The

ART

of

Contentment.
By
TftB
It

the Author of

Whole Duty
127. 3.

qf

Man,

Sec.

but
J

reft

lior.t ye hujie?i to rife up cv ^yya?id jo late taif lofi labor a7td eat thff^reaJ of carefubtcjs for fo he giveth his be* j

lo'ved Jleep. Pfal.

At

the

TH

T E

R.

in

O X F O R P^

M. DC. LXXV

Imprimatur,

VicC'CaiiGell. Oxon.
Ith. 34.

1675.

THE

PREFACE.
defire

of happinefs

h fo
^

coe/iential nith our

nature

fo intervroven

and incoiporatt
nothing but

with

it ,

that

the defolution of the whole frame can

e-xtinguijh it.

This runs thro the

whole race of mankind ^

and amidft
The
yet

the infinit variety of other inclinations

rnojl
,

preferves

its

felf entire.

various contradi^arji tempers do

The
^ef cevfpire in
rnnjl

Preface.
this^

and men of the

unequal fortunes^ are yet equal

vrijl-es

im

their

of being happy.

But
Is

thi6 concurrence a^ to the

end

not more univerfal then the difa-

greev:ent about the way.

Every vian
hut
vrherein

would have
that
confifls
,

happiricfs

or

how

it

to

he at-

tained ^ has bin very diverfly opined.

Incited the ultimate fupreme

happiin

nefsm^

it

is

originally inherent

God^ fo

it is vprapt

up in thofe clouds
as the Ffalmiji

anddarknefs^ which^
faies^ are
1 1
.

round about him

gleams

Ffal.

8.

And we
thofe

can fee nothing of it^ hut

in

and

raies
;

he

is

fleas' d to dart out upon us

fo that

all our efiimates as to our final felicity

^

mufl heimfur'd by thofe revela-

tions he has

made of it.
But

The

Preface.
think-,

But one would

happnefs
vrere as
,

our temporal
cis

much a myj^ery

cur eternal

to fee

what variety of
it.

blind purfuits are made after

One

man

thinks

lis
,

feated on the top pin-

nacle of honor

and

climbs till per-

haps he falls head-long.

thinks
it

Another

mineral^ that muji be

to

dig'd out of the earthy and toils

lade

himfelf with thick chy^Hab.l. 6.

and

at lajl finds a
trefure.

grave , whcr^ he

fought his
it

third fuppofes

confiHs in the variety of plefures^

and wearies
whicb

himfelf in that purfuit

only cloies

and

difappoints.

Tet every one of thefe can

leisures of the grofs mijlake

read you

and folly

of the other
ly

whiLl himfelf is equalan imaginary

deluded.

Thm

do men chafe

goody

The

Preface.

good^ till they meet with real evils;

herein exfofingthemfehes to the fame

Laban put upon Jacob ^ they ferve for Rachel, and are rewarded
cheat
vpith

Leah

court fancied beauty^

.

and

many loath' d deformity

felicities as tbefe

Suchdelufive

are the largeffes of

^

the Prince of the Air

who

once at-

temtedto have inveigled even Chrift

himfelf , Mat. 4.

But Gols

propcfals are

more fm"

cere: he knows howfandy^ hovp falfe

a foundation all

tbefe external

things

mufi make^and therefore warns us not

to build fo

much
them
,

as our prefent fatisfa-

iion upon

but fhews

ma
,

more

certain^

a more compendiotis way to

by tel-

acquire what we gafp after

ling

116

that as

Godlinefs in refpe^
this

of the next^ fo contentment for

world

The
world
is

Prefaced
i

is

great gain^

Tim. 6.

6.

h
of

indeed the
in

unum

neceffarium,/i>^
lines

one point

which all the

worldly happinefs are concentred^

to complete its excellence^
tis to

and had We

he

at

home

nay indeed only there*

need not ramble in wild purfuits after

it ^

we may form
that kpows

it

within our own

materials for

brea/is : no
it ,

man wants

but how to put them

together.

And
is

the direSiing

to

that skill

the only defign of the enfuing TraiJ;

which

coming upon fo kind an erleafl

rand^ may at

hope for an unprc'^

judic'd reception.

Contentment
affaire to ,

is

thing we allprofefs to
therefore
it

and

cannot be thought an un^

to

friendly
xntn to

office

endeauor to conduH
confide*

it.

How far the enfuing

The
fiderations

Preface.

may tend to
to the

muji

have

tnd ^ t judgment and exthat

^

perience of the Reader

only defiring

him^ that he will weigh them with

that ferioufnejs which befits a thing

wherein both his happinefs and duty

are concerned
:

for in this Qas in

ma-

ny other inflames^

God has fo

twi fl-

ed them together

that we cannot be

innocently miferable.
felicities

Theprefent in-

of our murmurs and impa-

tiencies

have an appendent guilt

to

which will confign us

Tjerfible Jlate

a more irrehere^

of

diffatisfaSlion

after.

THE

THE ART
O F

CONTENTMENT.
Sect.
tvpeen
I.

Ofthenecejfarj Connexion h'-

Happinefs and Con^

tentment.

OD

who

isefTentially hap-

py in himfelf, can receive no acceilion to his fdicity by the poor contributions of men# He cannot therefore be luppos'd to have

on

intuition of municating his happinefs.

increafing,

made them upbut com-

And this his origiftal

The Art of Gontentmenc.

is

ginal defign

very Vifible in

all

the parts

of

his

lapfed

Economy towards them. When man had counterplotted againft

himfelf ^ defeated the purpofe of the Divine goodnefs , * and plunged his whole nature mto the oppofite ftate of endlefs mifery ; he yet rcinforc'd his ftrfl: defign, and an expedient as full of wonder as mercy, the death of his Son, recovers him to his former capacity of bUfs. And that it might not only be a bare capacity, he has added all other methods proper to' work upon a rational creature. He has fliewed him his danger , fet before him in

Tophet, which he is advis*d to ftiun. On the other fide he has no lefs lively defcrib'd th heaveiily Jerufalem , the celeftial Country to which he is to alpire: nay farther has levell'd
perfpeftive that eternal

him not as he did the Ifraelites thro the wildernefs, thro intricate mazes to pazle his underftand* ing; thro a land of drought veheretn were fiery Serpents and Scorpio^j^^ Deut. 8. 15. to difcourage and affright liiia , but has in the Gofpel chalkt out a plain, a fafc, nay a pkfant path as much faperior both in the eafe of the way , and in the end ta
his road to it, leads

which

it

leads, as

heaven

is

to Canaan.
2.

Bt

Sect.

I.

Its

Connexionwith hapfinejs.

2. By doing this:, he has not only feeured our grand and ultimate happinefs, but provided for our intermedial alfo. Thoie ChriUian duties which are to carry us to heaven, are our refrefliment, our. viaticum in our journy, his yoke is not to gall and fret us, but an engine by which vv^e may with eafe ( and almolt infenfibly ) draw all the clogs and incumbrances of human life. For whether we take Chri-

ftianity in its

whole complex, or
,

in its

and diftinft branches tis certainmoft excellent, the moft compendious art of happy living: its very tasks are rewards and its precepts are nothing but a divine fort of Alchymy, to fublime at once our nature and our plefeveral

ly the

fures.

be evidenced in every particular of the Evangelical Law: but having formerly made fome attcmt towards it in another '^ trad, I fhall * ^ Decay of not here reaflume the whole lub- r''r,]iw t,. '^' jedl. 1 iliall only fingle out one particular precept, wherein happinefs is not (as in the others) only implied , and niuftbe catcht at the rebound byconfequence and evf nr 5 but is literally cxpreft, and is the very matter of the duty 5 I
3.
-

This may

meaa

The Art of Contentment.

the precept of acquiefcence and Happinefs and this true geContentment nuine Contentment, b^ing terms fo convertible, that to bid us be content , is but another phrafe for bidding us be happy. enjoiments , fuch as 4. arc plefurc , wealth, honor , and the reft, tho they make fpecious pretences to be the mcfure of human happinefs, are all of themjjftly discarded by the Philofopher in his Ethics, upon this one confideration, that coming from abroad they may be vrith-held or taken from us:and our tenure being precarious, we even for that reafon are unhappy in our moft defirable poffeffions, becaufe we ftill are liable to be io. And therefore he concludes 5 that felicity muft be placed in the mind and foul, which (lands without the reach of fortune and in the pradice of vertue, Avhich in its own nature , and not in its contingent
-,

mean

Temporal

ufe

is

truly

good

and therefore certainly

^renders the pofleflbrs fuch.

f . B tJ T this praftice being diffufed thro the whole extent of Moral duty , Efiietus thought he had deferred well of human nature, when he drew it up in two |l]ort words , to fuftain and ahUAin : that pto bear with conftancy adverfe events^

and

Sect.

I.

Its Connexion with Happinefs.

and with moderation enjoy thofc that are Which complexure of Phiprofperous.
lofophy
is

yet

more

fully

as well as

more

compendioufly expreft in the fingle no. tion of Contentment : which involves the patient bearing of all mifadventures, and generous contemt of fenfual iileftives. This ftate of mind the Greeks exprefs bycalHngit Mjnzipxetoc^ or felf-fufBciency, which, we know properly fpeaking, is one of the incommunicable attributes of the divine nature , and the Stoics cxprefly pretend that by it mortal men are enabled
,

to rival their Gods y in Seneca s Phrafe, to make a controverfy with Jupiter himfelf.

But abating the infolent blafphemy

of an independent felicity, Chriltianity acknowledges a material truth in the affertion: and St. P^/ declares ofhimfclf, that having learnt how to ''jvant and how U abound^ and in rvhatever ftate be happens
to be in
,

therevptth to he content

he

is

a^

lie to do all things throChriJl that fnength'^

ens him

4.11^ 12, 13- and havingno^ things topo^efs all thnJgs^ 2 Cor. 6. i o. 6 Which great event comes about, not only becaufe all good things are eminently in the divine nature, and he who by
,

Phil.

Vertue and Religion poffefies Him

there-

by

: ;

6
^1

The

Art of Contentment.

by in a full equivalence has every thing 5. but alfo upon human mefures, and the principles of Philofophy : the compendious addrefs to wealth , as Plato rightly oblerv'd, being not to encreafe pofTeffions, but leffen dcfires. And if fo, twill follow that the contented man muft be abundantly provided for, being fo entirely fatisfied
with what he has as to have no defires at all. Indeed tis truly faid of covetous rhen, and is equally verified of all who have any defire to gratify , that they want no lefs what they have, then what they have not but the reverfe of that Paradox is really made good by Contentment , which beftows on men the enjoiment of whatever they have , and alfo whatever they have not and by teaching to want nothing , abundantly /ecurcs not to want happineft. the other fide this one grace 7. being abfent , it is not in the power of any
,

On

luccefs or aiBuence to

rable thing.. Let

ly happinefs

all

a tolethe materials of earthlife

make

be amaft together and flung upon one man , they will without contentment be but like the fatal prize of Tirpeias treafon , who was preft to death with the weight of her booty. He that has the elements of felicity , and yet cannot form

them

Sect.

1.
.

Its Connexion
Ml
I

mtb
11
,

Hafplnefs.
I

j
*

l
l

.11

..

them into a

fatisfadlion

is

more defpe

rately miferable then he that wants them for he who wants them has yet fomthing

to hope for , and thinks if he had them he might be happy; but he who infignificantly poffefles them , has no refervc, has not fo much as the Flattery of an ex* pedation^ for he has nothing left to defire , and yet can be as little faid to enjoy. ^ E therefore that would have the 8. extradjthe quinteflence of happinefs^muft

feekit in Content. All

outward

acceffions

are but the drofs and earthy partrthis alone is the fpirit, which when tis once feparated, depends not upon the fate of the other but preferves its vigor when that is deftroi'd. St. ^aul whom I before mention'd, is a ready inftance of it , who profefles to

be content invphat ever [late ; Contentment being not fo infeparately link'd to external
things , but that they may fubfift apart. That thofe are often without it wc arc too fure , and that it may be without them is as cercainly true ^ tho by our own default
it.

we have not

fo

many examples of
eter,

A
,^

heart that rightly computes the

.difference

between temporals and

refolve with the Prophet

nals

may

A!th9

The Art of Contentment.

th$ the fig-tree Jljall not hUjfom ^ neither /hall fruit be in the vines y the labor ^f the
olive

Jhdl faiU and the

s

meat

fold 5 jet I will

the

fields Jhall yield 710 the flocks Jhall be cut off from the and there fioall be no herds the Rail s

I God of my Salvation, Hab.

rejoice in the Lord ^

will joy in
3,

17, 18,

need not much deplore any wane of the thing elfe nor can he that confidcrs the plenty and glory of his future ftate, be much dejeted v/ith the want or the abjednefs of bis prefent. ^4 Yet fo indulgent is God to our infirmities , that knowing how unapt our impatient natures are to walk only hy faith^ andnot at all by fight ^ 2 Cor. 5.7. he h pleas'd to give us fair antepafts of fatisfadtion here^ difpenfes his temporal bleffings tho not equally yet fo univer^ fally, that he tbat has ieaft , has enough to^ oblige not only his acquiefcence , but his thankfulnefs* Tho every man has not all lie wilhes, yet he has that which is more valuable then that he complains to want; nay which he himfelf could worle fpare Were it put to his option. 10. And now from luch a difpofure of thing who would not exped that man-, kind jQiDuId be the cheerfulleft part of the
that has
:

He

God

creation

Se c t

I.

Its Connexion with Hapfinefs.

:

creation

man

that the fim should not more rejoice to rtm his courje Pf'aL i5>. J. then

fhould to

finiili

his: that a jourjr/

which has lb bleffed an end , and fuch good accommodation by the way, fliould be paft with all imaginable olacrity ^ and that we fliould live here prafticers and learners of that itate of umiiix'd interminable joies to which weafpfre. Bat alas if we look upon the univerfaiity of
but other creatures gladiomiy folio w the order of their crea'^iion , take piefureinrhofe things God has adignd for
,

men

we

fliail

find

it

notliing

i^o

while

all

them
rel at

we with a lullLn perverlaefs

5

quar-

what we {hould enjoy, and in every thing make it our bull nets not to fie it for our ufe, but to find out (bmeconceled quality which may render it unfito look infidioufly upon our bleflings,

We
rel
,

like men that defign'd only to pick a quar-

and ftart a pretence for mutiningo From hence it is that man who was de figii'd the Lord of the world to whofe fatisfac3:ion all inferior beings were to contribute, is now the unhappieftof the nay as if the whole order of creatures the univerfe were inverted, he becomes
,
:

flaveto his

own vafTals ,
B'

courts all thefe;

lictk'

%o
little

The

Arc of Contentment.

fublunary things withfuch pailioni that if they prove coy and fly his embraces , he is mad and delperate : if they fling themfelves into his arms , he is then glut-

ted and fatisfied- like Amnon he hates more then he loved 2 S^m.i^.ij.audisficker of his poflTeflion, then he was of his defire. 10. And thus will it ever be till we can keep our defires more at home, and not fuffer them to ramble after things withoutour reach. That honeft Roman who from his extraordinary induftry upon his little fpot of ground received fuchanincreafe as brought him under fu(pi* cion of witchcraft , is a good example for us, God has placed none of us in fa barren a foil> in fo forlorn a ftate, but there is fomthing in it which may afford us comfort 5 let us husband that to the utmoftj and tis fcarce imaginable what improvements even he that appears the molt miferable may make of his condition. But if in a fullen humor we will not cultivate our own field , becaufe v/e have perhaps more mind to our neighbors, we may thank our feives if we ftarve. The defpifing of what God has already givenus, is fare but a cold invitation to farther bounty. Men are indeed forced fomtimes
to

Ss cT

I. Its

Connexion with Happinefs.

to reward the mutinous : but God is not to be fo attaqued, nor is it that lort of violence which can ever force heaven. The

Heathen could

fay that Jupiter fent his plagues amongft the poorer fort of men, becaufe they were alwaies repining : and indeed there is fo much of truth in the obfervation, that our impatience and difcontent at our prefent condition, is the greateft provocation to God to make it worfe, 1 1. It muft therefore be refolv'd to be

very contrary to our intereftj and furely tis no lefs to our duty. It is fo if we do but own our felves men, for in that is impli'd a fubordinationand fubmiffion to that power that made us fo 5 and to difpute his managery of the world, to make other diftributionsof it then he has don, is to renounce our fubjeiStion, and let up for dominion. But this is yet more intolerable as we are Chriftians, it being a fpe, cial part of the Evangelical difcipline
cherefully to

know how

to to be full andtobe'hungry^ Phil. /3^. it. to be careful for nothing ver. 6. Nay fo little do's

conform to any condition: to be abafed^ and how to abotmd 3

Chrill give countenance to ourpeevifh dif-

contents^OHr wanton out -cries when we are B z

The
li

Arc of Contentment.

arenorhiirt^that he requires more then a contencmentj an exultancy and tranfport oi: joy even under chchei;vij(l preflhres, under reproches and perfecations. Re-* joiceyein that day^ andltap for joy Luk. 6. And fure nothing can be more conxj.f.
trary to this, then to be alv/aies

whining

the Prophets ^Jif ale^ my karmefs my lemnefs^ wo u me, lik,. .2^, i6n ..vvlun perhaps Moles's fimile do's better fir our frate, Jefuriin waxed fat
\xi

and compiaiuing, crying

ii'M. kicked^ J^cu^.-ir.,

15.*:

12.

N,D.^s,-.this .querulous

humor

i^

^gainll our iiKerefl

sibly againft

^ad duty

foisit vicra-

our

cafe.

Tis a ficknefs of

fhemind,
yi](ig

a perpetual

gnawing and

lity

of the appetite without any poffibiof fatisfadlion and indeed is the fame
:

in the heart v/hich the Caniniis appetitus }s in the fromach , to v/hich we may aptly (enough apply that defcription we fiad ia

theProphetj^^ shall Jn ate h on the right hiind and be hungry ^ and he shall eat on the left and not. befatisfied^ Efay, 9. 20. Where this fharpj thij, fretting humor abounds
jQothing cpnypi^ts into nariihment ; every iTe\V acceiuou tla's but excite iome new defire y and a$ tis obferY'd of a trencher -fed dbg, that he ^a'ils not qna bit for the gree-

3 !

S E CT. L

Its Connexion

with Happinefs,

dy expedtation of the next ; fo a dircontented mind is fo intent upon his purfuits^ thathehasnorelifh of his acquells. So that hat the Prophet fpeaks of the Co.\

vetous, is equally appHable to all other forts of Male-contencs he inlarges his

:

dejires as

hdl^
'i

and is as death

^^

and cannot

And fure if the be Jatisfied Hab. 2. 5 defive accomplished be, as Solomon faies,
fweet to the foul Prov 13. 19. it mult be exceedingly bitter, to be thus condemned to endlefs unaccomphfhable defires J and yet this is the torture which every repining uncontented fpirit provides
^

for

its felf.

13.

men

a madnefs is it then for to be fo defpcratly bent againft their

What

inrereft

and duty,

as to

renounce even

their eafe too for

company? One would

think this age were fenfual enough to be at defiance with the lead fliadow of unea-r
finefs.
It is fo I

am

fure

where

it

ought

not , every thing is laborious when tis in compliance with their duty. A few minutes fpent in praier Oh what a wearinefs is it Mai. 2 13. If they chance but to mifs a
meal, they are ready to cry out, their knees are weak withfajiing. Pfa. lop. 23. yet they can without regret, or any felf-compaffion.

14
pallion
,

The Art of Contentment.

macerate and cruciate themfelves with anxious cares and vexations, and as the ApoAles fpeaks i Tim. 6. lo. pierce themjelves thro with many [arrows. That propofai therefore which was very raflily made by St. Peter to our Saviour , Majter fity thyjelj Mat. 1 6. 22, which we render be It far fromthee^woxAd, here be an advifed motion to the generality of man^ kind, who are commonly made unhap* pynot by any thing without them, buE
,

by thofe
14. I
office to

reftlefs

impatiencies

that are

within them,

T may therefore be

a feafonable

endeavor the appeafing thofe ftorms, by recalling them to thofe fober

rational confiderations
as well the folly
,

which may

flisw

5 asuneafinefsof this repining unfatisfiable humor. Tis certain that in true reafoning , we can find nothing whereon to found it, but a great deal to inforce the contrary. Indeed tis io much againft the did:ate of reafonable nature to affed: damage, fin, and torment , that were there nothing elfe to be faid but what I have already mentioned, it might Competently difcover the great unreafonablenefs of this fin. 15. But we need not confine our appeal

Se c T

I.

Its Connexion

with Happinefs,

it is only a judgof uand advantage ; but inlargeit to z* nother notion^ as it is judgof equity and right in which refpeft alfo it gives as cleer and peremtory a fentence againlt

peal to reafon, as
tility

all

murmuring and impatience. To evince

upon thefe particulars^ That God is debtor to no man, and I. thetefore what ever he affords to any it is upon bounty not of right, benevodue. %^y. lence not a That this bounty is not ftraight or narrow confin'd to fome few particular per Ibns> and wholly overthis I fliall infift
,
,

skipping the

butmoreorlefsuniverSo that he who has the leaft^cannot juftly fay but he has bin lireft,

fally diffufed to all.

j^y. That if we compare our bleflings with our allaies, our good things with our evil, we fhall find our good far furmounting. 4,17. That we fliall

berally dealt with.

find

them yet more fo, if we compare them with the good we have don , as oq the contrary we fliall find our afflidions

fcarce difcernible if balanced with our fins. 5^7. That as God is Rector of the univerfe, fo it appertains to him to make fuch allotments, fuch diftributions, as may beft prefcrve the ftate of the whole. 6^y. That God notwithftandii>g that uuivcrfal care ,
has

j6

The Art of contentment.

has alio a peculiar afpedt on every particular Perfon, and difpofes to hini what he difcerns beftforhim in fpecial. /^ylf

our adverfities with thofe of other men, we fhallalwaies findfomthing that equals^ if not exceeds our own; All thefe are certain irrefragable truths, and there is none of them fingle but may
if well preft

we compare

upon the mind, charm it into a calmnefs and refignation ; but

argu-

when there is fuch a confpiration of

ments, it muft be a very obftinate perverfnefs that can refift them: or fliouid they fail to enforce a full conviftion i will yet introduce thofe fubfidiary proofs, which I have to alledg, fo advantagioufly , as will, being put together, amount unto perfeft and uncontroulable Evidence.

E c T.

Sect. II. ofGodsAbfoluteSoveraignty. 17 _

.....I.

..

^ ^^

Sect.

II.

Of Gods
I.

Abfolute Scveraigntj.

propofition, that God T^ H E A debtor to no man, too clear and

firfl:

is

is

apparent to require much of illuftration : ipr as he is a free agent and may aft as he pleafes , fo lie is the fole proprietary, andean wrongfully detain from none,
.becaufe
all

original right

is

in himfelf.

This has bin fo much acknowledged by the blindeft Heathens, that none of them
durit

make
,

infolent

addrefles

to their

Gods, challenge any thing of them as of debt but by facrifices and praiers own'd their dependance and wants, and implor'd
fupplies.

And

fure Chriftianity teaches

morefawcv. If thofeDeities who ow'd their very being to their votaries.were yet acknowledged to be the fpringandfourceof all, we can with no pretence deny it to that fupreme power
vs not to be

in whom
ingy

we

live^ 7nove,

md have

our beaft

Afts 17, 28. For

if it

were merely an

i8

The Art of Contentment.

his choice to

give us a being , all his fubfequent bounties can have no other original then his own good pleafure. could put no obligation upon God before we were : and when we began to be, we

ad of

We

and fo by the moft indifputable right owe our felves to him ^ but can have no antecedent title on which to clame any thing from him : fo that the Apoftle might well make the challenge which he doth on Gods behalf, who hath given any thing unto him , and it shall be re* compencd to him again ? Rom. 11.35.

were his

creatures,

Now ordinary difcretion teaches us

not to be too bold in our expeftation from one to whom we can plead no right. It has as little of prudence as modefty, to prefs impudently upon the bounty of a Patron, and do's but give him temtation (atleaft pretence) to deny. And if it be thus with men, who^poffibly may fomtimes have an
intereftjfomtimes a vanity to oblige us ;
it

muft be much more fo towards God, who cannot be in want of us^ and therefore need not buy us. Ourgood^^s tlie Pfalmift fpeaks,
extends not to hhn. Pfal. 16. 2. He has a fundamental right in that little we are which will ftand good tho it lliould never be corroborated by greater benefits.
*

'With

Sect.il Of Gods Abfoliite Soveraignty.

With what an humble

balhfulnefs fhould
,

we

then fue for any thing

who have no

argument to invite the lead donation i being ah'eady fo preingag'd, that we cannot mortgage fo much as our felves \w confideration of any new favor rand furely extravagant hopes do very ill befit people fee the modeity in this condition. of good Mephibolheth who tho he was by a flanderous accufation outed of half the eftate David had gwen him yet upon arefled:ionthathederiv'd it all from his

We
,

good

pleafure, difputed not the fentence,

but chearfully refign'd the whole to the fame difpofure, from which he received it, laying, Tea^ let him take all. 2 Sam. 19. 30. Arareexampleandfit for imitation, as being adapted to the prefent cafe, not only in that one circumftance of his having receiv'd all from the King, but alfo in that of the attainder of his blood, which he confefles in the former partof the verfe,
for all of my fathers houfe were but dead meyt
before m'j

Lord.

And

alas

may we not fay

the very fame ? was not our whole race tainted in our 6rll Parent ? So that if God had not the primary title of vaflalage , he would in our fall have acquir'dthat of confilcation and efcheat. And can we think 2

20

The Art of Contentment.

fel ves

think our
pert
3

and make our

God

then in terms to capitulate conditions , and exfhould humor us in all our wild

own

demands

indeed to keep up that old rebellion of our Progenitor, for that conlifted in a difcontent with that portion God held affign'd him, and coveting what Nay indeed it he had reftrein'd him. the to of up height the Devils procomes Gen. pofal, theattemting to be as God, the endevor to wreft an tis maFor 3.5.
is

This

nageryoutof
Aiitoriity

his hands,

to fuperfede his

of difpenfing to us, and to carve our This is fo mad an infolence, felves. for that were it poflible to ftate a cafe exadly parallel between man and man, it would taife the indignation of any that but pretended to ingenuity. Yet this is? without Hyperbole, the true meaning ofevery mur^ muring repining thought we entertain, 4. But as bad as it is, who is there of us, that can in this particular fay ^-z^'^ have made our hearts clean ? Prov. 20.9. Tis true we make fome formal acknowledgment fometimes that we receive all from Gods gift, cuftom teaches us from our infancy after every meal we eat to give him thanlcs ( tho even that is now thought too

much

Sect.

II.

Of Gods Abfoitite Soveratgnty,

much refped: , and begins to be difcarded asunfafliionablej Yet iure he cannot be

thought to do that in earneil, that has all the time of his eating bin grumbling that his table abounds not With fuch delicacies

And .yet at this rate God knows are mo ft of our thank fgivings. Indeed we have notfo much ordinary civility to God, as we have to men. The common proverb teaches us not too curias hi3 neighbors.'

oufly to pry into the blemiflies of what is given us: but on Gods giks we fit as

Cenfors

nicely
in

examine every

thing

which

any way difagreable to our fancies, and as if we dealt with him under the notion of chapmen , difparage it^ as Solomon faies buyers u(e to do , if is
is

naughty

naughty faith the huier^ Prov. 20. 14. Nay we feem yet more abfurdly to change the tctwQ^ and as if God were to make oblation to us , we as critically
it is

as the Levitical priefls

obferve the defccis of his benefaftions were to do thofe of the facnfice , and ( like angry Deities fcornfullyrejed, whatever do*s not pcrfedly anlwer our wanton appetites. now fhould God take us at 5. our words, withdraw all thole bleffings

And

which we fo

faitidioufly defpife,

what a
con-

22

The Art of Contentment.

condition were we in? Tis lure we have nothing to plead in reverfeof that judgThere is nothing in it againlljuziient. for he takes but his own. This he ftice will I reintimates to IfraeUHof.a. p. turn and tal>e away my cum in the time thereof y and my wine in the feajon thereofy and will recover my wool and my flax : in which he aflerts his own propriety, my corn, my wine &c. and recalls them to the remembrance that rhey were butuiufru^uaries : and tis as evident that our tenure is but the fame. Nay this pro* ceeding would not be repugnant even to mercy, for even that is not obliged ftill to proftitute its felf to our contemt.
:

am fure fuch a tolerance is beyond all Should the meafures of human lenity. any of us offer an alms to an indigent
and he when he fees it is Silver, murmur and exclame that it is not Gold, would we not draw back our

wretch

ihould

hand, and referve our charity for a more worthy object ? Tis true indeed Gods
thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor our narrow bowels equal meafures for the divine compaffions, and we experimentally find that his long-fufFering infinitly

exceeds ours, yet

we know

he do*s in the
para-

Sect.

II.

OfGodsAbfoluteioveraig7ity,

2?

parable of the Lord and the lervant Mat. 18. declare that he will proportion his mercy by ours , in that inftance j and we have no promi/e that he will not do it in this : nay we have all reafon to expert he fhoiild 5 for fince his wifdom promts him to do nothing in vain , and all his bounty to us is defign'd to make us hapfees that end utterly fruour discontents to what purby pofe (hould he continue that to us which we will be never the better for ? 6. Besides tho he be exceedingly patient, yet he is not negligent or inlenfible , he takes particular notice , not only with what diligence we employ, but with what aflFeftion we refent every of his bleflings. And as ingratitude is a vice odious to men , fo it is extremely provoking to God: fo that in this fenfe alfo , the words of our Savior are molt ti'MQy from him that hath not (^. r. ) that hath not a grateful fenfe and value , shall

py, when he
llrated

be taken

away even

that he hath, Mac. 2

>.

