have come to rescue him from his sufferings ; and will you complain of any thing which you may surfer for him ? Methinks you feel, every one of you, that the most perfect contentment is that which becomes you under every state, to which, by any possibility, you may be reduced.]
2. As a blessed state —
[The corporeal pain which men endure in this life is nothing in comparison of the mental. Let the spirit of a man be at ease, and it will enable him to bear any bodily infirmity whatever. On the other hand, no accumulation of wealth or honour or sensual gratifications can sustain a man whose heart and spirit are oppressed f. Suppose two angels sent from heaven to execute for a season two different offices on earth ; the one to rule a kingdom, the other to sweep the streets : would they not be equally happy, in doing the work assigned them? Let their places then be changed: would the one be inordinately pleased with his elevation, or the other be unduly grieved at his depression ? Assuredly not. In whichever state they were, they should remember " whose they were, and whom they were serving," and what blessedness awaited them the very instant they had performed their destined work ; and, possessed of this sufficiency within, they would be unmoved by any thing without, and would have in perfection the grace described in my text. Thus, in proportion as we are initiated into the great mystery of the Gospel, will this equanimity prevail in us; and under all circumstances will " our souls be kept in perfect peace." A mariner, knowing the soundness of his vessel, and the skill of him who is at the helm, does not tremble at the gale which is sent to bear him to his destined home. No ; he spreads his sails, and, though tossed upon the waves, anticipates with joy the issue of his voyage, and the rest which he will attain in the bosom of his friends. This blessed- ness, then, will attend you, my brethren, if once you learn the sublime lesson which is here taught you in my text. You shall find, indeed, that "godliness with contentment is great gaing."]
3. As an honourable state —
[Who does not see how greatly the Gospel is honoured, in producing such an experience as this? Yea, and God himself too is honoured by it, in that such is the fruit which invariably proceeds from the Gospel of his dear Son. In this state, man is assimilated to God himself. Behold our incarnate God! Behold him on Mount Tabor in his trans- figuration, or in his triumphant entry into Jerusalem amidst
f Prov. xviii. 14. s l Tim. vi. 6.