwillmakeaman's lifeexceedinglysweetandcomfortable,nothingmoresothanthegraceofcontentment.Iwillshowhowitbringscomfortinmanyways.

1.Whatamanhashehas inakindof independentway,notdependinguponanycreatureforhiscomfort.

2. IfGodraises thepositionofa contentedmanwho is low,hehas theloveofGodinit.Itisabundantlymoresweetthenthanifhehaditandhisheartwasnotcontented; forGodmaygrantadiscontentedmanhisdesire, but he cannot say that it is from love. If aman has quieted hisspirit first, and then God grants him his desire, he may have morecomfortinit,andmoreassurancethathehastheloveofGodinit.

3.Thiscontentmentisacomforttoaman'sspiritinthis,thatitkeepsinhiscomforts,andkeepsoutwhatevermaydamphiscomforts,orputoutthe lightof them.Imaycompare thisgraceofcontentment toasailor'slantern:whenasailorisatsea,nomatterhowmuchprovisionhehasinhisship,yetifheisthousandsofleaguesfromland,orinaroutewherehewillnotmeetwithashipforthreeorfourmonths,hewillbeinasadstate if hehasno lanternonhis ship, nor anythingbywhich to keep acandlealightinastorm.Hewouldgiveagreatdealtohavealantern,orsomething thatmight serve insteadofone.Whena stormcomes in thenight,andhecanhavenolightaboveboard,butitispuffedoutatonce,hisstateisverysad.So,manymenhavethelightofcomfortwhenthereisno storm, but let any affliction come, any storm upon them, and theirlightispuffedoutatonce,andwhatcantheydonow?Whentheheartisfurnished with this grace of contentment, this grace is, as it were, thelantern,anditkeepscomfortinthespiritofaman,lightinthemidstofastormandtempest.Whenyouhavealanterninthemidstofastormyoucancarrylighteverywhereupanddowntheship,tothetopofthemastifyouwish, and yet keep it alight; sowhen the comfort of a Christian isenlivenedwiththegraceofcontentment, itmaybekeptalightwhateverstormsortempestscome,stillhecankeeplightinhissoul.Ohthishelpsyourcomfortsverymuch.

7.CONTENTMENTDRAWSCOMFORTFROMTHOSETHINGSWEDONOTREALLYPOSSESS.

Perhapsmanywhohavenotgotoutwardthingshavemorecomfortthanthosewhodopossessthem.Amanwhodistilsherbs,thoughhehasnotgot the herbs themselves, yet having the water that is distilled out ofthem,hemayenjoythebenefitoftheherbs.Sothoughamanhasnotgotrealpossessionofsuchoutwardwealth,suchanoutwardcomfort,yet,bythegraceofcontentmenthemaygetittohimself.BytheartofnavigationwecanbringintherichesoftheEastandWestIndiestoourselves;sobytheartofcontentmentwemaybring in thecomfortofanyconditiontoourselves, that is, we may have that comfort by contentment, that weshouldhaveifwehadthethingitself.

YouwillfindanoteworthystoryinPlutarchtoillustratethis:InthelifeofPyrrhus, one Sineus came to him, andwould fain have had him desist

from the wars, and not war with the Romans.He said to him, 'May itpleaseyourMajesty,itisreportedthattheRomansareverygoodmenofwar,andifitpleasethegodsthatweovercomethem,whatbenefitshallwe have of that victory?' Pyrrhus answered him, 'We shall thenstraightwayconquerall therestof Italywithease.' 'Indeedthat is likelywhichyourGracespeaks,'saidSineus,'butwhenwehavewonItaly,willour wars end then?' 'If the gods were pleased', said Pyrrhus, 'that thevictorywereachieved,thewaywouldthenbemadeopenforustoattaingreatconquests, forwhowouldnotafterwardsgo intoAfrica,andso toCarthage?''But',saidSineus,'whenwehaveeverythinginourhandswhatshallwedointheend?'ThenPyrrhuslaughing,toldhimagain,'Wewillthen be quiet, and take our ease, and have feasts every day, and be asmerrywithoneanotheraswepossiblycan.'SaidSineus,'Whatpreventsus now from being as quiet, and merry together, since we enjoy thatimmediatelywithoutfurthertravelandtroublewhichwewouldseekforabroad,withsuchsheddingofblood,andmanifestdanger?canyounotsitdownandbemerrynow?'Soamanmaythink,ifIhadsuchathing,thenIwouldhaveanother, and if Ihad that, then I shouldhavemore;andwhatifyouhadgotallyoudesire?Thenyouwouldbecontent-why?Youmaybecontentnowwithoutthem.

Certainlyourcontentmentdoesnotconsistingettingthethingwedesire,butinGod'sfashioningourspiritstoourconditions.Somemenhavenotgotafootofgroundoftheirown,yettheylivebetterthanothermenwhoare heirs to a great deal of land. I have known it in the countrysometimes,thatamanlivesuponhisownland,andyetlivesverypoorly;but you find another man who rents his land, and yet by his goodhusbandry,andbyhiscare,livesbetterthanhewhohashisownland.Soamanybythisartofcontentmentmaylivebetterwithoutanestatethananothermancanliveoffanestate.Oh,itaddsexceedinglytothecomfortofaChristian.

ThatImayshowitfurtherIwouldadd,thereismorecomforteveninthegraceofcontentmentthanthereisinanypossessionswhatsoever;amanhasmorecomfortinbeingcontentwithoutathing, thanhecanhave inthethingthatheinadiscontentedwaydesires.Youthink,ifIhadsuchathing,thenIshouldbecontent.Isay,thereismoregoodincontentment,

than there is in the thing that you would fain have to cure yourdiscontent, and that I shall show in several particulars: 1. I would fainhave such a thing, and then I could be content; but if I had it, then itwouldbebutthecreaturethathelpedmycontentment,whereasnowitisthegraceofGodinmysoulthatmakesmecontent,andsurelyitisbetterto be contentwith the grace of God inmy soul, thanwith enjoying anoutwardcomfort?2.IfIhadsuchathing,grantedmypositionmightbebetter,butmysoulwouldnotbebetter;butbycontentmentmysoul isbetter. That would not be bettered by wealth, or lands, or friends; butcontentmentmakesmyselfbetter,andthereforecontentmentisabetterportionthanthethingthatIwouldfainhaveasmyportion.

3.IfIbecomecontentbyhavingmydesiresatisfied,thatisonlyself-love,butwhenIamcontentedwiththehandofGod,andamwillingtobeathis disposal, that comes form my love to God. In having my desiresatisfied, I am contented through self-love, but through the grace ofcontentment I come to be contented out of love to God, and is it notbetter to be contented out of love to God, tan from a principle of self-love? 4. If I am contented because I have what I desire, perhaps I amcontentedinthatonething,butthatonethingdoesnotfurnishmewithcontentmentinanotherthing;perhapsImaygrowmoredaintyandniceandfrowardinotherthings.Ifyougivechildrenwhattheywantinsomethings, theygrowsomuch themorecoyanddaintyanddiscontented iftheycannothaveotherthingsthattheywant.ButifIhaveonceovercomemyheart,andamcontentedthroughthegraceofGodinmyheart,thenthismakesmecontentnotonlyinoneparticularbutingeneral,whateverbefallsme.Iamdiscontented,andwould fainhaveacertain thing,andafterwardsIhave it:nowdoesthispreparemetobecontentedinotherthings?No,butwhenIhavegotthisgraceofcontentment,Iampreparedtobecontented inall conditions.Thusyousee thatcontentmentbringscomforttoaman'slife,fillsitfullofcomfortinthisworld;thetruthis,itisevenaHeavenonearth.

WhatisHeaven,buttherestandquietofaman'sspirit;thatisthespecialthingthatmakesthelifeofHeaven,thereisrestandjoy,andsatisfactioninGod.Soitisinacontentedspirit:thereisrestandjoyandsatisfactioninGod. InHeaven there is singingpraises toGod; a contentedheart is

always praising and blessing God. You have Heaven while you are onearthwhenyouhaveacontentedspirit;yea, insomeregardsit isbetterthanHeaven.

Howisthat,youwillsay?ThereisakindofhonorthatGodhasinit,andanexcellencethathedoesnothaveinHeaven,andit isthis:InHeaventhereisnoovercomingoftemptations.Theyarenotputtoanytrialsbyafflictions.InHeaventheyhaveexerciseofgrace,buttheyhavenothingbutencouragementtoit,andindeedthegraceof thosewhoarethere isperfect,andinthattheyexcelus.Butthereisnothingtocrosstheirgrace,theyhavenotrialsatalltotemptthemtodocontrary;whereasforamanorwomantobeinthemidstofafflictions,temptationsandtroubles,andyettohavegraceexercised,andtobesatisfiedinGodandChristandintheWordandpromisesinthemidstofalltheysuffer:thismayseemtobeanhonorthatGodreceivesfromus,thathedoesnothavefromtheangelsandsaints inHeaven. Is it somuch foronewho is inHeaven,whohasnothingbutgoodfromGod,hasnothingtotryhim,notemptations;isitsomuchforsuchaonetobepraisingandblessingGod,asforthepoorsoul who is in the midst of trials and temptations and afflictions andtroubles?Forthissoultogoonpraying,andblessing,andservingGod,Isay, is an excellence that you do not find inHeaven, andGodwill nothavethiskindofgloryfromyouinHeaven.Thereforebecontented,andprizethiscontentment,andbewillingtoliveinthisworldaslongasGodshall please. Do not think, Oh, that I were delivered from all theseafflictionsand troubleshere in thisworld! If youwere, thenyouwouldhave more ease yourself, but this is a way of honoring God, andmanifestingtheexcellenceofgracehere,whenyouareinthisconflictoftemptation,whichGodshallnothavefromyouinHeaven.

So be satisfied and quiet, be contented with your contentment. I lackcertain things that othershave,but blessedbeGod, I have a contentedheart which others have not. Then, I say, be content with yourcontentment,foritisarichportionthattheLordhasgrantedyou.IftheLordshouldgiveyouthousandsinthisworld,itwouldnotbesucharichportionasthis,thathehasgivenyouacontentedspirit.Oh,goawayandpraise thenameofGod, and say, 'Why,Lord, it is true that IwouldbegladifIhadtheseandthesecomfortswhichothershave,butyouhavecut

meshort.ThoughIlackthese,yetyouhavegivenmewhatisasgoodandbetter,youhavegivenmeaquiet,contentedheart,tobewillingtobeatyourdisposal.'

8.CONTENTMENTISAGREATBLESSINGOFGODUPONTHESOUL.

ThereisGod'sblessinguponthosewhoarecontent,uponthem,andtheirpossessions,anduponallthattheyhave.WereadinDeuteronomyoftheblessingofJudah,theprincipaltribe:'Andhesaid,hear,Lord,thevoiceofJudah,andbringhimuntohispeople, lethishandsbe sufficient forhim, and be thou an help to him from his enemies.' Let his hands besufficient forhim, that is, bringa sufficiencyof all good tohim thathemayhaveofhisown:thatistheblessingofJudah.SowhenGodgivesyouasufficiencyofyourown,aseverycontentedmanhas,thatistheblessingofGod upon you, the blessing of the principal tribe, of Judah, is uponyou.ItistheLordwhogivesusallthingstoenjoy;wemayhavethethingandyetnotenjoyitunlessGodcomesinwithhisblessing.Nowwhateveryou have, you enjoy it; many men have possessions and do not enjoythem.ItistheblessingofGodwhichgivesusallthingstoenjoy,anditisGod who through his blessing has fashioned your heart and made itsuitabletoyourcircumstances.

9.THOSEWHOARECONTENTMAYEXPECTREWARDFROMGODThatGodwillgivethemthegoodofall thethingswhichtheyarecontentedtobewithout.Thisbringsanabundanceofgoodtoacontentedspirit. There is such and such amercy which you think would be verypleasant toyou ifyouhad it;butcanyoubringyourheart tosubmit toGod in it? Then you shall have the blessing of the mercy one way oranother;ifyoudonothavethethingitself,youshallhaveitmadeuponewayoranother;youwillhaveabillofexchangetoreceivesomethinginlieuofit.Thereisnocomfortthatanysouliscontenttobewithout,buttheLordwillgiveeitherthecomfortorsomethinginsteadofit.Youshallhavearewardtoyoursoulforwhatevergoodthingyouarecontenttobewithout.YouknowwhattheScripturesaysofactiveobedience:theLordacceptsofhisservantstheirwillforthedeed.Thoughwedonotdoagoodthing, yet if our hearts are upright, to will to do it, we shall have theblessing,thoughwedonotdothething.Youwhocomplainofweakness,

youcannotdoasothersdo,youcannotdoasmuchserviceasothersdo-ifyourheartsareuprightwithGod,andwouldfaindothesameservicethatyou see others do, and would account it a great blessing of God, thegreatestblessingintheworldifyouwereabletodoasothersdo-nowyoumaycomfortyourselveswiththis,thatdealingwithGodintheCovenantofgrace,youshallhave fromGod the rewardof all youwoulddo.Asawickedmanshallhavethepunishmentforallthesinhewouldcommit,soyoushallhavetherewardforallthegoodyouwoulddo.Nowmaynotwedrawanargumentfromactiveobediencetopassive:thereisasgoodreasonwhyyoushouldexpect thatGodwill rewardyou forall thatyouarewillingtosuffer,aswellasforallthatyouarewillingtodo.Ifyouarewilling tobewithout such a comfort andmercywhenGod sees fit, youshallbenoloser;certainlyGodwillrewardyoueitherwiththecomfortorwithwhat shall be as good to you as the comfort. Therefore consider,HowmanythingshaveIthatotherslack?andcanIbringmyheartintoaquiet,contentedframetolackwhatothershave?Ihavetheblessingofallthat theyhave,andIshalleitherpossesssuch thingsasothershave,orelseGodwillmakeituponewayoranother,eitherhereorhereafter ineternitytome.Ohwhatrichesarehere!Withcontentmentyouhaveallkindsofriches.

10. LASTLY, BY CONTENTMENT THE SOUL COMES TO ANEXCELLENCENEARTOGODHIMSELF,YEA,THENEARESTPOSSIBLE.

Forthisword,thisistranslated'content',signifiesaself-sufficiency,asItoldyouinopeningthewords.Acontentedmanisaself-sufficientman,andwhatisthegreatgloryofGod,buttobehappyandself-sufficientinhimself?Indeed,he issaidtobeall-sufficient,but that isonlya furtheradditionoftheword'all',ratherthanofanymatter,fortobesufficientisall-sufficient. Now this is the glory of God, to be sufficient, to havesufficiencyinhimself.El-shaddaimeanstobeGodhavingsufficiencyinhimself.Andyoucomeneartothis.AsyoupartakeoftheDivinenaturebygraceingeneral,soyoudoitinamorepeculiarmannerbythisgraceofChristiancontentment,forwhatistheexcellenceandgloryofGodbutthis? Suppose there were no creatures in the world, and that all thecreatures in the world were annihilated: God would remain the same

blessedGod thathe isnow,hewouldnotbe inaworse condition if allcreaturesweregone;neitherwouldacontentedheart,ifGodshouldtakeawayallcreaturesfromhim.Acontentedhearthasenoughinthelackofallcreatures,andwouldnotbemoremiserablethanheisnow.SupposethatGodshouldkeepyouhere,andallthecreaturesthatareintheworldweretakenaway,yetyoustill,havingGodtobeyourportion,wouldbeashappyasyouarenow.

Thereforecontentmenthasagreatdealofexcellenceinit.

TheEvilsofaMurmuringSpirit

Thuswehaveshowedinmanyrespectstheexcellenceofthisgraceofcontentment,laboringtopresentthebeautyofitbeforeyoursouls,thatyoumaybeinlovewithit.Now,mybrethren,whatremainsbutthepracticeofthis?Forthisartofcontentmentisnotaspeculativething,onlyforcontemplation,butitisanartofdivinity,andthereforepractical.Youarenowtolabortoworkuponyourhearts,thatthisgracemaybeinyou,thatyoumayhonorGodandhonoryourprofessionwiththisgraceofcontentment,fortherearenonewhomorehonorGod,andhonortheirprofessionthanthosewhohavethisgraceofcontentment.

Nowthatwemaycometogripswiththepractice,itisnecessarythatweshouldbehumbled inourheartsbecauseofour lackof contentment inthe past. For there is no way to set about any duty that you shouldperform,youmightlabortoperformit,butfirstyoumustbehumbledforthelackofit.ThereforeIshallendeavortogetyourheartstobehumbledfor lackof this grace. 'Oh, had I had this grace of contentment,what ahappy life Imight have lived!What abundance of honor I might havebroughttothenameofGod!HowmightIhavehonoredmyprofession!WhatagreatdealofcomfortImighthaveenjoyed!ButtheLordknowsithas been far otherwise. Oh, how far I have been from this grace ofcontentmentwhichhasbeenexpoundedtome!Ihavehadamurmuring,avexing,andafrettingheartwithinme.Everylittlecrosshasputmeoutoftemperandoutofframe.Oh,theboisterousnessofmyspirit!Whatevil

God sees in the vexing and fretting of my heart, and murmuring andrepiningofmyspirit!'OhthatGodwouldmakeyouseeit!Nowtotheendthat you might be humbled for lack of it, I shall endeavor in theseheadlings to speak of it: First I shall set before you The evil of amurmuringspirit.Thereismoreevilinitthanyouareawareof.

Inthesecondplace,Iwillshowyousomeaggravationsof thisevil. It isaltogetherevil,butmoresoinsomecasesthanothers.

Thirdly, I shall labor to take away the excuses that any murmuring,discontentedhearthasforhisdisorder.

Thereare these three things in thisuseofhumblingof the soul for thewantofthisgraceofcontentment.

For the present, the first: The great evil that is in a murmuring,discontentedheart.

1.THISMURMURINGANDDISCONTENTEDNESSOFYOURSREVEALSMUCHCORRUPTIONINTHESOUL.

As contentment argues much grace, and strong grace, and beautifulgrace,somurmuringarguesmuchcorruption,andstrongcorruption,andveryvile corruptions inyourheart. If aman'sbody isof sucha temperthateveryscratchofapinmakeshisfleshtorankleandbeasore,youwillsurely say, this man's body is very corrupt, his blood and his flesh iscorrupt, thateveryscratchofapinshallmake it rankle.So it is inyourspirit, if every little trouble and afflictionmakes you discontented, andmakesyoumurmur,andevencausesyourspiritwithinyoutorankle.Orlikeawoundinaman'sbody,theevilofthewoundisnotsomuchinthelargenessofit,andtheabundanceofbloodthatcomesoutofit,butintheinflammation that there is in it, or in a fretting and corrupting humorthatisinthewound.

When anunskilledman comes and sees a largewound in the flesh, helooks upon it as a dangerouswound, andwhen he sees a great deal ofbloodgushout,he thinks, theseare the evils of it; butwhen a surgeoncomes and sees a great gash, he says: 'Thiswill be healedwithin a few

days,butthereisasmallerwoundandaninflammationorasepticsoreinit,andthiswillcosttime',hesays,'tocure.'Sohedoesnotlaybalsamand healing salves upon it, but his great is to get out the septicinflammation,andthethingthatmusthealthiswoundissomepotiontopurge.But thepatient says, 'Whatgoodwill thisdo tomywound?Yougivemesomethingtodrink,andmywound is inmyarm,or inmy leg.WhatgoodwillthisdothatIamputtinginmystomach?'Yes, itpurgesouttheinfection,andtakesawaytheinflammation,andtillthatistakenawaythesalvescandonogood.

Soitis,justforalltheworld,inthesoulsofmen:itmaybethatthereissome affliction upon them, which I compare to the wound; now theythink that the greatness of the affliction is whatmakes their conditionmostmiserable.Ohnow, there is a fretting humor, an inflammation intheheart,amurmuringspiritthatiswithinyou,andthatisthemiseryofyour condition, and it must be purged out of you before you can behealed.LetGoddowithyouwhathewill,tillhepurgesoutthatfrettinghumoryourwoundwillnotbehealed.Amurmuringheartisaverysinfulheart; sowhenyouare troubled for thisafflictionyouhadneed to turnyourthoughtsrathertobetroubledforthemurmuringofyourheart,forthat is the greatest trouble. There is an affliction upon you and that isgrievous, but there is a murmuring heart within and that is moregrievous. Oh, that we could but convince men and women thatmurmuring spirit is a greater evil than any affliction, whatever theaffliction!Weshallshowmorefullyafterwardthatamurmuringspiritistheeviloftheevil,andthemiseryofthemisery.

2. THE EVIL OF MURMURING IS SUCH THATWHEN GODWOULDSPEAKOFWICKEDMENANDDESCRIBETHEM,andshowthebrandofawickedandungodlymanorwoman,heinstancesthissin in amore specialmanner. Imight namemany Scriptures, but thatScriptureinJudeisamostremarkableone.Inthe14thverseonwards,itissaid,'ThattheLordcomeswithtenthousandsofhissaints,toexecutejudgmentuponall,andtoconvinceallthatareungodlyamongthem,ofall theirungodlydeeds,which theyhaveungodly committed, andall oftheir hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.'Markhereinthis15thversementionismadefourtimesofungodlyones:

allthatareungodlyamongthem,alltheirungodlydeedswhichtheyhaveungodlycommitted,andofalltheirhardspeecheswhichungodlysinnershave spoken against him. This is in general, but now he comes inparticulartoshowwhotheseare: 'Theseare',hesays, 'murmurers',-thatistheveryfirst.Wouldyouknowwhoareungodlymen,whomGodwhenhecomeswithtenthousandsofangelsshallcometopunishforalltheirungodlydeedsthattheydo,andthosethatspeakungodlythingsagainsthim? These ungodly ones aremurmurers; murmurers in Scripture areputintheforefrontofall.Youhadneedtolooktoyourspirits;youmayseethatthismurmuring,whichisthevicecontrarytothiscontentment,isnotassmallamatterasyouthink.Youthinkyouarenotasungodlyasothers,becauseyoudonotswearanddrinkasothersdo,butyoumaybeungodly in murmuring. It is true there is no sin but some seeds andremaindersofitareinthosewhoaregodly;butwhenmenareunderthepowerofthissinofmurmuring,itconvictsthemasungodly,aswellasiftheywereunder thepowerofdrunkenness,orwhoredom,oranyothersin.Godwilllookuponyouasungodlyforthissinaswellasforanysinwhatever.ThisoneScriptureshouldmaketheheartshakeatthethoughtofthesinofmurmuring.

3.ASWELLASBEINGMADEABRANDOFUNGODLYMEN,YOU WILL FIND IN SCRIPTURE THAT GOD ACCOUNTS ITREBELLION.

Itiscontrarytotheworshipthatisincontentedness.ThatisworshippingGod,crouchingtoGodandfallingdownbeforehim,evenasadogwouldcrouch when you hold a stick over him; but a murmuring heart is arebelliousheart,asyouwillfind,ifyoucomparetwoScripturetogether:theyarebothinthebookofNumbers.'Butonthemorrow',says

Numbers16:41,'allthecongregationofthechildrenofIsraelmurmuredagainstMosesandagainstAaron,saying,YehavekilledthepeopleoftheLord.'Theyallmurmured;nowcomparethiswithchapter17and

verse10:'AndtheLordsaiduntoMoses,BringAaron'srodagainbeforethe testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels.' In the 16thchaptertheymurmuredagainstMosesandAaron,andinthe17thchapterweread,BringtherodofAaronagain,beforethetestimony,foratoken

againsttherebels.Soyouseethattobeamurmurer,andtobearebel,inScripture phrase is all one; it is rebellion againstGod. Just as it is thebeginning of rebellion and sedition in a kingdom,when the people arediscontented.Whendiscontent comes, it grows tomurmuring, and youcan go into no house almost, but there is murmuring when men arediscontented,sothatwithina littlewhile itbreaksforthintoseditionorrebellion.Murmuringisbutasthesmokeofthefire:thereisfirstasmokeand smouldering before the flame breaks forth; and so before openrebellioninakingdomthere is firstasmokeofmurmuring,andthen itbreaksforthintoopenrebellion.Butbecauseithastheseedsofrebellion,itisaccountedbeforetheLordtoberebellion.WillyoubearebelagainstGod?Whenyoufeelyourheartdiscontentedandmurmuringagainstthedispensation of God towards you, you should check it thus: Oh, youwretchedheart!What,will youbea rebelagainstGod?Will you rise inrebellion against the infinite God? Yet you have done so. Charge yourheartwiththissinofrebellion.

Youwhoareguiltyofthissinofmurmuring,youarethisdaychargedbytheLord,asbeingguiltyof rebellionagainsthim,andGodexpects thatwhenyougohome,youshouldhumbleyoursoulsbeforehimforthissin,that you should charge your souls for being guilty of rebellion againstGod.

Many of youmay say, I never thought that I was a rebel against Godbefore,IthoughtthatIhadmanyinfirmities,butnowIseetheScripturespeaksofsin inadifferentwaythanmendo, theScripturemakesmen,though only murmurers, to be rebels against God. Oh, this rebelliousheartthatIhaveagainsttheLord,whichhasmanifesteditselfinthiswayof murmuring against the Lord! That is a third point in the evil ofdiscontent.