29. But we may find a threatning of this kind yet more exprefs to lirael, bccatij'e

thou fervedfi not the Lord thy God with gladnefs and with joifuhiejs of heart for
the Abundance of all things^ therefore shalt thou

2A

The

Art of Contentment.
'

'

'~

thou Jerve thine enemks^ whom the Lgrd Godwul Jend among thee^ in b linger and in tbirfi andinfiakednefs and in luant of ali things^ Deiit. 28. 27,28. a fad and difmal inverlionjyet founded wholly in the want of that cheerful recognition which God

expedied from them. And ii Ifrael the lot of his own inheritance, that people whom he had lingled out from all the na^tions of the world , could thus forfeit his favor by unthankfulnefs, furenoneof us can fuppoie we have any furer entail of In a word as God loves a cheerful it. giver 5 fo he alfo loves a cheerful receiver. One that complies with his end inbeilov/ing, by taking a juft complacence in But the querulous and unfahis gifts. tisfied, reproch his bounty :accufe him of illiberality and narrownefs of mind. So in that he feems even his honor engag'd to bring them to a tighter apprehenfion of him, and by a deprivation teach them the value of thofe good things, which they could not learn by the enjoiment.
7.

If therefore ingenuity and

let

grati-

tude cannot, yet at lead

,

prudence

and felf-love engage us againft this (in of Murmuring which v<iz iee do's abundantly juftify the cliaradier the Wile man
gives

Sect. II. OjGodsAbfoluteSoveraignty, 2J

unprofitable^ Wif. he might have faid pernicious alfo, for fb it evidently isinitsefFed:. Let us then arm our felves againft it, and to that purpofe imprefs deeply upon our minds the prefentconfideration, that God owes us nothing , and that what ever we receive is an alms and not a tribute, Diogenes being asked what Wine drank the nioft piefant, anfwcrcd, that which is drunk at an* And this circumilance we others coft. can never mifs of to recommendour good things to us : for be they little or much > When therefore in they come gratis. mood pettifli we find our felves apt to a charge God fooliflily , and to think hini ftrait-handed towards us let us imagine we hear God expoftulating v/ith us, as the houfholder in the parable , Friend I do thee no wrong is it not la'uvftdfor mc
tells us
I. XI.
, :

gives

when he

tu

todowhatlwillwithmineowni Mat. 20;

15. If God have not the right of difpoling, let us find out thofe that have, and

how much better we fliall fpeed but he hath, let us take heed of difputing that fubfift merely by his with him. favor, had need court and cherifh it by Eall the arts of humble obfervance. very man is ready to fay how ill beggary I> and
fee
:

if

We

26

The Art of Contentment.

and pride do agree. The firft qualification we cannot put off J O let us not provide
it

of the other fo inconvenient^ fo odious an adjunct. Let us leave off prefcribing to God ( which no ingenious man would do to an earthly benefa<ftor)andlet us betake our felves to a more holy and (uccefsful policy, the acknowledgment of
pait mercies,

'

his

andourov/n unworthineft. was Jacobs method / am not wof

,

thy of the leajl of all the mercies^ and of all the truth iz^hich thou haft sheisfd unto thy

fervant for with myflaff I faffed over this Jordan j and now I am become two bands ^ and with this humble preface he introduces his petition for refcue in his preient diftrels , ^Deliver me Ipray theefrom the hand of my brother y^c.Gtw. 32. 10,11. An excellent pattern of Divine Rhetoric, which the fuccefs demonftrates to have bin very prevalent. And we cannot tranfcribe a better copy, to render our de:

iires as fuccesfuL IfAdeed we are fo utterly deltituteof all arguments from our felves, that we can make no reafonable

form of

addrefs , if wc found it not in fomthing of God and there is nothing even in him adapted to our purpofe , but bis mercy J nor caa that be 10 advan:

tage-

Sect.

II,

Of Gods Abjolute Soveraignty.

27

tageoufly urged by any ching , as by the' former inriances it has given of it felf: fos as God only is fit to be a precedent to himfelf, fo he loves to be fo. Thus we find , not only Mofes ^ but God often recoUeding his miraculous favors towards I/rae/i as an argument to do more : let us therefore accoH him in his own way , and by a frequent and grateful recounting of his former mercies, engage him to future. Nor need we be at a lofs for matter of fuch recollecStion, if we will but ferioufly confider what we have already received , which
is

the fubjedt ot the next SecStion.

Sect

2$

The Art of Conrentnienr.

Sect.

III.

Of Gods Vnlimited Bounty.

is the known chara(9:er of an iinworthy nature, to write injuries in Marble, and benefits in daft: and however fome ( as Seneca well obferves ) may acquit thenifelves of this imputation as to man, yet fcarce any do fo in relation to God Tis true indeed the charge muft

I,

TT

I-

be a little varied 5 for God neither will nor can do us injury yet we receive any thing that is adverfe with fuch a refentment as ii it were , and engrave that
:

in

ourmemories vt^ithindehble charac9:ers, whilft his great and real benefits are either not at all obfervM, or with io tranfient

an advertence that the comparifonof duft beyond our pitch, and we may more properly be faid to write them in water. Nay fo far are we from keeping records and regilters of his favors, that even thofe fi'anding and fixt ones which fenfe can proint us toC without the aid of our memones) cannot obtain our notice.
is

^, Wer B

Sect. III. of Gods Unlimited Bounty,

2.

29

Were
men

it

not thus,

it

were impol-

fible for'

to be fo perpetually in the as if their voices were Key, complaining One wants capable of no other found. this, and another that, and a third forathing beyond them both , and fo on ad

infinitum ; when all this while every one of them enjoies a multitude of good things

without any remark. That very breaht wherewith they utter their complaints , is a bleffing, and a fundamental one too : for if God fhould withdraw that, they were incapable of whatfoever elfe they either have, or defire. Tis true that fome mens impatiencies have rifen lo high , as to caft away life,becaufe it was not clothed with
all

circumftances they

wiftit.

Yet thefe

are rare inftances , and do only fliew fuch mens depraved judgment of things. A

not the lefs valuable, becaufe a madman in his raving fit flings it into the fire : but as to the generality of men, the devil (tho a Har) gave a true account
rich jewel
is

of their fenfe, when he faid, Skin for skin, and all that a man hath will hegive for his And tho perhaps in an anlife. Job. 2.4. gry fit many men have with Jonas , Chap4. 3. wisht. to die^ yet ten to one fhould death then come, they would be as willing to

JO

The Art of Contentment.

to divert ic,as was the man in the Apologue, who wearied with his burden of Iticks flung it down and cairdfor deach^biit when

'

he came, own'd no other occafionfor him, but to be helpt lip again with his bundle.
dare in this appeal to the experience of thofe, who have ieemed very weary of life, whether when any (uddain danger has furprifed them, it has not as faddainly altered
I

their
life,

mind

and made them more defire

it.

then before they abhorr'd

Tis the

common faying, As
there
is
,
:

long

as there is life

hope there is fo as to fecular concerns for what ftrange revolutions do we often fee in the age of a man ? from what

defpicable beginnings have many<arriv'd to the moftlplendid conditions ? of which

we have divers modern as well as ancient inftances. And indeed tis admirable to fee
what time and induftry will (with Gods bleffing) effed:. But there is no work^ nor device^ nor knowledge nor wifdom in the grave, Ecc.p. lo. we can improve no more when we are once tranfplanted thither. 3. But this is yet much more confix derable in refpe(2: of our Ipiritual ftate. O ur life is the d^y wherein we are to work ^ Joh. p. 4,. (yea to work out our Salvation:) l^at w.heu the night comes Cwhen death over*^

S Ct

III.

Of Gods Unlimiud Bounty.

vertakes) no man can work. Now alas when tis confider'd how much of this day

themoft of

us have loiter'd

away^ how

many of us have

flood idle till the fixth or ninth hour , it will be our concern not to have our day clofe before the eleventh. Nay alas tisyetworfewiriius: we have not only bin idle , but very often
illbufied^ fo that
a great parr of our time to unravel 5 and that is not to be don in a moment. For tho our works

we have

may

fitly enough be reprefented by the Prophets comparifon of 2ifpiders^s:eb ^ Ifay. 59 5'. yet they want the beft property even of that i they cannot be fo Ibon undon. Vices that are radicated by time andcuftom, lie too deep to be hghtly fwept away. Tis no eafy thing to perfwade our felves to the will of parting with them. Many violences wemufl: offer to Qur (elves, a long and ftrid: courfe of mortification mult be gon thro , ere we can find in our hearts to bid them be gon : and yet when we do fo , they are not fo

tracStableas the Centurions fervants.

will indeed come when ever we
:

They

bid them,

but they will fcarce go fo they mull be expeird by force and by flow degrees , we mull fight for every ioch of ground we gaui

32

The Art of ContentmenU

as

gain from them: and

God would

not

ailiit the Ifraelites to fubdue the Canaa* nites at once, Deut. 7. 22. fo neither ordinarily do*s he us to mafter perfecSly our

corruption. Nowaprocefs of this dijfficulty is not to be dilpacht on a fudden. And yet this is not all our task , for w have not only ill habits to extirpate, but we have alfo good ones to acquire 5 tis not a mere negative vertue will ferve our turns, nor will emty lamps enter us into themarriage chamber, Mat. 25.10. JVe
viuft add to Our faith vertue , and to vertue knowledge and to knowledg temperance^ &c. 3 Pet. I, 5. No link muft be wanting of that facred chain, but we muft ("as the lame Apoftle advifesj^^ holy in all manner ofcon-^^

verjation, 1 Pet*

15.

now I would defiretheRea4. der ferioufly to confider, whether he can

upon good grounds tell himfelf
that this

And

fo difficult (and yet fo neceffary) a work is efFedually wrought in him. If it be,

is a happy man, andean with no pretence complain of any external want 5 (he that is fed with Manna , muft be ftrangely perverfe if he murmur for a belly-full of leeks and onions ^^^mAi.'i .')^\xt on the con* trary he owes infinite thanks to God, that has

he

Si c T.

III.

Of Gods Unlimited Bounty.

3^

fineis,

has fpared him time for this im.portant bu and did not put a period to his natural life, before he had begun a fpiritual.

For I fear there are among the belt of us few of fo intire an innocence but they may remember fome, either habits or ac^s of fin, in which it would have bin dread* ful for them to have bin inatcht away.
,

And
lific

then
a

how

mercy

has

comprehenfive, how prolife bin to them, when

its

it

has carried eternity in

womb,

and

their continuance

on

earth has
it

qualified

them for heaven

Neither are fuch per-

ions only to look the retrofped , as

on

as

it relates

a bleflingin to the pafl-,

butalfointhe prefent and future: which if they continue to employ well, do's not only confirm, but advance their reward. Befi Jes God may pleafe by them to glorify himfelf,

make them
which
as it
is

his fervice

inftrumental to the greateft ho-

nor, To
to a

it is

alfo the greateft fatisfadion

He fliews himfelf too mercenary^that fo longs for his reward, as to grow inpatient of his attendances he
good
heart.
:

that loves

God, thinks himfelf bleft

in the

opportunity of doing work , as well as Thus we fee how in receiving wages. life is under all thele afpefls a mercy to

34
a pious

llie Art of contentment.

man, and fuch as not only obliges but gratitude. contentment, him to fuppofingaman cannot give 5, this comfortable account of his life, but isconfciousthathehasCfpent it to a very different purpofe, yet do's not that at all

But

leflen his obligation to

God, who meant

he fliould have emploi'd it better, and that he has not don fo is merely his own fault. Nay indeed the worfe his ftate isathe greater mercy it is, that God has not yet made
itirreverfible,

at once

thathehasnotcut him off" from the earth and the pcflibility of heaven too^ but affords him yet a longer day^ if yet he will hear his 'Voice ^ P fa, p 5 7.
.

This long-fuffering is one of themoft tranfcendent ads of divine goodnefs^and therefore the Apoftle rightly ftiles it r^^ riches of his goodnefs and long-fuffering andfor-^ harance J^om. 2. 4. and fo atlaft we commonly acknowledg it, when we have worn it our,and can no longer receive advantage by it. Whaira value do's a gafpingdefpairing foul put upon a fiiiall parcel of that time, which before he knew not how faft enough to fquander ^ Oh that men would fet the fame eftimate on it before and then certainly as it would make them better husbands of it, fo it would alfo render

Sect.

III.

Of GodsVnlimited Bounty, jy

der them more thankful for it, Accounting that the long-fuffering of our Lord is faha^^ tion^zFct.^.i^. 6. I N D E E D did men but rightly compute the benefit of life upon this fcore,

encumbrances and uneafineffes of it would be overwhelmed, and ftand only as Cyphers in the account. What a fhame is it then that we fliould fpend our breath in fighs and out-cries f which if we would employ to thofe nobler ends for which twas given, would fuperfede our complaints, andmake usconfefs we were well dealt with, that our life ( tho bare and ftript of all outward acceffaries) is given us for aj>rey,]er. 45.5. And indeed he that has yet the great work of life to do , can very ill fpare time or forrow to bellow upon the regretting any temporal diftrefs , fince his whole ftock is little enough to bewail and repair his neglecSts of his eternal concerns. Were all our lives therefore deftitute of all outward comfort, nay were they nothing but a Icene of perpetual difaflers, yet this one advantage of life would infinitly outweigh them all, and render our murmurings very
all fecular

inexculabie,

7.

But

36

The

Art of Contentment.

not put this to the utmoft trial, ha's never plac'd any man in fuch a ftate of unmixt calamity , bat that he ftili affords many and great allaies: he finds it fit fomtimes to defalk fome of our outward comforts, and perhaps imbut he never takes all abitter others way. This muft be acknowledged, if we
,

/.But God has

do but
do

confider

how many

things there

are in which the whole race of mankind in common partake. The four Ele-

ments, Fire and Water, Air and Earth, do not more make up every mans compofition, then they fupply his needs; the

whole

holt of heaven, the Sun, Moon and Stars Mofes will tell us, are by God divided to all natims under the whole Heaven , Deut.

419.

Thofe

ref plendent bodies

equal-

and influence to all. The fun iTiines as bright on the poor Cottage , as on themoft magnificent Palace 5 and the Stars have their benign Afpefts, as well for him that/^ behind the MiU^ as for him thatfit teth on the Throne, Ex 1 1 f . Pro ly afford their light
.

prietyCthat great incendiary below)breeds

no confufion

in thofe celeftial

they are every mans trefure 5 peculiar (^as if they meant to teach us, that pur love of appropriation defcends notfrom
above.

Orbs , but yet no mans

Sect. III.
aifovey

Of
as

Gods Unlimited Bounty. 37

Jam.

3. 15. is

8.

And

no heavenly quality.) they make no diftindiion

,

of the ranks and degrees of men fo neither do they of their vertues. Our Saviour tells us , God caufes hs Sun to rife on the good and on the eviU andfendeth rain onthejuft andontheun]uft^ Mat. 5.45, if
defcend lower to the fublunary creatures, they equally pay their homage to man> do not difdain the dominion of the poor 5 and fubmit to that of the rich, but (hew us that that their inllind: extends to the whole nature. An horfe draws the poor mans plough, as tamely as the Princes chariotj

now we

and the beggars hungry Cur

follow him with as

obfequioufnefs andaffedtionasthepamper'd lap-dogs of the niceft Ladies. The fheep obey a poor mercenary fliepherd as well as they did the daughter of the wealthy L^^^w, Gen. ig. p.orofy^/iJr^ a Prince, Exod. 2. 16. and as willingly yield their fleece to clothe Lazarus^ as to make purple for T)ives. And as animals, lo vegetables are as communicative of their quahties to one man as anoThe corn nuriflies, the fruits rethcr. frefli, the flowers delight, the fimples cure the poor man as well as the rich.
9,

much

But

I forefee it will

be obje(9:ed,
that

38

The Art of Contentment.

that thefe natural privileges are infignificant, becaule they are evacuated by
ty^

thofe pofitive laws which bound proprieand that therefore tho one man could ufe the creatures as well as another , yet every man has them not to ufe. I anfwer, thatforfomeof the things Ihavemention'd, they are ft ill in their native latitude, cannot be inclofed or monopolized. The moft ravenous oppreflTor could never yet lock up the fun in his cheft : he that laies houfe to houfe^ andlandtoland^ till there be place ^ Efa. 5. 8, cannot inclofe the common air. And the like may befaidof

divers of the reit

fo that there are

fome

(and thofe no
tinue
ftill

bleflings, which conthe indefeiiible right of man^

mean)

kind

in general.

10.

As

for thofe other things

tis

which

are liable to the reftridtive terms of

meum

not to bedeni'd but there is vaft difference in thedifpenfmg them 5 as great as Nathans parable defcribes, when he fpeaks of the numerous flocks of the rich man , andthQ /lagle ewe lamb of the poor ^ 2 Sara. 12. 2. yet there is fcarce any fo deplorably indigent, but that by one means or other, he has or may have the neceflary fupports of life. Perhaps they
fall

and tuum,

Sect. HI. Of Gods Unlimited Bounty.

fall

29

by birth-right and inheritance, yet they are acquirable by labor and induftry , which is perhaps the better tenure. They cannot it may be
his lap

not into

arrive to Sodoms fulnefs of bread: yet if they have not her abundance of Idlenefs^ Ez. 16. 4^9. they commonly need not want that, which was the height of yi^urs wifli, food convenient. Pro. jo.S.Tis true indeed* if they will fold their hands in their bolorn, if with Solomonsjluggard^ they will not plow by reafon of the cold, they muft take his fate in the fummer,as they have his eafe in the winter, they may beg in harveft^ and have nothings Prov. 20. 4, but then tis vifible they are the Authors of their own neceflities. And indeed to men of fuch lazy carelefs natures, tis hard to fay, what degree of Gods bounty can keep them from want fmce we often fee the faireft
,

fortunes diilipated as well by the fupine negligence, as the riotous prodigality of

the owners. And therefore if men will be idle, they are not to accufe God , but themfelves if they be indigent. II. But then there is one cafe wherein men feem more inevitable expos'djand that is when by age, ficknefs, or decrepitnefs, they are difabled from work; or

/J.0

The Art of Contentment.

too numerous for this indeed forlorn of moft ftate poverty. feems the Yet God has provided for themalfo, by affigning fuch perfons to the care of the rich.Nay he has put an extraordinary mark of fav or on them,gi ven them the honor ot being his proxies and reprefentati ves,made them letters of Attorny fas it were) to
or
family
is

when their

their

work to maintain. And

demand relief

in his name, and

upon

his

too true, that even account. that Autority will not prevail with many of the rich to open their purfesj yet even in this Age of frozen charity , there arc Itill fome who remember upon what terms they received their wealth , and employ And tho the number of it accordingly. them is not fo great as were to be wifht, yet there are in all parts fome fcattered here and there like Cities of refuge in the Land, Deut. 19. 2. to which tliefe poor
flee for fuccour. fay, that between And 1 think I may the legal provifions that are made in this cafe and voluntary contributions, there

And tho tis

diftrefied creatures

may

are

that are

want the things and we comprizes thofe afmall in St. Paul know compafs , food and raiment^ and propofes them
not very
that

many

of

abfblute

neceflity^:

Se ct.

III.

Of Gods Vnlimited Bouniy,

4i

them asfufficient materials of Content. I lim. 6. 8. 1 fay not this to contraft any mans bowels, or Jeflenhiscompallions
to fuch poor wretches. For how much foevcr they lend, I wilh, a> Joab did h\ another cafe to David, the Lord to hicreafe it a hundred fold 2 Sam, 24. 3 I only urge it as an evidence of the aflertion I am to prove that no man is fo pretermitted by God in his difpofal of temporalis , but that even he that feems the mpft abandon'd has a iliare in his providence and conlequently cannot juitly murmur fince even this ftate which is the higheft inftance of human indigence, is not without its receits from God.
-i

12.

But

the

number

in this

form are

but few 5 compared tothofein a higher: for between this and the higheft affluence,
degrees are there, partake not only of the nccelTaries but comforts of life ; that have not only food and raiment, but their diin which men
,

how many intermedial

ftindiion of holy-day and working-day

fare

and apparel ? He that is but one ftep advanced from beggary has fo much, he that has got to a fecond has more then is neceffary : and fo every degree rifes in plenty till it comes to vanity andexcefs. And F

4-

The Art of Contentment.

And even there

too there are gradual rifings 5 Ibme having lo much fewel for luxury , that they are at as great a lofs for invention , as others can be for materials, and complain that there are no farther riots left for

them to
,

effay.

How many

and glutted their fenfes that they want fome other inlets for plefure, and with the rich man in the Gofpel, are in diftrefs where to beftow their abundance ?
are there
fo cloy'd

who have

13.

And

lure fuch as thefe cannot de-

ny

that they have received good things, yet generally there are none lefs contented ? which is a clear demonftration, that our repinings proceed not from any dc^ fed of bounty in God , bat from the malignant temper of our own hearts. And as it is an eafier thing to fatisfy the cravings of an hungry , then to cure the naufeous recoilings of a furfeited ftoraach s fo certainly the difcontents of the poor , are much eafier allai'd then thofe of the rich : the indigence of the one has contracted his defireSjand has taught him not to look farther then a little beyond bare neceffaries, fo that a

a liberal tranfports

moderate Alms iatisfies, and him but he who by a

:

perpetual repletion has his defires ftretclit

an4

Sect.

111.

OfGodsVnLmitedBouniy. 43
,

and extended
tisfadtion.

is

capable of no fuch fa,

When his enjoimentsfore-fl-ali

;

all particular piirfuits

and he knows not upon what to fallen his next wi(h yet even then he has fome confus'd unform'd
appetites, and thinks himfelf niiferable becaufe he cannot tell what would make him more happy. And yet this is that envi'd ftate which men with fo much grecdincfs afpire to: every man looks on it as the top of felicity to have nothing more to wi(h in the world. And yet alas even that when attained, would be their torment. Let men never think then that Contentment is to

be caught by long and forreign chafes ; he

is

likeUeft to find

it

who fits at home

and

duly contemplates thofe bleffings which God has brought within his reach, of which every man has a fair proportion , if he will advert to it.
14. fions (

For

befidesthefe external accef-

of which the meaneft have fome, the middle fort a great deal and the uppermoft rather too much) man is a principality within himfelf , and has in his compofurc fo many excellent iraprelTes of his Makers power and goodnefs^that he need not ask leave of any exterior thing
,

to be happy, if he

know but

aright

how
to

F2

44

The Art of Contentment.

The very meaneft part of him , his bodv Js ^ piece of admirable workman-iripjof a moll iiicomprehenlible contrivance 5 as the Pfahnift laies , he is fearfully and wonderfally made^ and tis aftonifhing to think of what a fymmetry of
to value himleif.
parts this beautilul fabric
is made up. Nor are diey only for fliew, but ufe: every

member ,

every limb

is

indowed with a
it

particular faculty to render

ferviceable

to the whole s and fo admirable is the contexture of veins and arteries, finewsand mulcels, nerves and tendons, that none are fuperfluous,but fome way or other contribute to vegetation, fenfe, or motion. Nay the moll noble and moll ufeful parts arc all of them double, not only as a referve in cafe of mifadvcnture of one part 5 but alio as an inftance of the bounty of the Donor. And indeed tis obfervable of Galen in his writings,that after he had taken great care toexemthimfelfand allof his profeffion from taking notice of the Deity, by faying that to difcourfe concerning the Gods was the task of fpeculative philofophers 5 yet coming to write ^e tifii parthim , and confidering the frame ot human bodies, and therein difcoveringthe wonderful contri-

vance of every part in reference to its

lelf,

and

SzCt.Wl. Of Gods Unlimited Bounty.

4J1

and alfo to the whole s their ilrength, agility , and various movement infinitly ilirpalling the powers of all Mechanic engines i he leems to have had the fate we read of Saul in holy Scripture, and againfl: his genius and purpofe to become a Pro,

phet^; breaking

frequently out into

-,

Hymms

and facred raptures laying, thefe Myfteare more divine then the Samothracian or Elcujinian 5 and confefiing they both ftriftly require and infinitly excel the low
ries

returns of human praife. But beyond the fabric of parts as organic, what an extract of wonder are our lenfes, i\\ok fi^vecpera^
tions

of the Lord , as the ion of Syrach rightly ( and by way of eminence) ftiles

them, Ecclus. 17. 5? By tliefe we draw all outward objeds to our felves. What' were the beauties of the XIniverfe to us, if we had not fight to behold them, or the moll melodious founds^if we had not hearing ^ and fo of the reft. And yet thefe are
not only generally given , but alfo prefer v'd to the greater part of men and perhaps would be to more, did not our bafe undervaluing of common mercies, force God Ibmtimes to inftruft us in their worth, by making us feel what ic is to want them,
:

15.

MUL-

46
ly.

The Arc of Contentment.

Multitude

of refrefhments

alfo

God

has provided for our bodies

particularly that of fleep, of which he has bin fo confiderate , as in his diilribu-

tions

of time, to make a folemn allotment for it t yet who almoit when he lies down confiders the mercy , or when he rifes refreflit, rifes thankful alfo? But if our reft at any time be interrupted with the cares of our mindj or pains of our bodies, then,
( and not till then ; we confider, that tis God ^du ho gives his beloved fie ep^ P 1 a. 1 2 7 2 andthink it a bleiling worth our efteem*
.

Thus it is with
thing elfe
:

health, ftrength, and every

it

we defpife

whilft

we have

it , and impatiently define it whilft we have it not J but in the interiih fure we cannot complain, that Gods hand is ihortned towards us, when in the ordinary

courfe of his providence we commonly enjoy thefe mercies many years > which we find fo much mifs of, if they be withdrawn but for a few hours. And indeed there is not a greater inftance of human pravity then our ienfelefs contemtof bleflings, merely becaufe they are cuftomary^ which in true reafon is an argument why we fhould prize them the more. When we deal with men, we
dif-

Sect.

III.
it

Of Gods Vnlimited Bounty

He that
I

47

difcern

well enough.

gives

me

once a hundred pounds,

much my benefadtor, as annual revenue-, yet God mull

thanks
Ills
,

account not fo if he made it my

lofe his

by multiplying his favors 5 and benefits grow more fnvifible by their

us*

being alwaies before

16,

the body (with its enjoiments) is but the lo weft inllance of Gods bounty tis but a decent cafe for that ineftimable Jewel he has put in it : the foul , like the Ark, is the thing for which
:

But

this whole tabernacle was framed, and that isafparkof Divinity, in which alone
it is

that

God

accomplifhed

his

delign of

man in his own image y Gen. i. 26. Twould be too long to attemt anexaft
niak'mg

furveyof its particular excellencies 5 the mere intellediual powers wherewith it is indued, have exercifcd thecuriofity and
raifed the admiration of the great con-

ages: yet after all, of fo fubtle compofure is the foul, that it is infcrutable even to it fclf: and tho the fimplefl: man knows he has the faculties of Imagination, Appi*ehenfion>
in all

templatorsof Nature

Memory, Reflecting

yet the Icarnedll

cannot aflign where they are feated, or by Tis enough what means they operate.
to

48

The Art of Contentment.

we have them, and many exthem
;

to us that

cellent ufes for

one whereof (and

a moft neceflary one) is a thankful reflexion on the goodnefs of God who gave

them.

He might have made

us in the

very loweft form of creatures, inienfibleas ilocks or iloaes 5 or if he had advanc'd us a icep higher, he might have fixtus among mere animals , tranf cripts perhaps of the noxious^at the bed of the tamer fort of beafts: but hehasplac'd us in the highelt rank of vifibk^ creatures 5 and not onlygiven ^;5^i;^io:^ over the works of his hands Pial, 8. 6, but has given us the ufe of reafon wherewith to rnaiage that foveraignty, without which we had only bin the more
mafterful fort of brutes* 17. ftiii the foul

Yet

is

to beconfi-

der'dina higher notion, that of its immortality and capacity of endlefs blifs.
here indeed it owns its extraction , an image of the firft being, whofe felicity is coexiftent with himfeif. This ^s it is the moft tranfcendent accomplifli* ment of our nature, fo it is moft univer-

And

and

is

^^I.

Whatever

difparity there

may be

in other refpecis yet in this all are equal : the poor beggar at the gate has a foul as capacious of

between man and man

cter-

Sect.

III.

Of Gods TJnlimited Bounty. 49

eternal happinefs, as he whofe crumbs he begs for ( nay fomtimes better prepared for it, as that parable fliews,Liike 16.21.^ And tho the dignities of earth are the prize of the rich and noble, the fubtle and defigning j yet lieaven is as eafily mounted from the dung-hill as the throne, and an

honeft fimplicity will fooner bring us thither, then all the Machiaveliaii policy. "Nay God has not only defign'd us to {o glorious an end, but has don all on his
part to fecure us of it, fent his Son to lead us the way, his fpirit to quicken us in it. need not difputehowuniverfal

We
:,

this

is

tis

fure

it

concerns
:

all

to

whom

lamnowfpeaking, thofe that are within the pale of the church and if it fhould
prove confinM only to them, the more
peculiar is their obligation, that are thus fingled out from the reft of the world and the greater ought to be their thankfulnefs. The heathen Philofopher made

matter of his folemn acknowledgment to fortune, that he was born a Grecian and not a Barbarian : and fure the advantages of our Chriftianity are of a much higher ftrein , and ought to be infinitly more celebrated The Apoftle we find often applauding this glorious privilege , as that
it
.

which

50

The Art of Contentment.

which makes fellow citizens with the SaintSy and of the houshold of God^^^L^. I p. nay which elevates us to a higher ftate, the adoption of fons^ Gal 4 5, nor only Sons, but Heirs alfo of God and joint Heirs
with
tion
Christy
is

Rom.
yet this

8. 17.

And what ambi-

there fo greedy which this will

?

our common ftate> the birth-right of our regeneration, if we do not degrade ourfelves, and with Efau bafely fell our title. 18. And now methinks every man may interrogate himfelf in the fame form, wherein y^;^^^4^ did lyimnon 2 Sam, 13. 4. Pf^ij art thou, being the Kings fon^ thtis lean from day to day i Why fliould a perfon who is adopted by the King of Kings, thus
not
fatisfy
is

languifli and pine ? What is there below the fun worthy his noticcjmuch lefs his defires, that hath a Kingdom above it ^ Certainly did we but know how to eftimate our felves upon this account , twere impoUible for us with fuch fordid condelcentions to court every petty worldly intereft, and fo impatiently vex our felves when we cannot attain it. Alas how unworthily do we bear the name of ChriIhans, when that which carried the Forefathers of our Faith thro themoft fiery tri'

als

Se c T

111.

