1. It is God's express direction • 1 Tim. vi. 8, * Having food and raiment, let us therewith be content ; ' and Heb. xiii. 5, ' Be content with such things as ye have.' There is a contentment in opposition to covetousness, and a contentment in opposition to pride. They both agree in this, that, have we more or have we less, if it be but bare food and raiment that we may live, and so live as that we have time to serve God, and seek his kingdom, and the salvation of our souls, we should be content. That is, in opposition to covetousness, we should not distract ourselves with distrustful cares and covetous desires, but with a quiet mind rely upon God's precious promises and merciful providence for support and necessaries. But then there is a content- ment in opposition to pride, when we do not rejHne and murmur against God, but are content to be at his finding ; accounting a little is enough by the way, and so we get heaven at last. It is no great matter how much or how little we enjoy by the way. If our con- dition be mean, we disdain it not ; if higiier, we desire to improve it for God. This the apostle practised : Phil. iv. 11, ' I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.' To rest satisfied with our present condition, without repining against God.
2. That is the best condition wherein God hath placed us, though it be never so low and mean. Partly because of God's sovereignty. Men must not arrogate to themselves the disposal of their own estate, because we are receivers and not prescribers : Job ii. 10, ' Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil ? ' He appointeth to every one his portion. Therefore it is not what will please us, but what will please him. All the good we have comelh from God, and he must be left to dispose of it as he will. Partly because God is infinitely wise and better knoweth what is fittest for us than we do for ourselves. He knoweth our infirmity better than we do ourselves, what our shoulders will bear, and what not. Partly because of his goodness and kindness. He is no less kind and loving, nay, much more than we are to ourselves, and will not fail to give us anything that may be truly good for us. It is a mighty point in our dependence upon God to hate thoughts of God ; and as it is a great help and relief to the soul, so it is easy to prove from his love in Christ : Eom. viii. 32, ' He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?' Prom his gracious covenant : Ps. xxxiv. 10, ' They that fear the Lord shall not want any good thing ;' and Ps. Ixxxiv. 11, ' The Lord will give grace and glory ; no good thing will he withhold from them that w^alk uprightly.' Therefore, upon the whole, let God choose our por- tion for us.
3. Those great matters which the world crieth up for such are but small things in comparison of those things which christians should be most busied about. There are two sorts of great things — either in reality or in appearance.
[1.] The great things in reality are God, and Christ, and the law of grace, the promises of the pardon of sin and eternal life : Hosea viii. 12,
VeR. 1.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. 433
* I have written to him the great things of my law.' There are great things indeed discovered in the law of God, as a great God, a precious Saviour, a sanctifying Spirit, the way of salvation, and salvation itself; these are great things indeed : 2 Peter i. 4, ' To us are given exceeding great and precious promises,' to, ixekicna ktrarj'^eKfj.aTa. They con- tain spiritual and eternal riches, and dear-bought blessings. Now in these great matters should we exercise ourselves. It is a low and base spirit that doth not seek these spiritual and heavenly things. But these suit not with carnal sense, because they are only valued and esteemed by faith.
[2.] Great things in appearance. Those are worldly things which in reality are the smallest matters, 2 Cor. vi. 2 ; but the flesh counteth them great, because of the suitableness they carry to our fancies and appetites. Great affections make the things of the world seem great. They are only great in our own conceit : Prov. xviii. 11, ' The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.' We promise ourselves much happiness in the enjoyment of these things, therefore our hearts run after them; but a christian hath higher matters to mind.
4. These things, the more they are sought after, our desires are greatened with the enjoyment, and still we seek greater and greater things. Allow this disposition, and it will still carry us further ; for the soul is never satisfied; Isa. v. 8, they are joining house to house, field to field ; Eccles. v. 10, ' He that loveth abundance shall not be satisfied with increase.' The flesh is wise in its own matters ; it aimeth at first only at those things which are within our grasp and reach ; but then still it enlargeth itself, and would have more ; and when that is obtained, we would fain be built a story higher in the world. In honour and greatness there is no end. Now it is better to stop at first, because, to be contented with what we have, and improve it to God's glory, argueth the highest and noblest spirit : 1 Tim. vi. 6, * Godliness •with contentment is great gain.' A christian life with a competent subsistence is the best wealth in the world.