4.ITISAWICKEDNESSWHICHISGREATLYCONTRARYTOGRACE, AND ESPECIALLY CONTRARY TO THE WORK OFGOD,INBRINGINGTHESOULHOMETOHIMSELF.

IknownodisordermoreoppositeandcontrarytotheworkofGodintheconversionofasinner,thanthisis.

Question. What is the work of God when he brings a sinner home tohimself?Answer.1.TheusualwayisforGodtomakethesoultosee,andbesensibleofthedreadfulevilthatisinsin,andthegreatbreachthatsinhasmadebetweenGod and it, for, certainly, JesusChrist canneverbeknowninhisbeautyandexcellencetillthesoulknowsthat.IdonotsaywhatsecretworkoftheHolyGhosttheremaybeinthesoul,butbeforethesoulcanactuallyapplyJesusChristtoitself,itisimpossiblebutthatitmustcometoknowtheevilofsin,andtheexcellenceofJesusChrist.Aseedoffaithmaybeputintothesoul,butthesoulmustfirstknowChrist,andknowsin,andbemadesensibleofit.NowhowcontraryisthissinofmurmuringtoanysuchworkofGod!HasGodmademeseethedreadfulevil of sin, andmademy soul sensible of the evil of sin as thegreatestburden?Howcan Ibe then somuch troubled for every little affliction?Certainly,ifIsawwhattheevilofsinwas,thatsightwouldswallowupallotherevils,andifIwereburdenedwiththeevilofsin,itwouldswallowupall otherburdens.What! am Inowmurmuring againstGod'shand?sayssuchasoul,whereasawhileagotheLordmademeseemyselftobeadamnedwretch,andapprehenditasawonderthatIwasnotinHell?

2. Yea, it is strongly contrary to the sight of the infinite excellence andgloryofJesusChrist,andofthethingsoftheGospel.What!amIthesoultowhomtheLordhasrevealedtheinfiniteexcellenceofJesusChrist,andyet shall I think such a little affliction to be so grievous tome,when Ihave had the sight of such glory in Christ as is worth more than tenthousandworlds?A true convertwill say: 'Oh, the Lord at such a timegavemeasightofChrist that Iwouldnotbewithout for ten thousand,thousand worlds.' But has God given you that, and will you bediscontentedforatrifleincomparisontothat?

3.AthirdworkwhenGodbringsthesoulhometohimselfisbytakingtheheart off from the creature, disengaging the heart from all creature-comforts: that is thethirdworkordinarilythatthesoulmayperceiveofitself.Itistrue,God'sworkmaybealtogetherintheseedsinhim,butinthevariousactingsof thesoul, in turning toGod, itmayperceive thesethings in it. The disengagement of the heart from the creature is thecalling of the soul from theworld-'whom the Lord hath called he hathjustified'-what is thecallingof the soulbut this?The soulwhichbefore

wasseekingforcontentmentintheworld,andcleavingtothecreature,isnow called out in the world by the Lord, who says: 'Oh Soul, yourhappinessisnothere,yourrestisnothere,yourhappinessiselsewhere,andyourheartmustbeloosenedfromallthethingsthatareherebelowintheworld.'ThisistheworkofGodinthesoul,todisengagetheheartfrom the creature, and how contrary is a murmuring heart to such athing!Somethingwhichisgluedtoanothercannotbetakenoff,butyoumusttearit;soitisasignyourheartisgluedtotheworld,thatwhenGodwouldtakeyouoff,yourhearttears.IfGod,byanaffliction,shouldcometo take anything in theworld from you, and you can part from it withease,withouttearing,itisasignthenthatyourheartisnotgluedtotheworld.

4.AfourthworkofGodinconvertingasinneristhis,thecastingofthesouluponJesusChristforallitsgood.IseeJesusChristiantheGospelastheFountainofallgood,andGodoutoffreegracetenderinghimtomefor lifeandforsalvation,andnowmysoulscasts itself,rolls itselfuponthe infinite grace ofGod inChrist for all good. nowhave youdone so?HasGodconvertedyou,anddrawnyoutohisSontocastyoursouluponhimforallyourgood,andyetyouarediscontentedforthewantofsomelittlematter in a creature comfort? Are you he who has cast your soulupon JesusChrist for all good?As he says in another case, 'Is this thyfaith?'5.ThesoulissubduedtoGod.AndthenitcomestoreceiveJesusChristasaKing,torule,toorder,anddisposeofhimhowhepleases,andso the heart is subdued untoGod.Now how opposite is amurmuring,discontented heart to a heart subdued to Jesus Christ as King, andreceivinghimasaLordtoruleanddisposeofhimashepleases!6.ThereisintheworkofyourturningtoGodthegivingupofyourselftoGodinaneverlastingcovenant.AsyoutakeChrist,theheadoftheCovenant,tobe yours, so you give up yourself to Christ. In the work of conversionthere is the resignation of the soul wholly to God in an everlastingcovenanttobehis.Haveyoueversurrenderedupyourself toGodinaneverlasting covenant?Then, certainly, this fretting,murmuringheart ofoursisstronglyoppositetoit,certainlyyouforgetthiscovenantofyours,andtheresignationofyourselfuptoGod.Itwouldbeofmarvelloushelptoyoutohumbleyoursoulswhenyouareinamurmuringcondition.

IfyoucouldbutobtainsomuchlibertyofyourownspiritsastolookbacktoseewhattheworkofGodwasinconvertingyou,thereisnothingwouldprevail more than to think of that. I am now in a murmuring,discontentedway,buthowdidIfeelmysoulworkingwhenGodturnedmy soul to himself! Oh, how opposite is this to that work, and howunbecoming!Oh,whatshameandconfusionwouldcomeuponthespiritsofmenandwomen,iftheycouldbutcomparetheworkofcorruptionintheir murmuring and discontent with the work of God that was upontheirsoulsinconversion!NowweshouldlabortokeeptheworkofGoduponoursoulswhichwaspresentatourconversion;forconversionmustnotbeonlyatoneinstantatfirst.Menaredeceivedinthis,iftheythinktheir conversion is finished merely at first; you must be in a way ofconversiontoGodallthedaysofyourlife,andthereforeChristsaidtohisdisciples, 'Except ye be converted and become as little children?' Ye beconverted. Why? Were they not converted before? Yes, they wereconverted,buttheywerestill tocontinuetheworkofconversionall thedaysoftheirlives.WhatworkofGodthereisatthefirstconversionistoabideafterwards.Theremustalwaysabidesomesightandsenseofsin;itmay be not in thewaywhich you had,whichwas rather a preparationthananythingelse,butthesightandsenseofsinistocontinuestill,thatis, you are still to be sensible of the burden of sin as it is against theholiness, and goodness, andmercy ofGod to you.And the sight of theexcellenceofJesusChrististocontinue,andyourcallingawayfromthecreature, andyour castingof your souluponChrist, andyour receivingChrist as King-still receive him day by day-and the subduing of yourheart,andthesurrenderingofyourselfuptoGod inawayofcovenant.Nowif thiswerebutdailycontinued, therewouldbenospacenortimeformurmuringtoworkuponyourheart:thatisthefourthpoint.

5. MURMURING AND DISCONTENT IS EXCEEDINGLYBELOWACHRISTIAN.

Oh,itistoomeanandbaseadisorderforaChristiantogiveplacetoit.

NowitisbelowaChristianinmanyrespects.

1. Below the relation of a Christian. How below the relation of aChristian?Therelationinwhichyoustand.Belowwhatrelation?youwill

say.

i . The relation in which you stand to God. Do you not call God yourfather?anddoyounotstandinrelationtohimasachild?What!doyoumurmur?In

2 Samuel 13:4 there is a speech of Jonadab to Amnon: 'Why art thou,beingtheking'sson,leanfromdaytoday?wiltthounottellme?';andsohetoldhim,butthatwasforawickedcause.Heperceivedthathisspiritwastroubled,forotherwisehewasofafatandplumptemperofbody,butbecause of trouble of spirit he even pined away. Why? What is thematter?YoustandinthisrelationtotheKingandyetletanythingtroubleyour heart-that is his meaning; is there anything that should disquietyourheartwhenyoustand in sucha relation to theKing, as theKing'sson? So Imay say to a Christian: Are you the King's son, the son, thedaughter,oftheKingofHeaven,andyetsodisquietedandtroubled,andvexedateverylittlethingthathappens?AsifaKing'ssonweretocryoutthatheisundoneforlosingatoy;whatanunworthythingwouldthisbe!Sodoyou:youcryoutasifyouwereundoneandyetareaKing'sson,youwho stand in such relation to God, as to a father, you dishonor yourfatherinthis;asifeitherhehadnotwisdom,orpower,ormercyenoughtoprovideforyou.

ii.TherelationinwhichyoustandtoJesusChrist.YouarethespouseofChrist. What! One married to Jesus Christ and yet troubled anddiscontented?Haveyounot enough in him?Does notChrist say to hisspouse, as Elkanah said to Hannah: 'Am not I better to thee than tensons?' (1Samuel1:8).SodoesnotChristyourhusbandsay toyou, 'AmnotIbettertoyouthanthousandsofrichesandcomforts,suchcomfortsasyoumurmurforwantof?'HasnotGodgivenyouhisSonandwillhenotwithhimgiveyouallthings?HastheloveofGodtoyoubeensuchasto give you his Son in marriage? Why are you discontented andmurmuring? Consider your relation to Jesus Christ, as a spouse andmarriedtohim:hispersonisyours,andsoalltherichesofJesusChristareyours,astherichesofahusbandarehiswife's.

Thoughsomehusbandsaresovilethattheirwivesmaybeforcedtosueformaintenance, certainly JesusChristwill never denymaintenance to

hisspouse,itisadishonorforahusbandtohavethewifetowhiningupanddown.What! youarematchedwithChrist and are his spouse, andwill you murmur now, and be discontented in your spirit? You willobservethatwiththosewhoarenewlymarried,whenthereisdiscontentbetween thewife and the husband, their friendswill shake their headssay, 'They arenotmeetingwithwhat they expected; you see ever sincetheyweremarried together how theman looks, and thewoman looks,theyarenotsocheeryastheyusedtobe.Surelyitislikelytoproveanillmatch.'Butitisnotsohere,itshallnotbesobetweenyouandChrist.Oh,JesusChristdoesnotlovetoseehisspousewithascowlingcountenance;nomanlovestoseediscontent in the faceofhiswife,andsurelyChristdoesnotlovetoseediscontentinthefaceofhisspouse.

iii.YoustandinrelationtoChrist,notonlyasaspouse,butasamember.Youareboneofhisbone,andfleshofhisflesh;andtohaveamemberofJesusChristinaconditionofdiscontentexceedinglyunworthy.

iv.Heisyourelderbrotherlikewise,andsoyouareaco-heirwithhim.

v . The relation in which you stand to the Spirit of God. You are thetempleoftheHolyGhost,theHolyGhostisyourComforter.Itishewhoisappointedtoconveyallcomforts fromtheFatherand theSon, to thesoulsofhispeople.AndareyouthetempleoftheHolyGhost,anddoeshedwellinyou,andyetforallthatyoumurmurforeverylittlething?vi.The relation inwhich you stand to the angels. You aremade one bodywith them, for so Christ has joined principalities and powers with hisChurch:theyareministeringspiritsforthegoodofhispeople,tosupplywhattheyneed,andyouandtheyare joinedtogether,andChrist is theheadofyouandangels.

vii. The relation inwhich you stand to the saints. You are of the samebodywiththem,theyandyoumakeupbutonemysticalbodywithJesusChrist,andiftheyarehappyyoumustneedsbehappy.

Oh,howbeneath aChristian is amurmuring spirit, especiallywhen heconsiders the relations in which he stands! 2. A Christian shouldconsider,ThatmurmuringanddiscontentednessisbelowthehighdignitywhichGodhasputuponhim.DobutconsiderthehighdignitywhichGod

hasputuponyou:themeanestChristianintheworldisalordofheavenandearth.hehasmadeuskingsuntohimself,kingstoGod,notkingstomentoruleoverthem;andyetIsay,everyChristianislordofheavenandearth, yea of life and death. That is, as Christ is Lord of all, so he hasmade those who are his members lords of all. 'All are yours', says theApostle, 'even life and death, every thing is yours.' It is a very strangeexpression,thatdeathshouldbetheirs,deathisyours,thatis,youare,asitwere,lordsoverit,youhavewhatshallmakedeathyourservant,yourslave, evendeath itself, your greatest enemy is turned tobe your slave.FaithmakesaChristianaslordoverall, liftedupinexcellenceaboveallcreatures that ever God made, except the angels, and in some respectabovethem.

I say the poorest Christian who lives is raised to a position above allcreatures in theworld except angels, and above them inmany respectstoo-andyetdiscontented!Thatyouwhowereasafirebrandofhell,andmighthavebeenscorchingandyellingand roaring there toall eternity,yet that God should raise you to have a higher excellence in you thanthereisinalltheworksofcreationthateverhemadeexceptangels,andother Christians, who are in your position! Indeed, you are nearer theDivine nature than the angels, because your nature is joined in ahypostaticaluniontotheDivinenature,andinthatrespectyournatureismorehonored than thenatureof theangels.And thedeathofChrist isyours.Hediedforyouandnotfortheangels,andthereforeyouarelikelyto be raised above the angels inmany respects. Youwho are in such apositionasthis,youwhoaresetaparttotheendthatGodmightmanifesttoalleternitywhattheinfinitepowerofaDeityisabletoraiseacreatureto-forthatisthepositionofasaint,abeliever:hispositionisthatheissetaparttotheendthatGodmightmanifesttoalleternitywhathisinfinitepowerisabletodotomakeacreaturehappy.

Areyou in suchaposition?Oh,how lowandbeneath thisposition isamurmuring anddiscontentedheart forwant of someoutward comfortshereinthisworld!Howunseemlyitisthatyoushouldbeaslavetoeverycross,thateveryafflictionshallbeabletosaytoyoursoul,'Bowdowntous'!We accounted it a great slavery,whenmen said to our souls, 'Bowdown', as the cruel prelateswere wont to do, in imposing things upon

men'sconsciences: ineffect theysaid, 'Letyourconsciences,yoursouls,bow down to us, that we may tread upon them'. That is the greatestslavery in the world, that one man should say to another, 'Let yourconsciences, your souls, bowdown, thatwemay treadupon them'; butwillyoualloweveryafflictiontosay,'Bowdownthatwemaytreaduponyou'? Truly it is so,when your heart is overcomewithmurmuring anddiscontent; know that those afflictions which have caused your tomurmurhavesaidtoyou,'Bowdownthatwemaytreaduponyou.'Nay,not afflictions, but the veryDevil prevails against you in this.Oh! howthis isbeneath thehappyposition towhichGodhas raisedaChristian!What!willthesonofaKingleteverybasefellowcomeandbidhimbowdown, that hemay tread upon his neck? That is what you do in everyaffliction:theaffliction,thecrossandtroublethatbefallsyou,says,'Bowdownthatwemaycomeandtreaduponyou.'3.MurmuringisbelowthespiritofaChristian.ThespiritofeveryChristianshouldbelikethespiritofhisFather:everyfatherlovestoseehisspiritinhischild,lovestoseehisimage,nottheimageofhisbodyonly,tosay,hereisachildforalltheworldlikehisfather,buthehasthespiritofhisfathertoo.Afatherwhoisamanofspiritlovestoseehisspiritinhischild,ratherthanthefeaturesofhisbody.Oh,theLordwhoisourFatherlovestoseehisSpiritinus.Greatmen love to see great spirits in their children, and thegreatGodlovestoseeagreatspiritinhischildren.WeareonespiritwithGodandwithChrist,andonespiritwiththeHolyGhost;therefore,weshouldhaveaspiritthatmightmanifestthegloryoftheFather,SonandHolyGhostinourspirits:thatisthespiritofaChristian.

ThespiritofaChristianshouldbealion-likespirit;asJesusChrististheLion of the tribe of Judah (so he is called) so we should manifestsomethingofthelion-likespiritofJesusChrist.Hemanifestedhis lion-like spirit in passing through all afflictions and troubles whatsoeverwithoutanymurmuringagainstGod.Whenhecametodrinkthatbittercup, and even the dregs of it, he prayed indeed to God that if it werepossible itmightpassfromhim,but immediately: 'Notmywill,but thywillbedone.'Assoonaseverhementionedthepassingofthecupfromhim,thoughitwasthemostdreadfulcupthateverwasdrunksincetheworld began, yet at thementioning of it: 'Notmy will, but thy will bedone.'HereChristshowedalion-likespiritingoingthroughallkindsof

afflictionswhatsoever,withoutanymurmuringagainstGodinthem.Nowamurmuring spirit is a base, dejected spirit, cross and contrary to thespiritofaChristian,anditisverybase.

IrememberthattheHeathensaccounteditverybase.Plutarchreportsofa certain people, who used tomanifest their disdain tomenwhowereovermuch dejected by any affliction, and condemned them to thispunishment:towearwomen'sclothesalltheirdays,orforacertainspaceoftimeatleast,theyshouldgoinwomen'sclothesItokenofshameanddisgracetothembecausetheyhadsucheffeminatespirits.Theythoughtit against a manly spirit, and therefore, seeing they did un-manthemselves, they should go as women. Now, shall they account it anunmanly spirit, to be overmuch dejected in afflictions? and shall not aChristianaccountitanunchristianlikespirittobeovermuchdejectedbyany affliction whatsoever? I remember someone else comparesmurmuringspiritstochildren,whentheyareweaning:whatagreatdealof stir youhavewith your childrenwhen youwean then!howperverseandvexingtheyare!So,whenGodwouldweanyoufromsomeoutwardcomforts in this world, oh, how fretting and discontented you are!Childrenwillnotsleepthemselvesnorlettheirmotherssleepwhentheyareweaning;andso,whenGodwouldweanus fromtheworld,andwefret,vex,andmurmur,thisisachildishspirit.

4.ItisbelowtheprofessionofaChristian.TheprofessionofaChristian-whatisthat?AChristian'sprofessionistobedeadtotheworldandtobealivetoGod,thatishisprofession,tohavehislifehidwithChristinGod,to satisfyhimself inGod.What! is this yourprofession?And yet if youhavenoteverythingyouwant,youmurmurandarediscontented.Inthatyouevendenyyourprofession.

5. It is below that special grace of faith. Faith is what overcomes theworld; itmakesall thepromisesofGodours.Nowwhenyou lookuponyoutheprofessionofreligiondidGodeverpromiseyouthatyouwouldliveatease,andquiet,andhavenotrouble?IrememberAugustinehasasimilarexpression: 'What!isthisyourfaith?DidIeverpromiseyou(hesays)thatyoushould flourish in theworld?AreyouaChristian to thatend?Andisthisyourfaith?Inevermadeanysuchpromisetoyouwhenyou took upon you to be a Christian.' Oh, it is very contrary to your

profession.Youhavenopromiseforthis,thatyoushouldnothavesuchanafflictionuponyou.

And a Christian should live by his faith. It is said that the just live byfaith;nowyou shouldnot look after anyother life but the life that youhave by faith. You have no ground for your faith to believe that youshould bedelivered out of such an affliction, and thenwhy should youaccountitsuchagreateviltobeunderthisaffliction?Certainlythegoodthatwehaveinthegroundforourfaithisenoughtocontentourheartshere,andtoalleternity.

AChristianshouldbesatisfiedwithwhatGodhasmadetheobjectofhisfaith. The object of his faith is high enough to satisfy his soul, were itcapable of a thousand timesmore than it is.Now if youmay have theobjectofyourfaithyouhaveenoughtocontentyoursoul.Andknowthatwhenyouarediscontentedforwantofcertaincomforts,youshouldthinkthus:GodneverpromisedmethatIshouldhave thesecomforts,at thistime, and in such a way as I would have. I am discontented because IhavenotthesethingswhichGodneveryetpromisedme,andthereforeIsinmuchagainsttheGospel,andagainstthegraceoffaith.

6.ItisbelowaChristianbecauseitisbelowthosehelpsthataChristianhasmorethanothershave.Theyhavethepromisestohelpthem,whichothershavenot.ItisnotsomuchfortheheartofaNabaltosink,becausehe has nothing but the creature to uphold him. But it is much for aChristian, who has the promises and ordinances to uphold his spirit,whichothershavenot.

7.ItisbelowtheexpectationthatGodhasofChristians,forGodexpectsnot only that they should be patient in afflictions, but that they shouldrejoice and triumph in them. Now, Christians, when God expects thisfrom you, and you have not even attained to contentedness underafflictions!Oh,thisisbeneathwhatGodexpectsfromyou.

8. It isbelowwhatGodhashadfromotherChristians.Othershavenotonlybeencontentedwithlittletrials,buttheyhavetriumphedovergreatafflictions, theyhavesuffered thespoilingof theirgoodswith joy.Readthe latter part of the eleventh of the Hebrews, and you will find what

great thingsGod has had from his people. Therefore not to be contentwithsmallercrossesmustneedsbeagreatevil.

6. THE SIXTH EVIL IN A MURMURING SPIRIT IS, Bymurmuringyouundoyourprayers, for it is exceedingly contrary to theprayer that you make to God. When you come to pray to God, youacknowledge his sovereignty over you, you come there to professyourselves to be at God's disposal. What do you pay for, unless youacknowledge that you are at his disposal? Unless you will stand, as itwere, at his disposal never come to petition him. If you will come topetition him and yet will be your own carver you go contrary to yourprayers, to come as if youwould beg your bread at yourFather's gateseveryday,andyetyoumustdowhatyou list: this is theundoingof theprayers of a Christian. I remember reading that Latimer, speakingconcerning Peter who denied his master, said: 'Peter forgot hisPaternoster,* for that was, Hallowed be thy name, and thy kingdomcome.' [*Paternoster&emdash;TheLord'sPrayer,socalledbecausetheLatinversionbegins: 'Paternoster' (OurFather).]Sowemaysay,whenyouhavemurmuring anddiscontented hearts, you forget your prayers,youforgetwhatyouhaveprayedfor.Whatdoyoupray,but,Giveusthisdayourdailybread?(ForyoumustmaketheLord'sprayerapatternforyourprayers;thatisChrist'sintention,thatweshouldhaveitasapatternandadirectory,asitwere,howtomakeourprayers.)NowGoddoesnotteachanyofyoutopray,Lord,givemesomuchayear,orletmehavethiskindofcloth,andsomanydishesatmytable.Christdoesnotteachyoutoprayso,butheteachesustopray, 'Lord,giveusourbread,' showingthatyoushouldbecontentwithalittle.What,haveyounotbreadtoeat?Ihopetherearenoneofyouherebuthavethat.

Objection.ButIdonotknowwhatwouldbecomeofmychildrenifIweretodie.OrifIhavebreadnow,IdonotknowwhereIshallgetitfromnextweek,orwhereIshallgetprovisionforthewinter.

Answer.WheredidChristteachustopray,Lord,giveusprovisionforsolongatime?No,butifwehavebreadforthisday,Christwouldhaveuscontent. Therefore when we murmur because we have not so muchvariety as others have, we do, as it were, forget our Paternoster. It isagainst our prayers; we do not in our lives hold forth the

acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God over us as we seem toacknowledgeinourprayers.

Thereforewhenatanytimeyoufindyourmurmuring,thendobutreflectyourselvesandthinkthus:Isthisaccordingtomyprayers,inwhichIheldforththesovereignpowerandauthoritythatGodhasoverme?

7. THE SEVENTH THINGWHICH I ADD FOR THE EVIL OFDISCONTENTIS thewoefuleffectsthatcometoadiscontentedheartfrommurmuring.Iwillnameyoufive;therearefiveevileffectsthatcomefromamurmuringspirit:1.Bymurmuringanddiscontentinyourhearts,you come to lose a great deal of time. How many times do men andwomen, when they are discontented, let their thoughts run, and aremusing and contriving, through their present discontentedness and lettheirdiscontentedthoughtsworkIinthemforsomehourstogether,andtheyspendtheirtimeinvain!Whenyouarealoneyoushouldspendyourtimeinholymeditation,butyouarespendingyourtimeindiscontentedthoughts.You complain that you cannotmeditate, you cannot thinkongoodthings,butifyoubegintothinkofthemalittle,soonyourthoughtsare off from them.But if you arediscontentedwith anything, then youcangoalone,andmuse,androllthingsupanddowninyourthoughtstofeedadiscontentedhumor.Oh,labortoseethisevileffectofmurmuring,thelosingofyourtime.