Of Gods Vnltmited Bounty,

aIs,cannot fupport us under the diiappointjnent of any extravagant defires?They had

fuch reJpeH to the reiompence of the reward^ Heb. 1 1. 26. as made them cheerfully expole their Fame to ignominy^their goods to rapine, their Bodies to the mod exquifite tortures , and their Lives to death. Yet the fame hopes cannot work us to any tolerable degree of patience , when we fuffer but the fmallell diminution in any

of thefe. What fhall we fay ? Is Heaven grown lefs valuable , or Earth more then it was then ? No furely , but we are raore
infatuated in our ellimates : we have fo long abetted the rivalry of the hand-maid, that the Millrefs , like Sarah appears Like Jonah we fit down fuU defpicable. len upon the withering of a gourd, never confidering that God has provided us a
,

better fhelter, a hiiildhig of God eternal in Indeed there the Heavens^ 2 Cor. 5. i. can be no temporal deftitution fo great,

which

an exfpediation cannot make Were we in Jobs condition fupportable. fitting upon a dunghil , and fcraping our felves with apotflieard, yet as long as we
fiich

can fay with him our Redeemer liveth^ Job. ip. 2 f . we have all reafon to fay with

him

zlio iblef^ed be the

name of the Lord. Chap.

5z

The Art of Contentment,

What a maduefs is it then 1 . 21. for us to expofe our felves to be pierc'd and wounded by every temporal adverfiChap.
ty
,

who have fo impenetrable an armour ?

nay what an ungrateful contumely is it to that goodnefs of God, to flisw that we cannot make him a counterpoife to the moft trivial fecular fatisfadtion ? on which account fure he may again take up that exprobrating complaint we find in the Prophet, goodly price that 1 was valued

at by them, Zac. ii. 13. how mean foever he is in our 19. eiesjtho C^r(/?feem the fame to us in his glory which he did in his abjeftion , to

But

have no beauty that we flioulddefire him yet he puts another rate upon himielf, and tells us that, he that loves Father or Mother ^ Son or T^aughter more then me y is not worthy of me. Mat. 10.37. Now our love and our joy are paffions coincident and therefore whatever we joy more in then we do in him , we may be prefum'd to love better and if he cannot endure the competition of thole more ingenious objedls of our love he there mentions, how will he fufFer that of our vanities , our
3'

childiih

are

wanton appetites? Andyetthofe the things after which we fo impatiently

SE cT

II I .

OfG ods Vnlimited Bounty

For

53

I believe I may truly alBrm, that if there were a fcrutiny made into all the difcontents of mankind ^ for one that were faftned upon any great confiJerable calamity, there are many that are founded only in the irregularity of

ently rave.

our

own

defires.

20.

B Y what has bin

faid

ly conclude in the Prophets ^phrafe,

we may juftCod

hath not bin

darknefs

totis a wildernefs , a land of 2. 31. but has gracioufly Jer. ^ difpenc'd to us in all our intereits. Ycc the

inftances here given are only

common,

fuch

or at leaft the far greater part of mankind : but what vo. lums might be made, fliould every man itt down his own particular experiences of mercy ? In that cafe twouldbeno extravagant Hyperbole v^^e find Joh. 22. 2^. That even the world it Jelf could not contain
as relate to all ,

the books

which should

be written.

God

knows our memories are very frail^and our

obfervations flight in this point: yet abfrom all the forgotten or negle(Sed favors, what vaft catalogues may every man make to himfelf, if he would but yet recolle(ft, what effefts he has had of Gods bounty in giving, of his providence in proteifling, of his grace in reftraining,
ftracting

and

54

The Art of Contentment.

and exciting , of his patience in forbearing ? And certainly all thefe produdtions of the divine goodnefs were never defign'd to die in the birth.

The

Pfalmift

will tell us, the Lord hath fo don his mar ^uellous ii'orksy that they ought to be had in

7tmemhrance,Y(. iii .4.Let every man then it bis dally care to recount to himlelf the wonders Go d hath don, as for the children of men In general, fo for himlelf in particular. Wlien the Ifraelites

make

munrmred under
raoh imputes
prefcribes
dieft cure
it

them
:

their bondage, Pha' to their idlenefs , and more work, as the rea-

piece indeed of unhuman him, but may with equity and fuccefs be prafticed by us upon our felves. When we find our appecires mutinous, complaining of our prefent condition, let usfetour felves to work, im-

Tyranny

in

pole
cies.

it

as a

task

upon our
inftances

felves to re-

collect the

many

of Gods mer-

And

furely if
5

and with intention

we do it fincerely, we cannot have pail

thro half our ftages , before our fullen niurmures will be beat out of countenance, and retire with fhame , when they are confronted with fuchacloudof witnelles, fuch fignal teftimonies of Gods

good

Sect.

Of Gods Unlmited Bounty, 55 goodnefs to us. For when we hav^e muIII.

all our little grievances, moft examin'd all our wants, we ihall find them very un proportionable to our comforts, and to our receits ; in which comparative notion^ the nextSedion h to Gonfider them.

fter'd

up

critically

B C T.

56

The

Art of Contentment.

Sect.
Of the

IV.

furplujage of our Enjoiments

above our Sufferings.

i.'T^O
-I
fuflfer,

regulate our eftimate of thofe things which we either enjoy or

there are three precedent queries to be made the firft of their number or plenty^ the fecond of their weight, the third of their cojiftancy and continuance* for
:

according as they partake more of thefe properties, every good is more good, and every evil is more evil. It will ^therefore be our fbeft method of trial in the prefent cafe, to compare our bleffings and our
calimities in thefe three refpeds.

of plenty, the fource of all our good , are iet out to us in holy fcripture in the moft fuperlative ftrein,They are mtiU
2.
firft

An D

in that

mercies of

God are the

20. Tlenteom redemtioriy Pfal. 130,7. as high as the heaven ^ Pfal. 103. ir. He fills all things living with

utudes,V^2iL

1 02.

flmteonJnefs^V^2i\. 14J. 16. His mercies in-

deed

Se c T

I V,

Enjoments above

bufferings. 5-7

deed are luch as come not within the compafs of number, but ilretch themfelves
to infinity, and are beft reprefented by fuch a calculation as God made to c/^-

braham^

when he

fliew'd

him thenume-

roulnefs of his potlerity by theinnumerablenefs oftheitars5Gen, 15-. j. Were there but a fingle mercy apportioned to

each minute of our lives, the fum would arife very high but how is our Arithmetic confounded, when every minute has more then wecandiilindlly number ? for befidcvS the original ftock mentioned in the la{l-Se(flion,and the acceflfion of new bounty the giving us fomwhat which we had not behove what an accumulative mercy is iu the preferving what we have < are made up of fo many pieces, have fuch varieties ot interefts, ipiritual, temporal, public, and private ^ for our felves, for our friends, and dependents that it is not a confuled general regard that will keep all thefe in fecurity one moment.
:

We

We
as

are like a vaft building,

which

cofts

to maintain, as to ered:. And iiideed confidering the corruptiblenefs of our materials, our prefervation is no lefs a workot Omnipotence, then our firft

much

forming: nay perhaps

tis

rather a greater.

Our

58

The Art of Contentment.

original
it

Our
yet

clay tho it had no aptnefs, had no averfions to the receiving a human form s but was in the hand of the potter to make it what he pleafed but we now have principles of decay within us, which vehemently tend to diflfolution we want the fupplies of .feveral things without us, the failing wherof returns us again to our dud. Nay we do not only need the aid , but we fear the hoftility of outward things. That very air which fom:

times refrefhes us, may at another ftarve and freeze us : that which warms and comforts us, has alfo a power of confuming us. Yea that very meat which nuIn a rifhes, may choak and ftifle us. defpicable fo creature no , fo is word there inconfiderable, which may not fomtimes ferve usj and which may not at any time permit) mine us. Now whence ( if God is it that we fo conftantly , fo frequently

good, the benign efficacy of thefe things, and fo feldom, fo rarely the evil ? whence I fay is it, but from the active unwearied providence, which draws forth the better properties of the creatures for ourufe, and reftrainstheworfer for our fecurity? which with a particular adver^* tence watches not only over every Perfind the

fbn,

SE c T

IV.

Enjo intents above

Sufferings,

59

fon, but over every feveral concern of that

perlon.

And how
is

platicn

this <

contemIf the mere ebbing and

aftonifliing a

flowing of thefea, put the Phiiofopher into ftich an extafy , that he flung hiuifelf intoit, becaufehe could not comprehend theinfcrutablecaufe of it ? in what perpetual raptures of admiration may we be^ who have every minute within us, and about us, more and greater wonders, and thofetooin our favor, when we deferv^e rather the divine power fliould exert it felf inourdellruftion? 3. But alas our danger from the vifible creatures,is little compared with thole

from

of darknefs. iVe wreHle not only with jlesh and blood but ijuith Principalities and Towers^ with fpiritual wickednefs^^c, Eph, ^.12. So inveterate is the enmity between the Serpent and
the fpirits
,

th^Jeed of the Woman in general, that he watches all advantages againft us , not only in our fouls, but even our bodies, our goods,and in every part of our conThus we iee he not only aflaulted cerns. Jobs foul by the wicked infinuations of his Wife, bvt(wich more effedj his body withboiles and fores 5 his poffeflions by the Chaldeans and Sabeans , and the i-

mages

6o

The Art of Contentment.

mages of hinifelf, his deareft Children, by awindfromthe wildernefs. Job. i. And

can we think his ma-ice is now worn out ? no furely he ftill wifhes as ill to mankind as ever, and we fliould foon fee the woful effe(5ls of it, did not the fame power which lethimloofe for y^^i" trial, reitrain him for our fafety. Nay had he but power to affright, tho not to hurt us, even that would make our lives very uncomfortable. V/e cannot hear the relation of Sprights or apparitions, but our blood chills upon k^ and a horror runs thro our veins what
;

fliould v/e then

nighti. walks

do

if hefliould

make

his

thro our chambers, and with hisiHu/ory terrors did urb our reft f Yet all this and much more he would do, if God did not chain up this old ^Dragon , Rev. 20. Nay if he were not at the expence of a guard about us, andthofeno lefs then Angels. I fliall not difpute whether every perfon hath not his pecuhar Guarduin: for tho many have not improbably afierted it, we have ground enough

of acquiefcence

in the general affirmati-

on of the Apoftle, that they are all minifiring Spirits^ fmt forth to minifterjor them^ who shallbe heirs of Salvation^ Heb. 1.4. And now if the Reader pleafe to fum up

how

Sect. IV. Enjoiments above Sufferings, 6

how many are his concerns^and how many

are the dangers which await him in them all, he cannot fure render the account of thofe mercies which preferve the one, and divert the other, in any other Phrafe then that of the Pfahniit , They are more then I

am able to exprefs, Pfal. 40. 7. E may now challenge 4.

miferable^

the moil or the moft querulous man

living, to produce caufes of complaint, proportionable to thofe of thankf-giving. He that has the greateft ftock of calamities, can never vie with the heaps of benefits; thedifproportion
is

greater then

that of the armies of

Ahab and

Benha-

one Kings, 20. 27. whereof w2is\ikQtwo little flocks of Kids, the other God has told us that filled the country, he afflicts not wiUingly^ nor grieves the chiU Lam. 333. whereas on the dren of men,,
dad^
I

the

contrary, he delight eth in mercy ^

Mich.

7.

We may judge by our (elves which 18. he is the hkelieit often to repete,tliore afts which he doth with regret andreluiiancy, or thofe which he do's with plefure and delight. But we need no inferences where we have the atteftation of experience. Let every man therefore make this his judge in the cafe, let him every night
re-

6i

The Art of Contentment.

how many things within and about him he is concern'd in, and confider how many of thofe have bin preferv'd intire to him, ftill accounting every thing fo continued as a new donation. If he begin with his Spiritual ftate, tis too poffiblehemay foratimesfind he has loft his innocence, committed fome, perhaps many fins : but even in thefe he will find caufe to jultify God, if he do but recoiled with what inward checks and admonitions, and outward reftraints, God has endevored to bridle him. If he will break thro thofe fences, that do's not at all derogate from the mercy of God which fo guarded him, but it rather illuftrates his goodnefs , that after fo many quenchings of his Spirit, do's yet continue its influence. So that even he that has the moft deplorably violated his integrity, is yet to confefs that Gods purpofe was to have preferv'd it intire : and he might really fo have kept it, had he compli'd with thofe aids which were afforded him. But in temporal concerns we are not fo apt to undermine our fclves, and therefore (hall much more rarely find we have fuffer'd detriment in them, then in our fpiritual-, but
recoiled:,
are there ordinarily like to

meet with a
better

Sect. IV. En]oiments above

better account.

Sufferings.

63

Let a man therefore conwhat is lacking to him of all the fecular good things he had in the morning , and tell me whether for the moft
iider

part he

may

not give fuch an account,

as the Ifralitish officers did

of their men

after the flaughter of the Midiamtes, that

he hath not

loft one.

Num.

31. 30.

Or
,

if

fomtimes he do

fuffcr a

diminution

yet

at the worft he will find that

many more

good things have bin preferv'd to him, then have bin taken from him. A man may perhaps meet with fome damage in
his eltate, yet

manifold odds that that damage is but partial, and that he has Or if it be ftill more left then is loft. health, his his moreintire-jyetifhehave
tis

limbs, his fenfes, his friends, and all things befide his eftate left him, fo that for one thing he has loft, he ftill retains a multitude, he may fay of it as the Difciples of
the few \uOZNts>^what is this among fo many 1 Mar. 14. 17. Ariftipptis b^ing bemoan'd for the lofs of a Farm,repli*d with fome (harp-

upon his Condoler, you have but one field, and I have yet three left, why fhould I not rather grieve for you ? intimating that a man is not fo much to eftimate what A piece he has loft, as what he has left. '
ne(s

of

^4

The

Art of Contentment.

of wifdom which i we would tranfcribe we might quickly convince our felves^thaC

even inourmoft adverfe

efrate there arenas

Elijah fpeaks, more with us then agairiji us^ 2 King.6.i(5. that our enjoiments are more then our fufFerings,and Gods ads of grace, do far out- number thofe of his fe verity. they do out- number, fo alfo J. A N D as them. The mercies outweigh do they we receive from Godare(asthe lail Se(Stion has (hew'd) of thegreateft importance-,the moft lubftantial iolid goodsjand
the greateft of all, I mean thofe which concern our eternal ftate, are (o firmly fixt on us, that unlefs we will voluntarily quit our clame, ris not in the power of men or devils to defeat us. Light bodies are
eafily

blown away by every guit of wind,

glory ^ as the Apoftle calls weight of Cor. it, 2 4. 17. contiimes firm andftable, is proof againft all ftorms, like the shadow of a great rock in a weary Land. Ifa. 32,2. Thole dark adumbrations we have of it^might have lerved to refrefli and deceive the tedioufnefs of our pilgrimage and therefore the moft formidable calamities of this life are below all mefures of comparifon with this hope of our calling,

but

this

this riches

of the glory of our inheritance

Eph,

Sect IV. Enjoiments above (ujferings. 6y

.

The heavieft and mo ft: pref1 5. our aiBidrions are to that , but like ling ot the fmall duft of the balance-. Efa.40. 15. So that if we Ihoiild here fl:op our inquifition , we have a fufScient refolution of the prelent queftion and mult conclude, that God has given us an abundant counterpoifeof all we either do or can fuffer
Eph.
3
:,

here.
6. 1 F therefore there be any fo forlorn as to temporals , that he can fetch thence no evidence of Gods fatherly care of him a *yet this one confiJeration may folve his do'ubts, and convince him that

he

is

not abdicated by him.

We

read of

no gifts K^brahamgzvc

Ifaac^yQ.t to the

fons of the concubines tis faid he did. Gen. It had bin a very fallacious infe25. 5. rence , if Ifaac fhould have concluded himfelf neglected ^ becaule his far greater portion was but in reverfions. And it will be the fame in any of us, if we argue

an unkindnefs from any temporal wants who have the entail of an eternal inheritance. But furely God do's not leave himfelf without witnefs^ A<3:. 14. 17. even in fecular thingsj there is no man breathing but has fome bleflingsofhislefr hand, as well as his right , as I have already mentioned and I

66

The Art of Contentment.

it

and unlefs

be fome few prodigies of Calamity, in whofe punilhment or patience

Goddefigns fignally to glorify himfelf, there are none who enjoy not greater comforts of life then thofe they want , I mean
fuch as are really greater , tho perhaps to their prejudicated fancies they do not appear fo. Thus in point of health , if
a manbedifaffefted in one part, yet all

the
is

of his body maybe (and often i or if he have a complication, and have more then one difeafe, yet there i^ no man that has alitor halffo many
reft

) well

as are incident to

bodies ^ fo that he is comparatively more healthy then iick So again it is not very common for a man to lofe a limb , or fenfe : the generallity ofmenkeep them to their laft^ and they who do , have in that an overbalance to moft outward adverfitjes 5 and even they who are fo unhappy to lole one, yet commonly keep the reft i at leaftt
the
it

human

man

Major part. Or if at any time any is left a mere breathing trunk y yejc is by fuch ftupifying difeafes as dead
:>

the Icnfe, or fuch mortal ones as foo.a take them away and fo the remedy o-^

vertakes the Malady. Befides it pleafe$ God very often, to make compeniatioii for

Sbct. IV. EnjoimtHts above

Sufferings.

67

for the want of one member or faculty by improving theufeof another. We have ieen feet fuppH' aU the neceflary ufes of hands to thofe who h^v'C had none; and it a thing of daily obiervation, that meii that are bimd, havethe greater internal light; have their inteileds more vigorous and aftive, by their abltraftions from
'\%

V^ifible

objeds.

alfo it is in the matter of wealth: he that is forced to get his bread by the Iweat of his browes, tis true he
7.

Thus

cannot have thofe delicacies wherewith tieh men abound 5 yet his labor helps him
to a more poignant, a more favory fauce then a whole College of Epicures can Compound. His hunger gives a higher guft to his dry cruft, then the furfeited ftomach can find in the moft coftly , moft elaborate mixtures: fo verifying the obfervationof Solomon^ The full foul loatheth the hony comb , but to the hiingrj foul ^very hitter thing is fweet , "Prov. 27. 7. He cannot indeedJiretch himfelfttpon hts bed of Ivory , Am. 6.4. yet his ileeps are founder then thofe that can. The wife man tell us, and experience do's fo too', that the fleep of a laboring man isfweet. Ecclus. He is not cloathed gorgeoufly, 5 12. has I 2

(J8

The Art of Contentmenu

has not the fplendor of glittering apparel, (o neither has he the care of contriving
it,

the fears of being foreftal'd in a

new

invention, or any of thofe unmanly foHe licitudes which attend that vanity. clothing ufe genuine of proper has the
the preventing ihame and cold, and is happily deccrmin'd to that which the wifer men of the world have voluntarily chofen.

Toconclude> he has one advantage be-

yond all. thele his neceflities refcue him from idlenefs^andall its confequent temtations which is fo great a benefit, that
;
,

not their own taskmafters as his wants are his, if they do not provide themfelves of bufinefs , that one want of theirs is infinitly more deplorable then all his : and he is not only happy comparatively with himfelf , in ha? ving better things then he wantSi but with
if rich

men be

them
8.

alfo.
I F

to reputation and fame, the account will be much the fame* He that is eminent in the world for
f

we come now

ome

great atchievement

is

let

up

as

an

objedt of every mans remark ; where as his excellencies on the one hand are vifible, fo his faults and blemifiies are on the ofher.

And as human frailty makes

it

top pro?

Se Ct IV. Enjoiments above Sufferings. 69

.

probable thefe latter will be really more, io human envy makes it fure chat they

be more preciiely , more curioully obferved, and more loudly blazon'd. So that upon the whole, a good quiet fecurity , tho it be not the road to glory, yet is the likelieft fence againft infamy. And
fhall

indeed he that can keep up the repute of a fober integrity within his own private fphere need not envy the triumphant Tallies of others, which often meet with a fatal turn at the latter end of the day. But twill be faid that even that more moderate fort of reputation is not every mans portion, but that many lie under great ignominy and fcandals. I fhall here ask whether tho fe be juftor unjull:
,

they belong not to our prefent fubjedl , which relates only to thofe infliftious which are the effe(Sls of Gods immediate providence, not of our own crimes for I never doubted but that by thofe wemay diveftour felves of any, nay of all the good things God has deiign*d us. But if the obloquie be unjuft, tis probable that tis taken up only by ill men, and that the good pals a moreequitable fentence 5 and then furely the ifitteftation of a few luch> is able to outIf they

be

juft

weigh

70

The Art of Contentment.

weigh a multitude of the others. And in this cale a man may not only find patience but plefure in reproches. Socrates lookt with trouble and jealoufy on himfelf vvSen ill men commended him, faying, What ill have I don ? and fure a Chrireafon to be pleas'd with their revilings, they being hisfecurityagainft the 'x^'<7^ pronounced to thofe whom all men /peak well oj\ Luk. 6. ^6. Butfomtimesit happens, that even good
llian has a farther

men are

feduc'd)

and either by the

artifices

of the wicked, or their own too hafty credulity, give credit to unjuft reports. And this 1 confefs is a (harp trial to the injured perfon : yet even this cannot often be unikarcebe any innocence there may be opportuthat but lb forlorn nities of electing it to fome or other, and by them propagating it to more,and if the cloud ever come to bedifpers'd, their famfe will appear with the brighter lufter. But if none of this happen, they have yet a certain and more blefled retreat ^ eVelian appeal to the unerring judg, who never beholds us with more approbation , therk when we are under the unjuft condemnaIndeed w^ have then ^ tion of men. double tie upon him, not only his juftic^^ but
verfal, there can

Sect. IV. Enjoiments above Sufferings,

but
his

ji

pity

is

concerned

God

particularly

owns

in our cafe. hiinfelf as the re-

fuge of the oppreffed: and there is fcarce a fliarper and more fenfible oppreflion then

of Calumny ; yet even this proves advantage, vi^hilftit procures Gods immeijiate patronage, makes us the objed:s of his more peculiar care and compaflion,who can make our right eoujnefs as cletr as the light, Pfa. 37. 6. if he lee it fit ; but if in his wifdom he chufe not that for us, tis
this

prov'd

comfort enough for us that we have ap. it to him. Twas Elkanah's que-

llion to

Hannah
I

in her difconfolation
?

Am not
.

better to thee then ten Sons

Sam. 1 8. And fure we may fay the like of Gods approbation, that tis better to us I fay not then ten, but tenthoufand Eulogics of men. The very Echo of it in thetftimonyof agood confcience is an unfpeakablecomfortjand this voice founds more audibly, morefweetly, among the loudeft , the harflieft accufations of men. Sp that we fee even this afl'ault too is not without it$ guard , and thefe waters of Marah^ Exod. i f 33 may be rendered not Qflly wholfome but pleafant. 9, I have now inftanced in the three moft general concerns of human life, the

body

71

The Art

of Contentmenr.

Body , Goods, and Fame, to which heads may be reduced molt of the afflictions
incident to our

outward

ftate, as far
lelves.

as

immediately concerns our

there
is

But

(lands fo fingle in the has lome relation or friends he but world, in which he thinks himfelf intereffed, and

no man

many times thofe oblique flrokes which wound us thro them , are as painful as the more dired:. Yet here alfo God is
ordinarily pleas'd to provide

fome

allaies

He if we would but take notice of them. who has had one friend die, has ordinarily divers others furvi ving s or if he have
not that J ulually God raifes him up others. Tis true we cannot have a fucceflion of Fathers and Mothers , yet we often have of other friends that are no left helpful to us : and indeed there are fcarce in any thing more remarkable evidences of Providence, then in this particular. He that is able out of Hones to raife up chiU dren to^ylhraham ^ Mat. 3,9. do's many times by as unexped:ed a production fupply friends to the delolate. But we do fomtimes lole our friends while they are living: they withdraw their ktndnefs which is the foul of friendfliip ; and if this happen by our own demerit, we can accufe
nei-

Sect. IV- En]otments

neither

abo've fiijfenngs.

73

God nor them

,

for it: nor can

we rationally exped: that God Ihould proVide fupplies when we wiltiilly defpoil our felves. But when they are unkind
without provocation, then is the feafon for his interpohtion, whoufes to take up thofe whofn Father and Mother for fake ^ Plal. 27. 10. and we frequentiy fee iignal proofs of his care in exciting the compaffions of other friends and relatives, or perhaps of mere llrangers. Nay fomtinies God makes the inhumanity of a mans relations , the occalion of his advantage. Thus the barbarous mahce of Jojephs brethren was the firit ftep to his Dominion And tis a common oblerover Egypt. vation in Families, that the moft difcountenanc'd child oft makes better proof, then
the dearling.
10.

We
no

are yet liable to a third affli-

ftion

by the calamity of our friends, which by the Sympathy of Kindnefs preffes us

lefs
:

( perhaps

more

fenfibly

but then tis to be confider'dj that theirs are capable of the fame
then our
allaying circumftances that ours are , and God has the fame arts of alleviating their burdens 5 fo that we have the fame argu-

own

ments for acquiefcence in their fuffermgs

that

74
that

The Art of Contentment.

we have

more
upon

in our own ; and fliall do a friendly office in impreffing thofe them, then in the moft pallionate a-

dopting their forrows. laft and greateft difcomfort II. from friends, is that of their fin and if ever we may be allow'd that difconfolate ftrein of the Prophet, Efa. 22.4, Turn aiz'ay from me , 1 will weep bitterly^ labor not to comfort me > this feems to be the time. Yet even this vally of Achor is not without a door of hope^ Hof. 22. 1 5 A vicious perfon may be recalled, multitudes have bin ^ fo that fo long as God conti-

The

nues life,

we ought no more to

depofite

our hope then to quit our endevor. Befides there are few that make this complaint that have not fomthing to balance , orat lead to lighten it. I fliali inftance in that relation which is the neareft and

moft tender, that of a Parent. He that has one bad child may have divers good.
but one virtuous tis a very great mercy, and tis another that he may be the better taught to value it by the oppofition of the contrary. But if any be lo unhappy as to have many children , and all to con fume his eies and grieve his heart , I Sam. 2. 33. it may be a feafonable reflexion
tor
If he have

Sect. IV. Enjoiments above Sufferings. 7

for him to examin how far he has contributed coic, either by /i^j fond indul.

gence , or by a remifs and cauelcfs education or which is worlt of all, by his mod impious example. If any , or all of thefe be found the caufe, he is not fo much
:

may reform thofe of his children. In mean time he may look on his own
fliftion in

to feek for allaies to his grief, as for parhis fin ; and when he has penitently retrafted his own faults, he may then have better ground of hope that God

don of

the
af-

him then he had of his and do's not leave him uncorrected. 12. Thus we fee in all the concerns
s

them as Gods difcipline on him and gather at leall this comfort from it that his heavenly father has more ciKe of

which are the mofl: common and important of human life, and wherein the jufteft of our complaints are ufually found{

ed) there is fuch a temperature and mixture, that the good do's more then equal the ill 3 and that not only inthegrofler

bulk,

when our whole

ftate

is

weighed

together, but in every fingle branch of It God having herein dealt with this : httle world Man, as he has don with the greater, wherein he is obferv'd to have

fur-

76

The Art of Contentment.

furnllhed ever^/ country with Specific reI have medies for their peculiar dileafes.

by way of effay and pattern for the Readers contemplation, which when he fliall have exonly giv^n thefe
fliort hints

tended to all thofe more minute particulars wherein he is efpecially concern d,

more

curioufly compar'd

his

fufFerings

with his allaics and comforts > I cannot doubt but he will own himfelf an inftance of the truth of the prefent Thefis , and confefs J that he has much more caufe of
thankfulne ib then complaint. 13. This 1 fay fuppofing his afflidions to be of thofe more foHd and confideBut rableTort I have before mentioned. or are there who have few none how many of fuch, who leem to be fcated in the land

of Goshen^ in a place exenit from all the plagues that infeit their Neighbors < And thofe one would think fliould give a ready fuffrage to this conclufion, as having no temtation to oppugn it 5 yet I doubt tisfar otherwife, and that fuch men are ofallthemoftunfatisfied. For tho they have no crofles of Gods impofing , they
ufually create a multitude to themfelves.

And

here

we may

fay with David^

it is

better to fall into the

hand of Godthenin^
to

Sect. IV. Enjoiments above Sufferings. 77

to the

hand ofman^

Sam,

24. 14. tis ealier

to bear the afflidioiis

God fends5chen thofe

we make to our felves. His are limited both for quantity and quaUty , but our

own

are as boundlefs as thole extravagant

defires

from which they

fpring.

14.

And

this is

the true caufe

why

contentment is fo much a ftranger to thofe who have all the outward caufes of it. They have no definite mefure of their defires 5 tis not the fupply of all their real wants will ferve their turn their appe. tites are precarious and depend upon contingencies. They hunger not becaufe they are emty , but becaufe others are full. Many a man would have liked his OAva portion well enough, had he not feen another have fomthing he liked better. Nay even the moil inconfiderable things acquire a value by being anothersj when wedefpife much greater of our own. A* hab might well have latisfied himfelf with the Kingdom of Ifrael^ had not Nahoths poor plot laid in his eie i but fo raving were his defires after it, that he difrelifhes all the pomps of a Crown, yea the ordinary refrelhments of Nature, can eat no bread tiW he have that to furnifli him with
:

Sallads. i Kings 21. 2.

And how many

arc

78
are there

The Art of Contentment.

now

adaies

whofe clothes

fie

un

eafy if they fee another have had but the luck to be a little mo^e ino^enioafly vainj whofe meat is unfavory it chey have iccn

but a greater rarity, a newer cookery at in a word who make anothers Table other peoples exceffes the ftandard of their
:

own

felicities

ly.

Nor

are

our appetites only ex-

cited thus by our outward objefts, but precipitated and hurried on by our inward The proud man fo longs for holults. mage and adoration , that nothing can

pleafe

him if that be wanting. Haman can find no guft in all the fenfualities of

the Terfian Court, becaufe a poor defpicable Jew denies his abaifance 5 Eft. 5.13. The luftful fo impatiently purfues his im-

pure defigns, that any difficulty he meets in them , makes him pine and languifli like Amnon^ who could no way recover his own health but by violating his lifters honor, 2 Sam. 13. i^. The revengeful labors under an Hydropic thirft till he have the blood of his enemy ; all the liquor of Abfahms flieep-flieering could not quench his, without the flaughter of his brother, And thus every one of our 2 Sam. 13.22. paflionskeepsus upon the rack till they have

Sect.

