Be content, by virtue of a decree. What- ever our condition be, God the umpire of the world hath from everlasting decreed that condition for us, and by his providence or- dered all appertinaiices thereunto. Let a Christian often think with himself, who hath placed me here, whether I am in a high sj)here, or in a lower. Not chance or fortune, as the purblind heathens imagined ; no, it is the wise God that hath by his pro- vidence fixed me in this orb. We must act fhat scene which God would have us ; say not, such an one hath occasioned tliis to me ; look not too much at the under-wheel. We read in Ezekiel, of " a wheel within a wheel," Ezek. i. 16. God's decree is the cause of the turning of the wheels, and his orovidence is the inner-wheels that move
all the rest. God's providence is that helm which turns about the whole ship of the uni- verse. Say then, as holy David, " I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou, Lord, didst it," Ps. xxxix. 9. God's providence — which is nothing else but the carrying on of his decree — should be a sm- persedeas and counterpoise against discon- tent ; God hath set us in our station, and he hath done it in wisdom. We fancy such a condition of life is good for us ; whereas if we were our own carvers, we should often cut the worst piece. Lot, be- ing put to his choice, did choose Sodom, Gen. xiii. 11. Which soon after was burn- ed with fire. Rachel was very desirous of children, " Give me children or I die," Gen. XXX. 1.: And it cost her her life in bringing forth a child. Abraham was ear- nest for Lshmael, " O that Ishmael might live before thee!" Gen. xvii. 18. But he had little comfort either of him or liis seed ; he was born a son of strife, his hand was against every man, and every man's hand against him. The disciples wept for Christ's leaving the world, they chose his corporeal presence : whereas it was best for them that Christ should be gone, for else " the Com- forter would not come," John xvi. 7. Da- vid chose the life of his child, " he wept and fasted for it," 2 Sam. xii. 16. Where- as if the child had lived, it would have been a perpetual monument of his shame. We stand oft in our own light; if we should, sort, or parcel out our own comforts, we should hit upon the wrong. Is it not well for the child, that the parent doth choose for it ? Were it left to itself, it would per- haps choose a knife to cut its own finger. A man in a paroxysm calls for wine, which if he had, it were little better than poison , it is well for the patient, that he is at the physician's appointment. The consideration of a decree determining, and a providence disposing of all things that fall out, should work our hearts to holy contentment. Tiie wise God hath ordered our condition ; if he sees it better for us to abound, we shall abound ; if he sees it better for us to want, we shall want ; be content to be at God's disposal.
God sees, in his infinite wisdom, the same condition is not convenient for all ; that
ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
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which is good for one, may ])e bad for a- I man ; discontent is a frcttiiip^ linmoiir, wliich
nothcr ; one season of weatlier will not serve all men's occasions, — one needs sun- shine, another rain ; one condition of life will not fit every man, no more than one suit of apparel will fit everybody : prosperity is not fit fi>r all, nor yet adversity. If one man be brought low, perhaps he can bear it better ; lie liath a greater stock of grace, — more faith and ])atience, — he can " ga- tlier grapes of thorns," pick some comfort out of the cross, — every one cannot do this. Another man is seated in an eminent place of dignity ; he is fitter for it ; perhaps it is a place requires more parts of judgment, which every one is not capable of; perhaps he can use his estate better, — he hath a public heart as well as a public place. The wise God sees that condition to be bad for one, which is good for another ; hence it is lie placeth men in different orbs and spheres ; some higher, some lower. One man de- sires health, God sees sickness is better for him ; God will work he.'ilth out of sickness, by bringing the body of death, into a con- sumption. Another man desires libertv, God sees restraint better for him ; he will work his liberty by restraint; when his feet arc bound, his heart shall be most en- larged. Did we believe this, it would give a check to the sinful disputes and cavils of our hearts: shall I be discontented at that which is enacted by a decree, and ordered by a providence ? Is this to be a child or a rebel ?
Chap. VIII. Use I. Shewing how a Chris- tian MAY MAKE HIS LiFE COMFORTABLE.
It shews how a Christian may come to lead a comfortable life, even an heaven up- on earth, be the times what they will : viz. by Christian contentment, Prov. xv. 13.