2.Itunfitsyouforduty.Ifamanorwomanisinacontentedframe,youmayturnsuchaonetoanythingatanytime,andheisfittogotoGodatany time; but when one is in a discontented condition, then aman orwoman is exceedingly unfit for the service ofGod. And it causesmanydistractions in duty, it unfits for duty, andwhen you come to performduties,oh,thedistractionsthatareinyourduties,whenyourspiritsarediscontented!Whenyouhearanyillnewsfromseaandcannotbearit,orofanyillfromafriend,oranylossorcross,oh,whatdistractionsdotheycause in the performance of holy duties!When you should be enjoyingcommunionwithGod,youaredistractedinyourthoughtsaboutthetrialthat has befallen you,whereas had you but a quiet spirit, though greattrialsbefellyou,yet theywouldneverhinderyou intheperformance ofanyduty.

3.Considerwhatwicked risings of heart and resolutions of spirit therearemanytimesinadiscontentedfit.Insomediscontentedfitstheheartrises against God, and against others and sometimes it even hasdesperate resolutionswhat todo tohelp itself. If theLordhadsufferedyou to have done what you had sometimes thought to do, in adiscontented fit, what wretched misery you would have brought uponyourselves! Oh, it was amercy of God that stopped you; had not Godstoppedyou,butletyougoonwhenyouthoughttohelpyourselvesthisway and the other way, oh, it would have been ill with you. Do butremember thoserisingsofheartandwickedresolutions that sometimesyouhavehadinadiscontentedmood,andlearntobehumbledforthat.

4. Unthankfulness is an evil and a wicked effect which comes fromdiscontent. The Scripture ranks unthankfulness among very great sins.menandwomen,whoarediscontented,thoughtheyenjoymanymerciesfrom God, yet they are thankful for none of them, for this is the vilenature of discontent, to lessen every mercy of God. It makes thosemercies they have from God as nothing to them, because they cannothavewhattheywant.

Sometimes it is so even in spiritual things: if they donot have all theydesire, the comforts that they would have, then what they do have isnothingtothem.DoyouthinkthatGodwilltakethiswell?Supposeyouweretogiveafriendorarelationsomemoneytotradewithandhecameand said: 'What is this you have givenme? There are only a few coinshere.

This isnogoodtome.'Thiswouldbe intolerabletoyou, thatheshouldreacttoyourgiftlikethis, justbecauseyouhavenotgivenhimasmuchmoneyashewouldlike.Itisjustthesamewhenyouarereadytosay:'AllthatGodhasgivenmeisworthless.It isnogoodtome.It isonlyafewcoins.' For you to say that what God gives you is nothing and onlycommongifts,allgiveninhypocrisy,andcounterfeit,whentheyarethepreciousgracesofGod'sSpiritandworthmorethanthousandsofworlds&emdash;howungratefulitis!ThegracesofGod'sSpiritarenothingtoadiscontentedheartwho cannothaveall thathewouldhave.And so foroutwardblessings:Godhasgivenyouhealthofbody,andstrength,andhasgivenyousomecompetenceforyourfamily,somewayoflivelihood,

yet because you are disappointed in something that you would have,therefore all is nothing to you. Oh, what unthankfulness in this! Godexpectsthateverydayyoushouldspendsometimeinblessinghisnamefor what mercy he has granted to you. There is not one of you in thelowestconditionbutyouhaveanabundanceofmerciestoblessGodfor,but discontentedness makes them nothing. I remember an excellentsayingthatLutherhas: 'ThisistherhetoricoftheSpiritofGod'hesaid,'toextenuateevilthings,andtoamplifygoodthings:ifacrosscomestomakethecrossbutlittle,butifthereisamercytomakethemercygreat.'Thus,ifthereisacross,wheretheSpiritofGodprevailsintheheart,themanorwomanwillwonderthatit isnogreater,andwillblessGodthatthoughthereissuchacross,yetthatit isnogreater,andwillblessGodthatthoughthereissuchacross,yetthatitisnomore:thatistheworkoftheSpiritofGod;andifthereisamercy,hewondersatGod'sgoodness,thatGodgrantedsogreatamercy.

The Spirit of God extenuates evils and crosses, and magnifies andamplifies all mercies; and makes al mercies seem to be great, and allafflictionsseemtobelittle.ButtheDevilgoesquitecontrary,saysLuther,his rhetoric is quite otherwise: he lessensGod'smercies, and amplifiesevilthings.Thus,agodlymanwondersathiscrossthatitisnotmore,awickedmanwondershiscrossissomuch:'Oh',hesays,'nonewaseversoafflictedasIam.'Ifthereisacross,theDevilputsthesoultomusingonit,andmakingitgreaterthanitis,andsoitbringsdiscontent.

Andon theother side, if there is amercy, then it is the rhetoric of theDeviltolessenthemercy.'Aye,indeed',hesays,'thethingisagoodthing,but what is it? It is not a great matter, and for all this, I may bemiserable.' Thus the rhetoric of Satan lessens God's mercies, andincreasesafflictions.

IwillgiveyouastrikingexampleofthiswhichwefindinScripture:itistheexampleofKorah,DathanandAbiramin

Numbers16:12,13:'AndMosessenttocallDathan,andAbiram,thesonsofEliab:whichsaid,Wewillnot comeup: Is it a small thing that thouhastbroughtusupoutofalandthatflowethwithmilkandhoney,tokillus in thewilderness, except thoumake thyself altogether a prince over

us?' Mark, the slighted the land that they were going to, the land ofCanaan;thatwasthelandthatGodpromisedthemshouldflowwithmilkandhoney.

But mark here their discontentedness, because they met with sometroubles in the wilderness: oh, it was to slay them, they make theiraffliction in thewilderness greater than it was, oh, it was to kill them,though indeed itwas to carry them to the land of Canaan. But thoughtheir deliverance from Egypt was a great mercy, they made it to benothing,fortheysay'Youhavebroughtusoutofalandthatflowethwithmilkandhoney'&emdash;whatlandwasthat?ItwasthelandofEgypt,thelandoftheirbondage,buttheycallitalandthatflowedwithmilkandhoney, though it was the land of their most cruel and unbearablebondage;whereastheyshouldhaveblessedGodaslongastheylivedfordelivering themout of the landofEgypt. Yet,meetingwith some crossthey make their deliverance from Egypt no mercy, no, it was rather amisery to them. 'Oh', they say, 'Egyptwas a land that flowedwithmilkand honey.' Oh, what baseness there is in a discontented spirit! Adiscontentedspirit,outofenvytoGod'sgrace,willmakemerciesthataregreatlittle,yeatobenoneatall.Wouldoneeverhavethoughtthatsuchaword could have come from the mouth of an Israelite, who had beenunderbondageandcriedunder it?andyetwhentheymeetwitha littlecross in their way they say, 'You have brought us out of the land thatflowethwithmilkandhoney.'Tosay theywerebetterbefore thannow,and yet before, they could not be contented either: this is the usual,unthankfulexpressionofadiscontentedheart.

It is so with us now when wemeet with any cross in our estates, anytaxation and trouble, especially if any among you have beenwhere theenemyhaveprevailed,youarereadytosay: 'Wehadplentybefore,andwe are now brought to a condition of hardship, we were better beforewhen we had the Prelates and others to domineer,' and so we are indangerofbeingbroughtintothatbondageagain.Oh,letustakeheedofthis, of a discontented heart; there is this woeful cursed fruit ofdiscontent,tomakemenandwomenunthankfulforallthemerciesGodhasgrantedtothem,andthisisasoreandgrievousevil.

5. Finally, there is this evil effect in murmuring, it causes shiftings of

spirit.Thosewhomurmurandarediscontentedareliabletotemptationsto shift for themselves in sinful and ungodly ways; discontent is theground of shifting courses and unlawful ways. How many of you arecondemnedbyyourconsciencesofthis,thatinthetimeofyourafflictionsyouhavesought to shift foryourselvesbyways thatweresinfulagainstGod,andyourdiscontentwasthebottomandgroundofit?Ifyouwouldavoidshiftingforyourselvesbywickedways,labortomortifythissinofdiscontent,tomortifyitattheroot.

8.THEREISAGREATDEALOFFOLLY,EXTREMEFOLLY,INADISCONTENTEDHEART;ITISAFOOLISHSIN.

Ishallopenthefollyofitinmanyrespects.

1.Ittakesawaythepresentcomfortofwhatyouhave,becauseyouhavenot something that you would have. What a foolish thing is this, thatbecauseIhavenotgotwhatIwant,IwillnotenjoythecomfortofwhatIhave!Doyounotaccountthisfollyinyourchildren?:yougivethemsomefoodandtheyarenotcontented,perhapstheysayit isnotenough,theycry formore, and if you do not immediately give themmore they willthrowawaywhattheyhave.Thoughyouaccountitfollyinyourchildren,yet youdeal thuswithGod:God gives youmanymercies, but your seeothershavemoremercies thanyouandthereforeyoucry formore;butGoddoesnotgiveyouwhatyouwantandbecauseofthatyouthrowawaywhat you have &emdash; is not this folly in your hearts? It isunthankfulness.

2. By all your discontent you cannot help yourselves, you cannot getanythingby it.Whoby taking care can add one cubit to his stature, ormake one hair that is white to be black? You may vex and troubleyourselvesbutyoucangetnothingbyit.DoyouthinkthattheLordwillcome in mercy a whit the sooner because of the murmuring of yourspirits?Oh,no,butmercywillberatherdeferredthelongerforit;thoughtheLordwasabouttosendmercybefore,yetthisdisorderofyourheartsis enough to put him out of his course of mercy, and though he hadthoughts that you should have the thing before, yet now you shall nothaveit.Ifyouhadamindtogivesomethingtoyourchild,yetifyouseehiminadiscontented,frettingmoodyouwillnotgiveithim.Andthisis

the very reason whymanymercies are denied to you, because of yourdiscontent.Youarediscontentedforwantofthem,andthereforeyoudonot get them, you deprive yourselves of the enjoyment of your owndesires,becauseofthediscontentofyourhearts,becauseyoudonotgetyourdesires,andisnotthisafoolishthing?3.Therearecommonlymanyfoolish attitudes that a discontented heart is guilty of. They carrythemselvesfoolishlytowardsGodandtowardsmen.

Such expressions, and such kinds of behavior come from them, as tomaketheir friendsashamedof themmanytimes.Theircarriagesaresounseemly,theyareashametothemselvesandtheirfriends.

4.Discontentandmurmuringeatsoutthegoodandsweetnessofamercybeforeitcomes.ItGodshouldgiveamercyforthewantofwhichwearediscontented,yettheblessingofthemercyis,asitwere,eatenoutbeforewecometohaveit.Discontentislikeawormthateatsthemeatoutofthenut, and thenwhen themeat is eatenout of it, youhave the shell. If achildweretocryforanutofwhichthemeathasbeeneatenout,andisallworm-eaten,whatgoodwouldthenutbetothechild?Soyouwouldfainhaveacertainoutwardcomfortandyouare troubled for thewantof it,buttheverytroubleofyourspiritsisthewormthateatstheblessingoutofthemercy.

ThenperhapsGodgivesittoyou,butwithacursemixedwithit,sothatyou were better not to have it than have it. If God gives the man orwomanwhoisdiscontentedforwantofsomegoodthing,thatgoodthingbeforetheyarehumbledfortheirdiscontent,suchamanorwomancanhavenocomfortfromthemercy,butitwillberatheranevilthanagoodtothem.

Thereforeformypart,ifIshouldhaveafriendorbrotheroronewhowasasdeartomeasmyownsoul,whomIsawdiscontentedforthewantofsuchacomfort,Iwouldratherpray,'Lord,keepthisthingfromthem,tillyoushallbepleased tohumble theirhearts for theirdiscontent; letnotthemhave themercy till they come to be humbled for their discontentover thewantof it, for if theyhave it before that time theywillhave itwithout any blessing.' Therefore it should be your care, when you findyourheartsdiscontentedforthewantofanything, tobehumbledfor it,

thinking thus with yourselves: Lord, if what I so immoderately desireweretocometomebeforeIamhumbledformydiscontentforwantofit,IamcertainIcouldhavenocomfortfromit,butIshouldratherhaveitasanafflictiontome.

Therearemanythingswhichyoudesireasyourlives,andthinkthatyouwould be happy if you had them, yet when they come you do not findsuch happiness in them, but they prove to be the greatest crosses andafflictions that you ever had, and on this ground, because your heartswere immoderately setupon thembefore youhad them.As itwaswithRachael: shemusthave childrenor else shedied&emdash; 'Well', saidGod, 'seeingyoumust,youshallhavethem,'butthoughshehadachildshediedaccordingtowhatshesaid,'GivemechildrenorelseIdie.'Soinregard of any other outward comforts, peoplemay have the thing, butoftentimestheyhaveitsoasitprovestheheaviestcrosstothemthattheyeverhadinalltheirlives.

Thechildwhomyouwerediscontented for thewantof,mayhavebeensick,andyourheartswereoutoftemperforfearthatyoushouldloseit;Godrestoresit,butherestoresitsoashemakesitacrosstoyourheartsall thedays of your lives. Someone observes concerningmanna, 'Whenthe people were contented with the allowance that God allowed them,then itwas very good, butwhen theywould not be contentwithGod'sallowance,butwouldgathermorethanGodwouldhavethem,then,saysthe text, there were worms in it.' So when we are content with ourconditions,andwhatGoddisposesofustobein,thereisablessinginit,thenitissweettous,butifwemustneedshavemore,andkeepitlongerthanGodwouldhaveustohaveit,thentherewillbewormsinitanditwillbenogoodatall.

5.Itmakesourafflictionagreatdealworsethanotherwiseitwouldbe.itinnowayremovesourafflictions,indeed,whiletheycontinue,theyareagreat deal the worse and heavier, for a discontented heart is a proudheart,andaproudheartwillnotpulldownhissailswhentherecomesatempest and storm. If a sailor, when a tempest and storm comes, isperverseandrefusestopulldownhissails,but isdiscontentedwiththestorm,ishisconditionanybetterbecauseheisdiscontentedandwillnotpulldownhissails?Willthishelphim?Justsoisit,foralltheworld,with

adiscontentedheart:adiscontentedheartisaproudheart,andheoutofhispride is troubledwithhisaffliction,and isnotcontentedwithGod'sdisposal,andsohewillnotpulldownhisspiritatall,andmakeitbowtoGod in this condition into which God has brought him. now is hiscondition any better because he will not pull down his spirit? No,certainly,abundantlyworse,itisathousandtoonebutthatthetempestandstormwilloverwhelmhissoul.

Thus you see what a great deal of folly there is in the sin ofdiscontentment.

9. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF DANGER IN THE SIN OFDISCONTENT,FOR ITHIGHLYPROVOKESTHEWRATHOFGOD.

ItisasinthatmuchprovokesGodagainsthiscreature.WefindmostsadexpressionsinScripture,andexamplestoo,howGodhasbeenprovokedagainstmanyfortheirdiscontent.InNumbers14youhaveanoteworthytext,andonewould think that itwasenough for ever tomakeyou fearmurmuring:inthe

26thverse,itissaid,'TheLordspakeuntoMosesanduntoAaronsaying'&emdash;whatdidhesay?&emdash;'HowlongshallIbearwiththisevilcongregation, which murmur against me?' How long shall I bear withthem?saysGod,thisevilcongregation,ohitisanevilcongregationthatmurmuragainstme,andhowlongshallIbearwiththem?Theymurmur,and they have murmured; as those who have murmuring spirits, andmurmuring dispositions, theywillmurmur again, and again.How longshall I bear with this evil congregation thatmurmur againstme?HowjustlymayGodspeakthisofmanyofyouwhoarethismorningbeforetheLord: how long shall I bear with this wicked man or woman whomurmurs against me, and has usually in the course of their livesmurmuredagainstmewhenanythingfallsoutotherwisethantheywouldhave it?Andmarkwhat followsafter, 'Ihaveheard themurmuringsofthechildrenofIsrael.'Youmurmur,andmaybeothersdonothearyou,itmaybethatyoudonotspeakatall,orbuthalf-words;yetGodhearsthelanguageofyourmurmuringhearts,and thosemutteringspeeches,andthosehalf-wordsthat come fromyou.Andobserve further in thisverse

howtheLordrepeatsthissinofmurmuring,''HowlongshallIbearwiththisevilcongregation,whichmurmuragainstme?'

Secondly, 'Ihaveheard theirmurmuring.'Thirdly, 'which theymurmuragainst me'. Murmur, murmur, murmur &emdash; three times in oneverseherepeatsit,andthisistoshowhisindignationagainstthething.Whenyouexpress indignationagainsta thing,yourepeat itoveragain,and again; now the Lord, because he would express his indignationagainstthissin,repeatsitoveragain,andagain,anditfollowsinthe28thverse,'Sayuntothem,AstrulyasIlive,saiththeLord,asyehavespokeninmineears,soIwilldotoyou.'Mark,Godswearsagainstamurmurer.Sometimesinyourdiscontentperhapsyouwillbereadytoswear.Doyouswear inyourdiscontent?&emdash;SodoesGodswearagainstyou foryour discontent. And what would God do to them? 'Doubtless yourcarcassesshallfallinthewilderness;andyoushallnotcomeintothelandconcerning which I sware, to make you dwell therein.' It is as if Godshouldsay, 'If Ihaveany life inmeyour livesshallgo for it,as I live itshall cost you your lives.' A discontented,murmuring fit of yoursmaycostyouyourlives.YouseehowitprovokesGod;thereismoreevilinitthanyouwereawareof.Ifmaycostyouyourlives,andthereforelooktoyourselves, and learn to be humbled at the very beginnings of suchdisorders in the heart. So in Psalm 106:24, 25: 'Yea, they despised thepleasant land, theybelievednothisword;butmurmured in their tents,andhearkenednotuntothevoiceoftheLord.Thereforehelifteduphishand against them to overthrow them in the wilderness.' There areseveralthingstobeobservedinthisScripture.

WespokebeforeofhowamurmuringheartslightsGod'smercies,andsoit ishere: 'Theydespised the pleasant land.' And amurmuringheart iscontrary to faith: 'they believed not his word, but (says the text) theymurmured in their tents, and hearkened not to the voice of the Lord.'Many men and women will hearken to the voice of their own basemurmuringhearts,whowillnothearkentothevoiceoftheLord.Ifyouwould hearken to the voice of the Lord, there would not be suchmurmuringasthereis.

Butmarkwhatfollowsafterit;youmustnotthinktopleaseyourselvesinyourmurmuringdiscontentedness,andthinkthatnoevilshallcomeofit:

'Therefore he lifted up his hand against them to overthrow them.' YouwhoarediscontentedliftupyourheartsagainstGod,andyoucauseGodtoliftuphishandagainstyou.PerhapsGodlayshisfingeronyousoftlyinsomeafflictions,inyourfamiliesorelsewhere,andyoucannotbearthehandofGod,which liesuponyouastenderlyasatender-heartednurselaysherhandonachild.YoucannotbearthetenderhandofGodwhichisuponyouinalesseraffliction;itwouldbejustforGodtoliftuphishandagainstyouinanotherkindofaffliction.Oh,amurmuringspiritprovokesGodexceedingly.

There isanotherplace in16thofNumbers:comparethe41stverse,andthe46thverse together: 'Buton themorrowall the congregationof thechildrenof Israelmurmured againstMoses andAaron, saying,Yehavekilled the people of theLord,' andmark in the 46th verse: 'AndMosessaiduntoAaron,Takeacenserandputfirethereinfromoffthealtar,andput on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation and makeatonementforthem,forthereiswrathgoneoutfromtheLord,theplagueis begun.' Mark how God's wrath is kindled: in the 41st verse, thecongregation had murmured, and they murmured only against MosesandAaron(perhapsyoumurmurmoredirectlyagainstGod)andthatwasagainstGod, inmurmuring againstGod'sministers. itwas againstGodbut not so directly; if you murmur against those whom God makesinstruments,because youhavenot got everything that youwouldhave,againsttheParliament,orsuchandsuchwhoarepublicinstruments,itisagainst God. It was only against Moses and Aaron that the Israelitesmurmured,andtheysaidthatMosesandAaronhadkilledthepeopleofthe Lord, though itwas the hand ofGod thatwas upon them for theirformer wickedness inmurmuring. It is usual for wicked, vile hearts todeal thuswithGod,whenGod'shand is a littleupon them, tomurmuragainandagain,andsotobringuponthemselvesinfinitekindsofevils.ButnowtheangerofGodwasquicklykindled:'Oh',saidMoses,'go,takethe censer quickly, for wrath is gone out from Jehovah, the plague isbegun.'Sowhileyouaremurmuring inyour families, thewrathofGodmayquicklygooutagainstyou.Inamorningorevening,whenyouaremurmuring, thewrath ofGodmay comequickly upon your families orpersons.Youareneversopreparedforpresentwrathaswhenyouareina murmuring, discontented fit. Those who stand by and see you in a

murmuring,discontented fit, have cause to say: 'Oh, let us go and takethe censer, letus go toprayer, forweare afraid thatwrath is gone outagainstthisfamily,againstthisperson.'Anditwouldbeaverygoodthingfor you,who are a godlywife,when you see yourhusband comehomeandstartmurmuringbecausethingsarenotgoingaccordingtohisdesire,to go to prayer, and say: 'Lord, pardon the sin of my husband.' Andsimilarly for a husband to go to God in prayer, falling down andbeseechinghim thatwrathmaynot comeoutagainsthis family for themurmuringofhiswife.

The truth is that at this day there has been, at least lately, as muchmurmuringinEnglandasthereeverwas,andeveinthisveryrespecttheplaguehasbegun.Thisvery judgment comesmany timeson thosewhoare discontented in their families, and are always grumbling andmurmuringatanythingthatfallsoutamiss.

Isay this textofScripture inNumbersclearlyholds forth that theLordbrings the plague upon men for this sin of murmuring; he does it inkingdoms and families, and on particular persons. Though we cannotalwayspointout theparticularsin thatGodbrings it for,yetweshouldexamine how far we are guilty of the sin of murmuring, because theScriptureholdsforththissoclearly,thatwhenMosesbutheardthattheymurmured: 'Do they murmur?' he said, 'go forth quickly and seek topacifytheangerofGod,forwrathisgoneout,andtheplagueisbegun.'And you have a notable example of God's heavy displeasure againstmurmuringin1Corinthians10:10:'Neithermurmuryeassomeofthemalso murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.' Take heed ofmurmuring as some of them did &emdash; he speaks of the people ofIsrael in the wilderness &emdash; for, he says, what came of it? Theyweredestroyedof thedestroyer.Nowthedestroyer is thought tobe thefieryserpentsthatweresentamongthem.TheymurmuredandGodsentfieryserpentstostingthem.What!doyouthinkthatacertaincrossandafflictionstingsyou?Perhapssuchanafflictionisuponyou,anditseemstobegrievous for thepresent;what!doyourmurmurand repine?Godhas greater crosses to bring upon you. Those people who murmur forwantofoutwardcomforts,forwantofwater,andforthewantofbread,murmur,buttheLordsendsfieryserpentsamongthem.Iwouldsaytoa

murmuringheart, 'Woetoyouthatstrivewithyourmaker!Woetothatman, that woman who strives against their maker! What else are youdoing but striving against your maker? Your maker has the absolutedisposalofyou,andwillyoustriveagainsthim?Whatisthemurmuring,discontented heart of yours doing but wrangling and contending andstrivingevenwithGodhimself?Oh,woe tohimwhostrivesagainsthismaker! I may further say to you, as God spoke to Job, when he wasimpatient(

Job38:1,2): 'NowGodspake', says the text, 'outof thewhirlwind,andsaid,Who is this thatdarkeneth counselbywordswithoutknowledge?'So, do you speak against God's way, and his providences which havetaken place concerning your condition and outward comforts? Who isthis?Who is this that darkeneth counsel bywordswithout knowledge?Where is themanorwomanwhoseheart is soboldand impudent thattheydaretospeakagainsttheadministrationofGod'sprovidence?

10.THEREISAGREATCURSEOFGODUPONMURMURINGANDDISCONTENT;SOFARASITPREVAILSINONEWHOISWICKED,ITHASTHECURSEOFGODUPONIT.

InPsalm59:15, seewhat the curse ofGod is uponwicked andungodlymen:'Letthemwanderupanddownformeat,andgrudgeiftheybenotsatisfied.' That is the imprecation and curse upon wicked and ungodlymen, that if they are not satisfied they shall grudge.When you are notsatisfiedinyourdesiresandfindyourheartgrudgingagainstGod,applythisScripture&emdash;what!isthecurseofthewickeduponme?Thisisthe curse that is threatened upon wicked and ungodly ones, that theyshallgrudgeiftheybenotsatisfied.

AndinDeuteronomy28:67,itisthreatenedasacurseofGoduponmenthattheycannotbecontentwiththeirpresentcondition: 'Buttheyshallsayinthemorning,WouldGoditwereeven!andateven,WouldGoditweremorning!' So they lie tossingup anddownand cannotbe contentwithanyconditionthattheyarein,becauseofthesoreafflictionsthatareuponthem.