IV

Enjoiments above Siijferings.

y^

have obtained their defigns. Nay when they have, the very emtinefs ot thofeacquilitions is anew torment^and puts us upon frelh purfuits. Thus between the impetuoufnefs of our dcfires, and the cmcinefs of our enjoiments , we ftiU difquiet ourfehesin vain, Pfa. j^^.y. And whil'ft we have fuch cruel task-mafters, tis not ftrange to find us groaning under our burdens. If we will indulge to ail our vicious or foolifli appetites, think our lives bound up with them , and folicite the fatistaftion of them with as impatient a vehemence , as Rachel did for children .give me them or I die : no woniGen. 30. 1 der that we are alwaies complaining of didippointments, lincein thele the very fuccefs is a defeat, and is but the exchanging the pain of a craving ravenous ftomach,for that of a cloi'dand naufeated. Indeed men of this temper condemn them1

felves to a perpetual relllefnefs: they are

like phantaftic mutineers, vi^ho

when

their

fuperiors fend them blanks to write their

own conditionSjknow not what will pleafe

and even Omnipotence it felt cannot fatisfy thefe till it have new moulded them, and reduced their defires to ^
:

them

certainty.
T(J*

Bur

go
i6
juftly

The Art

of Contentment.

Bu

T in the

mean time how unilliberality,

do they accufe God of

mor? He has made them

,

becaufe every thing anfwers not their hureafonable creaprovided has them iatisfaftiand tures ons proportionable to their nature 5 but if they will have wild irrational expectations, neither his

wifdom, norhisgood-

concern'd to fatisfy thofe. His fupplies are real and Iblid, and therefore have no correfpondence to imaginary wants. If we will create fuch to our felves why do we not create an imaginary facisfaftion to them ? Twere the merrier frenzy of the two, to be like the mad^;^^^nels
is

manyXXv^t thought all the

:

fliips

that

came

and twere betinto his harbor his own our like to have Arms fiird with Ixion ter a cloud, then to have them perpetually
beating our
fires.

own breads and

menting our

be ftill tor, with felves unfatisfiable de-

Yet this is the (late to which men voluntarily fubjeftthemfelves, and then quarrel at God becaufe they will not let themfelves be happy. But fure their very complaints jufiify God, and argue that he has dealt very kindly with them, and afforded them all the neceflary accomodations of life : for did they want them
they

Se c T IV. Enjoments above

.

Sufferings.

they would not be fo fenfible of tHe want of the other. He that is at perfed: eafc may feel with fome vexation the biting of a flea or gnat, which would not be at all obfervable if he were upon the rack. And (hould God change the fcenc , and make thefe nice people feel the deftitution of neceflfaries all thefe regrets about fuperfluities would be overwhelmed. In the mean time how deplorable a thing is it, that we are ftill the poorer for Gods bounty , that thofe to whom he has opened his handwideft, fhould open their mouth fb too in outcries and murmurs?
-,

think 1 may fay that generally, thofe that are the fartheft remov'd from wajit, are fo from content too they take no notice of all the real fubftantial blcflings they enjoy, leave thefe ( like the ninety nine flieep in the wildernefs ) forgotten

For

and negleded, to go
fugitive fat isfaftion
flies ftill fafter
,

in queft after

fome

which

like a fliadow

in proportion to their pur-

fuit.

now would God they could from this unprofitable chafe , andinfteadof the Horfleeches note, Give^ give Prov. 30. I J. take up that of the Pfalmift ffhat shall I render to the Lord
17. be recalled
^ ,

And

for

82

The Art of Contentment.

for all the benefits he hath don unto ?ne?^Qi Let them count how many va1 1 6. 12. luable or rather ineftimable things they have received from hismercy, and then confront them with thofe corrections they

have found from his juftice j and if they do this impartially, I doubt not they will
check their higheft mutinies ; and will join with me in confeffing, that their good things abundantly outweigh their ill. i8. I F now we carry on the comparifon to the laft circumftance, and confider the ConftancyjWe fliall find as wide a diffeLet us take the Pfalmifts teftiraorence. ny , and there will appear a very diftant date of his mercies and puniihments. His mercies endure for e^ver^ Pfa, 136. whereas his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eie^
find wherewithall to

And accordingly God owns Pfa. 30. 5. his adls of feverity as his firange worky Ifa.
28. 2i> that which he reforts to only upon fpecial emergencies } but his mercies
are renewed every mornings

Lam. 3. 2jr. and doubtlefs we may all upon trial affirm

the fame. There are many of the moft neof life which do not only fomtimes vilit us as guefts, but dwell with us as inmates and domeftics. How
ceCTary comforts

many

Sect. IV. Enjoim^

nts aho

i:e

Siijfering:^,

8J

who have lived ia a perpetual affluence from their cradles to their graves> have never knovv^n what it h to want? And tho the goods of fortune are perhaps lefs con(tant to fome, yet the refrefhmentsof nature are ufually lo to eat and drink, we Deep, we us all. recreate, we converfe in a continued circle^ and go our round ahnoft as conftantOr if God do's ly as the Sun do's his. fomtimcs a little interrupt us in it, put fome Ihort reftraint upon our refrefliments , yet that comparatively to the
are there

many

We

time we enjoy them, is but proportionable to the flop he has fomtimes made of the Sun, Jof. lo. 13. 2 Kings 20. 8. or of thefea, Exod. 14.21. whichas they were no fubverfions of the courfe of nature, io neither are thofe ihort paufes he fomtimes makes , a repeal of thofe fixt and cuftomary benefits his providence ufually But who is there can fay that aallots us. ny one of his afflicSlions has bin of equal continuance, or has preft him with fo few intermiflions ? Perhaps he may have mill fome few nights lleep but what is that to a twelve-months, or perhaps a whole lives enjoying it^ Tispofliblehis ftomachand his meat have not alwaies bin ready to:

gether-.

84

The Art of Contentment.

gethcr ; but how much oftner have they met to his delight ? and generally thofe things that are moft ulcful , are but rarely interrupted. Nay to a great many even the dehcacies of lite are no lefs conftant, andtheir luxuries are as quotidian as their bread : whereas unlefs their vices or their thncies create uneafinelTcs to them, thofe that come immediately from Gods hand ,

make long

intermiffions

and

fliort ftaies.

Yet for all this they that iTiould mefure by theunceffantnefsof mens complaints, would judg that the fcene was quite reverft , and that our good things are, as Job i^Q^ks^Jwifter then a weavers shuttle^
Job. 7. 6, whilft our
5.
ill
,

like Gehazies

Leprojjy cleave tnfe^arably to us. 2

10.
19.

Kings

truth is, we will not let our felves enjoy thofe intervals God allowes us , but when a calamity do's retire we
v/ill ftill keep it in fidion and imagination 5 revolve it in our minds, andbecaufe tis poflible it may return, look up-

The

on

it as

not gon.

Like Aguifli patients

we count our felves fick on our well- day j becaufe wc expcd a fit the next. A ftrange
ftupid folly thus to court vexation
,

and
or

be miferable in Chimera,

Do's any

man

Sect. IV. En]oments above

'

Stifferivgs.

85

or indeed any beatt delire to keep a diftaftful relidi ftill in his mouth, to chew the cud upon gall and wormwood? Yet certainly there are a multitude of people

whofe lives are imbitter'd to them mere-* ly by thefe fantaftic imaginary fufFerings. Nor do we only fright our felves with images and Ideas of pad calamities , but we drefs up new bugbears and mormoes> are Poetic and aerial in our inventions, and lay Romantic fcenes of diftrefl'es. This is a thing very incident to jealous
natures 5

who

are alwaies

raifing alarms

to themlelves.
I
'

fufpicious

on every body with dread. fears has defigns upon his fortune, another on his reputation perhaps a third upon his life whilft in the mean time, the only ill defign againil him is mana,
:
.

man looks One man he

/ I

ged by himfelf ; his own caufelels fears and jealoufies, which put him in a ftate of hoftility with all the world; and do often betray him to the very things he groundlefly fufped:ed. For it is not feldom feen that men have incurrM reall mifchiefs by a fond folicitude of a* voiding imaginary ones. I do not queftion but this is a ftate calamitous enough, and fliall acknowledg it verylike-

86

The Art of Contentment.

ftiall

likely that fuch perfons

have

little

or no truce from their troubles , who have fuch an unexhaufted fpring within themfelvesj yet we may fay to them as the Prophet did to the houfe of Jacobs
Is the fpirit of thefe his doings

Lord Jlraitned ? are Such men 1 Mich. 2. 7. muft not cry out that Gods hand lies heavy upon them , but their own i and fo can be no impeachment for the truth of our oblervations , that Gods bleffings are of a longer duration , keep a more
the
fixt

fteddy courfe then his punilhments. refult of all is , that the generality of mankind have good things ( even as to temporals) which do in the three refpeds foremention'd exceed the ill. I mean the true and real things which God fends , tho not thofe fanciful ones they raiie to themfelves.

The

20.

And

now why

fliould it

not ap-

pear a reafonable propolition that men iliould entertain themfelves with the plefantcr parts of Gods difpenfations to them, and not alwaies pore upon the harflier : especially fince the former are fo much a fairer objed, and perpetually in their eie
,

why fhould we look on

the

S B G T. IV. Enjoiments above Siiiferings. 87

the

more fadning

Ipedlacles

of human

misfortune , thro all the mag. optics nifying our fancies can fupply, and perverfly turn away our eies from the cheerfuUer < Yet this God knows '^ too much the cafe with moft of us. How nicely and critically do we obferve every little adverfe accident of our \\WQ,%'i what tragical ftories of them do our memories prefent us with ? When alas a whole current of profperity glides by without our notice. Like little children our fingers are never off the fore place , hght fcratch intill we have pickt every to an Ulcer. Nay like the leuder fort of beggars, we make artificial fores to give us a pretence of complaint. And can we then exped: God (hould concern himfelf in the cure? Indeed inthecourfe of his ordinary providence there is no cure for fuch people, unlefs it be by revulfion , the making them feel the fmart of fome very great and preffing afflidlion. They therefore put themfelvesunder an unhappy dilemma, either to continue their own tormentors, or to endure the fevereft courfe of Gods difci. pline. Tis true the laft is the more
frailty or
eli-

88

The
}

Art of Contentment.

but I am iure the bed way is to prevent both by a juft and grateful which will be fenie of Gods mercies yet farther illultrated if wc compare them with our own demerits.
eligible
, :

Sect.

Sect.V. Of our Demerit towards God,

89

SECT.
Of our Demerit
I.

V.

towards God.

TT

is

the

common
^

fault

of our naour expethen by

--ture, that
rial

we are very
and
wliac

apt to be parwifli

to our felves

to fquare

ctations

more by

we

what we deferve. Somching of this is vifible ill our deaUng with men. We oft lo^k to reap where we have not fawn , Mat. 25. 25, expeft benefits where we do none: yet
in civil tranfactions there areftill remaining fuch footfteps Oi natural jufticc , that we are not univerfaily fo unreafonable ;

and commerce fubfifting upon the principle of equal retribution, giving one good thing for another equivalent; fo that no man expects to buy corn with chaff. Or Gold with drofs. But in out dealings with God, we put off even this common equity; arevaftinour expe(3:ations J but penurious and bafe in our returns > and as if God were our fteward, not our Lord, we require of him with a confidence proper only to thofe who ask their
all

traffic

own

90

The Art of Contentment.

the interim, what we ofwith fuch a difdainful flightas if we meant it rather an alms then
wliilft in
is

own:
fer to
nefs,

him

an homage.
indeed \\Qprevents us with
2.

God

is

fb munificent

that
;

his blejfmg^ Pfa.

21

3,

things before we ask: had he not don fo, we could not have bin fb much as in a capacity of asking. But tho gives us

many

the

firft

and fundamental mercies are ab;

folute and free^yet the fubfequent are con-

and accordingly we find in fcriGod makes no promife either concerning this life or a better,but on condition of Obedience. The J'ews who had much larger propofals of temporal happinefs then Chriftians have, yet never had them upon other terms. God exprefsly articled for the performance of hisconimandSj and made all their enjoiments forfeitable upon the fiilure, as we may fee at large in the book of Deuteronomy. And under the Gofpie St. Vaul appropriates the
ditional

pturc, that

promifes as well of this

as that to come It will theretintogodlinefs^ i Tim. 4, 8. fore be a material inquiry for every man, whether he laave kept his title entire , and
life

feited his

have not by breach of the condition forelamcjeven to the moft common

or-

Sect.V. Of our Demerit towards God. 91 ordinary blefiings > for if he have , common reafon will tell him he can challenge none and that the utmoft he can hope for, muft be only upon a newfcoreof
:

unmerited favor.
3.

And here certainly every mouth muft

and all
the world become guilty
3, ip.

be flopped^
before God,

Rom.

For

alas

who is

there that can lay his obedience has bin in any degree proportionable to his obligation ? Tis manifeft we have all received abundantly from Gods hand, but what

from ours ? I may challenge the beft man, to caft up the account of his beft day, and tell me whether his receits
has he had

have not infinitly exceeded his disburfments : whether for any one good thing he has don, he has not received many, Noristhedifparity only in number, but much more in value. Gods works are perfed, all he do's for us like the firft fix dales proda&ionsy are all very goody Gen, i. but alas our very righteoujnejs is as filthy rags , Efai. 64. 6. we offer himthe blind and the lame^ Mal.1.9. a few yawning drowfy praiers perhaps,wherein he has the lead (hare : the fuller current of our thoughts running towards our fecular or finful concerns. drop,it may be, a fcanty Alms, where*

We

Ms

ia

92
in tis

The

Art of Contentment.

odds our vain-glory fcrambles for a Ihare with him , if it do not wholly infit an hour at a fermon, grofl'e it. but tis rather to here the wit or eloquence of the preacher, then the word of God. Like the duller fore of animals , we like well to have our itching ears Icratcht, but grow Iturdy and reftive when we fhould do what we are there taught. In a word

We

our fervices at the belt are miierably maim*d , and imperfed: and too often corrupt and unfound. So that God may well upbraid us as he did Ifiael ^ offer it now to the governor, will he be pleas' with it ? Mai. 1.8. Thefe very iniquities of our holy things, are enough to defeat all our pretences to any good from Gods hand ; yet God knows this is much the befl: iide ot us : tis not every one that can make fo fair an appearance as this amounts to. With many, there is no place to complain of the blemifhesof their lacrifices , for they offer none of whom we may fay in the word of the Pfalmift, God is not in all their thoughts^ Pfal. lo. 4. I fear there want not thofe who drive away the day , the week, naytheyear^ without remembringin whofe hand their time is ^ Pfal. 31. 18. or paying him any folemn tribute of
all
,

Se c T V.
.

Of

our Demerit towards God.

all

93

of

iti

who enjoy the fervices of

,

infe-

without confidering that theirs are more due to the fupreme Lord : in a word> who lives as if they were abfolutely independent ; had their exiftence purely from themfelves, and had no Creator to whom they owed their being, or any confequent duty. And fure men who thus difcard them felves from Gods familyj have very little reafon to expe(9: the provifionsof it yet even fuch as thelc have the impudence to complain, if any thing be wanting to their needs ( (hall I fay) or to their lufts-, can ravingly profane Gods name in their impatiencies , which they know not how to ufe in their praiers as if the Deity were confiderable in no other notion, then that of their caterer or fteward.
rior creatures
:
:

4. I F

now we
:>

ferioufly refleft,

what

can be more admirable then that infinit patience of God who notwithftanding the miferable infirmities of the pious, and the leud contemt of the impious, ftill goes

bounty , and continues to all mankind fome and to fome all his temporal blefllngs ? He has no obligation of juftice to do k^ for it is no part of his compact 5 he has none of grarefolutely in his
,

on

ti-

^4

The Art of Contentment.

is

titude, for he

perpetually affronted

and

difobliged.

Surely

we may
17.

^avid^

Is this after the

well fay with manner of men^

O
eft

Lordi iChro,iy.
his divine

Can the high-

human indulgence bear any proportion

with

Clemency? no certainly, no finite patience but would be exhaufted

with the thoufandth part of our provo-

cations.
5
.

But

is

not our dealing too

,

as lit-

tle after the

manner of men
:

mean of
for-

reafonable creatures feited our right to

for us

who have

all , and yet by mere favor are ftilT kept in the pofleffion of many great bleflings : for us to grow mutinous, becaufe there is perhaps fomthing

more

fuch a ftupid ingratitude, as one would think impoflible to human nature. Should a Tenant v/ith us have at once forfeited his
trifling
is

which

deni'd us,

is

leafe,

and malicioufly affronted his Landvery 3 he would fure think himfelf gently dealt with , if he were fuffer'd to enjoy but a part of his firlt eftate 5 but wc fliould think him not only infolent, but mad, who when the whole were left him^fhould quarrel and clamor if he might not have his Cottage adorn'd with marble floors, and gilded roofs. Yet at this wild
lord
rate

Sect. V. Of our Demerit towards God. 95

we behave our ielves to our great Landlord, grow pettifli and angry if we have not every thing we can fancy , tho we enjoy many more ufeful merely by
rate
,

can there be any thing imagined more unrealonable ? Let us therefore if not for piety, yet at leaft to juftify our clame to rationahty, be more ingenuous let us not confult only with our fond appetites , and be thus perpetuhis indulgence.
,

And

ally foHciting their fatisfadion; but rather

whereby we hold what we already have,even that of fuperabundant mercy, and fear leaft like infolent beggersby the impudence of our demands we divert even that charity which was In (hort let every man,when defign'd us. he computes what he wants of his defires
refled:

on

that tenure

reckon as exadtly how much he is fliort of his duty; and when he has duly ponder'dboth, he will think it a very gentle compoficion to have the one unfjppliedf lo he may have the ocher remitted 5 and will fee caufe contentedly to fit down and fay with honC^Mephiboshesh, What right have I to cry anymore unto the Kingi 2SamBut if it be thus with us upon 19. 28. the mere fcore ot our imperfediions, or omifiion?, what an obnoxious ftate do our
in-

^6

The Art of contentment.

innumerable aftual fins put us in ? If the fpocs of our facrifices are provoking, what are our facrileges and bold profanations? If
thole

who negled: or forget God are lifted among his enemies what are thofe who
,

avowedly defy him ? Indeed he that foberly confiders the world, and fees how daringly the divine Majefty is daily affronted, cannot but wonder that the perverfionsof our manners^ thofe prodigies in morality, fliould not beanfwer'd with as great prodigies in calamity too ; that we fliould ever have other ruin then that o Sodom, or the earth ferve us for anyother purpofe then to be, as it was to Korah, Nunij I ^, our living fepulcher. is this longanimity of God 6. obfervable only towards the mafs andcolled:ive body of mankind , but to every

Nor

man in particular,
he ranlack
guilts

Who

is
,

there that if
in the

his conference

Ihall

enow

to juftify

God

not find utmoft

towards him ? fo that how much fbever his punifliments are ihort of that, fb much he evidently owes to the lenity
leverities

and companion of God.

And who

is

there that luffers in this world ths utmoft that God can infiicSl? have a great

We
5

many

fuffering capacities

and

if thofe

were

Se c T V. of
.

our Dermrit towards God,

97

were

all

fiird

up to the height, our con-

would fcarce differ from that of the damned in any thing but duration. But God is more merciful, and never in* Aids at that rate on us here. Every mans
dition

experience can tell him, tliat God difcharges not his whole quiver at once upon him but exemts him in many more particulars then he afflids him ; and yet the fame experience will probably tell moftof us, that we are not lb modeft in our aflaults upon God; we attacque him in all his concerns ( as far as our feeble malice caa reach ;) in his Soveraigntj^j in his honor^
his very they are univerlal in refpecl ot him, fo alfo in regard of our felves : we engage all our powers in this war, do not on\y yield (as the Apoftie fpeaks) our members inylrumeyits of

in his relatives,

nay fomtimes in

eflence and being.

And

as

unr'ighteoufnefs

butweprefs ^ Rom. 6. 18. them upontheferviceof fenfual and vile lulls, even beyond our native propenfions. Nor are only the members ot our body but the faculties of our fouls alfo thu? emploied our underftandings are bufied fiift in contriving fins, and then excufes and dilguifesfor them our wills are yet more fturdy rebels ^ and when the uaderftand,

p8
ing
is

The

Art of Contentment,
all its

out- works, yet fullenly keep their hold in fpight of all convidlioni and our affcdtions madly rufh

beat out of

on

the horft into the battle^ Jer. 8.6. deterred by nothing of danger^lo there be but fin enough in the attemt.
like

7.

And now with what

face can peo

pie that thus purfue an hoftility, expe<a that it fhould not be returned to them ?

do's any
expe(5l

man denounce war, and

yet

from

his adverfary all the carefles,

the obligements of friendfhip? felf-detence will promt even the meekeft nature to defpoil bis enemy at leaft of thole things which he ufes to his annoiance; and if God iliouldgive way even to that loweft degree of anger 3 where or what

werewe? forfinceweimploy our whole

felves againft

him

nothing but deftru*

^ion can avert our injuries* But tis happy for us we have to do with one who cannot fear us, who knows the impotence
of our wild attemts, and fo allai's hisrelentment of our infolence, with his pity of our follies. Were ic not for this, we iliould not be left in a poflibility fo oft to iterate our provocations every wicked imagination and black defign would be at once defeated and puniiht by infatuati^'

on

Sect.V.

Of our VemerU towards God. ^p

on and frenzy
iltical

: every biajphemous Adie^ fp-ech would wither the tongue, like thac arm oj Jtroh9am^\\\Q]\ he llrecchc againlt the Prophet 5 a King, 13. 4. an4 every impious adt would like the prohibited retrofped: of Lots Wife,fix us perpetual monuments of divine vengeance. 8. A N D then how much do we owe to the mercy and commiferation of our

that he Jiijfers not his hole difple* fure to arije, Pla. 78. 39. that he abates any thing of thatjuft feverity he might

God,

ufe tjowards us

He

that

is

condemned

to

the Gallowes , would think it a mercy to fcape with any inferior penalty: why have we then fuch mean thoughts of Gods Clemency 5 when he defcends to fach low compofitions with us r' corrcds us fo lightly as if twere only matter of ceremony and pundilio , the regard of his honor, rather then the execution of his wrath ? For alas let him among us that is the moft innocent, and undelervedly afBided , mufter up his
fins

and fufFerings,and he will

fee a vaft in-

equality: and (had he not other grounds of aflurancej would be almoft temted to think thofe were not the provoking caufe, they are fo unproportionablyanlwered. He fins in innumerable inftances, and i% pu. I ;

10 D

The Art of Contentment.

puni(ht in few 5 he fin's habitually and perpetually, and fufFers rarely andfeldomi nay perhaps he has fomtimesfinn'd with greedinefs , and yet God has puniflit with regret and relu(3:ancy. How shall I give
thee up

O Ephraim

Hof.

i x

8.

And whea

all thefe dilparities are confider'd, we muft certainly join heartily in Ezra's confef-

iion.

Thou

O God has punisht us lefs then our

no
lels

iniquities deferve,'^ZT2i.^, 1 3. A Y belides. all our antecedent, we 9.

have

after guilts

provoking,

ungracious repinings at the light chaftifements of our former fins, our out-cries upon every little uneafinefs which may juftly caufe God to turn our whips into Scorpions 5 and according as he threatned i/r^^/ Lev. 2^. 18. to punish ^^ /^^ feven times more. And yet e veij this do's not immediately exafperate him.
inftance how long he could bear with a murmuring generation* but certainly we of this nation arc a greater, yet let us not be high-minded but fear^ Rom. 11. 20. for we fee at laft the doom fell heavy tho it w^s protradled, afiicceflion of miraculous judgments purfuedthofe murmurers, fo that not one of them entered Canaan. And tisvery ob-

mean our

The Jews were an

Sect. V. Of our Demerit towards God. loi

obfervable tliat whereas to other fins Gods denunciations are in fcripture conditional andirreverfible ; this was abfokite and bound with an oath, He [ware in his wrath
that they should not enter into his reft ,
Pfa.-

yet if we compare the hard* pf. II. fhips of the Ifraehtes in the wildernels, with moft of our fufferings , weihallbe forced to confefs our mutinies have lefs temtation, and confequently lefsexcufe; from whence tis very reafonable to infer, as the greatnefs ot ourdanger if weperfiA, fo the greatnefs of Gods long fuffering towards us , who yet allows us ipace to reform : and fure new complaints found
are liable to fo fevere an account for our old ones. I fear the moft refign'd perfons of us will up.
ill

And

very

from

-us,

who

on

murmurs: therefore unlefs we will emulate them in their plagues, let us fear to add one more , left that make up the fatal fum , aud render
thelfraelites

one berof

recollection find, they have occafion or other out- vied the

upon

num.

our deftruftion irrevocable.

10.

appears
is

Upon all thefe confiderations it how little reafon any of us have

to repine at our heavieft prefliires;but there yet a farther circumftance to be advert-

ed

I02
ed to
,

The Art of Contentment.

and
is

us, that is, that our lins are

too applicable to many of not only the conftant meritorious caufe of our fufFerings, but they are alfo very often the in^ ftrumental caufe alfo ; and produce them not only by way of retaliation from God, but by a natural efficacy. So/omon tells us^ he that loves piefurC'i shall be a poor man^ and that a whorish woman will bring a to a piece of bread Pro v. 6. 29. that he that fits long at the wine shall have red^ nefs ef eies ^ Chap. 23. 29, 30. that the

mm

flothjulfoul shall fuffer hunger, 19. 15.

all thefe

and

inflidiion

not by immediate fupernatural from God, but as the proper genuine effedts of thofe rdpeftive vices.
his original eftabli(hment

Indeed God in

of things, has

made fo clofe a connexion between fin and punifliment, that he is not often put to exert his power in any

extraordinary way , but may truft us to be our own Lid:ors, our own backflidings reprove Jer. 2.19. andour iniquities are of themfelves enough to become our ruine 9 Exod. 18.38. II. It may therefore be a feafonable queftionfor every man to put to himfelf whether the troubles he labors under be not of this fort 5 whether the poverty he

com-

Sect. V.

Ofour

Demerit towards God. loj

pomplainsof,benot the efFed: of his riot and profufion, his floth and negh'gence^ whether when he cries out that hiscomeVf nejs is turn'dinto corruption^ Dan. lo. 8. he

may not anfwerhimfclf,

his vifits

that they are to the harlots houles which have

rottennefs enter into his bones
,

thus

made

Hab.

3 1^. whether

contentions, caufe, he have not tarried long at the wine 5 when he has loft his friend, whether he
a2. 22. forced

when he is befet with and has wounds without

have not by lome trecherous wound^ EccIg.

or when he lies under infamy, whether it be not only the Echo of his own fcandalous If he find it thus with him \ cercrimes. tainly his mouth is ftopt, and he cannot without the moft difingenuous impudence complain of any but himfelf. He could not be ignorant that fuch effeds did naturally attend fach caufes, and therefore if he would take the one , he muft take the other alio. No man lure can be fo mad, as to think God ihould work miracles ( difunite thofe things which nature hath conjoin'd ) only that he may fin at eale 9 have all the beftial pleafures he can projed , and none of the conlequenC iinart. read indeed God divided the fea, but
to depart
:

him

We

X04
it

The Art of Contentments

was to make the way for the ranfomed of the Lord to pafs over Ila, 51. 16. thofe who were his owfn people, and went in at hiscommand| but when they were fecured, we find the waters immediatly returnM to their chanel, and overwhehned the Egyptians, who ventured without the fame warrant. And fure the cafe is alike here , when any man can produce Gods mandate for him to run into all excefs of riot, to defocrate the temple of the holy Ghoft,^^ make his body the member of en harloti\ Cor. 6. i f .In a word when God bids him do any of thofe things, which God and good men abhor, then and not before he may hope he may fever fuch adts from their native penal effeds 5 for till then (how profufe foever fome Legendary (lories reprefent him) he will certainly never fo beftow his miracles*
12.

But

I fear

upon fcrutiny there will

:

appear a yet farther circumftance upon which to arraign our mutinies for tho it be unreafonable enough to charge God with the ill effedlsof our own lewdnefs, yet tis a higher ftep to murmur becaufe we have not materials to be wicked e* nough. And this I fear is the cafe with top many of us , who tho they are not
fo

Sect. V.

Ofour demerit towards God.

by
their fins
,

105

fo difpoird

but that they

can keep up their round of vicious piefures, yec aredifcontentedbecaufe they think fome others have them more exquifite , think their vices are not Gentile enough, unlefs they be very expenfi ve, and are covetous only that they may be more Thefe are luch as St. James Luxurious.
ipeaks of
,

who ask
upon their

amifs
lujis.

that they
.

may
.

confume Jam 4. 3 and fure to be mutinous on this account is one of the highelt pieces of frenzy. Would any man in his wits tell another he will cut his throat , and then expeft he fhould furnifli him with a knife for it ? Andy et to
it

this amount our murmurs againft God, for his not giving us thole things wherewith

wage war with him. For furely if the difcontents of mankind were clofely infpeded , I doubt a great
defign to

We only

many would be found of this kind. It concerns the Reader therefore to make the inquifition in his own breaft , both in this and all the former particulars, and I doubt not , if he do it with any ingenuity and uprightnefs, he will be abundantly convinced that for his few mites of obedience he paies to God, he
receives talents of mercies ( even

temporal

io6
rai)

The Art of Contentment.

from him
:

and

that God as much overpaieshis fcrvices

fufficiently atteft

that on the other lide , underpaics his fins, as he

:

by which God

do's

our

afflidlion,

how little he dehghts in how gladly he takes any

light occafion of careffing and cherifliing^ and over-skips thofe of punifliing us.
fare ought to make us convert all our difplefures againft our fins, which extort thofe ads of fe verity from him, to which his nature is mofl: averfe. And here indeed ou r refentments cannot be too fharp, but towards God our fitteft addrefs will be in the penitential form of the prophet Daniel, Lord, to us belongeth confuji^ on offace ^ but to the Lord our God belong

Which

mercies andforgivenefs^ the we have rebelled

againfl him^
is

Dan.

