2. Contentment is an intrinsical thing ; it lies within a man ; not in the bark, but tiie root. Contentment hath both its foun- tain and stream in the soul. The beam hath not its light from the air ; the beams of comfort which a contented man hath, do xiot arise from foreign comforts, but from within. As sorrow is seated in the spirit, " the heart knoweth its own bitterness," Prov. xiv. 10.: so contentment lies within the soul, and doth not depend upon exter- nals. Hence I gather, that outward trou- bles cannot hinder this blessed contentment; it is a spiritual thing, and ariseth from sj)i- ritual grounds, viz. the ajjprehension of God's love. When there is a temj)est with- out, there may be music within ; a bee may sting through the skin, but it cannot sting to the heart ; outward afflictions cannot
sting to a Christian's ]>eart, where content- ment lies. Thieves may plunder us of Ou** money and plate, but not of this pearl of contentment, unless we are willing to j)ait with it, for it is locked up in the cabinet of the heart ; the soul which is possessed of this rich treasure of contentment, is liku Noah in the ark, that can sing in the midst of a deluge.
3. Contentment is an habitual thinfr, ic shines with a fixed light in the firmament of the soul. Contentment doth not appear only now and then, as some stars which are seen but seldom ; it is a settled temper of the heart. One action doth not denomi- nate ; he is not said to be a liberal man, that gives alms once in his life ; a covetous man may do so ; but he is said to be liberal, that is, "given to hospitality," Rom. xii. 13., that is, who upon all occasions is willinir to relieve the necessities of the poor ; so he is said to be a contented man that is given to contentment. It is not casual but constant. Aristotle, in his rhetoric, distinguisheth be- tween colours in the face that arise from passion, and those which arise from com- plexion ; the pale face may look red when it blusheth, but this is only a passion ; he is said properly to be ruddy and sanguine, who is constantly so, it is his comj)lexion. He is not a contented man, who is so upon an occasion, and perhaps when he is pleas- ed, but who is so constantly, it is the habit and complexion of his soul.
Chap. VH. Reasons pressing to Holy Contentment.
Having opened the nature of content- ment, I come next to lay down some rea- sons or arguments to contentment, which may jneponderate with us.
Tlie first is, God's ])recept. It is cliarged upon us as a duty: " he content with such things as you have," Heh. xiii. .'5. The same God, who hath bid us believe, hath bid us be content; if we obey not, we run ourselves into a spiritual j>reinunire. God's word is a sufllcient warrant; it hath authority in it, and must be a supersedeas, or sacred sj)eli to discontent. Ipse dixit was enougli among Pytliagoras's scholars : " Be it enacted," in the royal style. God's word must be the star that guides, and his will the weight
ess
ART OF DIVINE^ CONTENTMENT.
that moves our obedience ; liis will is si law, and hath majesty enou<Tli in it to captivate ris into obedience ; our hearts must not be more unquiet than the raging sea, which at his word is stilled, Mat. viii. 26.
The second reason enforcing content- rrent, is, God's promise : for he hath said, " I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," Heb. xiii. 5. Here God hath engaged him- self, under hand and seal for our necessary provisions. If a king should say to one of his subjects, I will take care for thee ; as long as I have any crown-revenues, thou shalt be provided for ; if thou art in dan- ger, I will secure thee, — if in want, I will supply thee; would not that subject be con- tent ? Behold, God hath here made promise to the believer, and as it were entered into bond for his security, " I will never leave thee ;" shall not this charm down the de- vil of discontent ? " Leave thy fatherless children with me, I will preserve them a- live," Jer. xlix. 11. Methinks I see the godly man on his death-bed much discon- tented, and hear him complaining what will become of my wife and children when I am dead and gone ? They may come to pover- ty : saith God, " trouble not thyself, be con- tent, I will take care of thy children ; and let thy widow trust in me." God hath made a promise to us, that he will not leave us, and hath entailed the promise upon our wife .ind children ; and will not this satisfy ? True faith will take God's single bond, without calling for witnesses.