Thereforeitisfurtherthreatenedasacurseuponthem,inthe34thverse,

thattheyshouldbemadforthesightoftheireyeswhichtheyshouldsee:thisisbuttheextremityoftheirdiscontentedness,thatis,theyshallbesodiscontented, that they shall even be mad. Many men and women indiscontentedmoodsareamadsortofpeople,andthoughyoumaypleaseyourselveswithsuchamadkindofbehavior,youshouldknowthatitisacurse of God uponmen to be given up to a kind of madness for evilswhich they imaginehave comeupon them, andwhich they fear. In the47th verse, there is a striking expression to show the curse of God onmurmuring hearts: The Lord threatens the curses which shall be uponthem, and says (verses 45-47): 'The curses shall pursue thee, and theyshall beupon thee for a sign, and for awonder, andupon thy seed forever: Because thou servedst not the Lord thyGodwith joyfulness, andwith gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things.' God herethreatens tobring this curseupon them, so as tomake themawonderand a sign to others. Why? Because they served not the Lord withjoyfulnessofheart,thereforeGodwouldbringsuchacurseuponthemaswouldmakethemawondertoallthatwereaboutthem.Oh,howfarareyou, then, who have a murmuring heart, from serving the Lord withjoyfulness!

11. THERE IS MUCH OF THE SPIRIT OF SATAN IN AMURMURINGSPIRIT.

The Devil is the most discontented creature in the world, he is theproudest creature that is, and themost discontented creature, and themostdejectedcreature.Now,therefore,somuchdiscontentasyouhave,somuch of the spirit of Satan you have. It was the unclean spirit thatwentupanddownandfoundnorest;sowhenamanorwoman'sspirithasnoreset,itisasignthatithasmuchoftheuncleanspirit,ofthespiritofSatan,andyoushouldthinkwithyourself,Oh,Lord,haveIthespiritofSatanuponme?Satanisthemostdiscontentedspiritthatis,andoh!howmuchofhisspirithaveIuponmewhocanfindnorestatall?

12. IFYOUHAVEAMURMURINGSPIRIT,YOUMUSTTHENHAVEDISQUIETALLTHEDAYSOFYOURLIFE.

Itisasifamaninagreatcrowdweretocomplainthatotherfolkstouchhim.WhileweareinthisworldGodhassoorderedthingsthatafflictions

mustbefallus;andifwewillcomplainandbediscontentedateverycrossandaffliction,why,wemustcomplainandbediscontentedallthedaysofourlives!Indeed,Godinjustjudgmentwillletthingsfalloutonpurposeto vex those who have vexing spirits and discontented hearts; andtherefore it is necessary that they should live disquieted all their days.Peoplewillnotbetroubledmuchiftheyupsetthosewhoarecontinuallymurmuring.Oh,theywillhavedisquietalltheirdays!

13.FINALLY,THEREISTHISFURTHERDREADFULEVILINDISCONTENT AND MURMURING: God may justly withdraw hiscareofyou,andhisprotectionoveryou,seeingGodcannotpleaseyouinhisadministration.

Wewouldsaysotodiscontentedservants:Ifyouarenotpleased,betteryourselveswhenyouwill.Ifyouhaveaservantnotcontentwithhisdietandwages,andwork,yousay,Betteryourselves;somayGodjustlysaytous&emdash;wewhoprofessourselvesservantstohim,tobeinhiswork,andyetarediscontentedwiththisthingorthatinGod'shousehold,Godmightjustlysay&emdash;Betteryourselves.WhatisGodshouldsaytoany of you, Ifmy care over you does not please you, then take care ofyourselves, if my protection over you will not please you, then protectyourselves? Now all things that befall you, befall you through aprovidence of God, and if you are thosewho belong toGod, there is aprotectionofGodoveryou,andacareofGod.IfGodweretosay,'Well,youshallnothavethebenefitofmyprotectionanylonger,andIwilltakeno further care of you',wouldnot this be amost dreadful judgment ofGod from Heaven upon you? Take heed what you do then in beingdiscontented with God's will towards you, for, indeed, on account ofdiscontentthismaybefallyou.Thatisthereasonwhymanypeople,overwhomGod'sprotectionhasbeenvergraciousforatime,whentheyhavethrivenabundantly,yetafterwardsalmostallwhobeholdthemmaysayofthemthattheyliveasifGodhadcastoffhiscareoverthem,andasifGoddidnotcarewhatbefellthem.

Nowthen,mybrethren,putallthesepointstogether,thosewespokeofinthe last chapter, and these points that have been added now in thischapter,forsettingoutamurmuringanddiscontentedspirit.Oh,whatanugly face has this sin of murmuring and discontentedness! Oh, what

causeistherethatweshouldlayourhandsuponourhearts,andgoawayandbehumbledbeforetheLordbecauseofthis!Whereasyourthoughtswere wont to be exercised about providing for yourselves, and gettingmore comforts for yourselves, let the stream of your thoughts now beturned to humble yourselves for your discontentedness. Oh, that yourheartsmaybreakbeforeGod, forotherwiseyouwill fall to itagain!Oh,thewretchedness ofman's heart! You find in Scripture, concerning thepeople of Israel, how strangely they fell to theirmurmuring, again andagain.DobutobservethreetextsofScriptureforthat,thefirstinthe15thofExodusatthebeginning.ThereyouhaveMosesandthecongregationsingingtoGodandblessingGodforhismercy:'ThensangMosesandthechildrenofIsrael thissonguntotheLord,andspake,saying,IwillsinguntotheLord,forhehathtriumphedgloriously,thehorseandhisriderhath he thrown into the sea.' And then: 'The Lord is my strength andsong,andheisbecomemysalvation,heismyGodandIwillpreparehimanhabitation,myfather'sGodandIwillexalthim.'Sohegoeson: 'andwho is like unto thee, O Lord, amongst the gods? who is like thee,gloriousinholiness,fearfulinpraises,doingwonders?'Thustheirheartstriumphed in God, butmark, before the chapter is ended, in the 23rdverse: 'When they came toMarah (in the same chapter) they couldnotdrinkofthewatersofMarahfortheywerebitter,thereforethenameofitwas called Marah; and the people murmured against Moses.' After sogreatamercyasthis,whatunthankfulnesswasthereintheirmurmuring!ThenGodgavethemwater,butintheverynextchaptertheyfelltotheirmurmuring. You do not read that they were humbled for their formermurmuring,andthereforetheymurmuragain(Exodus16:1 ff.): 'All thecongregationofthechildrenofIsraelcametothewildernessofSin,etc.

And the whole congregation' (in the second verse) 'of the children ofIsraelmurmuredagainstMosesandagainstAaroninthewilderness,andthechlordaneofIsraelsaiduntothem,WouldtoGodwehaddiedbythehandoftheLordinthelandofEgypt,whenwesatbytheflesh-pots,andwhen we did eat bread to the full.' now they want flesh; they wantedwaterbefore,butnowtheywantmeat.Theyfelltomurmuringagain,theywerenothumbled for thismurmuringagainstGod,notevenwhenGodgave them flesh according to their desires, but they fell to murmuringagain:theywantedsomewhatelse.Intheverynextchapter(theydidnot

gofar),inthe

17thofExodusatthebeginning:'AndallthecongregationofthechildrenofIsraeljourneyedfromthewildernessofSinandpitchedinRephidim;andtherewasnowaterforthepeopletodrink.'Theninthesecondverse:'WhereforethepeopledidchidewithMoses,andsaid,Giveuswaterthatwe may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me?WhereforedoyetempttheLord?'Andinthethirdverse:'Andthepeoplethirsted for water, and the people murmured against Moses and said,Wherefore is this, that thouhastbroughtusupoutofEgypt, tokillus,andourchildren,andourcattlewiththirst?'Soonetimeafteranother,assoonasevertheyhadreceivedthemercy,thentheywerealittlequieted,buttheywerenothumbled.IbringtheseScripturestoshowthis,thatifwehavenotbeenhumbledformurmuring,whenwemeetwiththenextcrosswewillfalltomurmuringagain.

AggravationsoftheSinofMurmuring

Nowbecauseitisveryhardtoworkuponamurmuringspirit,therearemanyaggravationswhichwemustconsiderforthefurthersettingoutofthegreatnessofthissin.

1.Tomurmurwhenweenjoyanabundanceofmercy;thegreaterandthemoreabundantthemercythatweenjoy,thegreaterandvileristhe sinofmurmuring.Forexample,whenGodhadnewlydelivered thepeopleout of thehouseof bondage, for them tomurmur, because theylacksomefewthingsthattheydesire,oh,tosinagainstGodafteragreatmercy, is a great aggravation, and a most abominable thing. Now,mybrethren,theLordgrantedtousthissummer,heapedmerciesuponus,onemercyuponanother!Whataconditionwereweinatthebeginningofthissummer!Andwhatadifferentconditionareweinnow!Oh,whatamercy is it thattheLordhasnottakenadvantageofus, thathehasnotmade those Scriptures before mentioned good upon us for all ourmurmuring!TheLordhasgoneonwithonemercyafteranother.

WehearofmercyinBristol,andmercytoourbrethreninScotland.Butifafterthisanythingshouldbefallusthatiscontrarytous,andweshouldbereadytomurmuragainatonce-Oh,letusnotsorequiteGodforthosemerciesofhis!Oh,letustakeheedofgivingGodanyillrequitalforhismercies!Oh,giveGodpraiseaccordingtohisexcellentgreatness, tohisexcellent goodness and grace! And now has God given to you thecontentmentofyourhearts?Takeheedofbeingthecauseofanygrieftoyourbrethren.DonotthinkthatbecauseGodhasbeengracioustoyou,thatthereforehehasgivenyoulibertytobringthemintobondage.Oh,letnot there be such an ill effect of God'smercy to you, as for you for toexclude,bypetitioning,oranyotherway,yourbrethrenwhomtheLordhasbeenpleasedtomakeinstrumentsofyourpeace; letnotthatbethefruitof it,nortodesireanythingthatyourselvesdonotyetunderstand.Godisveryjealousofthegloryofhismercy,andifanyilluseshouldbemadeofthemercyofGodafterweenjoyit,Oh,itwouldgototheheartofGod. Nothing is more grievous to the heart of God than the abuse ofmercy,as,forexample,ifanywaythatishardandrigidshouldbetaken

towards our brethren, and those especially whom God has made suchspecialinstrumentsofgoodtous,whohavebeenwillingtoventuretheirlivesandallforus;ifnow,whenwehaveourturnsserved,weletGodandhispeopleandservantswhohelpedtosaveusshiftforthemselvesaswellas they can. This is a great aggravation of your sin, to sin against themerciesofGod.

For men and women to be discontented in the midst of mercies, inenjoymentofanabundanceofmercies,aggravates thesinofdiscontentandmurmuring. To be discontented in any afflicted condition is sinfuland evil, but to be discontented when we are in the midst of God'smercies, whenwe are not able to count themercies of God, still to bediscontentedbecausewehavenotgotallwewouldhave,thisisagreaterevil.TheLordthissummerhasmultipliedmerciesoneafteranother,theLordhasmade this summera continuedmiracleofmercy.NeverdidaKingdom enjoy (in so little a space of time) such mercies one uponanother.NowthepublicmerciesofGodshouldquietourheartsandkeepus from discontent. The sin of discontent for private afflictions isexceedinglyaggravatedbytheconsiderationofpublicmerciestotheland.WhentheLordhasbeensomercifultotheland,willyoubefrettingandmurmuring,becauseyouhavenotinyourfamilyallthecomfortsthatyouwouldhave?Just as it is a great aggravation of aman's evil for him torejoice immediately in his own private comfortswhen theChurch is inaffliction;whenthepublicsuffersgrievousandhardtroubles,ifanymanshall then rejoice and give liberty to himself, at that time to satisfy hisfleshtotheuttermostinalloutwardcomforts,thisgreatlyaggravateshissin.Soonthecontraryforanymantobeimmoderatelytroubledforanyprivateafflictionswhenitgoeswellwiththepublic,withtheChurches,isagreataggravationofhissin.ItmaybethatwhentheChurchofGodwaslowest, and itwentworst in other parts, yet you did abate none of thecomforts of your flesh, but gave full liberty to satisfy your flesh asformerly: Know that thiswas your sin. So, on the other side,whenwehavereceivedsuchmerciesinpublic,allourprivateafflictionsshouldbeswallowed up in the public mercies. We should think with ourselves,Thoughwebeafflictedforourpart,yetblessedbeGod,itgoeswellwiththeChurch,andwith thepublic interest.Thus theconsiderationof thatshouldmightilyquietourhearts inall ourprivatediscontents, and if it

does not do so, know that our sin ismuch increased by themercies ofGodwhichareabroad.NowshallGod'smerciesaggravateoursins?Thisisasadthing,itistoturnthemerciesofGodtobeourmisery.Didyounotpray toGod for thesemercieswhichGodsentof late to thepublic?thesegreatvictoriesthatGodhasgiven,didyounotprayforthem?Nowyouhavethem,isnotthereenoughinthemtoquietyourheartforsomeprivate trouble you meet with in your family? Is not there goodnessenough there tocureyourdiscontent?Certainly, suchmercieswerenotsoworthytobeprayedfor,excepttheyhavesomuchexcellenceinthemastocountervailsomeprivateafflictions.

Publicmerciesaretheaggravationofprivatediscontent.Itissoofpublicdiscontent too: if we receive so many public mercies, and yet if everythinggoesnotinthepublicaccordingaswedesire,wearediscontentedat that, it will greatly aggravate our sin. God may say, 'What! shall Ibestow suchmercies upon people, and yet, if they have not everythingtheywouldhave,theywillbediscontented?'Oh,itisexceedinglyevil.Soinparticular,withthemerciesthatconcernyourself,yourfamily: ifyouwould consider, you have many more mercies than afflictions-I dareboldlyaveritconcerninganyoneinthiscongregation.Letyourafflictionsbe what they will, there is not one of you, but hasmoremercies thanafflictions.

Objection.Youwillsay,Yes,butyoudonotknowwhatourafflictionsare;ourafflictionsaresuchasyoudonotconceiveof,becauseyoudonotfeelthem.

Answer.ThoughIcannotknowwhatyourafflictionsare,yetIknowwhatyourmerciesare,andIknowtheyaresogreatthatIamsuretherecanbenoafflictionsinthisworldasgreatasthemerciesyouhave.Ifitwereonlythismercy, that you have this day of grace and salvation continued toyou:itisagreatermercythananyaffliction.Setanyafflictionbesidethismercyandseewhichwouldweighheaviest;thisiscertainlygreaterthananyaffliction.Thatyouhavethedayofgraceandsalvation,thatyouarenotnowinhell, this isagreatermercy.Thatyouhave thesoundof theGospel still inyourears, thatyouhave theuseofyour reason: this isagreatermercythanyourafflictions.Thatyouhavetheuseofyourlimbs,yoursenses,thatyouhavethehealthofyourbodies;healthofbodyisa

greatermercy thanpoverty isanaffliction.Nomanwho is rich, ifhe iswise, and has a sickly body, would not part with all his riches that hemight have his health. Therefore your mercies are more than yourafflictions.

WefindinScripturehowtheHolyGhostaggravatesthesinofdiscontentfromtheconsiderationofmercies:youhaveanotableScriptureforthisinthe

16thofNumbers,verse8andfollowing.itisaspeechofMosestoKorahand his company, when theymurmured: 'AndMoses said unto Korah,Hear,Iprayyou,yesonsofLevi'(thatissomething,thatyouaresonsofLevi), 'SeemethitbutasmallthinguntoyouthattheGodofIsraelhathseparated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near tohimselftodotheserviceofthetabernacleoftheLord,andtostandbeforethe congregation tominister unto them?'Korah andhis companyweremurmuring, butmark howMoses aggravates this: "Seemeth it a smallthing unto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from thecongregationofIsraeltobringyouneartohimselftodotheserviceofthetabernacle of the Lord? etc.' You see, it is a great honor thatGod putsuponaman, a greatmercy that hebestowsupon anyman, to separatehimintheserviceforhimself,tocomeneartohim,toemployhimintheserviceof thetabernacle, tominister to thecongregation inholy things.Thisisagreatmercy,andindeed,itissuchamercythatonewouldthinkthereshouldbenoneuponwhomGodbestowssuchamercywhowouldhaveamurmuringheart foranyaffliction. It is true,manyministersofGodmeet with hard things whichmight discourage them, and troubleand grieve their spirits; but this consideration, that God is pleased toemploy theminsuchaservicenear tohimself, that thoughtheycannotdogoodtothemselves,yettheymaydogoodtoothers,thisshouldquietthem.Andyetinthe10thverse:'Andhehathbroughttheeneartohim,andallthybrethrenthesonsofLeviwiththee,andseekyethepriesthoodalso?'Haveyounotenoughalready?Butstillyouarediscontentedwithwhatyouhave,andmusthavemore;doyouseekstillmore?'Seekyethepriesthood also? For which cause both thou and all thy company aregathered togetheragainst theLord:andwhat isAaron, thatyemurmuragainsthim?'What,hasGodgivenyousuch things,andyetwillyoube

murmuring, because you cannot have more? Methinks that this placeshould keepministers frommurmuring, nomatterwhat afflictions andcrosses, and unkind dealings they meet with from men, yet still theyshouldgoonwithheartsquietanddiscomfortedintheworkthatGodhassetthemabout,andlabortocountervailalltheirafflictionsbybeingmoreabundantintheworkoftheLord.Thatisthefirst textofScripturethatshows how the mercies we enjoy are aggravations of the sin ofmurmuring.

ThenasecondScripture is in the2ndofJob,verse10. It isaspeechofJobtohiswife:What?saidJob,whenhiswifewouldhavehimcurseGodand die, which was a degree beyond murmuring, Why, he said, 'thouspeakestasoneofthefoolishwomen.ShallwereceivegoodatthehandofGodandnotevil?'Yousee,Jobhelpedhimselfagainstallmurmuringthoughts against theways of God,with this consideration, that he hadreceivedsomuchgoodfromtheLord.What thoughwereceiveevil, yetdowenotreceivegoodaswellasevil?Letussetoneagainst theother:thatisthewayweshouldgo.Inthe

7th chapterofEcclesiastes, the 14th verse, you find anotableScripturewherebyyoumayseewhatcourseistobetakenwhentheheartrisesinmurmuring:'Inthedayofprosperitybejoyful,butinthedayofadversityconsider.'Whatshouldtheyconsider?Markwhatfollows:'Godalsohathset the one over against the other, to the end that man should findnothing after him.' 'God also hath set the one over against the other,'thus,whenyouare inprosperity, then indeed everyman canbe joyful,but what if afflictions befall you, what then? Then consider- considerwhat? 'ThatGod hath set one over against the other'; you have a greatdealofaffliction,andyouhavehadagreatdealofprosperity,youhavemany troubles, and you have had manymercies: make one column ofmercies,andonecolumnofafflictions,andwriteoneagainst theother,and see ifGodhas not filled one column as full as the other. You lookaltogetheruponyourafflictions,butlookuponyourmerciesalso.

Forinstance,itmaybeGodhasafflictedyouinonechild,buthehasbeenmercifultoyouinanotherchild:setoneagainsttheother.GodafflictedDavid in Absalom, but he was merciful to David in Solomon, and,therefore,whenDavidcriedout:'OhAbsalom,myson,myson,'itwould

havequietedhim.AnditmaybeGodhasbeenmercifultoyouinawife,orinyourhusband:setthatagainstyouraffliction.Itmaybe,Godcrossesyouinyourpossessions,butthatheemploysyouinhisservice.Itmaybe,youareafflictedinsomeofyourfriends,butyouhaveotherfriendswhoare greatmercies to you, and therefore you should set one against theother;anditconcernsyoutodoso,forthosemercieswillbeaggravationsofyoursins, andyouhadbettermakeGod'smercies ameans to lessenyoursins,thantobetheaggravationofyoursins.Ifyoudonotmakethemercies ofGod help you against yourmurmuring, youwillmake themaggravationsofthesinofmurmuring.

Take but this one further consideration, and if youwill butwork it onyour hearts, I hope youmay find a great deal of power in it. You findafflictions,andyourheartsaretroubledandmurmur;considerhowGod'smerciesaggravate this sin. in themidstofour sinswe reckon thatGodshouldacceptourservices.Dobut consider thus: if in themidstof ourmany sins we hope that God will accept our poor services, why, then,should we not in the midst of our afflictions bless God for his manymercies? Shall God be thus gracious to us that, notwithstanding ourmanysins,yethewillnotcastawayourpoordutiesandservicesthatweperform? thenwhy shouldnotwe in themidst of our sufferings acceptwhatmercieswehave,andnotslightthemanddisregardthem?Ifyou,inthemidstofGod'smercies,arenotwillingtobeartheafflictionsthatGodlaysuponyou,thenitisjustwithGodthat,inthemidstofyoursins,heshouldnotregardanyofyourduties.Nowistherenotasmuchpowerinyourmanifold sins to cause God to reject your duties and services, asthere is power in afflictions (in themidst ofmanymercies) to take offyourheart frombeingaffectedwithGod'smercies?Andthat is the firstaggravationofthesinofmurmuring,tomurmurinthemidstofmercies.

2.A SECONDAGGRAVATIONOFTHESINOFMURMURINGIS,Whenwemurmur for small things. Naaman's servant said to him,Father(forsohecalledhim),iftheprophethadrequiredyoutodosomegreatthing,wouldnotyouhavedoneit?Howmuchmorethislittlething.

SoIsay, if theLordhadrequiredyoutosuffersomegreatthing,wouldnotyouhavebeenwilling to suffer?Howmuchmore this little thing! Iremember reading in Seneca a Heathen, that he has this comparison

whichisaveryfineonetosetoutthegreatevilofmurmuringoversmallafflictions:hesays,Supposeamanhasaveryfinehousetodwellin,andhehasbeautifulorchardsandgardens,setaboutwithhandsometalltreesforornament.Ifthismanshouldnowmurmurbecausethewindblowsafewleavesoffhistrees,whatamostunreasonablethingitwouldbe,forhimtobeweeping,andwringinghishandsoverthelossofafewleaves,whenhehasplentyofallkindsoffruit?Thusitiswithmany,saysSeneca,thoughtheyhaveagreatmanycomfortsaboutthem,yetsomelittlething,theblowingoffofa fewleavesfromthemisenoughtodisquiethim.Soforustomurmur,notbecausewehavenotgotsuchathingaswehaveneedof,butbecausewehavenotgotwhatpossiblywemighthave:thisisaverygreatsin.

Suppose God gives a woman a child who has all his limbs and partscomplete, a child who is very comely, with excellent gifts, wit andmemory,butmaybethereisawartgrowingonthefingerofthechild,andshemurmurs at it, and,Oh,what an affliction this is to her! She is sotakenupwithit,thatsheforgetstogiveanythankstoGodforherchild,andall thegoodnessofGod toher in thechild is swallowedup in that.Wouldyounotsaythatthiswasfollyandaverygreatevilinawomantodo so? Truly, our afflictions, if we weighed them aright, are but suchthingsincomparisonofourmerciesRebekahhadamightydesiretohavechildren,butbecauseshefoundsometroubleinherbodywhenshewaswithchild,said,'WhyamIthus?'Asifsheshouldsay,Ihadratherhavenone,onlybecauseshefoundalittlepainandtroubleinherbody.Tobediscontented when the affliction is small and little that increases verymuch thesinofmurmuring. It is toomuch foranyone tomurmurovertheheaviestcrossthatcanbefalloneinthisworld,buttobediscontentedand murmur over some small things, that is worse. I have read ofsomeone who, when he lay upon a heap of damask-roses, complainedthatoneoftheroseleaveslaydoubleunderhim.Sowearereadythusforvery small things tomake complaints, and to be discontentedwith ourcondition,andthatisasecondaggravation.

3.FORMENOFGIFTSANDABILITIESTOWHOMGODHASGIVENWISDOM,TOBEDISCONTENTEDANDMURMUR, ISMORETHANIFOTHERSDOIT.

Murmuringanddiscontentednessistoomuchintheweakest,yetwecanbear with it sometimes in children and women who are weak, but forthosewhoaremen,menofunderstanding,whohavewisdom,whomGodemploys in public service, that they should be discontented witheverything,isanexceedinglygreatevil.Formen,towhomGodhasgivengifts and wisdom, when things fall out amiss in their families, to bealways murmuring and repining, is a greater sin than for women orchildrentodoit.

4.THECONSIDERATIONOFTHEFREENESSOFALLGOD'SMERCIESTOUS.

Whateverwe have is free of cost.What thoughwe have not got all wewould have, seeingwhatwe have is free! If whatwe havewere earnedthenitwouldbesomething,butwhenweconsider thatall is fromGod,forus tomurmurathisdispensations isveryevil.Supposeamanwereentertainedinafriend'sfamily,anddidnotpayforhisboard,buthaditgivenhimfornothing:youwouldnotexpecthimtobereadytofindfaultwitheverythinginthehouse,withservants,orwiththemeatattable,orthelike.Ifsuchaonewhohasplentifulprovisionandallgivenhimgratis,andpaysnothingforhisboard,shouldbediscontentedwhenacupisnotfilledforhimashewouldhaveit,orwhenhehastowaitaminutelongerforathingthanhewould,wewouldreckonthisagreatevil.Soitiswithus:weareatGod'stableeveryday,anditisfree,whateverwehave.Itisaccounted veryunmannerly for aman at his friend's table to find faultwiththings,thoughathomehemaybeoutspoken.NowwhenweareatthetableofGod(forallGod'sadministrationstousarehistable)andarefreefromlusts,forustobefindingfaultandtobediscontentedisagreataggravationofoursin.