9. 8. 9,

And as his jultice

to be revered in his infliftions, fo is his wifdomalfo, in fo difpofingof events to particular perfons, as may belt confift with the univerfal economy and managery of the world , the confideration whereof is the defign of the next Section,

Sect.

Sect .VI. OfGodsgeneral Providence.

07

Sect.

VI.

Of Gods general Providence.

I.

\/\7H E N God made the univer/e,

^

he intended not only to glorify himfelf in one tranfient ad: oF his power , and then leave this great and wonderful
prodiiftionofhis, as the Ojirich her eggs in the wildernefs , Lam. 4. 3, but having drawn it out of its firft Chaos , he fecur'd it from returning thither again, by efta-

due fymmctry of parts, fo alio a regular order of motion hence it is that the heavens have their conftant reblifliingas a
:

volutions , the earth its fuccefiion of determinate feafons ^ animals their alternate courfcof generation and corruption: and by this wile Oeconomy,the world after fo many thoufand years, feems ftill in its fpring and firft beauty. But it had bin in vain to have thus fecured the defection of the creatures, if man for whofe fake they were made had bin excluded

from thiscare.His

faculty of reafon

would
have

io8

The Art of Contentment.

have made him bac che luoll tacal inltrumentof confafion, and taught him die more compendious waies of dillurbing the world. Job compares him to the wild affes colt* Job II. 12. which takes its range without diverting to any thing of the common good. God has therefore doubly hedged in this unruly creature, made a fence of laws about him (both natural and pofitive) and befides has taken him into the common circle of his providence, io that he, as well as the reft of the creation, has his particular ftation aflign'd him i and that not only in reference to other creatures, but himfelf ^ has put a difference between one man and another ordained fever al ranks and Claflesof men, and endowed them with fpecial and appropriate qualifications for thofe flations wherein he has {^t them 1 s, as it isaworkofinfinit wif2. dom in God j fo it is of unfpeakable advantage to men. Without this regular difpofure 5 the world would have bin in the (ameconfufion which we read of in the hoft of the Midianites , e'very mans [word

Th

(igainft his fellow^

Jud

7.

22.

Nothing but

force could determine who should do, or ^njoy any thing- and even that decifioa
alio

Sbct.VI. Of Gods general Providence.

alfo
ter force: fo that

ioc>

would have bin repelable by a grea-

have all reafon to confefs the utility of that order God has lee among men ; and even he that bears the lowelt and moft defpicable place in it^ is certainly infinitly more happy by contributing to that general Harmony , then he could be in any (late of difcord.
3.

we

Were

this

now

well confider'd,

methinks it ftiould filence all our complaints ^ and men fliould not be fo vehemently concerned in what partof theftru* fture it pleafes the great Archited to put them for every man is to look on himfelf only as a fmall parcel of thofe mateErials which God is to put into form. very ftone is not fit for the corner, nor every little rafter for the main beam the wifdomof the Mafter builder is alone to determin that. And fure there cannot be a more vile contemt of the divine wif:
:

dom then to difpute his choice. Had God

wifdom enough to contrive
beautiful fabric ^and
this vaft

and

may he not be trufted

with one of us poor worms ? Did he by his wifdom make the heavens , and by his un^
derjiandivg fir etch out the clouds
ip. and (hall he not know a little lump of figur'd earth
/

Pro. 3. where to place

^

this

is

cer-

tainly

iio
t.iinly

The Art of Contentment

themoft abfurd
diftruft

imaginable,

and yet this is

really the true

meaning of

our repining at the condition he has placed us in. truth is , we are fo full of our 4. felveJ: that we can fee nothing beyond it : every man exped:s God fnould place him where he has a mind to be , tho by it he difcompofe the whole fcheme of his providence. But tho we are fo fenfelefsly partial, yet God is not fo; he that comprehends at once the whole concern of

The

mankind,

applies himf^lf to the

accomo-

dating thofe, not the humoring any particular perfon. He has made the great and thefmalland careth for all alike ^ Wifd. He IS the common Father of man^.7. kind, anddifpofes things for the public advantage of this great family, and tis not all the impatient cravings of a froward child that iliall make him recede from his defigned method. are apt enough I am fure, to tax it not only as a weaknefsj but injufticc too in a Prince, when hg^indulges any thing to a private favorite to the public difadvantage 5 yet fo unequal are we, that we murmur at God for not doing that > which we murmur at men for doing.

We

<.

Be.

Sect. VI.

OfGods general Providence,

1 1

5. Besides a man is to confider that other men have the fame appetites with himfelf. If he dillike an inferior ftate,

and then

why ihould he not think others do fo too ? as the wife man fpeaks , whoje
Lord hear
?

*uoice shall the

Ecclus. 34. 24,

Tis fure great infolence in me to exped: that God ihould be more concern 'd to humor me,then thofe multitudes of others who have the fame defires. And the more
impatient my longings are , the lefs in reafbn fliould be my hopes 5 for mutiny is no fuch endearing quality as to render any man a dearling to God. But if all men fhould have equal fatisfacftions, we fliould puzle even Omnipotence it felf. Every man would be above and fuperior 3 yet thofe are comparative terms, and if no man were below, no man could be above* So in wealth, moft men defire more , but every man do's at lead defire to keep what he has s how then fliall one part of the world be fupplied without the diminution of the other , unlefs there fliould be as miraculous a multipUcation of trefure for mens avarice, as there was of Loaves for their hunger, Mat 1 6, 9, It was a good anfwer which the AmbaflTadors of an opprelt Province

made

to xyintony^ if

Em-

112

The Art of Concentmeat.

Emperor,thou wilt have double taxes from us J thou muft help us to double Springs andHarvefts. And lure God muft be at theexpenceof a new Creation, make us a double world, if he fliould oblige himfelf to fatisfy all
tites

the unreafonable appeif

of men ; and

he

fatisfy

not

all,

why

fhouldany particular perfon look that his alone fliould be indulged to ?

6.

T
is

as unrealonable as it is, the

nioft ot us

do betray fuch a perfwafion.

difcontented that there are higher degrees in the

No
but

man
^

lower,

as well as

world

all
it
:

that there are poor as well as rich, fenfible men aflentto the fitnefs

of

yetif themfelves happen to be (et in the lower form , they exclameasif the whole order of the world were fubv^erted 5 which is a palpable indication that they think that Providence which governs others, fliould fervethem,

and

diftribute

themnot what it, but tliemlelves think This immoderate felf-love is the fpring and root of moft of our complaints, makes us fuch unequal judges in our own
to

good.

concerns, and promts us to put in Caveats and exceptions in our own behalf, as ^avid did on his fons , See that thou hurt not theyomg man Kyibjolom ? 2 Sam. 18.15.
as

Se ct. VI.
as if

Of Gods generalProvidence.

113

were to manage the governthe world with a particular regard to our liking, and were like the Angels at iJ^^i^^, Gen. i^. 22. to do nothing till we had got into Zoar^ had all our demands fecured to us.

God

ment of

a confidering man to fee, that altho the concerns of men are alldifpofed by an unerring Wifdom,and acknowledged by themfelves to be fo , yet that fcarce any man is pleafed. The truth is, we have generally in us the worfer part of the Levellers principle , and tho wc can very contentedly behold multitudes below us, yet arc impatient to fee any above us 5 not only the foot (to ufe the Apoftlesfimile) com^ plains that it is not the hand, but the ear becaufe it is not the eie, 1 Cor. 12. 15. 16, Not only the lowermoft , but the higher janks of men are mieaJy, if there be any
7.
aftonifli

It would indeed

one
nate

ftep

above them.

Nay
it

fo importufee

is this

men
air

afpiring are forced to feed

humor, that we

tho but with

and fhadows. any real advance

that cannot make in his quality , will yet

He

do

in effigie, in all little gaieties and Every degree in thefe pageantries of it.
it

refpeds not only emulares,but imitates its

iu-

114
fuperior,

The
till

Arc of Contentment.
at laft

by that impatience of

their proper diftance they

make it greater,

and fink even below their firft ft ate by their ridiculous profufion. Indeed the world fecms to be fo over-run with this vanity that there is little vifibledillindion of degrees, and one had need go to the Heralds
office to

their habit

know mens qualities s for neither nor equipage do now adaies inall

form us with any certainty.

8.

B u T by

thefe it appears that

as fingle

mea look on themfelves only

per-

fons, without reference to the nity whereof they are members.

rather to

commuFor did

theyconfider that, they would endevor

become the places wherein they were kty by doing the duties belonging to them 5 then be perpetually projefting for a change. A tree that is every year tranfplanted will never bear fruit, and a mind that is alwaies hurried from its proper ft ation, will icarce ever do good in any. This is excellently expreft to us by Solomon , j^s a bird that under eth from his 7teft t Jo is a man that wander eth from his place ^ Prov. 27. 8. Tis eafy to divine the fate of thofe young ones from whom the d.im wanders, and in aseafy toguefs how the duties of that place will be per-

form-

Sect. VI. Of Gods general Providence.

1 1

formed, whofe owner is alwaics upon the wing and making towards another. I wifli

we had not too

in
all

coftly experiments

both

Church and

obfervation.

State of the truth of this Alas we forget that we are

fervants to the fame Mafter, and that he is to appoint in whcU office we flull (liould we like it in any ferve him.

How

of our ownfamihes, to have an inferior work undon, becaufe he has more mini to be MaJDr-Domo? Yet this infolence we every day rep te towards God , fuUenly difpute his orders, and unojfKcer leave his
lefs

wemaychuieourownemploiments,
do nothing.

will
9.

evident this perverfe temper of mankind breeds a great deal of miA chief and difturbance in the world , but would breed arrant confufion and fuhvcrI s

fion, .if

it

were

fuflFer'd

to have

its full

range. If God permit but one ambitious Ipirit to break loole in an age as the inllrument of his wrath, what deftruftion do's it often times make ? How do's it cauje the whole earth to tremble^ and shake
is faid of Nebuchadnezzar y and may be faid of many othersof thofe whole-fale robbers who have dignified the trade? But if every afpir-

Kingdoms^ as
16.

Ifa. 14.

ing

ii6

The Art of contentment,

as

ing humor fliould be

profperous, where

No

maintain the flame? men of as unbounded defires as Alexander or Cejar, but God gives them not the fame opportunities to trouble the world. And accord-

would it find

fuel to

doujbu every age produces

ingly in the more petty ambitions of private men he often orders ic fo , that thofe foaring minds can find no benign gale to help their mounting. He that fets bounds to the fea , faying, hitherto shalt thou come

and
tofs

710

farther^

and tho the waves

thereof

themfehesyet can they not prevail , tho they roar yet cant hey not pafs over ^ Jer. j. 2 2 do's alfo deprefs the {welling pride of men, hangs clogs and weights upon them
.

cannot rife to their afFecfied height. For tho we are all willing to forget it, yet God remembers that he is the Redor of the Uni verfe, and will aflert his Dominion. The fubtileft contrivance cannot circumvent him, the moft daring pretender cannot wreft any thing out of his hand, the Lord will fti II be Kzng^ be
that they

the people never fo impatient^ Pfal. ^9, i. Twill therefore fure be as well our pru-

dence
he is

as

our duty to
^

beflill^

and know that

God

Pfal.

4^.

10.

with an

humbk
his,

dereliction

of our own

wills acquiefce in

Sect. VI. Of Gods general Providence, iij

his,

and not by ineffed:ive

ftriiglings

pro-

voke,
due.

whom we

are fure never to fub-

We may likeunmanaged horfes foam

fret,

and our

but ftill God has the bridle in jawes, and we cannot advance a ftep Why fliould farther then he permits us. felves by to our torment we then create our repinings, which only fcts us farther from our aims. Tis Gods declared method to exalt the lowly : and tis obfervablein the firft two Kings of JJrael who

were of Gods immediate eleftion that he furprifed them with that dignity when they were about mean and hujiible emploiments , the one fearching his fathers
,

Affes, the

other keeping

his fathers flieep

and would men honeitly and diligently

exercifethemfelves in the bufinefs of their proper calling , they might perhaps find it a more dired; road to advancement then all the finifter arts by which ambitious

men endevor to climb. it down as an Aphorifm feejl

,

Solomon fets thou a man>

diligent in his hujinefs^

he shall ftand before

Kings, he shall not Hand before mean men , Pro,22.29. But whether it happen to have
that effed: or no, it will have a better j foritwill fweeten his prefent condition, divert his mind from mutinous refledlions

on

ii8

The Arc of Contentment. own lowwho mind io much lei-

on

other mens height, and his nefsj for tis commonly men

not their work that are at furetogaze. He that carefully plies his own bufmefs will havw his thoughts more concentred. And doubtlefs cis no fmall happinefs to have them fo ; for tis their gadding too much abroad , looking on other mens conditions , that fends them back (like "Dmah deflowrcd) to put all in an uproar at home. The fon of Syrack fpeaks with tranfportation of th^ itate even of him that labors and is content and calls it a fweet hfe^ Ecclus 40. 18.
io then whofe of the greateft Prince mind i wells beyond his territories.
tis

And certainly
that

infiuitly

more

thefe confiderations it cannot but appear very reafonable that wc

10.
all

Upon

fhould leave

God

to

govern the world:

Zebedee for the higheft feats ^ but contentedly reft our fel ves where he has placed us , till his providence (not our owndefigns} advance us. can no where be Io obfcure as to be hid from his eies 5 who as he valued the widows mite above the great oblations of the rich, fo he willnolefsgracioully accept the bumble endcvorsof the
like the fons of

not be putting in

We

mean,

Sect. VI. Of Gods generalprovidence. 119

mean, then the more eminent fervices of the mighty 5 himfelf having declared, that he accepts according to what a man hathy and not according to what he hath not^ 2 Cor, 8. 12. fo that in what rank foever a man is fet , he has ft ill the fame opportunity of approving himfelf to God: and thointhceieof the world he be a veffel of diflionor yet in the day when God comes to make up his Jewels^ MaU 3. 17. there will be another eftimate made of him who regularly moves in his ownfphere. Andfurehe that fits down in this acquiefcence is a happier man, then he that en,

joies the greateft

worldly fplendor
j

but

infinitly

more fo then he who impatiently covets but cannot attain them for fuch
a man puts himfelf upon a perpetual rack

keeps his appetites up at the utmofl: ftretch, and yet has nothing wherewith to fatisfy them. Let therefore our eafe if notour duty prompt us to acquiefcence, and a ready fubmiflion to Gods difpofals, to which we have yet a farther inducement from that diilind care he hath over every mans peculiar, by which he proportions to him what is really bcft forhimjof which

we are farther
d:ion.

to confider in the next Se-

Sect.

120

The Art of Contentment.

SECT.

VU.

Of Gods
I.

particular Providence/

the imperfed:ion of our finite that we cannot at once attend to divers things, but the more vehement our intention is upon one, the But greater is our negledt of the reft. Gods infinity cannot be fo bounded i his eies at once fee , and his providence at
is

TT

A nature

once orders

all

the moft diftant

and

dis-

parate things in the world. He is not an Epicurean Deity, as lequefter to fuch

himfelfwholly totheenjoimefitofhisown
fehcity, and to defpife the concerns

of

poor mortals
ling fo high

but tho he have his dwelhumhleth himfelfto be* hold the things in heaven and earth ^ Pfal. 113. 5. Nor do's his providence confine it lelf to the more Iplendid and greater parts of nianagery, the condud: of Empires and States, but it delcends to die loweft parts of his creation, to the fowls
i
,

yet he

of the air, to the

lilies

of the

field,

and
then

S E c T VII. Gods particular Providence, 121

.

then lure oar Saviors inference as to mankind is irrefragable. Are yt ml much better then theji Mat. 6. 2^. If a iparrow (as he elfewhere tells his difciples ) cannot fall to the ground without (jods particu-

no human creature is him s nay if our very haires are numbred, we cannot think the excrefcenee is of more value then the
lar notice
lefs
,

furely

confiderable to

ftock, but muil conclude that

God

with

a particular advertence watches over the

concerns of every man. Cod being infinitly good, 2. cannot thus attend us upon any infidious defign of doing us mifchief; he watches over us as a guardian not as a fpy ; and dired:s his obfervation to the more fealbnable adapting his benefits. And as he is thus gracious in defigning our advantage , fo he is no lefs wife contriving it. All things, faies the iVifeman^ are

Now

not profitable for allmerii Ecclus. 37. 28. Indeed nothing is ablohitly good but

God

all

created things are

good or

ill

in reference to that to

which they are ap-

phed.

Meat is good, but to a furfeited llomach lis not only naufeous but dangerous. Fire is good, but if put in our bofoms, aot only burns our clothes but flefli.

And

1 22

The Art of Contentment.

a-s human wHdoui directs the right application of thcfe and the like J fo the liipremeand divine orders events according to the difpofition of the psrfon concerned he knows our frame^ViixL 103. 14.

And

anddifeerns what operation (uch or fiich things will have upon us, while we who

kjiow neither our felves nor them can make but random guefles? and worfe choices. And lure he that do's but thus in the general acknowledg Gods providence, goodnefs, and wildom (which he is no Chriitian who do's not) has a lufficient amulet arepinings.
iblicirudes, much more his He cannot think he fufFers unawares to him who fees all things. He

gainft

all his

cannot think
for
ill

his fufferings are defign'd to him, becaufe they are difpos'd

by him who intends and projeds his good. Nor can he fear thofe intentions can milcarry, which are guided by an infinit and unerring wifdora, andbacktbyan uncontrolable power. And lure this is as the Apoltle fpeaks,Heb. 6. i%. ftrongconfolatwi^

if

we would but duly

J.

apply it.

K T becaufe general notions

light impreffions

ten
it

make but
be

do ofon us,

may not

amifs to

make

a little
plica-

more

inrpe(ition>

andtoobferve how ap-

Se c T VII. Gods particular Provide?ice.

.

1 2i

plicablethey are to the'f^veral kinds of Now tliofe may be reduced to two : tor either v/e are troubled at the want of fomthing we deiire , or at the iuffering of lomthiog we would avert; fo that the two notions of privative and
OLir dikoiitents.

pofirive,
afflidiion.

divide

between them

all

our

4. THEfirftof thefeisufually the moft compreheniivc/or there are few who have not more torment from the apprehendon of fomwhat they want, then from the fmart of any thing they feel And indeed whilft our defires are fo vagrant and exorbitant, they will be lure to furnifli matter enough for our difcontents. But certainly there is not in the world firh

charm for them

as the confi deration

>

God is more v/ife to difcern and more careful to provide what is really good for us then we our (elves. We poor
that

purblind creatures look only on the furface of things , and if we fee a beautiful appearance, fom what that invites ourfenfes, wecoiTrtit with the utmoft earneftnefs:,- but God penetrates deeper, he fees to the bottom both of us and thofe things ws defire^ and finds often that tho they may pleafe our appetite, they will hurt our health CL^
,^

24
:

The

Art of

Contentment.

and will no more give them to us, health then a careful father will to his child Perthofe gilded poifons he cries for. the with taken enchanting this man is haps
mafic of fame^ likes not his own obfcure ftation, but would fain prefent himfelf

upon

more

public Tiicater

come

into

the eie and croud of the worlds bat

little do's

how

he know how he (lull aft his part there ^ whether he fliall come off with aplauditedra hifs ? He may render himfelf but the

more public fpei^acleof fcornj

or if he do not that , he may by a better fuccefs teed up his vain glory to fuch a bulk, as may render him too great a weight for that tottering pinnacle whereon he ftands: and fo after he has made a towring circle, he may fall back with more

ignominy to his firll point. Another it may be no lefs eagerly defircs wealth thinks (as once Crefus did) that he that abounds in trefure cannot be emty of felicity. But alas how knows he how lie fliall employ i t ? There are two contrary temta* riots , and co^ tions that attend riches
,

vetoufnefs ; and he is lure a little too confident , that dares promife himfelf that when there is fuch odds againft him , he foall certainly chufe the one jiift mean \

and

Sect. VII. Gods ^artictilar Providence, laf

and if he do not, he do's only inflame his account at the great Audit. Befidesthe more wealth he has , the fairer booty he is to the avarice of others j audit has bin often kcn^ thatmanyaman had not died fo poor, if he had Hved lefs rich. Another perhaps thinks not himfcif fo much
to want wealth as children to heir it, and complains with Abraham^ Lord-, what mlt thou give me feeing I go childlefs ? Gen. If, 2. yet how knows he whether that child he fo much dcfn'es ftjall be a wife man or a fool ^Eccle, 11^. a comfort or a vexation to himfelf it he Hves to fee his proof,

and if he do not, he do's but projeft for an acccfs to his dying cares in what hands
J'-^chel folicited this fatisto leave Iiim. fadion with the greateil injpatience. Give me children or I die, Gen. 30. i , and tis obferv able that the grant of her wifh proved

thelofsof her hfe.

and innumerable other inftances we drive on blindfold, and very often impetuoully purfue that which would ruin us and were God as fliortfighted as we, into what precipices fliould we minutely hurry our felvcs ? or were he fo unkind as to confider our impor5.

Thus

in thefe

tunity

more then our

intcreft,

we (hould
quick-

26

The Art of Contentment.

wiflies

quickly link under the weight of our own andj as Juvenal in his tenth Satyr 5 excellently oblervcs, perifh by the fucceis and grant of our Praiers. 1 fuppofe there
is

no man that foberly recollc<as the cvents of his life, but can expcrmientally fay, he has fomtimes defired things which would have bin to his mifchief if he had had them, and that himfelf has after lookt on the denial as a mercy; as on the other fide

when he

and had what

has profper d in his aims, his foul lufted after, it has

bin but like the Quails to the Ifraehtes ^ a convid:ion and punifhment, rather then And now iurely God may a facisfadion. complain of us as he did of Ifrael , How
it beere jiBH believe me ^ Num. After all the atteftation he has given of his care and providence over us, after all the experiments we have had of the folly of our own elections, we cannot yet be brought either todlftruft our We will Hill felves, or rely upon him.
loTig

will

14. II.

be chufing, andlookonhimasnof^vrther concerned, then as the executioner of our

defigns.
6,

This

is

certainly a ftrange perverfeas

nefsj

andfuch

no

fenfiblc

man would
in all cur

be guilty of in any other inftance.

SECT.Vil. Godsparticular Providence. i2y

our lecular

affairs

we

trull thofe

whom

to think underitand them better then our lelves , and rely upon men in their own faculty. put our eflates

wehavecaufe

We

into the Lawyers hand,our bodies into the Phyucians, and fubmit to their advice tho itbeagainlt our humor , mecrly becaufe we account them more competent judges. Yet this deference we cannot be perfwaded to pay to God , but will Hill be prefcribing to him, and are very angry if his difpenfations do not exadtly anfwer our fancies. And can we offer him a greater affront then thus to diftrull him ? What
is it

but interpretatively to deny either his wifdom, or his goodnefs, or both,

and fo derogate from him in two of his cffential Attributes ? For there can be no raational account given by any who believe thofe why they fhould not remit So that their whole concerns to him. thefhort account is, that in our diftrufts we either deny him to be God, or our felvcs to be men , by refilling the moH evident dictates ot that reafon which diFor certainly ftinguishes us from brutes. there is not in human difcourfe a more irrefragable Maxim, then that we ought for our own fakes, to reiign our felves
,

to

128
to him
5

The Art of Contentmcnc.

who we

arc infaUibly furCj can,

,

and will, chufc better for us

ourfclves.
7.

then

we for

This was
th2it

fo apparent

by mere na-

tural light,

Socrates sidvikd

men

to

pray only for bleflings in general , and leave the particular kinds of them to Gods
eleftion,
for us.
ftians

who bell knows what is good And fure this is fuch a piece of
a

Divinity, as extremely reproches us Chri5

who cannot match

we who pretend

Heathen in

his implicit faith in

'tis

the vileft

God. Nay indeed defamation upon God himto

felf , that

know him

So that we fhould truft him lefs. not terminate in their fee our repinings do own proper guilt , but do in their confequences fwell higher, and our dilcontents propagate themlelvesinto Blafphemy.For while we impatiently complain or our wants, we do tacitly tax God to want either that wifdom, power, or love, where-

more ,

by he should fupply

us.

be very Atheiltical to give a competent prejudice againft

fin.

And fure he muft whom this will not

this

8.

AND

this

very confideration will

equally prejudg the other branch of our difcontents , 1 mean thofe which repine at

SiCT.VIL Gods Particular Providence. 129

acthe
ills

we

fufFer.

And

not only our

privative, biiC our pofitive afflidions may by it have their bitternefs taken off: for the fame goodneis and wifdom which denies thofe things

we

like

bccaufe they

are hurtful for us, do's upon the very fame reafon give us thofe dillaitful things which

he fees profitable. not only diet, but

his patient alfo.
as are affliftions

A wife
if

Phyfician do's, occafion be purge

furely there
is

And
if

not

fuch a purifier, fuch a cleanfer of the foul

,

we do not

("like

difor-

derly patients j fruftrate their efficacy by the irregular managery of our felves under

them.

R.

Sbt

30

The Art of Contentment.

Sect. VII
Oftht Advantage of AffiiSiions^

TT were the work of a Volume to give

J|[an exadi

and minute account of the of Afflidions. 1 fhall only point atfome of the more general and obvious. And firft it is one of the moft awakening calls to repentance-, and td this end it is that God moft ufually defigns it. Wee fee the whole ictnt of it,Hof.5.i5. 1 will go ^
benefit

return to
offence
y

my place^

till

theyacknowledg their
in their affliSii"
:

and fee\mj fact

early

and in the very me next verfe we find this voice of God echoed forth by a penitential note , Come and let us return unto the Lord ^ for he hath fmitten, and he will heal m , he hath fmitten and he mil bind us uf^ Thus we find the Brethren of Jofefh , tho there had a long
on they will feek

interval pafled betwixt their barbarous u* fage of hi'ra, and his feigned rigor to them, yet when they faw themlelvesdiftrefs*d by the one , then they began to recolle<ft the other.

Sec T.

VIlI.

Advantage ef^^ffliclkm

other fayiug, Wd are

is

verily guilty concern*

ing our brother^ Gen. 42. 21. Proiperity an intoxicating thing, and there are
brains ftrong

enough to. bear it 5 it and amiifes us with pfcafanc dreams, whililinthe mean time Sa^ tan rifles our trefures , and fpoils us by the deceitful charmesof fin of our innocency and real happiness. And can there be a more friendly office don for a m:iv\ in this condition, then to rouze him, and bring him to apprehend the defigns that
laies us a fleep,

few

are laid againfl:

him

And

this is
:

the

er-

rand on which afflidtionsarefent fo that we have reafon to look on them as our friends and confederates that intend our refcue, and to take the alarm they give us, and diligently feek out thofe intcltme enemies of which they warn us. And he
that inftead of this quarrels at their interpofing, thinks them his e/"^^/?//Vj" bacaufe they tell him the truth. Gal. 4. 6 do'smiferably pervert the coimfel cf God againji him/elfy Luk. 7. 30. and may at lait verify

hisown jealoufies
ingratitude
,

and by
,

fo

provok-

ing an
the

convert thofe into

wounds of an enemy

originally jneant as

which were the corredions of a

2
2. An:)

Father.

32
2.
ral

The Arcof

Coiiteiitineiit.

And

as afflictions

do thus in genefo
it

admoniih moft frequently

as

of

fins,

pleales

God

fo to

them that they bear

the very

model and frame image and

imprefs ofthofe particular guilts they are to chaltife) and arc the dark shadowes that attend our gay delights, or flagrant inThe wife man obferves, that folencies. the turning the Egyptian waters into blood was a manifeft reprootof that cruel commandment for the murdering of

the

Hebrew infants, Wifd. 12. 5. And furely we might in moft, if not all ourfufferings, fee

(ome fuch correfponding circumitances, as may lead us to the immeGod who diate provoking caufe of it. do's all things in number , weight, and mefure, do's in punffliments alfo obferve a fymmetry and proportion , and adapts them not only to the heinoufnefs, but even the very ipecific kind of our crimes. The only fixt immutable rule he has given for his Vice-gerents pn earth to puniflb by,

of murder, which is we fee grounded on this rule of proportion, Hethat Jh^ddeth mans hloody by man fmll his blood be //)edy Gen. 9- 6. And tho he have now refcinded the inferior relations of the eie for the tie , th& tooth
is

that in the cafe

for

Sect. will. Advantage of AffliBions, 135

jor the tooth, Exod. a 1 24. ( probably for the harduefs of our hearts, becaufe he faw our revengeful natures would be too much pleafed with it ) yet he has not precluded himfelf from ad:ing by thofe nielures, but we fee he dt>'s very often fignally make men feel the Imart of thofe violencies or injuftices they have ufed to others. Of this thefacred flory affords feveral examples (as Advniliezek , Jud. i. 6. and-(4hab^ I Kings 21. ip ) and profane many more, and daily experience and obfervation moil of all. And tho this mechod ot retahation isnotalwaiesfo evident and apparent to the world, becaufe mens fins are not alvvaies fo ; yet I believe if men would duly recoiled, it would be for the
.

moft part dffccrnable to their own confciences, and they would apparently lee,' that their calamities did but trace the
footfteps
5.

of

their fins,
if

Now

we

rightly weigh this,

it

we

cannot but think

circumftance.

very advantageous
naturally blind

We

are

when we look inward, and if we have not fome adventitious light to clear the objefl:,
will

be very apt to overlook ic. Therefore fincethe end of all our affli6tions |is our repentance , it is a wife and gracious diPpofal

134

Th:? Arc oi Contcntmear.

polal, thdi they do thus point to us thole particular fins of which we are to repent.

The body of fin will not be deftroied in the whole entire bulk, but rauft be difmembred, pulfd in peices limb by limb. He that attaquesitotherwife, will be like Strtoriuss ftidier, who ineffedtively tugg'd at the Horfes tail to get it off at once, when he that puU'd it hair by hair , quickly dM it. Therefore as it is a great part of
our
fpiritual

Wifdomtoknow

in

fpecial parts the *S'/y?w^7^-likeftrength

what eof

our corruptions lie, fo it is a great inllance of Gods care of us, thus by his corredions
todifcipline andinftrudl us in it. 4. In all our affliAions therefore it is our concern, nicely and critically toobferve them. I mean not to enhance oar

murmurs and complaints/ but to learn by them what is Gods peculiar controverfy
againft us.

