The Art of Divine Contentment, To the reader 2
TO THE Christian Reader.
A Word spoken in due season, how good is it? *Prov. 15. 23.As God giveth to his creatures their meat in season *Ps. 104. 27.; so his faithfull stewards provide for his houshold their portion of meat in due season *Luke 12. 42.. And as it is with corporall food, the season addeth much both to the value and usefulness thereof; in like manner it is with food spiritual. In this regard, the brokenness of these times (wherein the bosomes of most people are filled with disquiets, and their mouthes with murmurings) may well render this Treatise the more acceptable. The seas are not so stormy (though never more troublesome then at this day) as mens spirits are tempestuous, tossed to and fro with discontents. And now the Lord (who maketh every thing beautifull in his time *Eccl. 3. 11.) hath most opportunely put into thy hand a profitable discourse to calme unquiet hearts. Adam in Paradise dashed upon the rock of discontent (which some Divines conceive was his first sin.) This with many instances more in Scripture, together with our own sad experience, doth both speak our danger and call for caution. Now godlinesse is the onelyonly soveraigne Antidote against this spreading disease; and Gods grace alone (being setled and exercised in the heart) can cause steadinesse in stormy times*Heb. 13. 9.. Whereas, Contentation ariseth either from the fruition of all comforts, or from a not desiring of some which we have not *Dr. Hall.. True piety doth put a Christian into such a condition: Hereby we both possess God, and are taught how to improve him who is the onelyonly satisfying, everlasting portion of his people*Psal. 73. 25, 26.. Herein Christ (though poor in this world*Mat. 8. 10.) greatly rejoyced. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage *Psal. 16. 5, 6.: upon this account also Iacoh said,Vbi bene esse poterit sine te? ubi malè esse poterit cum te? Bern. I have enough *Gen. 33. 11.; or, (as it is in the Originall) I have all. God the Father, and Christ his Sonne had sweet satisfaction in each other when there was no other being*Prov. 8, 30, 31.; therefore such who possess and improve God through Christ, cannot possibly be dissatisfied. The Almighty is the God of all grace *1. Pet. 5. 20., of all comfort *2 Cor. 1. 4., and of salvations *Psal. 68. 20.; in which respects, neither deficiencies or disappointments, lossess or crosses can cause disquieting discontents in that bosom where faith is commander in chief. The Prophet Habakkuk rejoyced in the God of his salvation, when the pestilence went before him *Hab. 3. 5, and burning coles came forth of his feet; and when he supposed all creature-succors both for delight & necessity to be quite removed.vers. 17, 18. This, this is the life which Christians should endevor, and may attaine by the vigorous regular actings of precious faith. This is the gain of Contentment, which comes in by godlinesse, when providences are black and likely to be bloudy; now, The just shall live by his faith *Hab. 2. 4.. That speech of learned Mr. Gataker is weighty,*Heb. 10. 28. and well worth the marking, A contented minde argues a religious heart, and a discontented minde argues an irreligious heart. And that worthy Divine Mr. Greenham was bold to say, They never felt Gods love, or tasted forgivenes of sins, who are discontented. This likewise was an holy breathing of reverend Dr. Hall in his Meditations, I have somewhat of the best things, I will wit thankfulnesse enjoy them, and will want the rest with contentment. By attaining and maintaining this frame of heart, we might have much of heaven on this side heaven. Holy contentment maketh them truly rich, whom the oppressing world maketh very poor*Dives est qui suâ forte gaudet, animus est potissimùm qui divites facit. Sen.. Hereby our sweetest morsels shall be well seasoned, and our bitterest potions well sweetned*Prov. 17. 1.. Had we learned to enjoy contentment in Iehovah, who is immutable and all-sufficient, this heavenly frame of spirit should never perish or change in the mid'st of the most amazing alterations in Church and State,Nihil tam acerbum est, in quo non aequus animus solatium inveniat. Id. with which his Majesty is pleased to exercise us; whereas because we live alone upon sublunaries, therefore we are apt with Nabal to die upon the nest*1. Sam. 25. 37. ▪ through dejectednesse, upon the approach of imagined dangers. When God seeth cause to cut us short of many creature-accommodations, faith will moderate our desires after them, assuring the soul that nothing is withdrawn, or withheld, which might be really advantageous; and doubtlesse it is a great piece of happinesse upon earth, not to long after that which the Lord is pleased to deny*Beatus est qui quae non habet, non cupit. Aug, Omnia habet qui nihil concupiscit. Sen.. Indeed men act rather like Heathens then Christians, when they fret upon some particular inferiour disappointments, notwithstanding Gods liberality laid forth upon them in many other respects. As Alexander the Monarch of the world was discontented because Ivie would not grow in his gardens at Babylon. Diogenes the Cynick was herein more wise, who finding a Mouse in his sachel, said, he saw that himself was not so poor, but some were glad of his leavings. Oh how might we (if we had hearts to improve higher providences) rock our peevish spirits quiet by much stronger arguments! let us men lay before our eyes the practises of pious men recorded in Scripture for our imitation, as Iacob, Agur, Paul, &c. *Gen. 28. 20.and let us charge home upon our consciences,Pro. 30. …. divine exhortations backed with strong reasons,1 Tim. 6. 7 and encouraged with sweet promises. It was the grave counsel of holy Greenham; Having food and raimont, take the rest as an overplus. Are we not lesse then the least of Gods mercies?Gē. 32. 10 Is not God our bountifull benefactor? why then do we not rest contented with his liberall allowance? Oh let us chide our wrangling spirits, and encourage confidence with contentment in God,Psal. 43. 5. as blessed David did. My pen hath outrun my purpose when I undertook this preface; but I will no longer (good Reader) detaine thee in the porch, wherein I have designed to quicken and to prepare thee to the more fruitful improvement of this seasonable, usefull Treatise; wherein the Author hath exercised to good purpose, both the Christian graces, and ministerial gifts with which God hath enriched him. Herein the Doctrine of Christian contentment is clearly illustrated, and profitably applyed; the speciall cases (wherein through change of providences discontents are most commonly occasioned,) are particularized, and preservatives applyed to secure the soul. Although some other worthy Divines have been helpful by their discourses upon this subject; yet there is much of peculiar use in this Treatise. The Apostle tells us that some manifestation of the Spirit is given unto every man to profit withal *1 Cor. 12. 7.. Thy soul-profit is propounded as the Author… end in publishing this piece, and that this end may be accomplished, is the unfained desire, and hearty prayer of him who is,
Thy servant in, and for Christ, SIMEON AS… May 3. 1653.