5. FOR MEN AND WOMEN TO MURMUR AND BEDISCONTENTEDANDIMPATIENT,when theyhave the things forthewantofwhichtheywerediscontentedbefore.Soitissometimeswithchildren:theywillcryforathing,andwhenyougiveitthem,thenthrowitaway;theyareasmuchdiscontentedastheywerebefore.SoitwaswiththepeopleofIsrael,nothingwouldquietthembuttheymusthaveaking.Samuelwouldhavepersuadedthemtothecontrary,andtoldthemwhatkindofking theywouldhave.Andwhen theyhadaking: 'What shall a

kingdotous?'(

Hosea10:3);theywerenotcontentedwhentheyhadone.SoRachelmusthavechildrenorelseshedied,andwhenshehadalittletroubleshewasdiscontentedtoo.Sothat,aswesay,wearenotwell,eitherfullorfasting.

6. FOR THOSE MEN AND WOMEN TO BE DISCONTENTEDANDMURMURWHOMGODHASRAISEDFROMMEANANDLOWESTATESANDPOSITIONS.

Thisisaverygreataggravation,ifyouarediscontentednow.Therewasatimewhenyouwerelowenough,andperhapswhenyouweresolowthenyousaid,'Oh,ifGodwoulddelivermefromsuchanaffliction,orgivemebutalittlemorewealth,Ishouldthinkmyselfinagoodcondition.'ButifGodbyhisprovidencedoesraiseyou,youarestillasgreedyofmoreasyouwerebefore,andasmuchdiscontentedasyouwerebefore. It isanevilthingforpeoplewhohadmeanbreeding,andpoorbeginningstobesofastidiousthatnothingcanpleasethem,whereastherewasatimenotlongsincewhentheywerelowandmeanenough.Butitisverycommonforthosewhoareraisedfromalowandmeanconditiontobemoreniceanddaintyandproudwhentheyareraisedthanotherswhoareofbetterbreeding.

It istoomuchforachildtobediscontentedinhis father'shouse,but ifyouhavetakenapoorbeggarboy,wholaybeggingatyourdoor,intoyourhouse, and set him at your own table, could you bear that he shouldcomplain that somedish isnotwelldressed,or the like?Youcouldnotbear it if you children should do it, but you could bear it a great dealbetterfromthemthantohearsuchaonedoit.Butyouareapoorbeggar,andGodhas,asitwere,takenyouintohisgreatfamily,andiftheLordhasbeenpleasedtoraiseyouhigher,sothatnowyouhaveacompetence,thatyoumay liveasaman, tobeofuseandservice in theplacewhereGod has set you: now will you be discontented because you have noteverything that you desire? We know that when the prodigal came tohimself,hesaid, 'Inmy father'shouse isbreadenough';hedidnotsay,'Thereisgoodcheerenoughandagreatdealofdainties.'No,hethoughtofnothingbutbread, 'There isbreadenough.'So it iscommonformenandwomen,whentheyare ina lowcondition, tothinkthat if theymay

have bread any competence, theywill be contented and blessGod; butwhentheyhavetheirbreadandthingsconvenient, thentheymusthavemore or else they are not contented. Know that this is an exceedinglygreataggravationtoyourdiscontent,whenyouareraisedfromaverylowcondition,andyetyoucannotbecontentedwithwhatyouhave.

7. FOR THOSE TO BE DISCONTENTED WHO HAVE BEENVERYGREAT SINNERS ANDUNGODLY IN THEIR FORMERLIFE.

Formenandwomenwhohavemuchguiltinessupon them, theguiltofverymanysinsuponthem,whohaveprovokedGodexceedinglyagainstthem,andhavebroughtthemselvesinamostdreadfulmannerunderthesentenceofGod's justice, andyet,Godhavingbeenpleased to reprievethem-for them to murmur and to be discontented with God'sadministrations towards them is exceedingly evil. Oh, it wereconsideration enough to quiet any murmuring in our hearts, to thinkthus, We are but sinners, why should we not be sufferers who aresinners?Butthenconsider,wewhoaresuchgreatsinners,guiltyofsuchnotorioussinsthat it isawonderthatweareoutofHellat thepresent,yetforustobediscontentedandmurmur,howexceedinglythisincreasesour sin! Consider how we have crossed God in our sins; then if Godshouldcrossusinthewayofoursufferings,shouldnotwesitdownquietwithoutmurmuring?Certainlyyouneverknewwhatitwastobehumbledfor your manifold sins, who are discontented at any administration ofGodtowardsyou!

8.FORMENWHOAREOFLITTLEUSEINTHEWORLDTOBEDISCONTENTED.

Ifyouhaveabeastthatyoumakemuchuseof,youwillfeeditwell,butifyouhavebutlittleuseofhimthenyouturnhimintothecommons;*littleprovisionserveshisturnbecauseyoudonotmakeuseofhim.[*Commongrazing-ground.]IfwelivedsoastobeexceedinglyusefultoGodandhisChurch, wemight expect that God would be pleased to come in someencouragingwaytous,butwhenourconsciences telluswe liveanddobut little service for God, why, what if God should turn us upon thecommons? We are being fed according to our work. Why should any

creature be serviceable to you,who are so little serviceable toGod?Tomeditateon thisalonewouldmuchhelpus-to think: Iamdiscontentedbecause such and such creatures are not serviceable to me, but whyshouldIexpectthemtobeserviceabletome,whenIamnotserviceabletoGod?Thatistheeighthaggravation.

9.FORUSTOBEDISCONTENTEDATATIMEWHENGODISABOUTTOHUMBLEUS.

It should be the care of a Christian to observe what are God's waystowardshim:WhatisGodabouttodowithmeatthistime?IsGodabouttoraiseme,tocomfortme?LetmeacceptGod'sgoodness,andblesshisname;letmejoinwiththeworkofGod,whenheoffersmercytome,totakethemercyheoffers.Butagain,isGodabouttohumbleme?IsGodabouttobreakmyheart,andtobringmyheartdowntohim?LetmejoinwithGod in thiswork of his: this is how a Christian shouldwalk withGod.It issaidthatEnochandNoahwalkedwithGod-walkedwithGod,what is that?It is,ToobservewhatworkGod isnowabout,andto joinwithGodinthatworkofhis;sothat,accordingasGodturnsthiswayorthatway,theheartshouldturnwithGod,andhavingworkingssuitabletotheworkingsofGodtowardshim.

NowIamdiscontentedandmurmuring,becauseIamafflicted;butthatiswhyyouareafflicted,becauseGodwouldhumbleyou.ThegreatdesignGodhasinafflictingyou,istobreakandhumbleyourheart;andwillyoumaintainaspiritquiteoppositetotheworkofGod?ForyoutomurmurandbediscontentedistoresisttheworkofGod.Godisdoingyougoodifyoucouldsee it, and ifhe ispleased to sanctifyyouraffliction tobreakthathardheartofyours,andhumblethatproudspiritofyours,itwouldbethegreatestmercythatyoueverhadinallyourlife.NowwillyoustillstandoutagainstGod?It is justasifyouweretosay, 'Well, theLordisabouttobreakme,andhumbleme,butheshallnot':thisisthelanguageofyourmurmuringandyourdiscontentedness,thoughyoudarenotsaysoButthoughyoudonotsaysoinwords,yetitiscertainlythelanguageof the temperofyourspirit.Oh,considerwhatanaggravation this is: IamdiscontentedwhenGodisabouttoworksuchaworkuponmeas isformygood;yetIstandoutagainsthimandresisthim.Thatisanotheraggravation.

10.THEMOREPALPABLEANDREMARKABLETHEHANDOFGODAPPEARSTOBRINGABOUTANAFFLICTION, thegreateris thesinofmurmuringanddiscontentunderanaffliction. It isagreatevil at any time tomurmurandbediscontented,but though it is a sin,when I seeanordinaryprovidenceworking forme,not to submit to it,when I see an extraordinary providence working, that is a greater sin.That is to say, when I see the Lord working in some remarkable wayabout an affliction beyond what anyone could have thought of, shall Iresist such a remarkable hand of God? shall I stand out against God,when I see he expresses his will in such a remarkablemanner that hewouldhavemetobeinsuchacondition?Indeed,beforethewillofGodisapparent,wemaydesiretoavoidanaffliction,andmayusemeansforit,butwhenweseeGodexpressinghiswillfromheaveninamannerbeyondwhatisordinaryandmoreremarkable,thencertainlyitisrightforustofalldownandsubmittohim,andnottoopposeGodwhenhecomeswithamightystreamagainstus.Itisourbestwaytofalldownbeforehimandnottoresist,forjustasitisanargumentofaman'sdisobedience,whenthere is not only a command against a sin but when God reveals hiscommandinaterribleway-themoresolemnthecommandofGodis,thegreateristhesininbreakingthatcommand-sothemoreremarkablethehandofGodisinbringinganafflictionuponus,thegreaterisoursininmurmuringandbeingdiscontented.Godexpectsustofalldownwhenhe,asitwere,speaksfromHeaventousbynameandsays,'Well,Iwillhavethisspiritofyoursdown.Doyounotseethatmyhandisstretchedout,myeyesareuponyou,mythoughtsareuponyou,andImusthavethatproudspiritofyoursdown?'Oh,then,itisfittingforthecreaturetoyieldand submit to him. When you speak in an ordinary manner to yourservantsorchildren,youexpectthemtoregardwhatyousay,butwhenyoumakethemstandstillbyyou,andspeakto theminamoresolemnway,theniftheyshoulddisregardwhatyousay,youareveryimpatient.So,certainly,GodcannottakeitwellwheneverheappearsfromHeaveninsucharemarkablewaytobringanaffliction,ifthenwedonotsubmittohim.

11. TO BE DISCONTENTED THOUGH GOD HAS BEENEXERCISING US FOR A LONG TIME UNDER AFFLICTIONS,

YETSTILLTOREMAINDISCONTENTED.

For a man or woman when an affliction first befalls them, to have amurmuringheart, is an evil, but tohave amurmuringheartwhenGodhasbeenalongtimeexercisingthemwithafflictionismoreevil.Thoughaheiferwhentheyokeisfirstputuponherwrigglesupanddownandwillnotbequiet, ifaftermanymonthsoryears itwillnotdrawquietly, thehusbandmanwouldratherfattenitandprepareitforthebutcherthanbetroubledany longerwith it. So though theLordwas content topassbythatdiscontentedspiritofyoursatfirst,yetnowthatGodhasforalongtimekepttheyokeonyou-youhavebeenunderhisafflictinghand,itmaybe,manyyears,andyetyouremaindiscontentedstill-itwouldbejust ifGodwere to bear yourmurmuring no longer, and that your discontentundertheafflictionwerebutapreparationforyourdestruction.

So, you see, when a man or woman has been long exercised withafflictions, and is still discontented, that is an aggravation of the sin.Markthattextin

Hebrews12:11:'Now',saystheScripture,'nochasteningforthepresentisjoyous,butgrievous,neverthelessafterwardityieldeththepeaceablefruitof righteousness unto themwhich are exercised thereby.' It is true ourafflictionsarenotjoyous,butgrievous.Thoughatfirstwhenourafflictioncomes it is very grievous, afterwards, says the text, it yieldeth thepeaceablefruitofrighteousnesstothosethatareexercisedthereby.Whenyou have been a long time in the school of afflictions, you are a verydullardinChrist'sschoolifyouhavenotlearnedthiscontentment,'Ihavelearned',saidSt.Paul,'ineveryestatetherewithtobecontent.'Paulhadlearnedthislessonquickly;youhavebeenlearningmanyyears.Perhapsyoumaysay,asHemandid,thatyouareafflictedfromyouryouthup(

Psalm88).Oh, it isaveryevilthing if,havingbeenexercised longwithafflictions,youarenotyetcontented.Theeyeinaman'sbodyisastenderasanypartofhisbody,butyettheeyeisabletocontinueinandbearagreatdealofcold,becauseitismoreusedtoit.Sothosewhoareusedtoafflictions,thosewhomGodexercisesmuchwithafflictions(thoughtheyhave tender spirits otherwise) yet they should have learnedcontentednessbythistime.Anewcartmaycreakandmakeanoise,but

after ithasbeenusedawhile itwill not do so. Sowhen you are first aChristian andnewly come into theworkofChrist, perhaps youmakeanoiseandcannotbearaffliction;butareyouanoldChristianandyetwillyou be amurmuring Christian? Oh, it is a shame for any who are oldbelievers,whohavebeenalongtimeintheschoolofJesusChrist,tohavemurmuringanddiscontentedspirits.

TheExcusesofaMurmuringHeart

Butnow,mybrethren,becausethisdiscontentedhumoristough,andveryhardtowordupon-thereisnonewhoisdiscontentedbuthassomethingtosayfortheirdiscontent-Ishallthereforeseektotakeawaywhateverydiscontentedhearthastosayforhimself.

1. ONE THAT IS DISCONTENTED SAYS, 'IT IS NOTDISCONTENT; IT ISASENSEOFMYCONDITION.' I hope youwouldhavemesensibleofmycondition.PerhapswhenGodtakesawayafriend or some other comfort, they are inordinately sorrowful, andwringing their hands as if they were undone; but let anyone speak tothem, and they say, 'Would younothaveme sensible ofmy affliction?'Thusmanywould hide their sinfulmurmuring under God's hand withthis pretense, that it is but sensibleness of their affliction. To that Ianswer:1.ThereisnosenseofanyafflictionthatwillhinderthesenseofGod'smercies.Nay,themorewearesensibleofourafflictions,providingit is inagraciousmanner, themoresensiblewewillbeofGod'smercy.Butyouaresosensibleofyourafflictionthatittakesawaythesenseofallyourmercies.Oh,thisissinfuldiscontent,this isnottobesensible inawickedway,yougobeyondyourbounds.By this ruleyoumaycome toknowwhenyoursorrowsandtroublesforyourafflictionsgobeyondthebounds.

WemaybesorrowfulwhenGodafflicts,but,oh,thatImightknowwhenmysorrowgoesbeyondtheboundsofit!Truly,youmayknowitbythis,doesthesenseofyourafflictionstakeawaythesenseofyourmercies?Ifitdoes,thenitgoesbeyondthebounds.

2.Ifitwerebutabaresenseofanafflictionitwouldnothinderyouintheduties of your condition. The right sense of our afflictions will neverhinderusintheperformanceofthedutiesofourcondition;butyouaresosensibleoftheafflictionthatyouaremadeunfitfortheperformanceofthedutiesoftheconditionthatGodhasputyouin.Surelyitismorethanmere sense of your affliction! 3. If it were but a mere sense of youraffliction,thenyoucouldinthisyourconditionblessGodforthemerciesthat others have; but your discontentedness usually breeds envy atothers.Whenanyone isdiscontentedwith theircondition, theyhaveanenvious spirit at the conditions of those who are delivered from whatafflictionstheybear.

Certainly, then, it has turned sour when you are so sensible of yourafflictions and insensible ofmercies that you areunfit for theduties ofyourcondition,andenviousofotherswhoarenotafflictedasyouare.

2.BUTADISCONTENTEDHEARTWILLSAY,'Iamnotsomuchtroubledwithmyafflictions,butitisformysinratherthanmyaffliction,and I hope you will give leave that we should be troubled anddiscontentedwithoursin.WereitnotforsinthatIseeinmyself,IshouldnotbesodiscontentedasIam.Oh!itissinthatisheavyuponme,anditisthatwhichtroublesmemorethanmyafflictions.

Donotdeceiveyourownheart,thereisaverygreatdeceitinthis.Therearemanypeoplewho,whenGod'shandisoutagainstthem,willsaytheyaretroubledfortheirsin,butthetruthis,itistheafflictionthattroublesthemratherthantheirsin.Theirheartgreatlydeceivestheminthisverything.

1.Theywerenevertroubledfortheirsinbeforethisafflictioncame.Butyouwillsay,ItistrueIwasnotbefore,formyprosperityblindedme,butnowGodhasopenedmyeyesbyafflictions.Hashe?Thenyourgreatcarewillberather for theremovingofyoursin thanyouraffliction.Areyoumoresolicitousaboutthetakingawayofyoursinthanthetakingawayofyour affliction? 2. If it is your sin that troubles you, then even if Godshouldtakeawayyourafflictions,yetunlessyoursinistakenaway,andyour heart is better, this would not content you, you could not besatisfied. But we see usually that if God removes their afflictions, they

havenomoretroublefortheirsin.Oh,manydeceivethemselvesinthis,sayingthattheyaresotroubledfortheirsin,andespeciallythosewhoareso troubled that theyare indanger tomiscarry,andtomakeawaywiththemselves.Thereisnotoneintenthousandwhoisinsuchaconditionas this,and it isafflictionsrather thansin thatputs themto it. Indeed,youlayeverythingonthis,asifitweretheworkoftheWord,orthespiritof bondage. I remember I heard not long since of a divine who wasjudicious, and used to such things, to whom came a man mightilytroubled for his sin, and he could not tell what to do, hewas ready todespair.Thedivinelookeduponhim,andsaid,'Areyounotindebt?'Heconfessedthathewas,andat lengththeministerbegantofindoutthatthatwashis troublerather thanhissin,andsowasable tohelphim inthatmatter,thathiscreditorsshouldnotcomeonhim,andthenthemanwasprettyquiet,andwouldnotdoawaywithhimselfanylonger.

Itisusualthatifanythingbefallsamanwhichcrosseshim,Oh,then,itishis sin that troubles him! Sometimes it is so with servants, if theirmasters cross them, then they are vexed and fret. Come to deal withthem,Oh,thentheywillsaytheyaresorrowfulfortheirsin.ButwemusttakeheedofdallyingwithGod,whoistheseerandsearcherofthesecretsofallheart.

Many of you go sullen and dumpish up and down in your homes, andthen you say, it is your sin that lies upon you, when God knows it isotherwise:itisbecauseyoucannothaveyourdesiresasyouwouldhave.

3.Ifyouaretroubledforyoursin,thenitwillbeyourgreatcarenottosininyourtrouble,soasnot,byyourtrouble,toincreaseyoursin.Butyouaretroubledinsuchawaythat,thetruthis,youincreaseyoursininyourtrouble, and since you said you were troubled for your sin you havecommittedmoresinthanyoudidbefore.

4.Andthen, lastly, if it isyoursin that troublesyou, thenyouhave themoreneedtosubmittoGod'shand,andtoacceptthepunishmentofyouriniquity,asin

Leviticus 26:41. There is no consideration to take awaymurmuring, somuchastolookuponmysinasthecauseofmyaffliction.

3. 'OH', SAYS ANOTHER, 'I FINDMY AFFLICTION IS SUCHTHAT GOD WITHDRAWS HIMSELF FROM ME IN MYAFFLICTION.

Thatiswhattroublesme,andcananybodybequietthen,cananybodybesatisfied with such a condition, when the Lord withdraws himself?However great my affliction were, yet if I found not God withdrawinghimself from me, I hope I could be content with any affliction, but Icannot find the presence of God withme in this affliction, as at othertimesIhavefound,andthatiswhattroublesme,andmakesmeinsuchaconditionasIam.'NowtothatIanswerthus:1.Itisaveryevilthingformen andwomenover every affliction to conclude thatGod is departedfromthem. Itmaybe,when it comes tobeexamined, there isnootherreasonwhyyouthinkthatGodiswithdrawnanddeparted,butbecauseheafflictsyou.Nowforyou tomake sucha conclusion, that every timeGodlaysanafflictionuponyou,heisdeparted,isasinfuldisorderofyourheart,andisverydishonorabletoGod,andgrievoustohisSpirit.Inthe

17thofExodus,verse7,youmayseehowGodwasdispleasedwithsuchadisorder as this: 'And he called the name of the place Massah, andMeribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and becausetheytemptedtheLord,saying,IstheLordamongusornot?'Mark,theymurmuredbecause theywerebrought into afflictions: but seewhat thetext says, 'Therefore theplacewascalledMassahandMeribah,becausethey tempted theLord, saying, Is theLordamongusornot?'ThiswastemptingGod.SometimesweareafraidGodisdepartedfromus,anditismerelybecauseweareafflicted.IbeseechyoutoobservethisScripture:God calls it a tempting of him, when he afflicts anyone, for them toconcludeandsay thatGod isdeparted from them. If a child shouldcryoutandsaythathisfatheristurnedtobeanenemytohim,becausehecorrects him, this would be taken ill. I beseech you consider this oneplace- itmay be of very great use to you-that youmaynot be ready tothinkthatGodisdeparted,becauseyouareafflicted.

2.IfGodisdeparted,thegreatestsignofGod'sdepartingisbecauseyouare so disturbed. You make your disquiet the fruit of God's departingfromyou.Ifyoucouldonlycureyourdisquiet,ifyoucouldbutquietyourown hearts and get them into a better frame of contentedness under

God's hand in affliction, then youwould findGod's presencewith you.Will yoube thusdisquieted tillGod comes again to you?Yourdisquietdriveshimfromyou,andyoucanneverexpectGod'scomingtomanifesthimselfcomfortablytoyoursouls, tillyouhavegottenyourheartsquietunderyourafflictions.Thereforeyouseeherehowyoureasonamiss:youreason,IamdisquietbecauseGodisgone,whenthetruthis,Godisgonebecause you are disquiet. Reason the other way, Oh, my disquiet hasdrivenGodfromme,andthereforeeverIwouldhavethepresenceofGodtocomeagaintome,letmyheartbequietunderthehandofGod.

3. Do you find God departing from you in your affliction? Will youthereforedepartfromGodtoo?Isthisyourhelp?Canyouhelpyourselfthatway?BecauseGod is gone,will yougo too?Do I, indeed, feelGoddepartingfromme?Itmaybeso.Itmaybe,Godforyourtrialisdeparteda little from you.And is it so indeed?What an unwise course I take! IcommitfurthersinandsoIgofurtherofffromGod;whataplightIamin!Godgoesfromme,andIfromGod.Ifthechildseesthemothergoingfromit,itisnotforthechildtosay,MymotherisgoneyonderandIwillgotheotherway;no,butthechildgoescryingafterthemother.Soshouldthesoulsay,IseetheLordiswithdrawinghispresencefromme,andnowitisbestformetomakeaftertheLordwithallmymight,andIamsurethismurmuringhumor isnotamakingafterGod,butby it Igo furtherandfurther away fromGod, andwhat a distance therewill be betweenGodandmewithina littlewhile!Thesearesomeof thereasoningsandpleasofamurmuringanddiscontentedheart.Therearemanyothersthatweshallmeetwith, andendeavor to speak to yourhearts in them, thatthistouchhumorofdiscontentmay,asitwere,becutwiththewordandsoftenedwiththeword,sothat itmaypassaway.Forthat isthewayofphysicians,whentheymeetwithabodywhichhasanytoughhumor,thentheygivethatwhichhasapiercingquality;whenthereisatoughhumorwhich stops the water, that it cannot pass, they give something with apiercing qualitywhichmaymake a passage for it. So you have need ofsuchthingsasarepiercing,tomakeawaythroughthistoughhumorinthe spirits of men and women, whereby they come to live veryuncomfortably to themselves and others, and very dishonorably untoGod.

Nowmanypleasandreasoningsstillremain, forthere isagreatdealofadowithadiscontented,murmuringheart.AndIremember,I findthatthe same Hebrew word which signifies to lodge, to abide, signifies tomurmur.Theyuseoneword forboth, formurmuring isadisorder thatlodgesinmen;whereitgetsinonceitlodges,abidesandcontinues,andtherefore, thatwemaydislodge it and get it out,wewill labor to showwhatarethefurtherreasoningsofadiscontentedheart.

4.'ITHINKICOULDBECONTENTWITHGOD'SHAND,'SAYSONE,'SOFARASISEETHEHANDOFGODINATHINGICANBECONTENT.

Butwhenmendealsounreasonablyandunjustlywithme,Idonotknowhowtobearit.IcanbearthatIshouldbeinGod'shands,butnotinthehandsofmen.Whenmyfriendsoracquaintancesdealsounrighteouslywithme,oh, thisgoesveryhardwithme,so thatIdonotknowhowtobear it frommen.' For taking away this reasoning, consider: 1. Thoughtheyaremenwhobringthiscrossonyou,yettheyareGod'sinstruments.Godhasahand in it, and they cangono further thanGodwouldhavethemgo.ThiswaswhatquietedDavidwhenShimeicursedhim:Godhasa hand in it, he said, though Shimei is a base, wickedman, yet I lookbeyondhimtoGod.So,doanyofyourfriendsdealinjuriouslywithyou,and wrongly with you? Look up to God, and see that man but as aninstrumentinGod'shands.