This

is

indeed

to hear the rod^

and who hath apfointtdit^ Mich. 6. p. Let him therefore that (uffers in any of his concerns J examine whether he have not fome correfponding guilt v/hich anfvvers to it, as face anfwcrs jace, Prov. 27. i^.
;

He

that isimpoverifliedin his eftate, let

firft

him confider

how

he acquired

it,

whether there were not fomeching of fraud

or

ECT. VlII. Advantage ofAjjliviions. 135

or injuitice, which like a cancrous hiimor^ mixc in its very elements and conftitucion, and ate out its bowels: or whether
facrilegious prize , feme coal from the altar have not fired his ncit. Or if nothing can be charged upon the ac-

feme

queltj let
iti

him confider how he has ufed

whether Tie have not made it thefu. el of his lufts, in riot and exccfles, or the objedi of his adoration in an inordinate value of it. In like manner he who i% afflifted in his body , groans under the torment of fome grievous difeafe, may very feafonably interrogate himfelf, whet her it have not bin contra(9:ed by his vice, whether his bones he not [ in a more literal fenfe then Joh meant il)fulloftheJtns of hi4 jouth, Job 20 II. and his furfeiting and drunkennels be not the caufe that his foulj as the Pfahnift fpeaks, abhors all man,

ner of meat^nndh even hard at deaths door Pfal. 107. 18, or at lealt whether the not

employing his health and ftrength to thofe purpofes for which twas given, is not the reafon of its being withdrawn. He alfo
that
is

invaded in

his reputation, that lies

under fome great infamy, is to confider whether it be not deferved whether lome part if not the whole guilt of which he
-,

is

136
is

The Art of Contentment.

flick

acculed,

not to him: or

clear in that particular inftance,

fome concealed fin of his were known, incur as great fcandal: for in that cafe he has in right forfeited
Jiis

if he be whether would not if it

reputation, and God may make the feizure as well by an unjuft, asajuft acOr if his heart accufe him not cufation.
here, yet let him farther refledj whether his vain-glorious purfuits of praife and

high conceits of hinifeif, have not made this an apt and neceflliry humiliation for

him.
has

Or
:

laftly let

him

recollect

how he

behaved himfelf towards others in whether he have had a juft tenkind this derne fs of his neighbors fame, or have not rather expo fed and proftituted it. In thefe and many other inftances fuch a particular fcrutiny, would ( in all probability ) difcover the affinity and cognation betwixt our guilts and our punifhments, and by marking out the fpring and fountain head, dired: us how to flop And he that or divert the current.

would
lefs

diligently

inquifition,

employ himfelf in this would find little leifure and

,

but would divert all his complaints upon himfelf, accept of tic funijhment of his iniquicaufe to condole his afBidions

Sect. VIII. Advantage of AffiiBions, 137

ty

and thanks the Lord for thus giving htm warnings Pial. \6. %, 5. A fecond benefit which God de^ fignsus ill oar affliftions is the weaning
us

from

the world^ to difentangle us

from

its fetters

and charms, and draw us to himt read in the ftory of the Deluge^ felt. that fo long as the earth was covered with wacers the very Raven was con* tented to take flicker in the Aric, but when all was fair and dry, even the P.9z;^ finally forlook it. Gen. 8. 12. And tis much (o with us the worft of men will commonly in diftreiles have recourle to God ( the very heathen mariners in a ftorm could tebuke Jonah for not calling upon his God, Jon. i.^. ) when yet the very beft of us, are apt to forget him a^ midilthe blandiihments and infinuatiooii of profperity. The kind afpeds of th@ world are very enchanting , apt to iu^.

We

.-

and befot us, and therefore it n Gods care over us, to let us fomtime$ lee her more averting countenance in her frowns and ftormesi that, as chlldirea frighted by fome ugly appearance we may run into the arras of our father, A^ las^ were all things exaftly fitted to ont bumQrs here^ wheafliould we tliinkofa
ve^gle

138

The Art of Contemment.

? and had not death Ibme harbingers to prepare us for him , what a furpriling gueft woald he be to us ? Tis ftoried otJntfgoms, that (eeing afoldier in his camp or fo daring a courage that lie alwaies courted the moll hazardous attemts, and' obferving him alio of a veryinfirm fickly habit, he took a particular care of. him, and by medicines and good

remove

which no attendance recovered him don, had but the man grew fooner he more cautious, and would no longer expole himrelfas4 formerly i and gave this reafonfor it, that now he was healthy his life was of fome value to him, and not to be hazarded at the fame rate, as when and fliould God it was only a burden cure all our complaints, render us perfectly ateafe, 1 fear too many of us would be of the ioldiers mind, think our lives
,

too good to refign to him , much more to hazard for him, as our Chriftianity in m^ny Thefon oi Syrach oh* CQ[k$ obliges us. ferves, how dreadful death is to a man that is atreH in ht^ poffeffions^ that hath abundance of all things^ and hath nothing to zjex himm^iy he defcends much lower , and puts
in,

him who is ^et able to receive meat^ Eecl. 14. I. The truth is we do fo paflionate-

Sect. VIII Advantage

ly done lovers,

ef Affti^ioyis.

139

before
fronts,

upon the world, that like befotted we can bear a great deal of ill ufage, we quit our purfuit. Any littk
af*.

flight favor atones us after multiplied

and we mull be difciplined by

re-

peted difapointments, ere we can withdraw our confidence. But how fitaliy
fecure Ihould

we

not by fome difcordant grating notes, interrupt our raptures, and recal us to fober thoughts ?
fliould

mit this Syren with her mufic, and

fliouM perahvaies to entertain us

be, if

God

IndDEEd tis one of the higheitinftances of Gods love, and of his clemen6,

thus to projed: our reducement. were all in our Baprifm atfianced to him, with a particular abrenunciation of the world, fo thatwecannot without the greateft difloialty caft our felvcs into its embraces; and yet when v/e have thus hroktu the covenant of our Gody Pro v. 2.17. he do's not purfue with a jealous rage, with the feverity which an abufed rivat'd kindnefs would fuggeft ; doth not give us a bill of divorce and difclame his relation , but contrives how he may reclame and t bring us back to himfc^lf. The tranfcenIdencyof this lenity God excellently defcribes by the prophet in the cafe of Ifrael,

cy

alfo,

We

S 2

They

140

The

Art of Contentment.

They fay if a man put array his mfe , ani (he become another many , Jhall be return
unto her agaiyi ?
harlot with

hut thou
lovers^

half plafed the

return^

many

yet

tmto

me

faith the Lordy Jer. a great height of induigence, then he daily repetes to iis.

3.1. And
is

this tho

no more

After we have balely adulrerated with the world, converted our affedlions from God to it, he do's not give us over, abandon us to our leud courfCj and confeqaent ruiui but (till invites our return-, and left that may not ferve, he do's with a great deal of holy artifice efl:iy to break thataccurfed

which we are entered > pulls oft' the difguife in which the world courted us, and makes us fee it as it is in it felf, a fcene of vmity and vexation offpi*

League

into

rity
-7.

Eccles.

i.

14.
this in general^

And

as

he do*s

fo

alfowitli a particular application to thole

temporal latisfad:ions wherewith we were moft tranfported. The things to which we

are

more indifferent do notfo much endanger us 5 tis thofeupon which we have more veheaiently fet our hearts which become ourfnares, and awake his jealoufy; and accordingly we frequently fee that Xh hi thofe he chufes to crofs us. How
of.

ECT. VIII. Advantage of AjfliUions.

often
their

14-I

do's it happen that tliofe which are enamoured of thcmfelves, dote upoh

do meet with (ome which blafts their beauty, W'thers that fair flower, and makes their winter overtake rheir fpring ? So in our friends and relations tis ulually
features,
di feafe or accident

own

we fooneft lofe thofe for whom we have the greateft, the molt immode^'^^\\^

If there be one fondling arate paflion. moHg our children, tis odds buc ihac is

taken away, or made as nm :h the objed: of our grief and forrow? as ever it was of our joy and love. When God fees our
hearts fo exceffively
litory thing
,

cleavii;
tis

to any traa^
neceflary

he knows
for whilft

to

fever

them

we have fuch clogs

cleave to the
diijl.

upon
Pfal.

us, our fouls

mil

rip. 1. will not be able to foarc up to the higher region for which they are

defigny. 8, In a word

God

fo loves us

'that

he

removes whatever he fees will obftrud: that intimate union which he defireswith and fure this is fo obliging, that tlio us he fhould bid us ro our iofs, cho he could not recompence us for what he takes from
:

us, yet

wemuftbe
at fo

very

ill

natur'dif

we

can

i3e

angry

much

kindnefs. Biit

when

142

The Art of Contentment.

this is added that all this is prin"' nay folely defign'd for our advantage, that God takes from us allthefe emty delufory contentments, merely that he may imlate us in (olid and durable joies 5 we betray as much ignorance of ourinterell, as infcnfiblenefs of our obligation, if we repine that God makes us

when to

cipally,

fo

to which

much his care.Tis true indeed, the things we have fo inordinately adher-

ed, do (lick fo clofe, that they cannot be puird away without fome pain; yet for our corporal fccurity wecan endure the fundring of parts that do not only cleave, but

grow to

us.

H J that has a gangren'd mem-

it to be cut off to fave his whole body, and do's not revile, but thank and reward the Chirurgion. Yet where our fouls are concern'd, and where the things have no native union with us, but are only cementdd by our paffions, we are impatient of the method, and think God deals very hardly with us, not to let us perifli with what we love. The fum of all is this, God tho he be abundantly condefcending, yet he will never ftoop fo low as to fliare his intereft in us with the world : if we will devote our felvestoit, tisnot all our emty forms of fcrvicc will fatisfy

ber, fufFers

hm.

Sect. VlII. Advantage cf Affii^iom. 143

him

he cannot divorce our hearts from it, he will divorce him felf eternally from And the cafe being thus, we are fiire us. very ill advifed if we do not contentedly refign our felve^ to his methods, and cheerfully endure them how fharp foever. The only expedient we have for our own eafe, is to (horten the cure by giving our affiftance, and ,not by ftruglmgs to render it more difficult and painfuU Ltt us entirely furrender our wills to him^and when we have don that, we may without much pain let him take any thing elfe. But the more difficult we find it to be difen:

it

tangled from the world, the greater fhould our caution be againft all future engagements to it. If our efcape hath bin as

theApoftle faies, fo as hj fire^ Jud. 23. with much fmart and hazard, let us at lead have fo much wit, as the common proverb allows children, and not again expofe our (el ves.Let us never glue our hearts to any external thing, but let all the concerns of the world hang loofe about us.* by that means we (hall be able to put them
off infenfibly

when

ever

God

calls for

them, or perhaps we fliall prevent his calling for them at all, it being for the mod part,our too clofe adhefion to them which p,A promts him to it.

1^4
9.

'^^^^

^^^ ^^ Contentment.
is

A
,

third advantage of affliftious

a vvitnefs

that

it isa

mark and figaature of our ad-

01 our legitimation. Wbatfofi u I e ( faith the Apofile ) whom the Father chasiifeth not ^ hut tfye be with*

option

are partakers 9 Heb. 12. and'(M fons^ anhasia.ds ye then dearling in a 3^o/f/^/> his ciad "jdcob 7, 8.

out ch^'t^^ifi^cnt whereof

all

party -coloured Coat, and Gods favorites do here wear a Livery inter-woven with a mixture of dark and gloomy colors ;
x\\Q\x

long white rohes are laid

up

for

them

againftthey come

to the marriage of the

Lamh^ Rev. 19.

7.

Indeed we much mi-

ftake the dcfign of Chriitianity,if we think it calls us to a condition of eafe and feIt might fuit well enough with curity.

the votaries of the Golden Calf, to

do'-jin to

fit

up to plaj , Exod. 32. 6. but the difciples of the cru^ cified Savior are trained to another diftat

and

drink and rife

cipline/ our profeffion enters us into a ftate

of warfare, and accordingly our very Baptifmal engagement runs all in military terms , and we are not only fervants of Chrilts family, but foldiers of his Gamp. Now we know in a war men muft not expe(S to pafs their time in eafe and foff neft, but bciides all the dangers anddif-

Sect.VIII. Advantage of Afflictions.

ficultics ofilie

145

combat, have many orher to endure; hardlhips hunger and thirflj heat and cold , hard lodgings and weary marches and he that is too nice for thole, will not long Itick to his colors. And it is the fame in our fpiritual warfare , ma;

annexed to and our paflive valor is no lefs tried then our adtive. In refped: of this it is thatr our Savior admonifhes hisProfelytes to compute firft the diificulties incident todieir profeilion, and that he may not enfnare us by propofing too eafie terms, he bids us reckon upon the worfl:, and tells us that he that forfakes not all that he hath->fh^llnot be hps dijilfle^ Lnk.14, 26. and thcifive miifl thro much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God , Adi 14. 2 a Indeed twere very abfurd for us to expecft eafier conditions , when thefe are the fame to which our Leader has fubmitted. The
prcffjres
fufFerings are
ir,
,
.

ny

and

fufferings.

Captahi of our Salvation was perfeFted by Hcb. 2. 10. and if it behooved

Luk.

enttrdwto hpB glorj^ 24. 46. it were infolent madneis for us to look to be carried thither upon our
Chr'ifi to fuffer before he

beds of Ivory , or from thenoife of our harps and viols , be immcdiatly rapt into
the Choire of Angels.

This

1^6
8.

Tlie Art of Contentment.

has bin fo much confider'd by pious men , that they have lookt upon their fecular profperities with fear and jealoufy,

This

and many have folemnly petition'd tor erodes, as thinking them the neccflary atteitation of their fon-fliip , and means of
affimulation to their elder brother. Whythen (liould that which was fo defirable to them, appear fo formidable to us ? or

why Ihould we

fo

vehemently deprecate,
?

what they fo earneftly invited

If

we

indeed think it a privilege to be the fons of God, and fellow-heirs with Chrift, why

do we grudgat the condition.' The Ro-

man

Captain tells St. PW, that he obtained the immunities of a Roman n>hh a great: fum ^ Aft* 22. 28. and fhall we expeft fo much a nobler and more advantageous adoption perfed:ly gratis ? look that God (hould change his whole Oecojnomy for our eaie , give us an eternal inheritance difcharged of thofe temporal incumbrances himfelf has annexed to it. This werefure asunjuft a hope as it would be a vain one. When David had that enfnaring propofal made him of being the Kings Son-in-law, i Sam, 18. 21. he fet fuch a value upon the dignity , that he defpifed the-dilBculty of the condition : and
fure

Sect. VIII. Advantage of Affii^ions.

fure
if
is

147

wc muft have very low

abjedt fouls,

when

lb infinidy a higher adv

ancement
fatter
us.

fincerely offei'd us,

we can

any
la a

appreheuiion of hardfliip to divert

y

word let us remember that of the Apoiile, if we fujfer we Jljall aljo reign with him^

And tho our afflidlions be inthemfelves notjoious but grievous , yet when they arc confider'd as the earncft of our future inheritance , they put on another face, and may rather enamour then
2

Tim.

a. 12.

fright
p.

us.

fourth advantage of afflidiions h^

that they excite ourcompaffions towards others. There is nothing qualifies us fo

rightly to eftimate the iufferings of others, as the having our fel\!^s felt them : without this our apprehenfions of them are as

dull and confufed

lors
5

as a blind

mans of co-

They that or a deaf man Jiretch themjehes upon their couches , that
of founds.
eat the lardbs out of the flock , and the calves out of the midf' ofthefiall tl)at c haunt to the
:

found of the viol

will not

d'

inkwme

tn

howls

^^

and

anoint themfelves with

the chief ointnients^

much

he grieved nii h the affiiHions

6. 4.

ofjofeph.

Am.

Nay

fo neccflary is

our experience towards our commiferati-

on, that we

fee 'twas

thought arequifite
2

ac-

148

The Art

of Contentment.

accomplillmient of our high Pricft (that higheft example of unbounded compaflion ) and therefore faith the Apoftle,
it

behooved him in dl things

to

he

madt

mi^bt be a merciful high things pertainpriefi and frithfid ing to Gody to mAke reconciliation for the fins of the people ^ for in that he him elf hath fuffeid being temted ^ he is able alfo to fuc^
like bis brethren^ that he

CQUr

But

them that are temted ^ Heb. 2. 17, 18. if he, vvhofemere fenfe of our miferies brought him down to us, chofe this expedient to adv^ance hi's picy , howneceflary is it to our petrified bowels ? And fince God has affign'd our mercies to our brethren , as the ftandard by which he will proportion his to us, 'tis more ours then their advantage to have them enlarged ; fo that when by making us raft of their cup> acquainting us with the bitter relifh of their fufferings , he prepares us to a Chriftian fympathy with them, tis but a remoter way of obhging, and qualifying us for a more ample portion of his mcr* Nay befidesthe profit, there is hocf. nor accrues to us by it, Corapnffion is one of the beft properties of ournature, and

weunmanour ieives whenwe

nay more
tis

put

it

off;

an attribute of the Divi-

Sect. Vlll. j^dvant^gecf Ajf.iEiiom. i\g

clofer approches

more we advance ill ii, the we make to him. And therefore we have all re afon to bleis him for that difcipiine by which he promotes
nity, and the
in us fo excellent, fo neceflaiy a grace.

lo
it
is

A fifch benefit

of

afflidions

is,
,

that

an improvement of devotion fets us with more heartineis to oar praiers. WhiUlprofperity flows inupon us we bath our felves in its Itreams , but are very apt

to forget its fources fo that God is fain to fl-op the current, leave us dry and parched, that our needs may make us, do

what our gratitude would not trace our up to the original ip:*ing, and both acknowledg and invoke him as the Author of all our good. This cffcdl of afflidions is obferv'd by the Prophet, Lord hi trouble have thej vifitcdthce , they poured out a praiernh.m thy chsisinhg was
,

bleilings

upon them ^ Ifa. 26. 16. And I believe I may appeal to every mans experience,whether his praiers be not more frequent

under fomediitre/s. Then how importunate arc we in our petitions? how profiife in our vows and proraifes? faying with Ifrael, and they dd'ivcr us only rvepmj thee this d^iy them^ j^om awciy Gods among the jlrcnge fut and

and more hearty too

when he

is

'

JO

The Art of Contentment.

arid Jerv^ the

fers CIS

Lord. Jud. lO. i j. I conno good indication of our temper, that we need thus to be put in the prefs ere we will yield any thing? yet fince we
are fo difiagenuous
,

tis

mercy

in

God to

adapt his methods to us ^ to extort when we will not give, and if he can have no free-will offerings, yet at leaft to ex;i(!i his tribute. Nor do's he defign the efteft of this (hould ceafe with the calamity that rais'd it, but expecT:s our compell'd addreffes (hould bring us into the way of voluntary ones , and happily enfnare us into piety. And indeedhereinarcwe worfe then brutiih if it do not. think it a barbarous rudenefs to engage a man in our affairs , and as foon as we have ferved our own turns , never take farther notice of him. Nay indeed the very beafts may lefture us in this piece of Morality , many of them paying a fignal gratitude where they have received benefits and fliall we not come up at leaft to their pitch? ftiall not the endearment of our deliverance bring our deliverer into fome repute and confideration with us , and make us defire to keep up an acquaintance and entercourfe with him? Yet if ingenuity work not with us , let intereft at leaft pre-

Wc

vail.

Sect, VIII. Advantage ofJffitBions. 151

vail, and the remembrance how foon we may need him again adnionijfh us not to make our felves itrangers to him. God
,

pU we

complains of Ilrael, wherefore fay mjpco^ are Lords ^ rve will come no more at theejQv. a 3 1 . A very infolent folly to re.

nounce that dependance by which alone they fubfilted and no leis will it be in any of us if we flop our recourfe to him becaufe wc have liad advantage by it. We have no affurancc that the fame occafion fhall not recur j but with what face can We then refume that entercourfe which in the interval we dcfpifed ? So that if wc have but any ordinary providence,
:

we

Ihall

ftill

fo celebrate

paft

rcfcucs

continue in a capacity of begging more* and then we cannot but alfoconas to

fefs the benefit

of thofe

firft

calamities

which infpirited our devotion, and taught us to pray in earneft , and will be a(hamed that our thanks fhould be uttered in a fainter accent then our petitions or our daily fpiritual concerns fhould be more coldly folicited then our temporal acci,

dental ones.
II.

N OR isitonlyourdevotion thatis

thus improved by our diflrefles , but many other Graces s our faith> our hope>our patience.

152

The

Art of Contentment.

encejcur Chriftian fufferance and fortitude* It is no triumph of faith to truil God for thofe good things which he gives us in hand , this is rather to walk by fenfe then faith, but to rely on him in the greateft de-

^gaws^ hope to believe in hope This is the faith of a true child oi Abraham and wiil he imputed to us (as it was to hinV Jor Righteoiifnefs Rom. 4. 23. Soaifooui patience ows all its opportunities of exercife to our afflidtions , and confequently cwsalfoa great part of its being to them,
ftitution ^Afid
,

for

we know deiuetude
is

will lofe habits.

What imaginable ufe

there of patience,

where there is nothing to fuffer ? In our profperous ftate, we may indeed employ oar ^'emperance, our humility, our caution * but patience feems then a ulelcis vertue: nay indeed for ought we know ma/ be counterfeit , till adveriity bring it
totlietelt And yet this is the moft glorious accoii;pIifhment of a Chriftian , that

which moft eminently conforms him to the Image of his Savior , whofewhole life was a perpetual exercife of this grace 5 and
therefore

are

we love our eafe too well, if we unwilling to buy this pearl at any

price.

iz Last-

ECT
12

VIII. Advantage of AffliEiions. 153

Lastly

our

thaiikfuiaeis

is

ought tobe) increa'ft by our di^ ftrefles. Tis very natural for us to reflecSt with value and efteem upon thofc bie{lings we have loft , and we too oftsjn do it to aggravate our difcontent : but fure
('atleaft

the more rational ufe ot it Is toraifeour thankfulnefs for the time wherein we enjoied them. Nay not only our former eu-

joiments, but even our preient deprivations delerve our gratitude , if we confide r the

happy advantages we may reap from them. If we will perverlly caljt them away that unworthy contcmt paies no fcorcs , for we ftill ftand anfv/erable in Gods account for the good he delign'd and we might have had by it , and we become liable to a new charge for our in,

gratitude in thus defpifing the

chajtifemt)it

ofthe Lord ^ Heb. 12.

13.

5.

And

now

if all thefe benefits of

afflidtions ("which are yet

but imperfed:ly
confi-

recited j

may be thought worth

dering , it cannot but reconcile us to the fliarpeft of Gods methods ; unlefs we will own our felves fuch mere animals, as to have no other apprehenfions then what our bodily fenfes convey to us ; for fure he that has reafon enough to under-

ftand

54

The Art of Contentment.

,

cannot but afTent that itsintereits fliould be ferved , tho with the difplacency of his Yet even in regard of that , our flefli. murmurings are oft very unjufti for we

ftand that he has an immortal foul

do many tmies ignorantly prejudg Gods towards us even in temporals, who frequently makes a little tranfient
deligns
uneallnels the
ties.

paflage to fecular felicifled

Mofes

when he

out of Egypt,

probably htcle thought that he ihould return thither a God unto Pharaoh^ Exod, 4. 1 5. and as little did Jofeph when he

was brought thither a

be a ruler there; yet

flave, that

as diftar t as

he was to thofe ftates

were, the divine providence had fo connected them, that the one depends upon the other. And certainly we may often obferve the like over-ruling hand in our

own diftrefles that thofe events which we have entertained with thegreateft re,

gret

have

in the

confequences bin very

beneficial to us.

conclude 5 we have certainly both from fpceulation & experience abundant matter to calm all our difquiets, to fatisfy our diftrufts ^ and to fix in us an en14.
tire refignation to

To

Gods difpolals, who has which defigns we cannot penetrate, but none

Sect.VIII. Jidvantageof Affl'iUicns.

noiie

14;'

which we need
them*

fear,

felves pervert

We

ualeisweour have our Sa-

viors word for it , that he will not give us 4 Ji^nc when rve ask^ bread ^ nor a fcorplon it. 7. p. when wt asJ^a fi^h , Nay his love fecures us } ct farther from the errors

ofoiir

own wild choice,

for.

us thofe ftones

importune

an do's not give and fcorpions which we Lee us then leave our
I

concerns to him who beft knows them 9 and make it our fole care to entertain his difpeniations with as much fubmiffion and duty , as he diipences them with love and wifdom. And if we can but do fo , we may dare all the power of earth and hel! too to make us miferable for be our afAid: ions what they can, we are fure they are but what we in fome refpedt or other need be they prf\'ative or pofitive , the want of what wc with , or the fufFcring of what we wifli not, they arc the difpcifals of him who cannot err, and we ihallfinally have cauie to fay with the Pfalmift^ It is good for me that I have bin affiiHed
,
.'
-,

Pfal. 119. 71.

"1

SiCT,

^6

The Art of Contentment.

Sect.
Of
our Misfortunes

IX.

compared with

other mens.
I

V JLiit and useful confi deration, the Comparing our misfortunes with thole of other mens:

7f \'

7E come now to imprefs anequally

& he that do's chat^will certainly

fee fo little caufe to think hinifelf fingular,

that he will not find himfelf f uperlative in calamity 5 for there is no man living that can with reafon affirm himfelf to be the very unhappieft man , there being innumerable diftrefl'es of others which he knows not of, and confequently cannot bring

multhem in balance with his own. titude of men there arc whofe perfons he Jcaows not , and even of thofe he do's,

he may be much
les
5

a ftranger to their diftreflie at the

many iorrows may

heart

of him who carries a fmihng face , and many a man has bin an objei^ of envy to thofe who look but on thefiirface of his ftate who yet to thofe who know his
,

private griefs appears

paffion,

more worthy of comconfufed uncer^

And

fure this

Sect. IX.
tain

Misjortunes cQinpar*d.

1x7

eltimate of other
divert
tis

mens

afflica'ons,

may
preft

from

all

loud out-cries of

our own. Solon feeing a friend

much opwith grief, carried him up to a town that over-lookt the City of Athens and fhewing him all the buildings, faid to him, coiifider how many forrows have , do , and lliillin future Ages inhabit under all thofe roofs, and do not vex thy ^^Vi with thofe
,

inconvcniencies which are common to mortality, as if they were only yours. And furetwas good advice : for fjff;:^ring is almoft as infeparable an adjun<S of our nature, as dying is: yet v/e do not fee men

very aptto imbitrer their whole lives by the fore-fight that they muft die , but feeing it a thing as univerfal as inevitable, they are more forward to take up theEpicures refolution , Lttus eat and drink.^ And for to 7norrow iz'e die , i Cor. if. 32.

why

fliould

we not look

nponaifliflrions

alfoasthe common lot of humanity, and as we take the advantages , fo be content to bear the incumbrances of that ftate ? befides that implicite allow2.

But

ance that

is

thus to be

made

for the un-

known

of others, if we furvey but thofe that lie open and vifible to us, the mod of us fliall find enough to difcalamities

coun-

The Art of Contentment. ijS Countenance our Who

complaints. is there that when he has moil itudiouflyrecollccl.::d his mi (cries , may not find lome or other tnat apparently equals , if not exHe that ftomacs his own beceeds hiin ^ ing contemn'd and flighted, may fee anHe that other pcrfccuted and opprcfl. groans under fonic flurp pain, may fee another afflidled with (harper: and even he that has the molt acute torments in his body, may fee another more fadly cruci* So that ated by the agonies of his mind. but look would about us, wefliould if wc fecfo many foreign occafions of our pity , that we fliould be alham'd to confine it wholly to our felves. 3. It will perhaps be faid that thiscannot be uni verfal!y true,for that there muft in comparative degrees be fome loweft ftateof miTery: I grant it, but ftill that ftate confifts not in fiich an indivifiblc point, that any oneperfon can have the inclof.ir@ ; o^ if it: do , twill be fo hard for any to difcern who that one perlon is , that I need defire no fairer a compofition, thento have every man fafpend his repinings, till he can evince his title. But alas there are bit few that can make any approches to luch a pretence for tho if we advert to
:

raen$

Sect. IX.

Msfortunes compard,
J

y^

welh.^aid thluk all dewere coofoLinded, and every man were equally thegrcateft jfufFerer; yet crtainly in the truth of things tis nothing fo ; for (not to repetc what was b.^fore mentioned, that probaany proper. bly no man is milerablc tionto the utmoft degree of poiiibility ^ the remarkably unhappy are very far the

meDscompiiiirics

grees of comparifon

lefs

number.

And how

paflionatly io^

exaggerate their calamities , yea perhaps in their fober mood , they will fcarce change ftates with thole whom they profefs to think more happy thenthem^ that It was the faying of Socrahes lelves.
,

ever men

i there

were a
,

mens

troubles

common bank made of all moft men would rather

chufe to take thole they brought, then And to venter upon a new dividend. indeed he had reafoafor hi^ (uppofition j for confidering how great apart of many

mens

alBidiions are

fiilitiousand
fear lealt

own making , imaginary^ they may juftly

of
their

they fliould exchange feathers for lead, their cwnemty ihidowsfor the
real and prcfling calamities of others, and cannot but think it belt to fit down with their own, which ferves their declamations as well , and their eafe much better.
.

