Sect. V. The fifth argument is, By contentment a Christian gains a vic- tory over himself. For a man to be able to rule his own spirit, this of all others is the most noble conquest. Passion denotes weakness ; to be discontented is suitable to flesh and blood ; but to be in every state content, — reproached, yet content, — impri- soned, yet content, — this is above nature ; this is some of that holy valour and chival- ry v^hich only a divine spirit is able to in- fuse. In the midst of the affronts of the world to be patient, and in the changes of the world to have the spirit calmed, this is a conquest worthy indeed of the garland of lionour. Holy Job, divested and turned out of all, leaving his scarlet, and embra- cing the dunghill, (a sad catastrophe !) yet liad learned contentment. It is said, " he fell down upon the ground and worshipped," Job i. 20. One would have thousrht he should have fallen upon the ground and blasj)hcmed ! No, he fell and worshipped. He adored God's justice and holiness. Be- hold the strength of grace ! here Avas an Iniinble submission, yet a noble conquest ; lie got the victory over himself. It is no great matter for a man to yield to his own passions, this is facile and femenine ; but to content himself in denying of himself, this is sacred.
Sect. VI. T7ie sixth great argument to work the heart to contentment, is
The consideration that all God's provi- dences, how cross or bloody soever, shall do a believer good ; " and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God," Rom. viii. 28. Not only all good things, but all evil things work for good • and shall we be discontented at that which works for our good ? Suppose our troubles are twisted together, and sadly accented : what if sickness, poverty, reproach, law- suits, &c. do unite and muster their forces against us? All shall work for good; our maladies shall be our medicines ; and shall we repine at that which shall undoubtedly do us good ? " Unto the upright there ari- seth light in darkness," Ps. cxii. 4. Afflic- tion may be baptized Marah ; it is bitter, but physical. Because this is so full of comfort, and may be a most excellent cath- olicon against discontent, I shall a little ex- patiate.
Quest. It will be inquired how the evils of affliction icorkfor good ?
Ans. Several ways.
First, They are disciplinary; they teach us. The psalmist having very elegantly described the church's trouble, Ps. Ixxiv. prefixeth this title to the psalm, Maschil, which signifies a psalm giving instruction ; that which seals up instruction, works for good. God puts us sometimes under the black rod ; but it is virga disciplinaris, a rod of discipline ; " Hear ye the rod, and who hath apj)ointed it," Mic. vi. 9. God makes our adversity our university. Af- fliction is a preacher ; " Blow the trumpet in Tekoa," Jer. vi. 1. The trumpet was to preach to the peo])le, as appears ver. 8., " Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem." Some- times God sjK'aks to the minister to lift up his voice like a trumpet, Isa. Iviii. ]., and here lie speaks to the trumpet to lift up its voice like a minister. Afflictions teacli us, \st, Humility. Commonly p''osj)erous, and proud, corrections are God's corrosives to eat out the proud flesh. Jesus Christ is the lily of tlie vallies. Cant. ii. 1. He dwells in an humble heart : God brings us into the valley of tears, that he may bring us into the valley of humility ; " remembering mv affliction and my misery, the wormwood
ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
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