2.If this isyourtroublethatmendosowrongyou,yououghtrathertoturn yourhearts topity them, than tomurmurorbediscontented.Forthetruthis,ifyouarewrongedbyothermen,youhavethebetterofit,foritisbettertobearwrongthantodowrongagreatdeal.Iftheywrongyou,youareinabetterconditionthanthey,becauseitisbettertobear,thantodowrong.IrememberitissaidofSocratesthat,ashewasverypatientwhenwrongwasdonetohim,theyaskedhimhowhecametobeso.Hesaid,'IfImeetamaninthestreetwhoisadiseasedman,shallIbevexedandfrettedwithhimbecauseheisdiseased?ThosewhowrongmeIlookuponasdiseasedmen,andthereforepitythem.'3.Thoughyoumeetwithharddealings frommen,yetyoumeetwithnothingbutkind,goodandrighteousdealingsfromGod.Whenyoumeetwithunrighteousdealingsfromthem,setoneagainsttheother.Andthatisananswertothefourth

plea.

5.'OH,BUTTHEAFFLICTIONTHATCOMESUPONMEISANAFFLICTIONWHICHINEVERLOOKEDFOR.

IneverthoughtIwouldmeetwithsuchanaffliction,andthat iswhatIcannot bear. That iswhatmakesmy heart so disturbed because it wasaltogetherunlooked forandunexpected.'For theanswerof this: 1. It isyourweaknessandfollythatyoudidnotlookforitandexpectit.InActs20:22,23,seewhatSt.Paulsaysconcerninghimself,'Andnow,behold,IgoboundinthespirituntoJerusalem,notknowingthethingsthatshallbefallmethere,savethattheHolyGhostwitnessethineverycity,sayingthatbondsandafflictionsabideme.'Itistrue,hesays,Idonotknowtheparticularafflictionthatmaybefallme,butthisIknow,thattheSpiritofGod witnesses that bonds and afflictions shall abide me everywhere. Ilook for nothing else but bonds and afflictions wheresoever I go. So aChristianshoulddo:heshould look forafflictionswheresoeverhe is, inallconditionsheshouldlooktomeetwithafflictions;andthereforeifanyaffliction should befall him, though indeed he could not foresee theparticularevil,yetheshouldthink,This isnomorethanI lookedfor ingeneral.ThereforenoafflictionshouldcomeunexpectedlytoaChristian.

2.AsecondanswerIwouldgive is this: Is itunexpected?Thenthe lessprovisionyoumadeforitbeforeitcame,themorecarefulshouldyoubetosanctifyGod'snameinit,nowitiscome.Itisinthiscaseofafflictionsasinmercies:manytimesmercycomesunexpected,andthatmightbeathirdanswertoyou.Setoneagainsttheother.IhavemanymerciesthatIneverlookedfor,aswellasafflictionsthatInever lookedfor,aswellasafflictionsthatInever lookedfor;whyshouldnottheonerejoicemeasmuch as the other disturbs me? As it is in mercies, when they comeunexpected,thelesspreparationtherewasinmeforreceivingmercy,themoreneedIhave tobecarefulnowtogiveGod thegloryof themercy,and to sanctify God's name in the enjoyment of the mercy. Oh, so itshouldbewithusnow:wehavehadmerciesthissummerthatweneverexpected,andthereforewewerenotprepared for them;nowweshouldbe so much the more careful to give God the glory of them. So whenafflictionscomethatwedidnotexpect,whenitseemswedidnotlayinforthembeforehand,wehadneedbethemorecarefultosanctifyGod's

name in them.Weshouldhavespentsomepainsbefore, toprepare forafflictionsandwedidnot;thentakesomuchthemorepainstosanctifyGodinthisafflictionnow.

6. 'OH, BUT IT IS VERY GREAT, MY AFFLICTION ISEXCEEDINGGREAT,'Says someone, 'andhowever you saywemustbecontented,youmaysaysowhodonotfeelsuchgreatafflictions,butifyoufeltmyaffliction,whichIfeel,youwouldthinkithardtobearandbecontent.'TothatIanswer:1.Letisbeasgreatanafflictionasitwill,itisnotasgreatasyoursin.Hehaspunishedyoulessthanyoursins.

2.Itmighthavebeenagreatdealmore,youmighthavebeeninHell.Anditis,ifIremember,Bernard'ssaying:hesaid,'Itisaneasiermattertobeoppressedthantoperish.'YoumighthavebeeninHell,andthereforethegreatnessofthethingshouldnotmakeyoumurmur,evengrantittobegreat.

3. Itmay be it is the greater because your heartmurmurs so. Shacklesuponaman'slegs,ifhislegsaresore,willpainhimmore.Iftheshoulderissore,theburdenisthegreater.It isbecauseyourheart issounsoundthatyourafflictionisgreattoyou.

7.BUTHOWEVERYOUMAYLESSENMYAFFLICTION,YETIAM SURE IT IS FAR GREATER THAN THE AFFLICTION OFOTHERS.

1.Itmaybeitisyourdiscontentthatmakesitgreater,whenindeeditisnotsoinitself.

2.Ifitweregreaterthanothers',whyisyoureyeevilbecausetheeyeofGodisgood?WhyshouldyoubediscontentedthemorebecauseGodisgracioustoothers?3.Ifyourafflictiongreaterthanothers'?Theninthisyou have an opportunity to honor God more than others. You shouldconsider, does God afflict memore than othermen? God givesme anopportunityinthistohonorhiminthisafflictionmorethanothermen,toexercisemoregracethanothermen.Letmelabortodoitthen.

4.Ifallafflictionswerelaiduponaheaptogether-thisisanotablesaying

ofSolon,thatwiseHeathen,hesaid-'Supposealltheafflictionsthatareintheworldwerelaiduponaheap,andeverymanshouldcomeandtakeaproportionofthoseafflictions,everyoneequally,thereisscarceanymanbutwouldrathersay,LetmehavetheafflictionsthatIhadbefore,orelsehewouldbelikelytocometoagreatershare,agreaterafflictionifsobehe should equally sharewith all theworld.'Now for youwho are poor(whoarenot inextremityofpoverty), ifall therichesintheworldwerelaidtogetherandyoushouldhaveanequalshare,youwouldbepoorer.But takeallafflictionsandsorrowswhatsoever; ifall thesorrowsintheworldwere laid together in a heap, and you had but an equal share ofthem,yourportionwouldberathermorethanit isnowforthepresent.Andthereforedonotcomplainthatitismorethanothers',andmurmurbecauseofthat.

8. ANOTHER REASONING THAT MURMURING HEARTSHAVE ISTHIS:Why, they think that if the afflictionwere any otherthanitis,thentheywouldbemorecontented.

1.Youmustknowthatwearenottochooseourownrod,thatGodshallbeatuswith.

2.Itmaybethatifitwereanyotherthanitis,itwouldnotbesosuitablefor youas this is. Itmaybe, therefore,God chooses it because it is themostcontrarytoyou,sinceitismostsuitableforpurgingoutthehumorthatisinyou.Ifapatientcomestotakemedicineandfindshimselfsickbyit,willhesay,'Oh,!ifitwereanyotherpotionIcouldbearit?'Itmaybe,ifitwereanyotherthanitis,itwouldnotsuityourdisease;yea,ifitdidnotworkasitdoes,itwouldnotsuitthedisease.Sowhenyousayofan affliction, if it were any other than it is, you could bear it, do butanswer yourself with this: It may be, if it were any other than it is, itwouldnotbesuitableforme.Itwouldnotgetrighttothesinfulhumorinmy soul, and therefore God sees this to be the fittest and the mostsuitableforme.

3.KnowthatthisistheexcellenceofgraceinaChristian,tobefittedforanycondition;notonlytosay,ifitwerethisorthat,butifitwereany.

Now if a sailorhas skillhedoesnot say, 'If itwere anyotherwindbut

this,ifthewindblewinanydirectionbutthis,Icouldmanagemyship,Icould show skill in other directions but not in this.'Would not sailorslaughatsuchaone?Itwouldbeashameforhimtosaythathehasskillinanyotherdirectionbutthis.SoitshouldbeashameforaChristiantosaythathehasskillinanyotherafflictionbutthis.AChristianshouldbeabletomanagehisship,ifthewindblowsanyway;toguidehissoulanyway.

4.Thelastansweristhis,KnowthattheLordhasrewardsandcrownsforallgraces,andforhonoringtheminallconditions. Itmaybe, insuchawayasyouthinkyoucouldhonorGod,Godhasacrownforthat;andGodhasanothercrowntosetupontheheadsofthosewhohonorhiminsuchawayasthis.Hehasseveralsortsofcrowns,asImaysay,inHeaven,andthose crowns he must put upon somebody's head, and therefore heexercisesyouinavarietyofconditions,sothatyoumighthavetheseveralrewards and crowns that God has to reward and crown those who arefaithfulinseveralconditions.

9. 'OH, BUT THE CONDITION THAT GOD HAS PUTME IN,MAKESMEUNSERVICEABLE,ANDTHISTROUBLESME.

Itistrue,ifitwereonlyanafflictionandtroubletomyself,itwouldnotbesomuch,butIamput intosuchaconditionby thisaffliction that Iamunserviceable,andcandoGodnofurtherservice.Godhasputmeintoameanposition,andwhatgoodcanIdo?Howburdensome ismy life tome,becauseIcandonoserviceforGod!Thisisgrievoustome.'Indeed,ifitistruethatthisisyourgreatgrief,itisagoodsign.Ifyoucansay,asinthepresenceofGod, 'Aboveallafflictions inthisworld,Icounttobelaid aside and not to be employed in the service of God the greatestaffliction.IwouldratherbearanytroubleintheworldifImightdomoreservice,thanbefreedfromtroubleandbelaidasideanddolittleservice:canyousayso?ItisagoodsignofgraceforamantoaccountafflictionsasgreatbecausehecandotheLordbut littleservice.Fewmenaccountthatanafflictionatall.

Butyettheremaybeatemptationinthis.TomurmuratGod'sdisposal,whenyourcallingislowandmeanandyoucandolittleservice,ismanytimes a temptation to thosewho are poor, thosewho are servants and

thosewho are of weak gifts, andmust work hard to provide bread fortheir families.It ismanytimesagrievousburdentothemtothink:TheLordusesothermeninpublicserviceandIliveinanobscureway,andtowhatpurpose ismy life?Tohelp against this temptation, that youmaynotmurmuragainstthiscondition:1.Dobutconsiderthatthoughyourconditionislowandmean,yetyouareintheBody,youareamemberoftheBody, Though you are but ameanmember, the toe and the fingerhavetheiruse in thebody; though it isnot theeye, though it isnot thehead,ortheheart,yetithasitsuseinthebody.

Thereisanexcellentexpression,whichIrememberAugustinehasaboutthis: 'It isbetter tobe themeanestmember in thebody, than tobe thehighest and most important member and cut off from the body; it isbettertobealittlespriginthetreejoinedtotheroot,thantobeanarmcut off from the root.' Other men who have but common gifts in theworld,*whoarenotmembersofJesusChrist,seemindeedtohavemoreexcellencethanthosewhoaregodly,whoare inameancondition,withmeangiftsandmeancallings;buttheyarenotofthebody,theyarenotjoinedtotheroot,andthereforetheirconditionisworse.[*Commongiftsasdistinctfromthegiftofsalvation.]Whenagreatarmofatreeiscutoffit has a greatmany leaves on it, and seems a great dealmore gloriousthan those little sprigs that are on the tree, but that little sprig is in abettercondition.Why?Becauseitisjoinedtothetreeandgetssapfromtherootandflourishes,buttheotherwillwitheranddiewithinawhile.Soit iswithallmenoftheworld:theyarejust likegreatboughscutofffromthetree;thoughtheyhaveexcellentgifts,andhavegreatwealthandpompandglory in theworld, theyhavenounionwithJesusChrist theroot.Butotherswho live inapoorcondition,apoor tradesman,apoorservant,apoorlaboring-manwholaborsforhisfamilyeveryday,suchaone,beinggodly,maysay,'ThoughIhavebutlittleforthepresent,littleglory,littlecredit,littlecomfort,yetIamjoinedtotheBody,andthereIhavesupplyandthatwhichwillfeedmewithcomfort,blessingandmercytoalleternity.'Soallwhoareinapoorconditioninthisworld,ifyouaregodly, just thingof that: thoughyouaremeanyet you are in theBody,andjoinedtotheroot.Youare joinedtotheprincipleofcomfort,good,blessing and mercy, which will hold out to eternity, when thousandthousandsofgloriouspompousmenintheworldshallwitherandperish

everlastingly.Thereforedonotbetroubledatyourmeancondition.

2. Though you have only amean calling in this world, and so are notregardedasamanofuseintheworld,yetifyouareaChristian,Godhascalled you to a higher calling; your general calling is a high calling,though your particular calling is but low and mean.* [*The Puritanstaughtthatbelievershaveatwofoldcalling:theirparticularcalling,whichwas to theirdailyoccupationandwork; and their general calling, tobeChristians.] There is a place for that in the chapter before my text,Philippians 3:14: 'I press towards the mark', says the Apostle, 'for theprizeofthehighcallingofGodinChristJesus.'SoeveryChristianhasahigh calling of God in Christ Jesus: God has called him to the highestthing to which he has called any creature he has made. The angels inHeavenhavenotahighercallingthanyouhave.Youwhoperhapsspendyour time inapoorbusiness, in themeanest calling, if youareadung-raker, torakechannels,or tocleanplacesof filth,oranyother thing inthe world that is the meanest that can be conceived of, your generalcallingasaChristianadvancesyouhigherthananyparticularcallingcanadvanceanymanintheworld.Others,indeed,whoarecalledtomanagetheaffairs of the State are in a high calling, orministers, they are in ahigh calling; but yours in some respects is higher. A poor servant whomustbescrapingalldayaboutpoor,meanthingsmanytimesmayhavesuch a temptation as this: 'Oh,what a poor condition hasGod putmeinto!WillGodhaveregardtosuchaonewhoisinsuchapoor,lowplaceasIam?'Oh,yes,Christhasregardtothemeanestmember;asamanhasasrealaregardtohistoeifitisinpain,andwilllookafteritastrulyandverily as any other member, so Christ has regard to his lowest andmeanestones.

3.Youareinahighcalling.Thoughyouroutwardcallingislowinrespectofmen,yetinrespectofGodyouareinthesamecallingwiththeangelsin Heaven, and in some degree called to that which is higher, for theScripture says that the angels come to understand the mystery of theGospelbytheChurch.YouwhoareaChristianinthatgeneralcallingofyours,youarejoinedwithprincipalitiesandpowers,andwithangels,inthegreatestwork thatGodhas calledany creature to, and therefore letthatcomfortyouinthis.

4.Youcallingislowandmean;yetdonotbediscontentedwiththat,foryou have a principlewithin you (if you are a godlyman orwoman) ofgrace,whichraisesyourlowestactionstobehigherinGod'sesteem,thanallthebrave,gloriousactionsthataredoneintheworld.Theprincipleoffaithdoesit:ifanymanorwomangoesoninobediencetoGodinawayoffaithinthecallinginwhichGodhassetthem-doingthis,Isay,througha principle of faith-it raises this action, and makes it a more gloriousaction than all the glorious victories of Alexander andCaesar. All theirtriumphsandgloriouspompthattheyhadinalltheirconquestswerenotso glorious as for you to do the lowest action out of faith. As Lutherspeaksofapoormilkmaidwhoisabeliever,anddoesherworkinfaith:hecomparesthatactiontoallthegloriousactionsofCaesar,andmakesitagreatdealmoreeminentandgloriousintheeyesofGod.Thereforefaithraises your works which are but mean, and raises them to be veryglorious.

Yes, and the truth is, it is more obedience to submit to God in a lowcalling,thantosubmittohiminahighercalling;foritissheerobedience,mereobedience,thatmakesyougooninalowcalling,buttheremaybemuch self-love that makes men go on in a higher calling, for there isriches, credit and account in the world, and rewards come in by that,whichtheydonotintheother.TogoonquietlyinalowcallingismoreobediencetoGod.

5.Knowfurther,inthelastplace,thatthereislikelytobemorereward.

ForwhentheLordcomestoreward,hedoesnotexaminewhatworkmenandwomenhavebeenexercisedin,butwhattheirfaithfulnesshasbeen.

'Well done, good and faithful servant,' said the Lord; he does not say,'Well done, good servant, for you have been faithful to me in publicworks,rulingcitiesandstates,andaffairsinkingdoms,andthereforeyoushallberewarded.'No,but, 'Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant.'Nowyoumaybefaithfulinlittleaswellasothersareinmore,bygoingonandworking your day's labor; when you get but a couple of shillings tomaintainyourfamily,youmaybeas faithful inthisasthosewhoruleakingdom.Godlookstoaman'sfaithfulness,andyoumayhaveasgreatarewardforyourfaithfulnesswhoareapoorservantinthekitchenallthe

day,asanotherwhositsuponthethroneallday.Asgreatacrownofgloryyoumayhaveatthedayofjudgment,asakingwhositsuponthethrone,who has ruled for God upon his throne. Yes, your faithfulnessmay berewardedbyGodwithasgreatgloryasakingwhohasswayedhisscepterforGod;because,Isay,theLorddoesnotsomuchlookattheworkthatisdone,asatthefaithfulnessofourheartsindoingit.Thenwhyshouldnoteveryoneofusgooncomfortablyandcheerfullyinourlowcondition,forwhymaynotIbefaithfulaswellasanother?Itistrue,Icannotcometobeasrichamanandashonorableasothers;butImaybeasfaithfulasanyotherman:everyoneofyoumayreasonthuswithyourselves.Whathinders youwhoare thepoorest andmeanest frombeingas faithful asthe greatest? Yes, you may have as glorious a crown in Heaven, andthereforegooncomfortablyandcheerfullyinyourway.

10. THERE IS ANOTHER REASONING THAT SOME MAYHAVE AND IT IS THIS: 'Oh, I could bear much affliction in someother way, but this is very grievous to me, the unsettledness of mycondition.Evenifmyconditionwerelow,yetifitwereinasettledway,Icouldbecontent,but it is sounconstant, andsounsettled, that Ineverknowwhat to trust to, but am tossed up and down in theworld in anunsettled condition, and this is hard to be contentwith.'Now to that Ianswer: 1 . The Psalmist says, 'That every man in his settled estate isvanity'(Psalm39:5).YourBibleshaveit:'Everymanathisbestestateisvanity,'thewordis,'hissettledestate'.Youthink,ifyouwerebutsettled,thenyoucouldbe content, but the truth is,man inhis settled estate isvanity.

2.PerhapsGodseesitisbetterforyoutoliveinacontinualdependenceuponhim,andnottoknowwhatyourconditionshallbeonthemorrow,thanforyoutohaveamoresettledconditionintermsofthecomfortsofthecreature.Dobutrememberwhatwespokeofbefore,thatChristdoesnotteachyoutopray,'Lord,givemeenoughtoservemefortwoorthreeyears,'but,'Thisdayourdailybread.'ThisistoteachusthatwemustliveuponGodinadependentconditioneverydayfordailybread.HerewasthedifferencebetweenthelandofCanaanandEgypt:thelandofCanaandependedonGod for thewateringof itwithshowers fromHeaven,butEgypthadaconstantwayofwateringthecountry,thatdidnotsomuch

dependuponHeaven forwater,butupon the riverNile,whichat somecertaintimeoverflowedthecountry.Knowingthat thewateringof theircountrydependedupontheriverandnotuponheaven, theygrewmoreproud. And therefore the Scripture, to express Pharaoh's pride, bringshim in as saying: 'The river is mine': he could order the river as hepleased,foritwashis.CanaanwasacountrywhichwastodependuponGod,andthoughtheyhadrainatonetime,yettheyneverknewwhethertheyshouldhaveitatanothertime,andlivedalwaysindependenceuponGod,notknowingwhatshouldbecomeofthem.NowGodthoughtthistobeabetterlandforhispeoplethanEgypt,andthisisgivenasonereasonamongothers,thattheLordlookeduponitasmoresuitabletothestateofhispeople,whowere to liveby faith, that theyshouldbecontinuallydependinguponHeaven,uponhimself, andnothavea constant settledwayinthecreaturefortheiroutwarddependence.WefindbyexperiencethatwhenthosewhoaregodlyliveinthegreatestdependenceuponGod,andhavenotasettledincomefromthecreature,theyexercisefaithmore,andareinabetterconditionfortheirsoulsthanbefore.Oh,manytimesit fallsout that theworseyouroutwardestate is thebetteryoursoul is,andthebetteryouroutwardestateistheworseyoursoulis.

We read in Ezra 4:13, the objection that the enemies had against thepeople of Israel's building of the wall of the city: their writing toArtaxerxesagainstthemsaid,'Beitknownuntotheking,thatifthiscitybebuilded,andthewallssetupagain,thenwillnottheypaytoll,tribute,andcustom,andsothoushaltendamagetherevenueofthekings.'Ifthewallbebuilt,theysay,thentheywillrefusetopaytoll,tributeandcustomto theking, that is, so long as they live in such a conditionwhere theyhavedependencewhollyupontheking,andliveattheking'smercy,thatis,theyareinnocitywithwalls,butthekingmaycomeuponthemwhenhewill,solongtheywillpaycustomtotheking;butifoncetheycometobuildawall,andcandefendthemselves,andhavenottheirdependenceupon the king as before, then they will deny paying toll, tribute andcustom. So it is thus, for all the world, between God andmen's souls:whenasoullivesinmeredependenceuponGod,sothatsensiblyheseesthatGodhasadvantageofhimeverymoment,Oh,thensuchasoulwillpaytollandcustom,thatsoulexercisesfaith,andbegseverydayhisdailybread; but if God hedges thatman aboutwithwealth,with prosperity-

perhapsaninheritancefallstohim,perhapshehasaconstantofficethatbringsinsomuchyearlytohimdulypaid-heisnotsosensiblenowofhisdependenceuponGod,andhebeginsnowtopaylesstollandcustomtoGod than before. God has less service from thisman now than before.Godseesitbetterforhispeopletoliveinadependentcondition.Wearevery loath in respect of God to be dependent, we would all beindependents in this way, we would be dependent upon ourselves andhavenodependenceupontheLord,butGodseesitbetterforustoliveinadependingcondition.

3.Thismaybeyourcomfort:thoughforoutwardthingsyouaremightilyunsettled,yet forthegreatthingsofyoursoulandeternalwelfarethereyouaresettled.Thereyouhaveasettledway,aconstantwayoffetchingsupply: Of his fullness we receive grace for grace. You have there anabundanceoftreasuretogoto,andgetallthatyoustandinneedof.AndobservethatnowyourconditionismoresettledintheCovenantofgracethanitwasintheCovenantofworks:intheCovenantofworksGodgavemanastocktotradewith,butheput it intohishand,so thathemighttrade,andgainorlose;butintheCovenantofgrace,Godmakessure:thestock is kept in the hand of Christ, and wemust go to him for supplycontinually, for Christ keeps the stock. perhaps we may trifle awaysomething in our trading, but God takes care that we never spend thestock.Itisaswhenaman'ssongoesbankrupt,havingsquanderedawaythecapitalthathegavehimbefore;afterwardsheputshiscapitalintoafriend'shand,andsays,'Youshallkeepthestockanditshallnotbeathisdisposal.'Soweareinamoresettledconditioninrespectofoureternalestate thanAdamwas in innocence.Therefore let thatcomfortus inallourunsettledconditionsinthemattersoftheworld.

11. BUT THERE IS STILL ANOTHER REASONING WITHWHICH MANY MURMURING HEARTS THINK TO FEEDTHEIRHUMOR.THEYSAY,'IfIneverhadbeeninabetterconditionthenIcouldbearthisaffliction,ifGodhadalwayskeptmeinsuchalowcondition,Icouldbecontent.Oh,buttherewasatimewhenIprosperedmore,andmyhandswerefull,andthereforenowitisharderformetobebroughtlow,asatpresent.'Perhapsamanhadfiveorsixhundredayear,butnowhashadnothingforagreatwhile:ifthatmanhadnotbeenborn

tosomuch,orhadneverprosperedinanyhigherdegreethanheisnowin,theafflictionwouldhavebeenless.Perhapshehassomemoneyandfriendstoliveon,butifhehadneverbeeninahighercondition,hewouldnothaveaccounteditsogreatathingtohavebeenwithoutitnow.

This,many times, is our greatestwound, that oncewewere in a bettercondition;butit isthemostunreasonablethingforustomurmuruponthisgroundofany.