We
oft

i6o
oft fee

The Art of Contentment.

garment, a fcarce difcernable

of a error in their cook, or their fhorteft interruption in their fports , in inch tranfports of trouble
,

men

at aiitde mif-fhaping

men

they were the molt unfortunate in the world ; yet for all that you
as if

Ihail hardly perfvvade

them to change with-

himwhofecourfe clothings fuperfedes all care of the falhion , whofe appetite was never difappointed for want of fawce and whofe perpetual toil makes him infenfible what the defeat of fport fignifies. 4. Nay even where the exchange feems more equal, where the afflid:ions are on both fides folid and fubftantial, yet a prudent man would fcarce venture upon the barter, Tis no fmall advantage to know what we have to conteft with 5 to
,

have experimented the worft of its attaquesj by which we become better able to guard our felves but a new evil comes with the force of a lurprife , and finds us open and difarmed. It is indeed almoft a miraculous power that cuftom has in re:

fing

conciling us to things othewife difpleas all our fenfes are taught to remit

of their averfion by familiarity with ungrateful objeds : that ugly form which at firft makes Hart, by ufe devefts its
ter-

Sect, VIIL Advantafre

terror,

ef AffliBions. \6t

our feives to. harlh founds & ill reliflies by long cullora. And fare it has die very fame eSeca upon ourmind^. The moil tic^rce calamities do by acquaintance grow more tradtable i (b that he that exchinges an old one for a
recoiiciie

and we

new,

do's but bring a wild

Lion into

his

houfe indcaJ of a tame ; ic may for ought he knows mimediacly tear him in pieces j butatieaft mull coll him a great deal of pains to render it gentle and familiar; and certainly no wife man would wilh to

make luch a bargain. 5 By all this it appears that how extravagantly foever we aggravate our own calamities and extenuate other mens, we
dare not upon recoUecSlion Hand to our own eftimate : and what can be faid more in prejudice of our difcontents?Tis a granted maxim, that every man mult have affli* dions Man that is born of a woman ^ faies ^oh-, k of few *yearsy and full of trouble , Job. 14.4, and we mull reverfe Gods foundamental law , before we can hope for a total exemtion. All that any man can afpire to, is to have but an equal fliare with o,

thers,

and the generality of men have fo , at leail none can prove he has not fo and till he can , his murmurs will fare be very

i6i

The Art of Contentment.

very unjuftifiable, efpccially when they have this convincing circumftancc againft them , that he dares not upon fober thoughts change his affliftions with moil of his neighbors. He is an ill member of
a

community, who
fliufiie

in public aflefments
:

fhould

off all paiments

and he

is

no

better

who

in this

common tax God

,

has laid upon our nature

is

not content

to bear his Ihare. N D truly would we but confider 6. that in all our fufferings nothing befals us but what is common to our kind, nay

extremely exceeded by many within the verge of our own obfervation, we muft be fenfelefsly partial to be impaThe Apoitle thought it a competient. tent confolation for the firft Chriftians, that t^ere had no temtation befallen them hut what was common to men , i Cor. f o. 13. and we betray very extravagant opinions of our felvesif it be rfot fo to us. Indeed twas fcarce poffible for us to be fo unfatisfied as the greateft part of us are , did we in the comparing our felves with others , proceed with any tolerable

which

is

ingenuity.
7.

But

alas

deceitful in tne

we are very fallacious and point , we do not compare

Sect. IX.

Advantage of fflrBions.

16}

pare the good of others with our good, nor their evil with our evili but with an envious curiofity we amafs together all the defirable circumftances of our neigh. bors condition , and with as prying difcontent we ranfack all our grievances, and confront to them. This is fo infincere a way of proceeding , as the moit orIf I dinary underftanding can dete^. ihould wager that my arm were longer then another mans , and for trial melure my arm with his finger, he muft be ftupidly filly , that fliould award for me and yet this were not a grofler cheat, then
-,

in our little others. tis a with comparifons And ftrange to obferve unto what various purpofes we can apply this one thin piece of Sophiftry: for when we compare our neighbors and our lelves in point of morahty , we do butreverfe the fallacy, and prefently make his vices as much exceed ours , as our calamities did his in the other inftance. They are indeed both great violences to reafon and juftice , yet the latter is fure the pleafanter kind of deceit; A man has fome joy in thinking himfelf but what lefs wicked then his neighbor imaginable comfort can he take in thinking 2

that which

we put upon our felves

64

The Arc

ot Contentment.

ing himleif more miferable ? Certainly he that would fabmit to a coufenage , had much better ihifc the fceae , and think his iufFerings lefs then they are, rather th^^n more ; for iince opinion is the thing that uilially lets an edg upon our calamities, it might be a profitable deceit that could ileal chat from us. 8. But we need not blind- fold our felves if wt would bic ufe our eies aright,

and

fee

things
,

in their true fhapes

we

did thus

what

a ftrange turn

and if would
of the

there be in the

common eitimates

world

How many of

the gilded troubles

of greatnefs, which men at a diftance look on with lo much admiration and defire , would then be as much contemned' as now they are courted ? A competency would then get the better of abundance, and the now envied pomp of Princes, when balanced with the cares and hazards anncxr , would be fo far from a bait , that men like Saul^ i Sam. 10 22. would hide themfilves trom the preferment; and he that unJerftoo J the weight would rather
,

chvjfe to 'wei!d a Flayle

then a Scepter yet fochildifhly are we be Totted widi the glittering appearance of things, that we conclude felicity muft needs dwell where there

Se c t. IX.
there
is

Misfortunes cerr'p^rd.

6$

magnificent Portico, and being this fancy we over-look her in our o\^'n huinoler Cottages , where fli3
a

poffeft

with

would more conftaiitly

:

refide, if flie

could

but find us at home but we are commonly engag'd in a rambling purfuit ot her where ih:: is ieldomeit to be found , and in the interim mifs of her h.z our own doors. 9. Indeed there is fcarce a greater folly or unhappmefs incident to mans nature ^ then this fond admiration of other mens enjoiments, 2nd contemt of our own.

And
we

whilft

we have

that

humor

it

will

fupplanr not only our prefent , but all poffibilities of our future content: fjr tho

draw to our felves all thofe we envy others, wc ihould have no fooner made them our own then they will grow defpicable and naufeous to us. This is a fpeculation which has bin atteited by innumerable experiments,
could
things for which
,

there being nothing more frequent , then to fee men with impatient eagernefs 5 nay often with extreme hazards purine thofe
acquefts^

which when they have them, There is they are immediatly fick of fcarce any man that may not give himfelf
in [lances ofthis in his

own particular and

:

yet fo fatally

ftupid are we, that no defeats

i66

The Art

of Contentment.
,

feacs will dilcipline us

or take us off from

thefe fuife eftimates of other

pineflbs

mens hap(late

And

truly while

we

our

coraparifons fo unequally, they are as mifchievous as the common proverb fpeaks

them odious but if we would begin at the right end, and look with as much compaffion on the adverficies of ourbre* thren, as we do with envy on their prosperities , every man would find caufe to fit down contentedly with his own burden, and confefs that he bears but the proportionable fliarc of his common nature, unlefs perhaps it be where fome extraordinary demerits of his own have added to
:

the weight-, and in that cafe he has more reafon to admire his afflictions are fo few^

thenfo many.

And

certainly every

man

knows fo many more ills by himfelf , then it is pofTible for him to do by another, that
he that
really fees himfelf
,

exceed others

in his fufFerings

will find caufe

fins alfo.

enough to

think he do's in
10.

But

if

weftretchthecomparifon
,

beyond our contGmporaries5aiidlook back to the generations of old we (hall hare

yet farther caufe to acknowledg Gods great indulgence to us. t^braham tho the
friend of

God was

not exemted from feverc

Sect. IX.

Misfortunes compard,
firft

\6j

vere trials; he was

made to wander and betake himfeif to a kind of vagrant life ; was a long ixmo, fuipended from the bleffing of his defired
from
his

Country

ofF.fpring, and
Ifaac
jarr
,

when
it

aclait his beloved

was obtained , which he was

caufed a domeftic

fain to

compofe by
his

the expulfion of I/hmael tho

ion

alfo.

But what a conteft may we think there was in his own bowels when that rigorous task was impo fed on him of iacrificinghis I[aac? and tho his faith glorioufly triumpht over it,yet fure there could not be a greater preffure

upon human nature. David the man after Gods own heart is no le(s
:

fignal for his afflid;ions then for his piety

he was for a great while an exile from his Country, and ( which he moft bewailed ) from the Sanftuary by the perfecutions of Sanl^ and after he was fetled in that throne to which Gods immediate aifignation had intitled him , what a fucceffion of calamities had he in his own family ? the inceftuQus rape of his Daughter the retaliation of that by the as unnatural murder of Amnon , and that feconded by another no Icfs barbarous confpiracy of Ah^ folcm againft himfeif, his expulfion from
,

Jsrufakm

the bafe revilings ot Shimci

and

i68
ana

Th^ Art of Contentment.

finaily

in the

ad

the lob oi that dearling ion of his lin. A cluflcr of affli-

ctions, in

companfon whereof themoft

ot ours are but like th^ gleanings (as the Prophet fpeaks) after the viniage is don^ Ic v/ re indeed cndlefs to initance in

the ieve:u'L Fore fathers of our Faith before ChriHs Incarnation. The Apoftle gives us a brief, but very comprehenfive
all

compendium of their
trial

fufferings,

Tkey had
;

of crud machines and Jcourgings

-i

yea

moreover
ed-i

ofbondj ^knimprifonmenHi they wt>e Jtoved, were fauvn ajiinder , ^were ttrnt*

Wirt /lain ivith the fword: th^y wan* dred about in flieep skins ^ and goitsj^nsy being dejfitute , afflicted ytorrmnied: they Wandred in dtjerts ^ andin mountains
-,

md

in dens

and caves of

the.

earth

Heb. ii.

3^>37>38 ^^^^'^ if wj look on the Primitive Chriftians, we Hiall fee them perfedly the counterpart to them , their privileges confiited not in any immunities from calamities for their whole lives were St. Tanl gives us an Icenes of fati\:rings. account of his own, in labors mo e abun^
,-

dant

///

gripes above mefure^ in frifons

more

frequent, in deaths oft: of the Jem five times received I forty fir /pes Jave one.

Thrice was I heaten

mth

reds

once rvas

fto-

Se c T IX
.

Misfortunes cmnpard.

69

ftomd, time J fujfer'd jhipwrack , a night And a day have I bin in the deep , in JGurnying often ^^c. 2 Cor. 11. 23. and if his fingle hardfhips rofe thus high, what may we think the whole fum of all his fellowlaborers amounted to together J with that noble Army of martyrs who fealed their faith with their blood,- of whofe fufferiugs Ecclejiajiic hiftory gives us fuch ajftoni filing

II,

And

relations r now being

is

with Jo great a cUudof wttneffes

M^s

inference

comfajjed about the Apo, very irrefragable, Utus

run with patience the race which is fet be^ fore m^ Hab. 12. i, 2- But yet it is more ib , if we proceed on to that confideration he adjoins, Looking unto Jefis thet^uthor

and finisher of

our faith y
^

that was fit before him

who for the joy endurd the crofs^

dejpjmgthe fijame^ verfe 3. Indeed if we contemplate him in the whole courfe of

his life,

wefliall find

him

rightly ftyled

by the Prophet, a man of for rows 5 Ifai, 5 1. And, as if he had charged himfelf with
all

our griefs

as

well as our fins

there

is

fcarce any

human calamity which we may

not find exemplified in him. Do's any complain of the lownels and poverty of his condition i Alas his whole life was a

flats

I70
ftate

The Art of Contentment.

:

of indigeiiCe he was forced to be an inmate widi the bcails , belaid in a Oablc at his birth , and after himfclf profclTes that he h^idnot nhere to lay hu heady Luk. 9. 58. I^any oppreli with infamy and reproch? hci may lee his Savior accus'd as dfiluttma^da wine-bibber y Luke 7. 34aBhfph-'t}2er Joh. lO. 33, a J$rcertr^ Mat. 12, 24. apcrvcrteroftberiAtion^ Luk. 23. 2. yea ta Uicha fordid lownefi had they lunk his repute , that a fedltious thief and murderer was thought the more eligible
,

perfjn,
jl8

720t

tl^is

mm

but Bara'jbas

joh.

of indi40. gnities clos'd with die fpightful pageant L-y of mockery aVed by the loldiers Mat. 27. 28. and the yet more barbarous infulrings of Priefts and Scribes, verfe4t. Is any man defpifed or deferced by his friends? he was contemned by his country-men, thought franric by his friends, betraicd by one of hisdifciples abandoned by all nnlefs that one who followed him longeft, to renounce him the moft fliamefully by a three-fold abjuration. Nay what is infinally all this fcene
,
,

And

finicly

more then

this, he feem'ddefertis

ed by

God

alfb, as

witnefled by that
^

doleful exclamation.
hajl thou forjaken

My God myGody why

Is a-

met Mar. 27. 64.

ny

Sect. IX.

Misfortunes ccm-far'd,

171

ny

dilTacisfied

with the

hard-fliips or la-

borioiifneis of his life? Ice hiin

his Saviors

remember

was not a life of delicacy or cafe: he was never enter d in tliofe Academies of luxury where men ^^^ gnrgcot{fly Luk. 7. 25, apf>are!Vd and live deVcatly but he was brought up.under the mean roof of a Carpenter 5 and coniequcntly fubj?Cledto all the lownefs of fuch an educaHis initiation to his Prophetic oftion. fice was with the miraculous fevcrity of a forty daies fail, and inhis difchargc of
5 ^

it

we

find

him

in perpetual
,

labors, go-

ingahoutdoing goad Ad:. 10. 3S and that not in triuniph, lik^a Prince b^ftowing
his largefles
,

but in weary peregrinations,

never riding but once, and that only upon a borrow'd beift, isnd to fulfil a prophecy^ Mat. 24., Do's any man groan under iOharp and acute pains let him con'f

filer

what

his

Redeemer endar'd
,

how

in

hisinfjiacy at his circuracifion he cifer*d

the

firft fruirs

as

an earneft of that bloody

vintage
Ifaiah
all

when
3.

63

he trod the wine profs alcvc^ Let him attend hira thro

the itages of his direful paffion , and behold his arms pinion'd with rough cords,

his his

head fmote with

a reed
,

crown of thorns

his

and torn with back ploughed With

lya

The Art of Contentment.

with thofe long furrows ("Pial. 120. 3.^ the fcourges had made s his macerated feeble body oppreft with the weight of hiscrofs, and atiaft rackt and extended on it-, his hands and feet, thofe nervous and confequently moft fenfible parts transfijLtwith nails 5 his whole body faftned to thataccurfed tree, and expofed naked to the air in a cold feafon 5 his throat parched with thiril , and yet more affli<2:ed with that vinegar and gall wherewith they pretended to relieve him j and finally his life expiring amidft the full fenfe

of thefe accurate torments. Laftly do's any man labor under the bittereft of all
Ibrrows , importunate temtations to , or a wounded fpirit for fin ? even here alfo he may find, that he has an high Trieji who hath bin touched with the fenfe ofhis infirmitiesy

Heb.4.

15.

He was

violently af-

of temtations. and we cannot doubt but Satan would on him employ the utmoftof his skill. Nor was he leis oppreft with the burden of fin, (ours I mean, tho not his own.) What may we think were his apprehen-. fions in the Garden , when he fo earneftly deprecated that which was his whole errand into the world? What a dreadful
faulted with a fucceflion

Mat.

4.

pref*

Shct. IX.

MisfoTtunts compared.

173

preflure was that which

that bloody fweat

wrung from him and call him into that

inexplicable agony, the horror whereof was beyond the comprchenfions of any
.but his

who

feit

it?

And
on

finally

how

a^
,

mazing was the

which
excortcd

fenfe

of divine wrath
Itupendoiis

that

plaint, that firong cry

7. the fliarp accent

the crofs,

comHeb* 5,

whereof ^ i it do arightibanJinour hearts > mail certainly And quite overwhelm our loudefl groans
r"

now
homo

certainly
,

may fay with Pilate, Ece behold the man , or rather with a
I
,

more divine Author

Tvere Jorrowr like

Behold

{/^-Vu^r there
1. 12.

unto hisforrewSjLzmi
it

12.

And fare

v/ere but a reafonable

inference, that which

we

find

made by
ct

Chriil himlelf, if thcje things be don in

don in the drj i Luk. what f) all guilt could nuimputative an If 23. 31. rilh fo fcorching a flame , pull down fo levere a wrath , what can we expe<ft who are merely made up of combuftible matter, whofe proper perfonal fins cry for vengeance ? Sure were v/e to judg by human meiares , we fliould reckon to have more then a double portion of our Saviors fuffermgs entail'd upon us yetfuchisthe eificacy ofhis,that they have commuted
green
tree,
:

for

74
,

The Art of Contenrment.

for ouns
as inav

and h^velett us only inch a ftiare, evidence our relation to ourcnicifi.^d Lord ; fuck as may ferv'e only for badges and cognizances to whom we retain. For alas, let the moft afflidied of us weigh our lorrows with his > how abfurdly unequal will the comparifon appear ? And therefore as the bett expedient to baffle our mutinies , to fhame us out of our repinings
,

let us

often draw this uneven pa-

rallel confront our petty uneafinefles with his unfpeakable torments,- andfuretisimpolfiblc but our admiration and gratitude mult fuuplant our impatiencies.

13.

T HI
tiie

is

ind^^ed the

which
that

.Apoftle dirt(3:s U5, Confidir

method to him

endured fuch Contradiction of (inner againfi hiyy^felf ^ leaj^ye be ru;eary andfnint in your minds: ye have not yet reified m7to bloody

Kcb, 12
fliall

Was he contradicted and 34. weexpedl: to be humor'd and compli'd with/ Did he rcfiii: to blood, and fliall we think thofe preffures intolerable* which force only a few tears from usr* This is fuch an unmanly nicenefs , as utterly makes us unfit to follow the Captain of our Salvation. What a foldier is he like to make ^ that will take no (liare of the hazards and hardfliips of his General.^ Honeft Vriah
,.

would

SacT.lX.

Misjort?its conrpdrd

17

would not take the lawful

iolaccs of his

own houle, ufX)n the courideracion that hh Ljrdjoab "iiho buc his tcilow lubjeCtJ
lay incamped in the open fields

II.

Sam. 11, yea tho he was lent by him from the

,

Camp.

And

fliaL

wj

bafely forfake ours

inpiirfuit of our ealej:

He is of

a dcge-

nerous fpirit, whom the example of his fuperior will not animate. Flat arch cells us, that Cato marching thro thj defarts , was lo diltrelt: for water , that a fniall quantity was brought to him in a helmet as a great prize, wiiidi he refufmgbecaufe he could not help his (oldiers to the like , they .were fo traniported with that generofity , that and it extinguiflit the i^ni^oi their thirft they were aihimed to complain of what their Leader voluntarily endur'd for their fakes. And furely we extremely difcredit our inftitution, if we cannot equal fheir ingenuity , and follow ours with as great alacrity thro all the ditScukies heha^ traced before us, and for us. let us think to excufe onr 14. felves upon the impotency of our fleih, which wants the affiftance which his divinity gave him: for that plea is fuperfededby the fore- mentioned examples of the Saints , men of like paffions with us,
,

Nor

who

1^6

The

Arc of Contentment.

not only patiently , biit joifully en* dur'd all tribulations 5 by which it appears our nature, with it is not impoffible to thofe aids of grace which are common to us with them ; for certainly thedifFerencc between them ai^d us , is not i^o much ia the degrees ot the aid, as in the diligence of employing them. Lee us therefore, as the Apoltie advifes lift up the hands which hang down , and the feeble knees ^ 12. 12. and with a noble emulation follow thofe heroic patterns they have fet us. And fince we fee that even thofe Favorites of heaven have fmarted fo feverely , let us never dream of an immunity 5 but when ever wc find our felves inclining to any fuch flattering hope, let every one of us upbraid our ielves in thofe terms the Jervs did our Savior , Art thougreater the?2 Abraham , and
,

who

the Trofhets

Joh,

8. J 2.

whom tnaJ^fi thou thy felft Nay we may defcend lower,

and take not only all the inferior Saints of former times , but all thofe our contemporaries in fufFering , which are moft within our viWj and may ask the Apoflles

web titer then they? Rom. 3. 9. If we think we are, certain we are fo much worle by that infolence and if we confefs we are not, upon what
quefl:ion,?i&4^ then ? are

fcore

Sect. X*
fcorc can

Aids for Contentment.

177

we pretend to be
let us

becter treated ?

not pore only upon our peculiar evils , but attentively look about us,and coniider what others endure:

To conclude,

and lince in frolics we can fport our ielves with many uneafinefTes for company fake, let us not be more pufillanimous in our
foberer moods , but every man cheerfully take his turn in bearing the common burden of mortality, till weput offboth itand its appendages together , when this mortal Ihall put on immortality , i Cor. j. >'4.
i

Sect.

lyS

The Art oP Contentment.

Sect.
Of particular

X.

Aids for the gaining

of Ccntcntvient.
have now paft thro all thoie confiderations we at firfl: propo fed, and may truit the confidering ReaI,

7f

7e

VV

der to make his own collcdions yet becaufe imparience is the vice that has bin all this while arraigned, I am to fore-fee it polfiblejtiiat thole who have the greateft degree ot that, may bethelcaft willing to attend the whole proceis, and therefore I think it may not be amils , for their cafe to fuit and reduce all into fome fhort directions and rules for the acquiring contentment. H E firft and meft fundamental is, 2, the mortifying our pride , which as it is the feminary of moit fins , fo efpccially Men that are highly othis of repining. pinion'd of therafelves are commonly unfatisfiable: for how well foever they are treated , they ftili think it fliort 6i their merits. Princes h^ve often experimented
:

this

Sect. X.
this in thofe

Aids for Contentment.

ijp

who Imve don them iigaal fervices i but God finds ic in tho?e wivo have don him none, and we expedl he fhall
dilpcnie to us according to thofe falfc eitimates weput upon our ieUxsTherefore he that afpircs to Content ^ muft firit

take truer mefures of himfeif, and confidcr

that as he was nothing till GoJ gave him a being, (o all that he can produce trom that being, is Gods by original right , and therefore can pretend to nothiag of re-

ward ^ fo that whatever he receives, itftill upon ^he account of new bounty ; and to compiaia that he has no more , is hkc the munuurs of an undiankful debtor who would ftill encreafe thole (cores which he
,

knows he can never pay. let every maa 3. In the Ic^ond place confider how many bielfings (notwith,

ftanding
joies
:

his

no claim to any) he daily en-

and whether thofe he fo impatiently raves after be not much inferior to them. N^y let him ask his own heart, whether he would quit all thofe he has , for them he wants , and if he would not { as I fuppofe no man in his wits would, thofe wits being part of the barter) let him then judg

how unreafonable his rcpinings

are

when

himfelf confeffes he has the better part of world2

i8o

The Art of Contentment,

,

worldly happinefs
living
4.

and never any

man

had
I

all.

the third place therefore let him fecure his duty of thankfuhiels for thole good things he hath , and that will infen-

undermine his impatiencies for the reft y it being impoffible to be at once To this purthankful and murmuring. he would keep if it were very well , pofe a folemn catalogue of all tlie bounties, protections, and deliverances he has received from Gods hand and every night examin what acceffions that day has brought to the fum and he that did this, would undoubtedly find fo many incitafibiy
, :

tions to gratitude

that all thofe to

ftifled

dif^

content would be
cies is all

in the croud.

And iince acknowledgment of Gods merwe muft

the tribute he exadls for them, certainly look on that as an indifpeniable duty : and therefore he that

finds that

hand , Hops the efflux of his bounty towards him fhould reflect on himfelf, whether he be not behind in that homage by which he holds, and have not by his unrhankfulnefs turn d away gogd things from him^ Efa. i-9. 8* And if he find it fo (as who alas is there that may not?^ he cannot fure for
(hortens his
fliarae

God

Se c t. IX.
-i

^^ds for Contentment.

'
'

fliame complain, but muit in prudence reinforce his gracitude for what is left,
as the belt
loft.
5, But his murmurs will yet be more amazingly filencM , it in the fourth place he compare, the good things he enjoies with the ill he has don. Cerrainiv this is a moft infallible cure for our impaticncies, the holieit man^living bein^; able to accu(e himfelf of luch fins, as would according to all human mefures of equity
forf^^it all

means

to recover

what he has

bleflings,and pull

down a greater

weight of judgmenc then the moft mife* rable groan under. Therefore as before I advifed to keep a catalogue of benefits receiv'd>fo here it would be of u(e to draw up one of (ins committed. And doubtlefs he that confronts the one with the other cannot bat be aftoniflied to find them both fo numerous, equally wondring at Gods mercy in continuing his bleffings, in defpight of all his provocations, and at his ownbafenefs in continuing his proin defpight of all thole blefvocations Indeed tis nothing but our affefings. fted ignorance of our ov/n demerits that makes i& poflibic for us to repine under
,
,

the fevereft of Gods difpenfations.

Would we

iSi

The Art

of Contentment.

w<^ b'Jt ranlacK

our hearts
lie

abominations that

and fee afl the there, nay would

,

the nioit of as butrecolieft thofc barefaced crimes which even the world can witneisagainit us, we Ihoald find more then

of our preffurcs. Wh^rn therefore by our impatient ftruglings we fret and gail our lei vcs under our burdens Ice us interrogate our fouls in the words of the. Prophet Why doth a living 'ma7t comtflajn 5 a man for the pu. nijhmenc of his Jm i Let us not fpcnd our breath in murmurs and out- cries ^ which will only ferve to provoke more ftnpes : but let us fear ch and try our wa:^s , and tuvn again to thr Lord ^ Lam. 3. 39. diligently feekout that atcuyfed /)6/>^ which has caufed our diicomfeiturc Jos. 18 ind by the removal of that , prepare the way for the accefs of mercy. But aias how prepoiterous a method do we take m our afflidrion^ ? We accufe erery thing but
to balance
th;.*

enough

heavieft

whacweoaght,

furioufly fly at all the fe-

condcaufejof our calamity) nay too often at the riril: by impious difputes of providence, and in the mean time, as Job fpeaks, the root 9f the matter is found In us , Job. 19. 28. fhriter and p.t)tet in our boloms the real Author of ourmiie-

We

ries.

Sect- X.
ii^s.
1

Aids for Contentment.

uicii

i%i

he rruc way
lufFering**,
is

U) alia) the Jen le

tofliarpcn that of our fins. The prodigal thougac the meaneft Condition ia his fathers family a prefer-

of our

meiit

Make me
ly.

one.

Luk. 15
ly

And ifwc have his

dil'poials

of thy hired Jervmts^ penirence,

we fliaL have
attend
6.

his fubmifiion al/'o,aud

calm-

Gods

of

us.

As every man in his afflidfon is to look inward on his own hearCjfo alio upward, and confidcr by whofe providence
all

events are order'd.

Is there ayiy tvil

Ci.e. of punifhmenr; in tie ciij, and tkt

and what worms that we are we ih'^uid dilpute with him ? Shall a man contend with his Maker? Let the p t/herd ffrive with the potjitrds oftheearih^Wz.Of'^. g And as hispt>W',T is
n. 3. i.

Lordhaih

mtaomtf A

not to be controi'a , io neither is his juftice to be im peach*d. Shall not the judg of Ml the earth do right ^ Gen. 18, 15. And where we can neither rehft nor appeal what have we to do bat hun-^b^y to fubmir? Nor are wc only compeli'd to it by necellity , but induced and invited by intereft
,

fincc his difpenfations are directed

not barely to affert his dominion, but to evidence his paternal care over us. He difcerns bur needs, and accordingly applies

184

The Art of Contentment.

The benignity
him
ot his nature not to take delight in our di-

piict tj us.

permits
Itrefles
,

he doth not affli^ willingly , nor grieve thf children of men , Lam. 3.33. and

therefore when ever he adminiiters to us a bitter cup 5 we may be lure the ingredients are medicinal
nii:ies require.
,

and fuch

as

our

infir-

He dares not trult our inunmixt prolpe-

teinpcratejappctitcs with
ritics
1

ifliioufnefs whereof tho it the , maypleafe our palats, yet like St, Johns I book. Rev. 10. 9. t\\2Lthiny in the muuth

may

frove gall in the bowels^ ingender the

iTiOlt fatal diieales.

Let

us therefore in

our calamities
blojd^

Gal.
,

bemoan'd

and (which the more it is the more it complains ) but

not
conjhlt with flejh
I. 1 5.

look to the hand that ftrikes5 andaffure our fcives J that the ftripes are not more jfevere, then he fees neceflary in order to our good : and fince they are fo , they ought in reaion to be our choices as well ashiN^ and not only Religion,butfelf-Iove win promt us to fay, widi old /r, ft u the Lord^ ht him do what fe erne th him good^ I Sam.3 ii. But alas we do not underitand what our intereft; becaufe we do not rightly underftand what we are our (elves. We confider our felves merely in our anivs,

mal

Sect.X.

Aids for Contentment.

,

.185

mal being

oar bodies and thole Icndtive faculties veiled in them , and when, we are invaded there, we think we are undon tho that breach be made only to relieve
that diviner part within us, bcfieged and opprelt with the liefli about it ( for lb God knows it too often is;) or if we do not con-

of an enemy, vet body is to the foul but as the garment to the body, a decent cafe or cover now what man (not ftark frantic) would not rather have his clothes cut then his flefli l and then by the rate of proportion, wemay wellqueltion our own fobriety, v/hen we repine that our fouls are fecur'd at the coil ot our bodies, and that '\% certainly the worit, the nnkindclr defign, that God has upon usand our impatient reiiLtances f^rve only to fruftrate the kind, the medicinal part of afflictions ^ but will not at all refcue us from the Severe. Our murmurings may mine our fouls but will never avert any of our outward calamities, 7. A feventh help to contentment is to have a right eftimate of the world, and the com.mon ftateof humanity to confider the world but as a ilage and our fel ves but as adorsj and to refolve that it is very htfider
it

in that notion

at the utnioft eftimate, the

tie

85

The Art of Con tenement

what part we play
fo

tie material
it well.

we do

A Comedian may get as much ap-

plaufe

by adting the Have as the conqueror, and he that adts the one to day,may to morrow reverfe the part, and perfonate the So great are the viciffitudes of the other. worldj that there is no building any firm hopes upon it. All the certainty we have
ofitj
is,

that in every condition

:

it

uneafineffcs

Co that

when we

has its court a

change, wc rather feek to vary then end And certainly he that has our mileries.
well
iiiipreft

upon

his

mind the vanity and

,

vexation of the world

ftirprifed at
it.

cannot be

much

any thing that befalls him in exped no more of any thing but to do its kind , and we may as well be

We

angry that w^ cannot brine the lions to

our cribs , or fix the wind to a certain point , as that we cannot lecure our felves from dangers and difappointments in this are thererough and mutable world. fore CO lay it as an infallible maxim , that in this vale of tears every man muft meet with forrows and difafters and then fure we may take our peculiar with evennefs of temper, as being but the natural confequent of our being men. And tho poffibly we may every one think himfelf to

We

'.

have

SE cT

Aids for Contentment

187

have a double portion:, yet that is ufually from the deceitful comparifon we make of our lelves with others. We take the magnifying glafles of difcontent and envy when we view our own miferies and others felicities, but look on our enjoiments and their fufferings thro the contradting optics of ingratitude and incorapaffion and whilft wedothus, tis impoffible but we mult foment our own diffatisfadions. He that will compare to good purpofe muft do it honeftly and lincerely , and
:

view his neighbors calamities with the fame attention he do's his own, and his own comforts with the fame he do's his neighbors 5 and then many of the great leeming inequalities would come pretty neer a level. 8. But even where they do not, it in
the 8"^^ place deferves however to be confidefd how ill natur'd a thing it is, for any man to think himfelf more miferable and yet this is becaufe another is happy the very thing, by which alone many men have made themfelves wretched for many have created wants , merely frOm the envious contemplation of other mens aAnd indeed there is nothing buadance. more difingenuous, or (to go higher) more
:
:

Aa

Dia-

88

The Art of Contentment.

