First, Let us compare our spiritual estate with what it was once. What were we when we lay in our blood ? We were heirs apparent to hell, having no right to pluck one leaf from the tree of promise ; it was a Christless and hopeless condition, Eph. ii. 12. But now God hath cut off the en- tail of hell and damnation ; he hath taken you out of the wild olive of nature, and in- gx'afted you into Christ, making you living branches of that living vine ; he hath not only caused the light to shine upon you, but into you, 2 Cor. vi. 6., and hath inte- rested you in all the privileges of sonship ; is not here that which may make the soul content.
Secondly, Let us compare our temporal estate with what it was once. Alas ! we had nothing when we stepped out of the womb ; " For we brought nothing into this world," 1 Tim. vi. 7. If we have not that which we desire, we have more than we did bring with us; we brought nothing with us but sin ; other creatures bring something with them into the world ; the lamb brings wool, the silk-worm silk, &c. but we brought nothing with us. What if our condition at present be low? It is bet- ter than it was once; therefore, having food and raiment, let us be content. What- ever we have, God's providence fetcheth it unto us ; and if we lose all, yet we liave as much as we brought with us. This was what made Job content, " Naked came I out of my mother's womb," Job i. 21. As if ho h;id said, though God hath taken away all from me, yet why should I murmur ? I am as rich as I was when I
ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
729
came into the world ? I liave as much left as I brought with me ; naked came I hi- ther ; tlierefore blessed be the name of the Lord.
Comparison 5th. Let us compare our con- dition uith what it shall be shortly. There is a time shortly coming, when, if we had all the riches of India, they would do us no good ; we must die, and can carry nothing with us ; so saith the apostle, " It is cer- tain we can carry nothing out of the world," 1 Tim. vi. 7. Therefore it follows, " hav- ing food and raiment, let us therewith be content." Open the rich man's grave and see what is there ; you may find the miser's bones, but not his riches, says Bede. Were we to live for ever here, or could we carry our riches into another world, then indeed we might be discontented, when we look upon our empty bags. But it is not so : God may presently seal a warrant for death to apprehend us : and when we die, we cannot carry our estate with us : honour and riches descend not into the grave, why then are we troubled at our outward con- dition ? Why do we disguise ourselves with discontent ? O lay up a stock of grace ! Be rich in faith and good works, these riches will follow us. Rev. xiv. 13. No other coin but grace will pass current in heaven, silver and gold will not go there ; labour to be rich towards God, Luke xii. 21. And as for other things, be not solicitous, we shall carry nothing with us.
Rule II. Go not to bring your condition to your 7nind, hut bring your mind to your con- dition.
The way for a Christian to be contented, is not by raising his estate higher, but by bringing his spirit lower ; not by making his barns wider, but his heart narrower. One man, a whole lordship or manor will not content ; another is satisfied with a few acres of land ; what is the difference ? The one studies to satisfy curi<tsity, the other necessity ; the one thinks what he may have, the other what he may spare.
Rule 12. Study the vanity of the creature.
It matters not whether we have less or more of these things, they have vanity writ- ten upon tlie frontispiece of them ; the world is like a shadow that declineth ; it
is delightful, but deceitful ; it promiseth more than we find, and it fails us when we have most need of it. All the world rings changes, and is constant only in its disap- pointments : what then, if we have less of that which is at best but voluble and fluid? Tiie world is as full of mutation as motion ; and what if God cut us short in subluna- ries ? The more a man hath to do with the world, the more he hath to do with va- nity. The world may be compared to ice, which is smooth, but slippery ; or to the Egyptian temples, without very beautiful and sumptuous, but within nothing to be seen but the image of an ape ; every crea- ture saith concerning satisfaction, it is not in me. The world is not a filling, but a flying comfort. It is like a game at ten- nis ; providence bandies her golden balls, first to one, then to another. Why are we discontented at the loss of these things, but because we expect that from them which is not, and repose that in them which we ought not ? " Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd," Jonah iv. 6. What a vanity was it ? It is much to see a withering gourd smitten ? Or to see the moon dress- ing itself in a new shape and figure ?
Rule 13. Get fancy regulated.