1.ForisyoureyeevilbecauseGodhasbeengoodtoyouheretofore?ItisabadthingforustohaveoureyeevilbecauseGodisgoodtoothers,butto lookuponourconditionwithanevileyenow,becauseGodwasoncegoodtous!-hasGoddoneyouanywrongbecausehewasformerlymoregoodtoyouthanhewastoothers?2.DidGodgiveyoumoreprosperitybefore? It was to prepare you for affliction.We should look at all ouroutwardprosperityas a preparation for afflictions. If you had done so,thenitwouldnothavebeensodifficultforyoutoendureafflictionsnow.If when you had great wealth, you made use of the mercy of God toprepareyouforyourafflictedestate,thenthechangeofyourestatewouldnot be so grievous. Every Christian should say: 'Have I wealth now? Ishould prepare for poverty. Have I health now? I should prepare forsickness.HaveI liberty?Letmepreparemyself for imprisonment.HowdoIknowwhatGodmaycallmeto?HaveIcomfortandpeacenowinmyconscience,doesGodshineuponme?WhileIhavethisletmeprepareforGod'swithdrawing fromme.Am I delivered from temptations? Letmepreparenowforthetimeoftemptations.'Ifyouwoulddoso,thechangeofyourconditionwouldnotbesogrievoustoyou.

Sailorswhoareinacalmprepareforstorms;wouldtheysay,'Ifweneverhadcalmswecouldbearstorms,butwehavehadcalmssomanyyearsorweekstogether,thatthisisgrievous?Inyourcalmyouaretopreparetostorms,andthestormwillbeless.

Youshouldreasonquitecontrarytowhatyoudoandsay:'NowIaminanafflictedcondition,but,blessedbeGod,Iwasinacomfortablecondition,and,blessedbeGod,thathewasbeforewithme inhismercy': thisoneconsiderationmayhelpmurmuringhearts.Doyoumurmurbecauseonceyouwerebetter?KnowthatGodwasbeforewithyouinmercy,andyou

shouldratherthingthus:Ihavelivedforthesemanyyears,perhapsfortyyears or more, in a comfortable condition, I have lived in health, andpeace, and plenty; what though the remaining part of my time shouldhave some sorrow and affliction? The Lord has granted to me acomfortable sunshine all the day long towards evening, and what if atsevenoreighto'clockatnightitbeginstorain?LetmethankGodIhavehad such fair weather all day. If you are on a voyage, and you have acomfortablewind,andveryfairweatherformanymonthstogether,whatif you have a little stormwhen you are within sight of land?Will youmurmurandrepine?Ohnow,butyouratherblessGodthatyouhavehadsuchacomfortablevoyagesolong.

Oh, this considerationwouldhelp us all. IfGod shouldnow say, 'Well,you will never see comfortable days again in outward things in thisworld',then,youhavecausetofalldownandblessGod'snamethatyouhave had so many comfortable days. Now you reason quite contrary:whereasyoushouldblessGod thatyouhavehadsomuchcomfort,youmakewhat youhavehadbefore an aggravationof your afflictionsnow,andsomurmurandarediscontented.

OnwhattermsdidyouholdwhatGodgaveyoubefore?Didyouholditsothatyouhaveinyourpapers,'Tohaveandtoholdforever'?Godgivesnosuchthing,Godgives tonoman, I say,anythingbutgrace to runuponthattenure.ThereisnosuchthinginallGod'swritingsforanyoutwardcomfortsas, 'Tohaveandtoholdforyouandyourheirs.' Indeed,gravehe gives to yourselves, to have and to hold for ever, though not foreveryonewhocomesoutofyour loins tohaveand tohold forever;butGoddoesnot give any outward thing upon such tenure as that. IfGodgivesmeanunderstandingofhimself,andfaith,andhumility,andlove,andpatience,andsuchgracesofhisSpirit,hegivesmethemforever,ifhegivesmehimself,andhisChrist,andhispromises,andhiscovenant,he gives me them for ever. Who am I, therefore, that the sun shouldalwaysshineuponme,thatImusthavefairweatherallmydays?WhatGodgivestome,hegaveitasapledgeofhislove;letmereturnittohimasapledgeofmyobedience.Thereisallthereasonintheworldforit:allthatagodlymanreceivesfromGodhereceivesasapledgeofgod'sloveto him; thereforewhen he comes into an afflicted condition,God says,

'Returntomeasapledgeofyourobedience,whatyouhadfrommeasapledgeofmylove.'WeshouldcheerfullycometoGodandblessGodthatwe have anything to render to him as a pledge of our obedience, andshould say, 'Oh, it is your love,OLord,whichhas givenuseverything,whichenablesustorenderapledgeofourobediencetoyou.'WhenGodcallsforyourwealthoranycomfortsthatyouhave,Godcallsforitasapledgeofyourobediencetohim.

12. ANOTHER REASONING OF A MURMURING HEART ISTHIS:'Oh,butafterIhavetakenagreatdealofpainsforthiscomfort,yetthenIamthwartedin it.Tobethwartednowafterall the laborandpainsIhavetaken,oh,thisgoesveryhard.'Ianswer:1.Thegreaterthecross,themoreobedienceandsubmission.

2.When you took a great deal of pains, was it not with submission toGod? Did you take pains, with resolutions that you must have such athingwhen you labored for it? Then know that you did not labor as aChristian,butifyoulaboredandtookpains,wasitnotwithresignationtoGod?: 'Lord, I am taking pains in my calling, but with submission; Idependwholly upon you for success and a blessing.' Andwhat did youaim at in your labor?Was it not that youmight walk with God in theplacewhereGodhad set you?AChristian shoulddo so in his outwardcalling:Iamdiligentinmyoutwardcalling,butitissothatImightobeyGodinit.Itistrue,IdoitthatImightprovideformyfamily,butthechiefthingthatIaimatisthatImightyieldobediencetoGodinthewaywhereGodhassetme.

NowifGodcallsyoutoanothercondition,toobeyhimin,thoughitisbysuffering,youwilldoitifyourheartisright.

3.TherewillbemoretestimonyofyourlovetoGod,ifsobethatyounowyieldupyourselftoGodinwhatcostyoudear.'ShallIofferthattoGod',saidDavid,'thatcostmenothing?'Youroutwardcomfortshavecostyoumuch,andyouhavetakengreatpainstoobtainthemandnow,ifyoucansubmittoGodinthewantof them, in this, I say,your love is themoreshown,thatyoucanoffertoGodwhatcostyoudear.

13. NOW THESE ARE THE PRINCIPAL REASONINGS OF A

DISCONTENTED HEART. BUT THERE IS ONE PLEA MORETHAT MAY BE NAMED: SOME SAY, 'Though I confess that myaffliction is somewhat hard, and I feel some trouble within me, yet IthankGod I do not break out in discontentedways to the dishonor ofGod;Ikeepitin,althoughIhavemuchadowithmyownheart.'Oh,donotsatisfyyourselveswiththat,forthedisordersofyourhearts,andtheirsinfulworkingsareaswordsbeforeGod. 'Mysoul,besilenttoGod':wespokeof that in thebeginningof theexpoundingof thisScripture. It isnot enough for your tongue to be silent; but your soulmust be silent.There may be a sullen discontentedness of heart as well as adiscontentedness manifested in words, and if you do not mortify thatinwardsullenness,whenyouareafflictedalittlemore,itwillbreakforthatlast.

AndthustheLord,Ihope,hasmetwiththechiefreasoningsandpleaseforourdiscontentinourconditions.Ibeseechyou,inthenameofGod,consider these things, and because they concern your own hearts, youmaysomuchthebetterrememberthem.Ihadthought tohavemadealittlebeginning to thenexthead,which is, Somewayof helping you tothisgraceofcontentment.Itisamostexcellentgrace,ofadmirableuse,asyouhaveheard,andthecontraryisverysinfulandvile.

HowtoAttainContentment

NowwearecomingtothecloseofthispointofcontentmentwhichJesusChristteachesthosewhoareinhisschool.Wehaveopenedthepointtoyou,andshowedyouwhereintheart,andskill,andmysteryofChristiancontentmentlies,andmanythingsinthewayofapplication,rebukingthewantofit.Inthelastchapter,Ifinishedthatpointofshowingthevariousreasoningsofamurmuringanddiscontentedheart.Ishallnow,beingdesiroustomakeanend,leavewhatwassaid,andproceedtowhatremains.Thereareonlythesetwothings,forworkingyourheartstothisgraceofChristiancontentment:

1.TOPROPOUNDSEVERALCONSIDERATIONSFORCONTENTINGTHEHEARTINANYAFFLICTEDCONDITION.

2 . TO PROPOUNDDIRECTIONS,WHAT SHOULDBEDONEFORWORKINGOURHEARTSTOTHIS.

1.CONSIDERATIONSTOCONTENTTHEHEARTINANYAFFLICTEDCONDITION.

1.Weshouldconsider,inallourwantsandinclinationstodiscontent,thegreatnessofthemerciesthatwehave,andthemeannessofthethingswelack.Thethingswelack,ifwearegodly,arethingsofverysmallmomentincomparisontothethingswehave,andthethingswehavearethingsofverygreatmoment.For themostpart, the things for thewantofwhichpeoplearediscontentedandmurmuraresuchthingsasreprobateshave,or may have. Why should you be troubled so much for the want ofsomethingwhichamanorwomanmayhaveandyetbeareprobate?as,thatyourwealthisnotsogreat,yourhealthnotsoperfect,yourcreditnotsomuch;youmayhaveallthosethingsandstillbeareprobate!Nowwillyoubediscontented forwhata reprobatemayhave? Iwill giveyou theexample of a couple of godly men, meeting together, Anthony andDidymus:Didymuswasblind,andyetamanofveryexcellentgiftsandgraces:Anthonyaskedhimifhewasnottroubledathiswantofsight.Heconfessedhewas, 'But', he said, 'should yoube troubledat thewantofwhatfliesanddogshave,andnotratherrejoiceandbethankfulthatyouhavewhatangelshave?'Godhasgivenyouthosegoodthingsthatmakeangels glorious; is not that enough for you, though you lackwhat a flyhas?AndsoaChristianshouldreasonthecasewithhimself:whatamIdiscontented for? I am discontented forwant ofwhat a dogmay have,what a devil may have, what a reprobate may have; shall I bediscontented for not having that, when God has givenme whatmakesangelsglorious?'BlessedbeGod,'saystheApostleinEphesians1:3,'whohathblesseduswithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlyplaces.'Itmaybeyouhavenotsuchgreatblessingsinearthlyplacesassomeothershave,but if theLordhas blessed you inheavenly places, that shouldcontentyou. There are blessings in heaven, and he has set you here for thepresent, as itwere inheaven, in aheavenlyplace.The considerationofthegreatnessofthemerciesthatwehave,andthelittlenessofthethings

that God has denied us, is a very powerful consideration to work thisgraceofcontentment.

2. The consideration that God is beforehand with us with his merciesshouldcontentus.Ispokeofthisasanaggravationofourdiscontent,butnowIshalluseitasaconsiderationtohelpustocontentment.Youlackmany comforts now, but has not God been beforehand with youheretofore?Oh,youhavehadmercyenoughalreadytomakeyouspendall the strengthyouhaveand timeyoushall live, toblessGod forwhatyouhavehadalready.Irememberreadingofagoodmanwhohadlivedto fifty years of age and enjoyed his health for eight and forty yearsexceedinglywell,andlivedinprosperity,butthelasttwoyearshisbodywas exceedinglydiseased, hehad the strangury, andwas in great pain.But he reasoned the casewith himself thus: 'Oh, Lord, youmight havemade allmy life a life of torment and pain, but you have leftme haveeightandfortyyearsinhealth.IwillpraiseyourmerciesforwhatIhavehad, and will praise your justice for what now I feel.' Oh, it is a goodconsiderationforus,tothinkthatGodisbeforehandwithus,inthewayofmercy.SupposeGodshouldnowtakeawayyourwealthfromsomeofyou who have lived comfortably a great while; you will say, 'Thataggravatesourmisery, thatwehavehadwealth.'But it is throughyourunthankfulnessthatitdoesso.

We should blessGod forwhatwe have had, and not think thatwe areworsebecausewehavehad thusand thus.Wemight alwayshavebeenmiserablewhohasnoothergreataggravationofhismisery,butthatoncehewashappy.Ifthereisnothingelsetomakeyoumiserable,thenthatisnoaggravationthatyoumaynotbear,forthereismuchmercyinthatyouhaditonce.Thereforeletthatcontentyou.

3.TheconsiderationoftheabundanceofmerciesthatGodbestowsandwe enjoy. It is a saying of Luther: 'The sea of God's mercies shouldswallowupallourparticularafflictions.'Nameanyafflictionthatisuponyou:thereisaseaofmercytoswallowIup.Ifyoupourapailfulofwateronthefloorofyourhouse,itmakeagreatshow,butifyouthrowitintothesea,thereisnosignofit.So,afflictionsconsideredinthemselves,wethink are very great, but let them be considered with the sea of god'smercies we enjoy, and then they are not somuch, they are nothing in

comparison.

4. Consider the way of God towards all creatures. God carries on allcreatures in a vicissitude of several conditions: thus, we do not alwayshavesummer,butwintersucceedssummer;wedonotalwayshaveday,butdayandnight;wedonotalwayshavefairweather,butfairandfoul;thevegetativecreaturesdonotalwaysflourish,butthesapisintherootandtheyseemtobedead.Thereisavicissitudeofallthingsintheworld:thesundoesnotshinealwaysonushere,butdarknesscomesafterlight.NowseeingGodhassoorderedthingswithallcreatures, thatthere isamixtureofconditions,whyshouldbethingitmuchthatthereshouldbeavicissitudeofconditionswithus,sometimes inawayofprosperity,andsometimesinawayofaffliction?

5.Thecreaturessufferforus;whyshouldnotwebewillingtosuffer, tobeserviceabletoGod?Godsubjectsothercreatures, theyarefaintolosetheirlivesforus,tolosewhateverbeautyandexcellencetheyhave, tobeserviceable tous;whyshouldnotwebewilling topartwithanything in service for God? Certainly, there is not as great a distancebetweenothercreaturesandmankind,asthereisbetweenmankindandGod.Thisisanexpressionofthemartyr,MasterHooper,whichwereadof in the Book ofMartyrs: in laboring to work his own heart, and thehearts of others to contentedness in themidst of his sufferings, he hasthiscomparison,andyoumaybeputinmindofiteveryday:hesaid, 'Ilookuponthecreatureandseewhat itsufferstobeuseful tome.Thus,thebrutebeastsmustdie,mustberoasted in the fire,andboiled,mustcome on to the plate, be hacked all in pieces, must be chewed in themouth, and in the stomach turned to that which is loathsome, if oneshouldbeholdit;andalltonourishme,tobeusefultomybody,andshallnot I bewilling to bemade anything forGod, for his service?What anabundanceofalterationsthecreatureundergoestobemadeusefultome,topreserveme!Then,ifGodwilldosowithmeforhisuse,ashesubjectsthecreaturestomeformyuse,whyshouldInotresetcontented?IfGodwilltakeawaymywealth,andmakemepoor,ifGodwilltakeawaylife,hackme to pieces, put me in prison-whatever he does, yet I shall notsuffer more for God than the creature does for me. And surely I aminfinitelymoreboundtoGodthanthecreatureistome,andthereisnot

somuchdistancebetweenmeandthecreature,asbetweenmeandGod!'Such considerations as these wrought the heart of that martyr tocontentednessinhissufferings.Andeverytimethecreatureisuponyourplates youmay think,What!doesGodmake the creature suffer formyuse,notonlyformynourishment,butformydelight?whatamI,then,inrespectoftheinfiniteGod?

6.Considerthatwehavebutalittletimeinthisworld.Ifyouaregodlyyouwillnever suffer except in thisworld.Why,dobut shut youreyes and soon another life is come, as that martyr said to his fellowmartyr, 'Do but shut your eyes', he said, 'and the next time they areopened you shall be in another world.' When he was banished,Athanasius said, 'It is but a little cloud and it will be over,notwithstanding, soon.'Theseafflictionsarebut foramoment.Whenasailorisatseahedoesnotthinkitmuchifastormarises,especiallyifhecan see the Heavens clear beyond it; he says, 'It will be over soon.'Consider,wehavenotlongtolive,itmaybeoverbeforeourdaysareatan end. But supposing it should not, death will put an end to all, allafflictionsandtroubleswillsoonbeatanendbydeath.

7.Consider the condition thatothershave been in,whohavebeenourbetters.Wemadesomeuseofthisbeforetoshowtheevilofdiscontent.

But, further, it is a mighty argument to work on our hearts acontentednessinanycondition.Youmanytimesconsiderwhoareaboveyou;butconsiderwhoareunderyou.

Jacob,whowastheheirofbothAbrahamandIsaac,fortheblessingwasonhimandthepromiseraninhim,yetwasinapoor,meancondition.

Abraham,hisgrandfather,wasable tomake a kindof armyofhis ownhousehold,threehundred,tofightwithaking,yetJacobhisgrandchildgoesoverJordanwithastaff,andlivesinaverypoorandmeanconditionforalongtime.MosesmighthavehadallthetreasureinEgypt,andsomehistorians say of him, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him for her son,becausePharaohhadnoheirforthecrown,andsohewaslikelytohavecometothecrown.Yetwhatalowconditionhelivedin,whenhewentto

livewithJethrohisfather-in-lawfortyyearsonend!AfterwardswhenhereturnedtoEgypt,withhiswifeandchildren,andallthathehad,hehadonlyonebeasttocarryhim;hewentbacktoEgyptfromhisfather-in-lawinameancondition.

AndweknowhowElijahwasfedwithravens,andhowhehadtoshiftforhislifefromtimetotime,andrunintothewildernessupanddown;andsodidElisha:hewasmanytimesinalowcondition;theprophetsofGodwerehidinacavebyObadiah,andtherefedwithbreadandwater;andtheprophetJeremiahputintoadungeon,andoh,howhewasused!AnditwouldbeendlesstonametheparticularsofthegreatsufferingsofthepeopleofGod.

Informertime,wehavesometimesmadeuseof thisargument inotherways:thegreatinstrumentsofGodinthefirstReformationlivedingreatstraits,inaverylowcondition.EvenLutherhimself,whenhewasabouttodie,thoughhewasamanofsuchpublicuse,andwasagreatmaninthe courts of princes, said, 'Lord, I have neither house nor lands, norestate,toleaveanythingtowifeorchildren,butIcommitthemtothee.'AndsoMusculuswhowasaverychoice instrumentofGod inhis time,thoughhewasamanwhowasworthevenakingdomfortheexcellenceofhis spirit, and learning, for hewas one of themost learnedmen of histime,yetsometimeswasforcedtodiginthecommonditchtogetbreadforhisfamily.Whatwouldwedo,ifwewereinsuchaconditionasthesemenwere? But, above all, set Christ before us, who professes that thebirdsoftheairhadnests,andthefoxeshadholes,yettheSonofmanhadno place to hide his head, such a low condition was he in. Theconsiderationof such thingsas these isveryuseful. It is likewiseusefulformenandwomenofwealthtogotopoorpeople'shousesandseehowtheylive,togotohospitals,andtoseethewoundsofsoldiersandothers,andtoseethelamentableconditionthatpeopleliveinwholiveinsomealms-houses,andwhatpoorfaretheyhave,andwhatstraitstheyareputto.Youhearsometimesofthem,butifyouwenttoseethemitwouldnotonlystirupcharityinyourselvestowardsthem,butstirupthankfulnessin your hearts towards God, it would be a special means to help youagainst any discontent. Youwould go away and see cause to blessGodandsay, 'If Iwere in sucha conditionas theyare inwhat should Ido?

HowcouldIbearit?AndyetwhatreasonistherethatGodsoordersanddisposesofthingsthattheyshouldbesolowintheirconditionsandIsohigh?Iknownoreasonbutfreegrace:Godwillhavemercyuponwhomhewillhavemercy.'Thesearegoodconsiderationsforthefurtheranceofcontentment.

8. Before your conversion, before God wrought upon yoursouls,youwerecontentedwiththeworldwithoutgrace,thoughyouhadnointerestinGodnorChrist;whycannotyounowbecontentedwithgraceandspiritualthingswithouttheworld?Ifyouyourselveswerecontent with the world without grace, there is reason you should becontentwith gracewithout theworld.Certainly there is infinitelymorereason.Youseethatmanymenoftheworldhaveakindofcontentment;they do not murmur or repine with the world, though they have nointerest inGodandChrist.Thencannotyouhaveasmuchcontentmentwith God and Christ, without the world, as they can, with the world,withoutGodandChrist?Itisaninfiniteshamethatthisshouldbeso.

9.Yea, consider,whenGodhas given you such contentmentsyouhavenotgivenhimtheglory.WhenGodhasletyouhaveyourheart'sdesire,whathaveyoudonewithyourheart'sdesire?Youhavenotbeen any the better for it; itmay be you have beenworsemany times.Therefore let that satisfy you-I meet with crosses, but when I hadcontentmentandallthingscomingin,Godgotbutlittleornogloryfromme,andthereforeletthatbeameansnowtoquietmeinmydiscontentedthoughts.

10. Finally, consider all the experience that you have had ofGod's doing good to you in thewant ofmany comforts.WhenGodcrossesyou,haveyouneverhadexperienceofabundanceofgoodinafflictions? It is true, whenministers only tellmen that Godwill workgoodoutoftheirafflictions,theyhearthemspeak,andthinktheyspeaklikegoodmen,buttheyfeellittleornogood;theyfeelnothingbutpain.ButwhenwecannotonlysaytoyouthatGodhassaidhewillworkgoodout of your afflictions, butwe can say to you, that you yourselves havefound it so by experience, that God has made former afflictions to begreatbenefitstoyou,andthatyouwouldnothavebeenwithoutthem,orwithout the good that cameby them for aworld, such experienceswill

exceedinglyquiettheheartandbringittocontentment.Thereforethinkthuswithyourself:Lord,whymaynotthisafflictionworkasgreatagooduponme as afflictions have done before? Perhaps youmay findmanyother considerations, besides, in your own meditations; these are theprincipalonesthatIhavethoughtof.

Iwilladdonlyonewordtothis,ofonewhooncewasagreatmerchantand trader-his name was Zeno-and it happened once that he sufferedshipwreck,andhesaid, 'Inevermadeabetter voyageand sailedbetterthanatthetimethatIsufferedshipwreck.'Nowthiswasastrangesayingthathehadnevermadeabettervoyage!Itwouldbeastrangeparadoxtoyou who are seamen, to say that it is a good voyage, when you suffershipwreck.

But hemeant because he got somuch good by it; God was pleased toblessitsofartohimthathegainedmuchtohissoulbyit,somuchsoul-richesthathemadeaccountthatitwasthebestvoyagethateverhehad.Truly,sometimesitisso,yes,toyouwhoaregodly;Imakenoquestionbutyoufinditso,thatyourworstvoyageshaveprovedyourbest.Whenyouhavemetwiththegreatestcrossesinavoyage,Godhasbeenpleasedto turn themtoagreatergoodtoyou, insomeotherway. It is true,wemay desire crosses that they may be turned to other advantages; butwhen God in his providence so orders things, that youmeet with badvoyages,youmayexpectthatGodwillturnthemtoagreatergood,andIdo not doubt but that those who have been exercised in the ways ofgodliness any long time have abundant experiences, which they havegainedbythem.

You know sometimes it is better to be in a little ship, for they have anadvantageovergreateronesinstormsmanytimes:inastormalittleshipcan thrust into a shallow place and so be safe, but your great shipscannot, theymustbeabroadand tossedupanddown in thestormandtempest, and somany times split against the rocks. And so, itmay be,Godsees there isastormcoming,and ifyouare inyourgreatshipyoumaybesplituponrocksandlands.God,therefore,putsyouintoasmallervessel that youmay bemore safe.We will lay aside speaking of thoseconsiderations now, but I would not have you lay them aside, and putthemoutofyourthoughts,butlabor(thoseespeciallythatmostconcern

you) to make use of them in a needful time, when you find anydiscontentednessofspiritarisinginyou.

The main thing that I intend by way of appliance, is to propounddirections,whattodoforhelpingourheartstocontentment.For,asforany further considerations, we have already spoken largely of them,becausewehaveopenedmostthingsinshowingwhatthelessonsarethatChristteachesmen,whenhebringsthemintohisschool,toteachthemthisart. I say,wehave spoken thereof the special things thataremostconsiderableforhelpingustothisgraceofcontentment.Therefore,now,all that I shall further do about this point, will be the giving of somedirections,whatcoursetotakethatwemaycometoattainthisgraceofcontentment.

1.Alltherulesandhelpsintheworldwilldouslittlegoodunlesswegetagoodtemperwithinourhearts.Youcannevermakeashipgosteady,bypropping it outside; youknow theremustbeballastwithin the ship, tomakeitgosteady.Andso,thereisnothingoutsideusthatcankeepourheartsinasteady,constantway,butwhatiswithinus:graceiswithinthesoul,anditwilldothis.

