5. So, likewise, contentedness vcith our estate is needful for a waiting condi- tion, and this we have in our God, being able to give the soul full satisfac- tion. For outward things God knows how to diet us. If our condition be not to our mind, he will bring our mind to our condition. If the spirit be too big for the condition, it is never quieted, therefore God wUl level both. Those wants be well supplied, that are made up with contentedness, and with riches of a higher kind. If the Lord be oui' Shepherd, we can want nothing, Ps. xxiii. 1. This lifteth the 'weary hands and feeble knees,' even under ' chastisement,' Heb. xii. 12, wherein though the soul mourneth in the sense of God's displeasure, yet it rejoiceth in his fatherly care.
6. But patience and contentment are too low a condition for the soul to rest in, therefore the Spirit of God raiseth it up to a spiritual enlargement of jo?/. So much joy, so much light; and so much light, so much scatter- ing of darkness of spirit. We see in nature how a Uttle light wiU prevail over the thickest clouds of darkness ; a little fire wastes a great deal of dross. The knowledge of God to be our God, brings such a light of joy into the soul, as driveth out dark uncomfortable conceits ; this light makes light- some. If the light of knowledge alone makes bold, much more the light of joy arising from our communion and interest in God. How can we enjoy God, and not joy in him ? a soul truly cheerful rejoiceth that God whom it loveth, should think it worthy to endm-e anything for him. This joy often ariseth to a spirit of glory, even in matter of outward abasement. If the trouble accompanied with disgrace continue, the Spirit of gloiy rests upon us, and it will rest so long until it make us more than conquerors, even then when we seem conquered ; for not only the cause, but the spirit riseth higher, the more the enemies labour to keep it under, as we see in Stephen, Acts vii.
With this joy goeth a spirit of courage and confidence. "What can daunt that soul, which in the greatest troubles hath made the great God to be its own ? Such a spirit dares bid defiance to all opposite power, setting the
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soul above the world, having a spirit larger and higher than the world, and seeing all but God beneath it, as being in heaven already in its head. After Moses and Micah had seen God in his favom- to them, how Uttle did they regard the angry countenances of those mighty princes, that were in their times the terrors of the world ! The courage of a Christian is not only against sensible danger, and of flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness, against the whole kingdom of Satan, the god of the world, whom he knows shortly shall be trodden under his feet, Rom. xvi. 20. Satan and his may for a time exercise us, but they cannot hurt us. True believers are so many kings and queens, so many conquerors over that which others are slaves to. They can overcome themselves in revenge, they can despise those things that the world admires, and see an excellency in that which the world sets light by ; they can set upon spiritual duties, which the world cannot tell how to go about, and endm'e that which others tremble to think of, and that upon vase reasons, and a sound founda- tion ; they can put otf themselves, and be content to be nothing, so their God may appear the greater, and dare undertake and undergo anything for the glory of their God. This courage of Christians among the heathens was counted obstinacy, but they knew not the power of the Spirit of Christ in his, which is ever strongest when they are weakest in themselves ; they knew not the privy annour of proof that Christians had about theii' hearts, and thereupon counted their courage to be obstinacy. ='■=
Some think the martyrs were too prodigal of their blood, and that they might have been better advised ; but such are unacquainted with the force of the love of God kindled in the heart of his child, which makes him set such a price upon Christ and his truth, that he counts not ' his life dear unto him,' Acts xx. 24 ; he knows he is not his own, but hath given up himself to Christ, and therefore all that is his, yea, if he had more lives to give for Christ, he should have them. He knows he shall be no loser by it. He knows it is not a loss of his life, but an exchange for a better.
"We see the creatm'es that are under us will be com'ageous in the eye of their masters, that are of a superior nature above them ; and shall not a Christian be courageous in the presence of his great Lord and Master, who is present with him, about him, and in him ? Undoubtedly, he that hath seen God once in the face of Christ, dares look the giimmest creature in the face, yea, death itself under any shape. The fear of all •things flies before such a soul. Only a Chi'istian is not ashamed of his conlidence. "Why should not a Christian be as bold for his God, as others are for the base gods they make to themselves '?