affliction light, yea, lightness itself, in comparison of the misery he deserves ? Will he not, under the pressure of the heaviest calamities, thank God that he is not in hell ?]
2. A sense of infinite obligation to God for mer- cies received —
[One who has within him the constituents of real godli- ness, must see himself to be infinitely indebted to God for the gift of his dear Son, for the knowledge of salvation by him, and for the prospect of everlasting glory. His sense of these mercies cannot but be heightened also by the consideration, that they were never once offered to the fallen angels, nor accepted by the great majority of those to whom they have been offered. Can such an one repine that he has a less measure of health, or riches, or temporal conveniences than others, when he is so far exalted above them in things of infinitely greater moment ?]
3. A willingness to be conformed to the image of Christ—
[No true disciple of Christ expects or wishes to be in a state different from that which his Lord and Master expe- rienced when on earth. But what was the condition of Jesus in the world ? Did he live in ease and affluence and honour ? No ; " he was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." He subsisted oftentimes on the benevolence of his friends and followers; and often had not so much as " a place where to lay his head." Who that reflects on this, will murmur at his lot, even though nothing but poverty and persecution should await him ? Will he not check the first risings of discontent with this obvious reflec- tion, " The disciple cannot be above his Lord : it is sufficient for the disciple that he be as his Lord ? "
The connexion of godliness with contentment being thus plain, let us consider,
III. The advantage of it as so connected —
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St. Paul tells us, that "godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Let us view it then,
1. In reference to this life —
[Money has obtained the exclusive title of " gain:" but godliness has an incomparably greater right to that appellation. There are three principal ends for which money is considered as valuable ; namely, to provide present gratifications, to secure against future troubles, and to benefit our children or dependents.