2.Ifyouwouldgetacontentedlife,donotgrasptoomuchoftheworld,donottakeinmoreofthebusinessoftheworldthanGodcallsyouto.Donot be greedy of taking in a great deal of theworld, for if aman goesamong thorns, when he may take a simpler way, he has no reason tocomplain thathe isprickedwith them.You go among thorns-is it yourway?Mustyouofnecessitygoamongthem?ThenitIanothermatter.Butif youvoluntarily choose thatway,whenyoumaygoanother, thenyouhavenocausetocomplain.Ifmenandwomenwillthrustthemselvesonthingsoftheworldwhichtheydonotneed,thenowonderthattheyareprickedandmeetwithwhatdisturbsthem.Forsuchis thenatureofallthingshere in thisworld, that everythinghas someprickorother in it.Wewillmeet with disappointments and discontentments in everythingwemeddlewith,and therefore thosewhohave least todo in theworld,thatis,unlessGodcallsthemtoit(wemustputinthat),arelikelytomeetwithmanythingsthatwilldissatisfythem.

3.Be sureof your call to everybusiness you go about.Though it is the

least business, be sureof your call to it; then,whatever youmeetwith,youmayquietyourheartwiththis:IknowIamwhereGodwouldhaveme.

Nothing in theworldwillquiet theheart somuchas this:when Imeetwithanycross,IknowIamwhereGodwouldhaveme,inmyplaceandcalling;IamabouttheworkthatGodhassetme.Oh,thiswillquietandcontentyouwhenyoumeetwithtrouble.WhatGodcallsamanto,inthathemayhavecomfortwhateverbefallshim.Godwilllooktoyou,andseeyoublessedifyouareintheworkGodcallsyouto.

4.WhathasjustbeensaidisespeciallytrueifIadd:ThatIwalkbyruleinthework that Iamcalled to. Iamcalled tosuchabusiness,but ImustmanagethisworkthatIamcalledtobyrule.ImustwalkbytheWord,ordermyselfinthisbusinessaccordingtoGod'smindasfarasIamable.

Nowaddthistotheother,andthenthequietandpeaceofthesoulmaybemadeevenperfectinaway.WhenIknowthatIhavenotputmyselfonthework,butGodhascalledmetoit,andIwalkbytheruleoftheWordinit,then,whatevermaycome,Godwill takecareofmethere.Itwasasaying of a heathen: 'If you will subject all things to yourself, subjectyourselftoreasonandbythatyouwillmakeallthingstobeunderyou.'Imayaddalittlemoretoit:ifyouwillsubjectallthingsunderyou,subjectyourselftoGod,andthen,thetruthis,allthingsareunderyou.

Ithasbeenasmanytimeswehavehinted:thereasonwhymanyofourgentryhavebeensomalignantamongusis,becausetheyarewillingtobeslavesthemselvesundersomeabovethematCourt,sothattheymaykeeptheir neighbors under, to be slaves to them, for, you know, any manbeforewhowasgreatatCourt,couldcrushanycountrymanwithwhomhewasangry.Iftherewereanarbitrarygovernment,thenallthosewhowould be willing to be vassals and slaves to the Prince couldmake allothers vassals and slaves under them.Nowbewilling to be a vassal toGod,tobeabsolutelyunderGod'scommand,andthen,Isay,allthingsintheworldareunderyou.'Allthingsareyours,'saystheApostle,'lifeanddeath,everythingisyours,andyouareChrist's,andChristisGod's.'Allthings in the world are serviceable to that man or woman who isserviceable to God. It is a mighty commendation of God's service: be

willingtobeserviceabletoGodyourselfandGodmakesallthingsintheworld your servants, for so they are. You will say, 'How are they myservants? I cannotcommand them.'Theyare servants in this, thatGodorders themall towork for your good. There is nothing theworld but,saysGod,itshallworkforyourgood,andbeserviceabletoyou,ifyouwillbe serviceable to me.' Who would not be now God's servant? SubjectyourselftoGod,andallthingsshallbesubjectedtoyou.

So long aswe keepwithin our bounds,we are under protection, but ifoncewebreakourbounds,wemustexpectittobewithusasitiswiththedeerinthepark:whilethedeerkeepwithinthepale,nodogscomeafterthem,andtheycanfeedquietly,butletthedeergetoutsidethepale,andthen every dog in the country will be hunting after them. So it is withmen: let men and women keep within the bounds of the command ofGod, of the rule thatGodhas set them in hisWord, and then they areprotected byGod, and theymay go about their business in peace, andnever be troubled for anything, but cast all their care upon God. Godprovides for them. But if they go beyond the pale, if they pass theirbounds,thentheymayexpecttomeetwithtroubles,andafflictions,anddiscontent.Andthereforethatisafourthdirection:walkbyrule.

5.Exercisemuchfaith;thatisthewayforcontentedness.Afteryouhavedonewithall the considerations that reasonmay suggest to you, if youfind that thesedonotdo it,Oh, then,call for thegraceof faith.Amanmaygoveryfarwiththeuseofreasonalonetohelphimtocontentment,butwhenreasonisatanonplus,thensetfaithatwork.Itwasasayingofthe reverend divine,Master Perkins, whomGodmade so useful in histime: 'The life of faith', he said, 'is a true life, indeed the only life.'Exercise faith, not only in the promise that all shall work together forgoodtothemthatfearGod,butlikewiseexercisefaithinGodhimself;aswellasinhisWord,intheattributesofGod.ItwasasayingofSocrates,aheathen:'SinceGodissocarefulforyou,whatneedyoubecarefulforanythingyourselves?'-itwasastrangesayingforaheathen.

Oh,Christian,ifyouhaveanyfaith, inthetimeofextremitythinkthus:thisisthetimethatGodcallsfortheexerciseoffaith.Whatcanyoudowithyourfaith,ifyoucannotquietyourheartindiscontent.Therewasasaying of one Dionysius, who had been a king, and afterwards was

brought to such a low condition as to get his living by being aschoolmaster:someonecomesandaskshim,'WhathaveyougotbyyourphilosophyfromPlatoandothers?''WhathaveIgot,'hesays,'Ihavegotthis,thatthoughmyconditionischangedfromsohighaconditiontolow,yetIcanbecontent.'Sowhatdoyougetbybeingabeliever,aChristian?Whatcanyoudobyyourfaith?Icandothis:IcaninallstatescastmycareuponGod,castmyburdenuponGod,IcancommitmywaytoGodinpeace:faithcandothis.

Therefore,whenreasoncangonohigher,letfaithgetontheshouldersofreasonandsay, 'I see land though reasoncannot see it, I seegood thatwillcomeoutofallthisevil.'ExercisefaithbyoftenresigningyourselftoGod, by giving yourself up to God and his ways. The more you in abelievingwaysurrenderupyourselftoGod,themorequietandpeaceyouwillhave.

6.Labor tobespirituallyminded.That is,beoften inmeditationof thethingsthatareabove.'IfweberisenwithChrist,'saytheScriptures, 'letus seek the things that are above,whereChrist is, that sits at the righthandofGod.' Bemuch in spiritual thoughts, in conversingwith thingsabove.

ManyChristianswhohavean interest in the thingsofHeavenconversebutverylittlewiththem;theirmeditationsarenotmuchuponheavenlythings.

SomegivethisasthereasonwhyAdamdidnotseehisnakedness, theythink that he had so much converse with God and with things abovesense, that he did not somuchmind or think of what nakedness was.WhetherthatweresoornotIwillnotsay,butthisIsay,andamcertainof,thereasonwhywearesotroubledwithournakedness,withanywantsthat we have, is because we converse so little with God, so little withspiritual things;conversingwithspiritual thingswould liftusabove thethingsoftheworld.

Thosewhoarebittenorstruckbyasnake,itisbecausetheytreadontheground; if they could be lifted up above the earth they neednever fearbeing stung by the snakes which are crawling underneath. So I may

compare the sinful distemper of murmuring, and the temptations andevilsthatcomefromthat,tosnakesthatcrawlupanddownbelow;butifwe could get higher we should not be stung by them. A heavenlyconversationisthewaytocontentment.

7.Donotpromiseyourselvestoomuchbeforehand;donotreckonontoogreatthings.Itisgoodforustotakeholdverylow,andnotthinktopitchtoohigh.Donotsoartoohighinyourthoughtsbeforehand,tothink,Oh,ifIhadthisandthis,andimaginegreatmatterstoyourselves;butbeasgoodJacob:youknowhewasamanwholivedaverycontentedlifeinameancondition,andhesaid, 'Lord, ifImaybuthaveclothestoputon,andmeattoeat.'Helookednohigher,hewascontentwiththat.Soifwewouldnot pitch our thoughtshigh, and think thatwemighthavewhatothershave, somuchand somuch,wewouldnotbe troubled somuchwhenwemeetwithdisappointments.SoPaulsays, 'Ifwehavebutmeatanddrinkandclothing,letustherewithbecontent.'Hedidnotsoartoohigh aloft. Those who look at high things in the world meet withdisappointments,andsotheycometobediscontented.Beashighasyouwillinspiritualmeditations;Godgiveslibertytheretoanyoneofyoutobe ashigh as youwill, above angels.But, for your outward estate,Godwouldnothaveyouaimathighthings; 'Seekestthougreatthings?'saidtheLordtoBaruch,'seekthemnot'(

Jeremiah 45:5), you shall have your life for a prey. In these timesespecially,itwouldbeaverygreatevilforanyonetoaimatgreatthings;seekthemnot,bewillingtotakeholdlow,andtocreeplow,andifGodraises you, you will have cause to bless him, but if you should not beraised,therewouldnotbemuchtrouble.Onewhocreepslowcannotfallfar,butitisthosewhoareonhighwhosefallbruisesthemmost.Thatisagood rule: do not promise yourselves great things, neither aim at anygreatthingsintheworld.

8.Labortogetyourheartsmortifiedtotheworld,deadtotheworld.Wemustnotcontentourselvesthatwehavegottensomereasoningaboutthevanity of the creature, and such things as these, but wemust exercisemortification, and be crucified to the world. Paul said, 'I die daily', weshoulddiedaily to theworld.Wearebaptized into thedeathofChrist,thatistosignifythatwehavetakensuchaprofessionastoprofesstobe

evenasdeadmentotheworld.Nownocrossesthatfalloutintheworldtrouble those who are dead; if our hearts were dead to the world weshould not be much troubled with the changes of the world, nor thetossingsaboutofworldly things. It is verynoteworthy in those soldierswho came tobreak thebones ofChrist, that theybroke the legs of onewho was crucified with him, and of the other, but when they came toChrist,theyfoundhewasdead,andsotheydidnotbreakhislegs;therewasaprovidence in it, to fulfill a prophecy, but because they foundhewasdead,theydidnotbreakhisbones.Letafflictionsandtroublesfindyou with a mortified heart to the world, and they will not break yourbones;thosewhosebonesarebrokenbycrossesandafflictionsarethosewho are alive to the world, but are not dead to the world. But noafflictions or troubles will break the bones of one who has amortifiedheartandisdeadtotheworld; that is, theywillnotbeverygrievousorpainfultosuchaoneasismortifiedtotheworld.This,Ifear,isamysteryandriddletomany,foronetobedeadtotheworld,tobemortifiedtotheworld. Now it is notmywork to open to youwhatmortification is, ordeathtotheworldis,butonlywhat it istohaveourheartssotakenofffromthethingsoftheworld,asthatweusethemasifweusedthemnot,not accounting that our lives, our comforts, our happiness consist inthesethings.Thethingsinwhichourhappinessconsistsareofadifferentkind,andwemaybehappywithoutthese:this isakindofdeadnesstotheworld.

9.Letnotmenandwomenporetoomuchupontheirafflictions:thatis,busytheirthoughtstoomuchtolookdownintotheirafflictions.Youfindmanypeople,allofwhosethoughtsaretakenupaboutwhattheircrossesandafflictionsare,theyarealtogetherthinkingandspeakingofthem.itisjustwiththemaswithachildwhohasasore:hisfingerisalwaysonthesore; so men's and women's thoughts are always on their afflictions.Whentheyawakeinthenighttheirthoughtsareontheirafflictions,andwhentheyconversewithothers-itmaybeevenwhentheyareprayingtoGod-theyare thinkingof their afflictions.Oh,nomarvel that you liveadiscontented life, if your thoughts are always poring over such things.Youshouldratherlabortohaveyourthoughtsonthosethingsthatmaycomfortyou.Therearemanywho,ifyoupropoundanyruletothemtodothemgood,willtakeitwellwhiletheyarewithyou,andthankyouforit,

butwhentheyaregonetheysoonforgetit.ItisverynoteworthyofJacob,thatwhenhiswifediedinchild-birth,shecalledthechildBen-oni, thatis,asonofsorrows;butJacobthoughtwithhimself,IfIshouldcallthischildBen-oni,everytimethatInamehimitwillputmeinmindof thedeathofmydearwife,andofthataffliction,andthatwillbeacontinuedafflictiontome,thereforeIwillnothavemychildhavethatname,andsothe text says that Jacob calledhisnameBenjamin, the son ofmy righthand.Nowthisistoshowusthusmuch,thatwhenafflictionsbefallusweshouldnotgiveway tohavingour thoughts continuallyupon them,butrather upon those things thatmay stir up our thankfulness to God formercies.

ThereisacomparisonmadebyBasil,alearnedman:Itisinthiscaseaswithmenandwomenwhohavesoreeyes:nowitisnotgoodforthemtobealwayslookingintothefire,oratthebeamsofthesun.'No',hesays,'onewhohassoreeyesmustgetthingsthataresuitabletohim,andsuchobjectsasarefit foronewithsuchweakeyes.'Therefore theygetgreencolors,asbeingamoreeasycolorandbetterforweakeyes,andtheyhanggreensarsenetbeforetheireyesbecauseitismoresuitabletothem.Itistheverysamewithweakspirits.Amanorwomanwhohasaweakspiritmust not be looking into the fire of their afflictions, upon those thingsthatdeject,thatcastthemdown,buttheyoughttobelookingratheronthatwhichmay be suitable for healing and helping them; they shouldconsider those things rather than the other. Itwill be of very great useand benefit to you, if you lay it to heart, not to be poring always onafflictions,butonmercies.

10. I beseech you to observe this, though you should forgetmanyoftheothers:MakeagoodinterpretationofGod'swaystowardsyou.IfanygoodinterpretationcanbemadeofGod'swaystowardsyou,make it.You think itmuch if youhave a friendwhoalwaysmakesbadinterpretationsofyourways towardshim;youwould take thatbadly. Ifyou should conversewith peoplewithwhom you cannot speak aword,buttheyarereadytomakeabadinterpretationofit,andtotakeitinanill sense, youwould think their company very tedious to you. It is verytedioustotheSpiritofGodwhenwemakesuchbadinterpretationsofhiswaystowardsus.WhenGoddealswithusotherwisethanwewouldhave

himdo, ifone senseworse thananother canbeputupon it,wewill besuretodoit.Thus,whenanafflictionbefallsyou,manygoodsensesmaybemadeofGod'sworkstowardsyou.Youshouldthinkthus: itmaybe,Godintendsonlytotrymebythis,itmaybe,Godsawmyheartwastoomuchseton the creature, and sohe intends to showmewhat is inmyheart,itmaybe,thatGodsawthatifmywealthdidcontinue,Ishouldfallintosin,thatthebettermypositionweretheworsemysoulwouldbe,itmaybe,Godintendedonlytoexercisesomegrace,itmaybe,Godintendstopreparemeforsomegreatworkwhichhehasforme:thusyoushouldreason.

Butwe,onthecontrary,makebadinterpretationsofGod'sthusdealingwithus,andsay,Goddoesnotmeanthis;surely,theLordmeansbythisto manifest his wrath and displeasure against me, and this is but afurtheranceoffurtherevilsthatheintendstowardme!Justastheydidinthewilderness:'Godhathbroughtushithertoslayus.'ThisistheworstinterpretationthatyoucanpossiblymakeofGod'sways;oh,whywillyoumaketheseworstinterpretations,whentheremaybebetter?In

1 Corinthians 13:5, when the Scripture speaks of love, it says, 'Lovethinkethnoevil.'Loveisofthatnaturethatifteninterpretationsmaybemadeofathing,nineofthembadandonegood,lovewilltakethatwhichis good and leave the other nine. And so, though ten interpretationsmightbepresentedtoyouconcerningGod'swaytowardsyou,andifbutone is goodandninebad, you should take thatonewhich is good, andleavetheothernine.

IbeseechyoutoconsiderthatGoddoesnotdealbyyouasyoudealwithhim.ShouldGodmaketheworstinterpretationofallyourwaystowardshim,asyoudoofhis towardsyou, itwouldbevery illwithyou.God ispleasedtomanifesthislovethustous,tomakethebestinterpretationsofwhatwedo,andthereforeGodputsasenseupontheactionofhispeoplethatonewouldthinkcouldhardlybe.Forexample,Godispleasedtocallthoseperfectwhohaveanyuprightnessofheart inthem,heaccounteththem perfect: 'Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect';uprightnessinGod'ssenseisperfection.Now,alas,whenwelookintoourownheartswecanscarceseeanygoodatallthere,andyetGodispleasedtomakesuchaninterpretationastosay,Itisperfect.Whenwelookinto

ourownhearts,we can seenothing but uncleanness;God calls youhissaints,hecalls themeanestChristianwhohasthe leastgraceunder thegreatestcorruptionhissaint.Yousaywecannotbesainthere,butyetIGod's esteem we are saints. You know the usual title the Holy Ghostgives, in several of the Epistles, to those who had any grace, anyuprightness, is, to the saints in such a place; you see what aninterpretation God puts upon them, they are saints to him. And so Imight name in many other particulars, how God makes the bestinterpretationofthings;ifthereisanabundanceofevilandalittlegood,Godratherpassesbytheevilandtakesnoticeofthegood.

Ihavesometimesmadeuseofaverynotableplace inPeter,concerningSarah:SarahhadaspeechtoherhusbandinGenesis18:12,shecalledherhusbandlord.Therewasonlythatonegoodword inabad,unbelievingspeech;butyetwhentheApostlementionsthatspeechin

1 Peter 3:6, the Holy Ghost leaves all the bad, and commends her forcallingherhusband'lord',forputtingareverenttitleuponherhusband.Thus how graciously God deals with us! If there is but one goodwordamongagreatmanyill,whataninterpretationGodmakes!Soshouldwedo,ifthereisonlyonegoodinterpretationthatwecanmakeofathingweshouldrathermakeuseofthegoodonethanthebad.Oh,mybrethren(IwouldIcouldnowspeakonlytosuchasaregodly),retaingoodthoughtsof God, take heed of judging God to be a hard master, make goodinterpretations of his ways, and that is a specialmeans to help you tocontentmentinallone'scourse.

11.Do not somuch regard the fancies of othermen, aswhatindeed you feel yourselves. For the reason of our discontentmentmany times is rather from the fanciesofothermen than fromwhatwefindwelackourselves.

Wethinkpovertytobesuchagreatevil-Why?becauseitissoesteemedbyothers,ratherthenthatpeoplefeelitsothemselves,unlesstheyareinanextremityofpoverty.Iwillgiveyouacleardemonstrationthatalmostall thediscontent in theworld is rather from the fanciesofothers thanfrom the evil that is on themselves. You may think your wealth to besmallandyouarethereupondiscontented,andit isagrievousaffliction

toyou;butifallmenintheworldwerepoorerthanyou,thenyouwouldnotbediscontented, thenyouwould rejoice in your estates thoughyouhadnot a pennymore than youhave. Take amanwho can get but histwelvepenceaday,andyouwillsay,Thisisbutapoorthingtomaintainafamily.Butsupposetherewerenomanintheworldthathadmorethanthis,yea,thatallothermenbutyourselveshadsomewhatlesswagesthanyou,thenyouwouldthinkyourconditionprettygood.Youwouldhavenomorethenthanyouhavenow;thereforeitappearsbythisthatitisratherfrom the fanciesofothermen thanwhatyou feel thatmakesyou thinkyour condition tobe so grievous, for if all themen in theworld lookedupon you as happy, more happy than themselves, then you would becontented. Oh, do not let your happiness depend upon the fancies ofothermen.ThereisasayingofChrysostomIrememberinthisverycase:'Letusnotmakethepeopleinthiscasetobeourlords;aswemustnotmakementobethelordsofourfaith,sonotthelordsofourcomforts.'That is, our comfort should not dependmore upon their imaginations,thanuponwhatwefeelinourselves.

Itmaybe,othersthinkyoutobeinanafflictedcondition,yea,butIthankGod, formyself I do not so apprehend it.Were it not for the disgrace,disregardandslightingsofothermen,myconditionwouldnotbesobadtomeasitisnow.Thisiswhatmakesmyconditionafflictive.

12.Benotinordinatelytakenupwiththecomfortsofthisworldwhen you have them.When you have them, do not take toomuchsatisfactioninthem.

It isacertainrule:however inordinateanymanorwoman is insorrowwhen a comfort is taken from them, so were they immoderate in theirrejoicinginthecomfortwhentheyhadit.Forinstance,Godtakesawayachild and you are inordinately sorrowful, beyondwhatGod allows in anaturalorChristianway;nowthoughIneverknewbeforehowyourheartwastowardsthechild,yetwhenIseethis,thoughyouareamerestrangerto me, I may without breach of charity conclude that your heart wasimmoderatelysetuponyourchildorhusband,oruponanyothercomfortthat I see you grieving forwhenGod has taken it away. If you hear illtidings about your estates, and your hearts are dejected immoderately,and you are in a discontentedmood because of such and such a cross,

certainlyyourheartswereimmoderatelysetupontheworld.So,likewise,foryourreputation, ifyouhearothersreport thisor that illofyou,andyouheartsaredejectedbecauseyouthinkyousufferinyourname,yourhearts were inordinately set upon your name and reputation. Now,therefore, the way for you not to be immoderate in your sorrow forafflictions is not to be immoderate in your love and delightswhen youhaveprosperity.

Thesearetheprincipaldirectionsforourhelp,thatwemaylivequietandcontentedlives.

Mybrethren,toconcludethispoint,ifIweretotellyouthatIcouldshowyouawaynever tobe inwantof anything, I donotdoubtbut thenweshould have much flocking to such a sermon, when a man shouldundertake tomanifest topeoplehow they shouldnever be inwant anymore.ButwhatIhavebeenpreachingtoyounowcomestoasmuch.Itcountervailsthis,andisineffectallone.Isitnotalmostallone,nevertobeinwant,ornevertobewithoutcontentment?Thatmanorwomanwhoisneverwithoutacontentedspirit,trulycanneverbesaidtowantmuch.Oh,theWordholdsforthawayfullofcomfortandpeacetothepeopleofGodeveninthisworld.Youmay livehappy lives in themidstofall thestorms and tempests in theworld. There is an ark that youmay comeinto, andnomen in theworldmay live such comfortable, cheerful andcontentedlivesasthesaintsofGod.Oh,thatwehadlearnedthislesson.

I have spentmany sermons over this lesson of contentment, but I amafraidthatyouwillbelongerinlearningitthanIhavebeenpreachingofit; it is a harder thing to learn it than it is to preach or speak of it. IrememberIhavereadofonemanreadingofthatplaceinthe

39thPsalm,'IwilltakeheedthatIoffendnotwithmytongue';hesaid,Ihave been these thirty-eight years learning this lesson and have notlearneditthoroughly.Thetruthis,therearemany,Iamafraid,whohavebeenprofessorsneareightandthirtyyears,whohavehardlylearnedthislesson.Itwouldbeagoodlesson,foryoungprofessorstobegintolearnthis early. But this lesson of Christian contentment is as hard, andperhapsyoumaybemanyyears learning it. Iamafraid therearesomeChristians who have not yet learned not to offend grossly with their

tongues.TheScripturesaysthatallaman'sreligionisinvainifhecannotbridle his tongue; therefore onewould think that those whomake anyprofession of godliness should quickly learn this lesson, such a lessonthat, unless learned, makes all their religion vain. But this lesson ofChristiancontentmentmaytakemoretimetolearn,andtherearemanywhoarelearningitallthedaysoftheirlivesandyetarenotproficient.

ButGodforbidthatitshouldbesaidofanyofusconcerningthislesson,astheApostlesaysofwidows,inTimothy,Thattheywereeverlearningand never came to the knowledge of the truth. Oh let us not be everlearningthis lessonofcontentmentandyetnotcometohaveskill in it.Youwouldthinkitmuchifyouhadbeenatseatwentyyears,andyethadattainedtonoskillinyourartofnavigation;youwillsay,Ihaveusedthesea twenty or thirty years and I hope I may know by this time whatconcernsthe sea.Oh, thatyouwouldbut say so in respectof theartofChristianity!WhenanythingisspokenconcerningthedutyofaChristian,Oh,thatChristianscouldbutsay,IhavebeenaChristiansolong,andIhopeIamnotwantinginathingthatissonecessaryforaChristian.HereisanecessarylessonforaChristian,thatPaulsaid,hehadlearnedinallestatetherewithtobecontent.

Oh,donotbecontentwithyourselvestillyouhavelearnedthislessonofChristian contentment, and have obtained some better skill in it thanbefore.

Now there is in the text another lesson,which is ahard lesson: 'I havelearned to abound.' That does not so nearly concern us at this time,because the times are afflictive times, and there is now, more thanordinarily,anuncertaintyinallthingsintheworld.Insuchtimesastheseare,therearefewwhohavesuchanabundancethattheyneedtobemuchtaughtinthatlesson.

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