Diabolical. Lucifer was happy enough in his original Itate, yet could not think

himfclf fo becauie he was not like the moji high Ifa, 14. 14. And when by that infolent ambition he had forfeited blifs , it has everfince bin an aggravation of his torment , that mankind is affumed to a capacity of it; and accordingly he makes if the defign of his envious induftry to defeat him. Nowhowperfcdly are the two firft parts of this copy rranfcrib'd, by thofe who firft cannot be fatisfied v/ith any inferior degree of profperity, and then whet their impatiencics with other mens enjoi-

ments of what they cannot attain? And tis much to be doubred^that they who go thus far may compieat the parallel, and endeavor when they have opportunity to undermine that happinefs they envy. Therefore fince Satan is fo apt to-imprefs his whole image, where he has drawn any of his lineaments, it concerns us warily to guard oLir felves, and by a Chriftian fympathy with our brethren, rejoice with them
that do rejoice
'^

Rom.

12. 15.

make

the

comforts of others, an allay not an improvement of our own miferies. Charity has a ftrange magnetic power, and attrails the concerns of our brethren to us

and

Sect. X.

Aids for Contentment.

in his breail

189

can never want refreftiment, whilft any about liim are happy 5 for by adopting their intereil , Jethro tho an ahefharesintheirjoics. hen rejoicedfor all thegaodGodhad don to

and he that has that

Exod. 18. p. and why fliould not we have as fenfible a concurrence with
Ifrael
y

our fellow Chriftians ? And he that has fo , will ftill find fomthing to balance his own
fufFerings.
p.

T him that afpircs to content-

ment

fet

bounds to

his defire.
affair
, ,

Tis our
ufually
enlarge our
,

common fault
dejires

in this

we

begin at the wrong end

as
hell,

we

and cannot

bejatisjied

Hab.
it

he do not fill our infatiable appetites whereas if we would confine our expcftations to thofe things which we need, or he has promised, there are few of us who would not find them abundantly anfwer'd. Alas how few things are there which our nature (if not ftimulated by fancy and luxury ) re*
2.5. and then think
:

God ufes us ill,

them who want thofe ? Nay who have not many additional for delight and plefure?And yetGods promife under theGofpel extends only to thofe neceflaries; for where Chrifi
quires
?

And how

rare

is

it

to find

afTureshisdifciples that thefe things shall be

ipo

The Art of Contentment.

be addedunto them^ Mat.6.33. the context apparently reftrains theje things to meat and drink and clothing. Therefore take no thought for the life what you shall tat j or whatyou shall drinky nor yet jor the body what youshallput on , verfe if, now what pretence have we to claim more then our Charter gives us ? God never articled with the ambitious to give him honors,or with the covetous to fill his bags, or with the Let us voluptuous to feed his luxuries. therefore , if we expert to be fatisfied , modeftly confine ourdefires within the limits he has fet us and then every accefCon which he fuperadds will appear (what it is) a largefs and bounty. Butwhilftour
:

appetites are boundlefs,

and rather ftretcht

poffi?

then

filled
is

with our acqueft's, what

for
it
,

bility

there of their fatisfaftion

when we importune God

And we do

but affign him fuch a task the Poets made a reprefentation of their Hell, the filling a fieve with water, or the rolling a ftone

up a

precipice.

ment ,

great expedient tor contentto confine our thoughts to the prefent, and not to let them loofe to fuWould vire but do this, v^re ture events.
loly.
is

might Ihake off a great

part

of our burden;

Sect.X.
den
:

Aids for Contentment

ipi

often heap fantaftic loads by anxious prelages of things which perhaps will never happen ^ and yet fink more under them, then under the real weight that is aftual upon us. And this is certainly one of the greateft follies imaginable ; for either the evil will come or it will not : if it will ^ tis fure no
for

we

upon our

felves

to meet

fuch defirable gueil that we fliould go out it 5 we (hall feel it time enough when it falls on us , we need not project to anticipate our fenfe ofit;butif it will not, what extreme madnefs is it for a man to torment himfelf with that which will never be, to create engines of tortures, and by fuch aerial afflictions, make himfelf as miferable as the molt real ones could do? And truly this is all that we ufually get by our fore-fights. Previfion is one of Gods attributes, and he mocks at all our pretences to it, by a frequent defeating of all our fore-cafts. He do's it often in our hopes: fome little crofs circumftance many times demolifhes thofe goodly machins weraifetoour felves: and he do's it no lefs in our fears ; thofe ills we folemnly expeifted often baulk us , and others from an unexpecSted coall fuddenly invade us.

And fince we are fo blind,fo fliort-fighted

let

Xp2

The Art of Contentment.

upon us to b^ Icoats, to dif-over danger at a diftance (for tis manilet us never take

fold odds we (hall only bring home falfe alarms) but let us rell our felves upon that moft admirable Aphorilm of ourblcfled Lord, Sufficient unto the day is the evil there-

Mat. 6 34. apply our felves with Chriihaa courage to bear the prefent, and
of\

or diminifli the Or future. if v^e will as he needs be looking forward, let it be in obedience not contradidion to our duty j let us entertain our felves with thofe fuleave
lees fit,for
turities
ra's,

God either to augment

which we are fure are not Chime-

death and judgment, heaven and hell. The nearer we draw thefe things to our \iQ,vj ^ the more infenfible will all intermedial objeftsbcj they will deceive our
fenfe of prefent,

and much more

fore-ltal

the apprehenfion of future evils: for tis our negled: of things eternal,that leaves us thus at lealiire for the tranfitory. II. In the lafl: place let us in all our
diftrefies fuperfede

our anxieties and foeffedtual

licitudes

by that moft

remedy

the Apoftleprelcribes, Is any man afflicted And this fure let him pray ^ Jam. 5. 14. prefcription rational : for alas moft a is

what

elfe

can

we do towards the

redrefs^

of

Sect X.
.

Aids for Contentment.

193

of our
that

griefs.

We

who are

fc

impotent,

we have not power over the moft

delpicable excrefcence of our own body, one hair 1SU hit e or bUck^ Mat. C2inviot 5.3P. what can we do towards tlip new moulding our condition , or modeilmg things without us ? Our foiicitud?s ferve only to bind our burdens fafter upon us, but this expedient of Praierwill certainly Call upon me , faies God , in relieve us. the time of trouble^ and I will hear thee^ and thou shalt praije me, Pfal. 50. 15. When ever therefore we are finlang in the floods of affliftion, let us thus fupport our felves by reprelenting our wants unto our gracious Lord , cry unto him as St. Peter did ^ Mat. 14. 30. and he will take us by the handy and be the winds never {o boiherous or contrary ^prefer vq us from finking the waves or billows of this troublefom world, will ferve but to tofs us

m^Q

clofer into his arms

who can with a word

appeafe the rougheft tempeft, or refcue let us not then befo unkind from it. to our felves^ as to negled: this infaUiblc means of our deliverance/ but with the Pfalmift take our refuge under the shadow

of the divine wings

ver-paH. Pfal.
5 7. i
.

till

the calamity be oAnd as this is a iure

B b

ex-


194

\
important affliby which to

The Art of Contentment,

all

expedient in
ftions, fo

our

real

it is

good

teft

try what are fo. and difquieted at

We

are often peevifli

trifles, nay we take up the quarrels of our luftsand vices j and are difcontented when they want their wifht

fupplies.

Now

in either of thefe cafes,

no man
to
,

that at all confiders

who he

praies

will dare to infert thefe in his praiers

itbemgacontemtof God to invoke him

in things fo llight as the one j or impious as the other. It will therefore be good for every man when he goes to addrefs for relief,
_

to confider which of his preflures they are, that are worthy of that folemn de:

and whenhehasfingled thofe precation out, let him reflect:, and he will find he has in that prejudg'd all his other diicontents as frivolous or wicked. And then fure he cannot think fit to harbour them but muft for fhame difmifs them, lince
they are fuch
,

as

he dares not avow to

him

from

relief.

whom atone he can exped: God alwaies pities our real mi^

but our imaginary ones dare not demand it. Let us not then create fuch difeafes to our felves , as we cannot declare to our Phyfitian : and when thofe are precluded, for all the reft SC.
feries,

Paufs

Sect. X.
Vauls

Mds'for Contentment*

1^5

is a Catholicon, 'Be cart' but in every th'mg by f rat" y nothing fulfor ers and fupplications , with thankjgiving ,

recipe

let

your requejis be made known to God^

Phil. 4. 6.

Bb

Sect.

196

The Art of Contentment.

Sect.
Of

XI.

Refignation,

amidft fucli variety of -^^receits , twill be hard to inftance any one fort of calamity which can efcape their efficacy, if they be but duly applied; But indeed we have generally a compendious way of fruftrating all remedies by never making ufe of them: like fantaftic patients we are well enough content to have our difeafe difcourft , and medicines prefcrib'd , but when the Phy fie comes, have ftill fome pretence or other to protrafl: the taking it. But I fhall befeech the Reader to confider, thatcounfels are not charms, to work without any cooperation of the concerned perfon : they muft be adverted to, they muft be ponder'd and confider'd, and finally they muft be praftic'd, or elfe the utmoft good they can do us, is to give us a few hours divercifment in the reading : but they do us a mifchief
I
.

\ ND

now

that infinitly out-weighs

it,

for they

im*

prove

Sect. XI.

Of Rejignation.

jc}^

prove our guilts by the ineffective tender they make of refcuing us from them, and leave us accountable not only for the original crimes, but our obttinate adhefion to them in fpight of admonition. 2. I fay this becaufe it is a little too notorious , that many take up books only as they do cards or dice , as aninftrument of diverfion. Tis a good entertainment of their curiofity to fee what can be faid upon any fubjeft, and be it well or ill handled, they can pleafc themfelves equally with the ingenuity or ridiculoufnefs of the compoiiire, and when they have don this, they have don all they defign'd. This indeed may be tolerable in Romances and Play-books, but fure it ill
befits Divinity.

happens there

yet I fear ifoftneft for in the former fome do

And

projed

fome trivial improvements, as the embellifhing of their Itile, the inipiriting of their fancies ; and fome men would Icarce be able to drive their pedling trade of wit , did they not thus fweep the ftage but alas how many books of piety are read, of which one cannot dilcern the lead tindure in mens converfations, w^hich fure do's in a great mefure proceed from the want of a determinate defii:n in
for
:

their

1^8

The Art of Contentment*

,

their reading

mens pradice being not

apt to be
tion.

leis

He

rovers then their {peculathat takes a pradical fubjeft

do itwithadefign to conform his pradice to what he fliall there be convinced to be his duty, and he that comes not with this probity of mind is not like to be much benefited by his
in hand, mufl:

reading.
3, But one would think this fhould be an unneceffary caution at this time for fince the intent of this trad , is only to Ihew men the way to contentment, tis to be fuppos^d the Readers will be as much in earned as the writer can be, it being every mans proper and moft important

intereft, the inflating him in the higheft and mofl fupreme felicity that this world

can admit yet for all this fair probability , I doubt many will in this inflance have the fame indifference they have in
*

their other fpiritual concerns. I s true indeed that a querulous re4.

pinmg humor ,

one of the moft pernicious, the moft ugly habits incident to mankinds but yet as deformed people are oft the moft in love with themfelves, fo this crooked piece of our temper, is of all Meothers the moft indulgent to it felf.
is

Ian-

S 1 CT. XI.

of

Rejignation.

pp

lancholy is the moft ftubborn and untradlableot all humors and difcontent beinothe offspring of that, partakes of that iii^ flexibility : and accordingly we lee howimpregnable it often is^ againfl: all affauks of realon and Religion too. Joiiah in a

fuUen mood would jullify his difcontent even to God himfelf, and in fpight of that calm reproof, Doft thou well to be angry ?
njen to the death-

Jon. 4. p averr/?^ did well to be angry e* And do we not frequently fee men upon an impatience of fome difappointment , grow angry even at their

comforts ? Their friends , their children, their meat, their drink, every thing grows naufeous to them, and in a frantic difcontent , they often fling away thofe things which they moft value. Befides this peevifli impatience is of lb aerial a diet, that tis fcarce poffible to ftarve it. Twill nurifli it felfwithPhantafms and Chimeras, fuborn a thoufand lurmiles and imaginary diftreC io,^ to abet its pretences: and tho every one ofuscanremonftratetoone another, the unreafonablenefs of this dilcontent yet fcarce any of us will draw the argument home, or fuffer ourfelves to be convinced by what we urge as irrefragable to others.

Nay

farther this

humor is impatient of any

di.

20O

The Art of Contentment.

felf.

diverfion, loves to converfe only with it In bodily pains, men that delpair of

cure are yet gladof allaies and mitigations, and drive by all arts to divert and deceive the lenfe of their anguiih* but in
ji

of themind,mencherifliand improve their torment, roll and chew the bitter pill in their mouths, that they may be lure to have its utmoft flavor 5 and by devoting all their thoughts to the fubjedb of their grief, keep up in an uninterrupted as if they had the fame Tyfenle of it ranny for themfelves which Caligula had for others and loved to feel themfelves
this difeafe
:

Indeed there is not a more abfurd die. contradidiion in the world, then to hear men cry out of the weight, the intolerablenefs of their burden, and yet grafp it asfaftasif their life were bound up in it^ will not depofite it, no not for the fmalftrange falcinatileft breathing time. and fo frequent that it yet , on fure ; ought to be the fundamental care of him that would cure men of their di.^ontents, to bring them to a hearty willingnefs of

being cured.

It may be tlijs radox, and every man wiflies nothing more

5.

look like pawill be apt to fay he in earncft, then to be

will

S E c T.

X r.

Of

liejignation,

201

be cured of his prefent difcontenr. He that is poor would be cured by wealth , he that is low and obfcure by honor and greatness but fo an Hydropic perfon may fay he defires to have his thirft cur*d by a perpetual fupply of drink j yet all fober people know, that that is the way only to increafe it but let the whole habit of the body be red:ified, and then the thirft will ceafe of it felf. And certainly tis the very fame in the prefent cafe; no outward acceflions will ever fatisfy out cravings , our appetites muft be tam'd and reduc'd, and then they will never be
: :

able to raife tumults^ or put us into mutiny and difcontent and he ( and none but he ) that fubmits to this method , can truly be faid to defire a cure.
:

he that thus attefts the reali*i ty of his defires, and feeks contentment in its proper fphere , may furely arrive to
6.

But

fome conliderable degrees of it. We find in all ages men, that only by the direcStion of natural light have calmed their
difquiets, and reafon'd themfclves into

contentment even under great and fen5 men who amidft the acu. torments , have ftill preferv*d a le renityof mind, and have fruftrated conG c temts

fible prefllires
teft

201

The Art of Contentment.

tcmts and reproches by difregarding them and fiire we give a very ill account of our Chiiftianity, if we cannot do as much with
it as

7.

they did without it. I do not herepropofefuch a Stoical

infenfibihty as

makes no

diftindtion

ofe*

ventSiwhichjthoit has bin vainly pretend-

ed to by many, yet fure was never attained by any upon the ftrength of difcourfe:'
natural dulnefs or cafual ftupefa0:ion muft concur to that , and perhaps by doing fo, has had the luck to be canoniz'dfor vertue. I mean only fuch a Superiority of mind as raiies us above our fufferiiigs , tho it exemt us not from the fenfe or them. cannot propofe to our felves a higher pattern in any vertue then our blefled Lord yet we fee he not only felt that load under which he lay, but had the moft pungent and quick fenfe of it, fuch aspromted thofeearncft deprecations , Father if it be pojjible let

Some

We

this Clip

pafs

yet

all

thofe difplacencies

of his
^

fle/h

were furmounted by the re-

fignation of his ipint, never thele/s not what I will but what thou wilt^ Luk. 22. And certainly he that in imitation of this pattern, do's in fpight of all the reludancies

of his

fenle, thus intirely

fubmit

his will

how-

Sect.

XL

Of Rejignation,
fad,

203

yet he is not im. patient. Nor is he like to be fad long, for

to

however he may be

him that

is

thus refign'd

light will

fpring up^ Pfal. p/. II. fome good Angel will be lent like that to our Savior to re\t\VQ his difconiolation.

God

will fend
as fhall

either

fome outward

allaies,

or give fuch

interior comforts

and fupporrs,

counterpoife thole afflidions he takes not

off.

the grand defignof God in correding us is ( the fame with that of a prudeit parent towards his child ) to break our wills. That ftubborn faculty will fcarce bend with eafy touches, and there8.

Indeed

fore do's require fome force: and

when

by
it

that rougher handling he has brought

Tis to a piiantnefs, the work is don. therefore our intereft to cooperate with this defign, to aflift as much as we are able
towards the fubjugating this unruly part of our felvcs. This is that 5^^^^ 2 Sam. 20. thefurrendringofwhomis Gods expedation in all the clofe fieges he laies to us. Let us then be fo wife? as by an early refigning
it

to divert his farther hoftilities,

and buy our peace with him. p, A N D truly this is the way not only to gain peace with him , but our felvcs

Cc

too:

20+

The Art of Contentment.

too ; tis the ufurpation of our will ove^^ our reafon which breeds all the confufion and tumults within our own breafts, and there is no poffibility of curbing its infolence, but by putting it into fafe cuftody, committing it to him who ( as our Church teaches us) alone can order the Indeed nounruly wills of finful men. thing but experience can fully inform us of the lerenity and calm of that foul, who
hasrefign'd his will to God. All care of chufing for himfelf is happily fuperfeded, he is temted to no anxious forecaftsfor
future events, for he

knows nothing can

:

happen

fupreme Will, in which he hath fanftuary which will certainly chufe for him with that tendernefs and regard , that a faithful Guardian would for his pupil, an indulgent father for his child that calls its felf into his arms. Certainly there is not in the world fuch a holy fort of artifice, fo Divine a charm to tie our God to us,as this of religning our felves to him. find the
in contradiftion of that

We

Gibeonites by yielding themfelves vaflals to the Ifraelites, had their whole army at their beck to refcue them in their danger jof. lo. 6. and canwe think God is lefs confiderate of his homagers and dependants iT

No

SE c T

XL
is

Of Refignation,
as his

105

No certainly, his honor as well

com-

pafljon concjsrn'd in the relief of thofe who have furrendred themfelves to him. 10. yet , when by refignation we have united our wills to God, we have quite changed the fcene, and we, who when our wills flood fingle were liable to perpetual defeats, in this bleffed combination can never be croft. When our will is twilted and involved with Gods, the fame omnipotence which backs

Farther

his will,do's alfo attend

ours.Gods will, we are fure, admits of no controle, can never be refiited5 and we have the fame fecurity for ours, fo long as it concurs with it.
this means all calamities are unfting'd; and even thofe things which are moft repugnant to our fenfitive natures, are yet very agreable to our fpirits , when we confider they are implicitly our own

By

choice, fince they are certainly his, whom we have deputed to eledt for us. Indeed there can be no face of adverfity fo aver*

ting and formidable , which fet in this fee daily light will not look amiable. prejudices and uneafinefles how many

We

men will

contentedly fufFer in purfuit of we have really efpoufed Gods , m.ade his will ours , we fliall
their wills: and if

with

206
with

The

Art of Contentment.

as great (

nay

far greater ) alacrity

embrace

its diftributions,

how unealy

foever to our fenfe^ our fouls will more acquiesce in the accoaiplifhment of the Divine will, then our fleih can reludt to

any fevere efted: of

11.

it.

Here

then

is

that

footing

of firm ground , on which

whofoever

can ftand , may indeed do that which Archimedes boafted , move the whole world. He may as to himfeli: fubverc the whole courfe of fublanary things , unvenem all thofe calamities which are to others the gall of Afps and in a farther lenfe verify that Evangelical prophecy, of beating Jwords into plough-shares ^ and Jpeares into pruning hooks Efay. 2. 4. the
,

nioft hoftile

weapons , the mod adverfe events , fhali be by him converted into inilruments of fertiUty, fhall only advance
his fpiritual

growth.

12.

And

now who can chufe but con,

fefsthis a

much more eligible ftate

then

to be alvvaies harrafled with folicitudes

and cares

perpetually either fearing fu, ture defeats, or bewaihngthepaft. And

then what can we call it lefs then madnefs or enchantment, for men to aft (b contrary to their own didates , yea to
their

Se c T

XL

Of

Rejignation.
,

207

their very fenfe

and experience to fee and acknowledg the inexphcable felicity of a refigned will, and yet perverfly to
hold out theirs, tho they can get nothing by it, but the luUen pleafure of oppofing God , and tormenting themfelves ? Let us therefore if not for our duty oreafe> yet at leaft for our reputation , the afferting our felves men of fobriety and

common

fenfe , do that which upon all thefe interells we are obliged ; let us but give up our wills, and with them we (hall

certainly diveft our felves of all our fruitlefs anxieties,

and

caft

our burdens upon

fo.

him who invites us to do

all

He who bears

our forrows, our griefs too 5 if we will but be content to depofitethem: he will relieve us from all thofe opprefling weights, which make

our

fins, will b^ar all

our fouls cleave to the duft, Pfal. 119. 25. and will in exchange give us only his lights
his pie af ant burden^

word there

will be

Mat. 11. 33. In a no care left for us , but

that of keeping our lelves in a capacity of his : let us but fecure our love to him,

and we are afcertain'd that all things shall work togetherfor our good Rom. 8. 28. To conclude , Refignation and Contentment are vertues not only of a near
^

cogna.

ao8

The Art of contentment.

cognation and refemblance, but they are Let linked as the Caufe and the Effect. us but make fure of Relignation, and Content will flow into us without our farther induftry : as on the contrary whilft our wills are at defiance with Gods , we
ihall alwaies find

things at as great defi-

ance with ours. All our fubtiltiesor innever mould them to our fatisfadionSjtiU we have moulded our felves into that pliant temper that we can cordially fay. It is the Lord^ let him do what feemeth him good, i Sam. 3.18.
duftries will

The

The

Clofe.

20 g^

The
t.

Clofe.

fliort inftitutiou of the Art cannot more na* Contentment , of rurally, or more defirabllydraw to aconclufion 5 then in the reforlt we have given it , in the bofome of divine Providence. The Roman conquerors at the lall pitch of all their triumphs, went to the Capitol , and laid their Garlands in the lap of Jupiter : but the Chriltian has an eafier way to Triumph, to put his crown of thornes (for that is the trophy of his vid:orie$ ) within the arms of his gracious God; there lodg his fears, his wants, his forrows, and himfelf too^ as in the

'T* HIS

beft repolitory.

Gofpel command of noted' ring for the morrow^ Mat. 6. 34. and being careful for 7iothing^ Phil. 4, 6. nakedly propos'd, might feem the abandoning of us to all the calamities of Hfe but when
2.

Th

we

are directed to caji ail our care upon a gracious and all-powerful Parent, and are aflur'd that he cares for us^ i Pet. 5, 7. that tho a ^ji'oman may forget her fucking child ^ that she should not have cornfaffwn

^f

310

The Art of Contentment.

womb^yetwiUhenotfor^

of the j'on of her

get his children 5 Ifa. 49v^f- ^his will abundantly fuperfede all cavil and objeWhilft worldly men thruft in an ction. arm of fleih, lay up trefure on earthy a prey
iotriifi

andmothi Mat, 6. ip. and a tor^ ment to themfelves. Jam. 5. 3. theChri-

ftian has

Omnipotence
moth

for his fupport,

and a

trefure in

heaveuy where no thief

corrupts^

cppYOches nor

Mat.
in

6. 20.

queftion Gods fecret will, oblige him to their fub or fupralapfarian fchem^s , their abfolute or conditional decrees, their grace forefeen or predetermin d^ the pious man with aweful acquiefcence fabmits to that which is revel'd : refolves for ever to obey , but laever to difpute 5- as knowing that the belov'd Difciple lean'd on his Matters boIbme-, but tis the thiefs and traitors part to go about to rifle it. 3. Tis lurely a modeft demand in the behalf of God Almighty, that we fhould allow him- as much privilege in thisWorld^ to as every Pefant clames in his Cottage be Matter there, and dilpofe of his houfeholdas he thinks beft; to Jay to this man-^ Go i and he goeth : and to another > Come , ^idhe 07neth ; mdtohisfcrvmit^. Do this ^
inquirers call
-,

Whirft bold

m4

Tht

Clofe.

2H

and hedothity Mat. 8.9. AndifwewoulcJ

would be an immediate end put to all clamor and

afford
this liberty, there

him

complaint. E make it our daily praier that 4. the will of God maf be don in earth as it is in heaven , with a ready , Iwift , and uninterrupted conftancy. As tis Giantlike rebeiUon to let up our will againft

perverfnefs to fet it up be difpleas'd that our againft requefts are granted, and repine that his, and therewith our will is don. It were
his
i

fo

mad our own

is

it

indeed not only good manners, but good pohcy , to obferve the direction of the Ileathen , and follow God not prejudg his determinations by ours i but in a modeft fufpenfion of our thoughts , hearken what the Lord God will fay concerning its ,
:

for he will fpeaJ^peace unto his people^ and

to his

Saints

that

tJ^ey

turn

net

again

Ffa. 85.8.
y.

OR

however upon

furprife

we may

indulge to a paffionateafFecStion^ and dote upon our illegitimate off -fpringjour dearie ing guilts or follies, as T)avid did upon that Child, which was the price of Murder

and adultery : yet when the brat is taken from us, when the Child is dead^ it will

Dd^

be-

2XZ

The Art of Contentment.

us to

become

do

as

he did 5

rile
,

fallen pofture

on the earth

from our and in'orship

in the hotife of the Lord^ 2 Sam. 12. 20. It will behove us, as he faies in another
place, to lay our

hand upon our mouth

Pfal.

be^

caufe it ^juas his doings

and 30. with holy Job , Chap. 40. 4. when chargM with his miirmurings. Behold I am viky what JIj all I anjiver t Oncebave I fpoJ>e?ij bm I mil not anfiver : yea tivice^ but I will
10;
6. Socrates rightly faid of Contentment, oppofing it to the riches of fortune and opinion, that tis the wealth of nature for it gives every thing that we have learnt to want, and really need : but Refignation is the riches of Grace, bellowing all things that a Chriitian not only needs, but can delire, even Ahnighty Godhimfelf, He indeed, as the Schole-

proceed no farther,

men teach,

is the objeftive happinefs of the Creature 5 Hewlioisthe fountain of being, mull be alio of bleflednefs. And tho this be only communicable to us, when we have put off thzt flesh which cannot enter into the kingdom of God^ and laid

afide that corruption \yhich

incorruption
liit^
-i

cannot

inherit

we may

1 Cor. 15. yet even in this make approches to that blef-

TheClofe.

213

fed ftate, by afisof feiignation and deof our felves. It was the generous faying of Socrates being about to die unnial

to his friend ^'O Crito^ fince it is the will of God , fo let it be: /^njtus and Melitus
kill me , but cannot hurt me. But fuch a refignation astisinfinitly a greater duty to a Chriftian, foitisalfo a more firm fecurity. ;4n that cafe tis not the Martyr , but ^efus of Nazareth who is thus periecuted, and he who attaques him,

may

will find it

hard

to kick againji the

f ricks ,

Aft. p,
7.

There

f.

inftance

could not be a greater of the profligate fenfuality of the

'^

Jfraelites^ tlien that

they murmured for

want of leeks and onions ^ Num. 11. f. when they ate Angels food , and had bread rain d down from heaven. Tis impoflible for the foul that is fenfiblc of God Almighties favor , to repine at any earthly prefllire. The Lord is my shep^
yiothing^ Pfa. 25.

herd^ faith T)avtd ^ therefore can I lack And, thou haBput I.

gladnefs into
corn^

my

heart ^ more then

,

when t heir
Pfa. 4. 7.

and wine ^ and oilincreafed

and in paflionate rapture he cries out, P(a. y^. ^5. Whom have I in heaven hut thee ? and there is none upon earth that I

214
defrre in

The Art of Contentment.

comparifon of thee.
".

My

fiejh

and

my

but God is the firength heart faileth And of my hearty andmy portion for ever. God Is our hope and likewife Pfal. 46. i.
^

firength

a very prefent

help

in trouble^

Therefore will

we

jiot

fear^ tho the earth b^

moved : and

tho the hills be carried into the

Tho the waters theremidjl of the feet. and tho the mountains' rage and fpoell^ of
pjake at the tempeflof thefame. I[ GodhQ in the midjl of ns^ we jhall not be removed^ Let he will help us ^ and that right early*

us therefore poflefs our felvesofthisfupf)ort^ and as the Prophet advifes, Ifa, 8.12. neitherfear ^nor be afraidy in any exigence how great foe ver 5 but be fiill andquiet j
itndfanHify the Ijord of hofls himfelf ^ and let him be our fear 3 and let him he our
dread.

FINIS.

THE CONTENTS.
S E C T
i.
1

N
letppcen

Of the necefarj Connexion f wefs and Contentment.

Haf^
?

t*

J.

4.
5.

6.
7. 8.

Gods Abfolute Soveraignfj. /'ly. />. 28. Of GodsVnlimited Bounty, 0/ the Surplufage of our Enjoiments above our Sufferings. f. $6. Of our Demerit towards God. f. 85. 0/ Gods general Providence* /^. 107, Of Gods particular Providence. /> 121^ 0/^^e Advantage of Jffll^ions, fA^o.

9.
I o.

Cy

o//r

Misfortunes compard)f>ith other

mens.
tentment.

P'^5^

of particular aids for the gaining Conf.172.

f* 196. p. 209.

II. OfRefignationa

ThtClofe.