CHAPTER XIV. Thoughtful meets with Contentment, and finding now nothing wanting in order to the making of his Life sweet and comfortable, sung Hallelujahs, Hymns of Praise and Thanksgiving to God and the Lamb. Thoughtful Christian, for so now we must call him, notwithstanding that he was supported and established in the ways of grace by Godliness and his blessed retinue, was often much disquieted in his mind. It often made him melancholy to perceive not only the great distresses and troubles which his family were like to meet with in this world, but also how unsettled and unhappy the times were, and how errors and blasphemies abounded wherever he came. He soon began seriously to think of moving from the neighbourhood of these trials. Godliness, however, informed him of a person named Contentment, whom he saw he had not yet found; and remarked, that if he could but acquire him for an associate, his mind would remain sweetly settled and composed, that he would enjoy calmness of soul, and be delivered from anxious thoughts, and undergo crosses and harsh accidents with equanimity; wholly submitting unto, and being fully satisfied with, the divine disposal. Now, this glorious, noble and renowned personage, was Contentment, who had been, it seems, travelling from place to place, like a poor pilgrim as True Godliness had done, seeking a fit resting place, but could find none. He had been to visit Riches, but was not admitted; and Poverty also, but found no lodging there; with Youth he could find no abode, and OldAge was a stranger to him; Pleasure could give him no entertainment; Honours were forced to say, we know him not. He was not lodged in a prince's palace, nor in the peasant's cottage: the unmarried sought him, but could not find him; and the married wished for him, but he found there was no abiding with them neither. Thoughtful now hearing *It is earnestly to be desired that Christians should more generally seek and maintain this grace. Impatience of trials, frustrates their objects, tarnishes our profession, and destroys our comfort. Ed. that he was accustomed to dwell where Godliness took up his lodging, sent presently his old friend Consideration to seek for him; and by the providence of God, it was not long be fore he was found. For the information of my thinking reader, I shall show how Consideration, by the assistance of Faith, met with him, and brought him home to Thoughtful Christian,* and made him his fixed companion. First, Consideration led him forth to ponder upon the divine attributes, providences, and promises, and taught him to confide. cheerfully in the infinite power, wisdom, holiness, mercy, goodness, truth, and faithfulness of God. Secondly, He stirred him up to observe his present state and condition. What, saith he, hath God done for thee? Thou wast in the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity, and God hath brought thee out! Thou wast a child of wrath, and now art a child of God! Hast thou not God for thy God, Christ for thy Saviour, and the Holy Spirit for thy Comforter? Nay, doth not God, Christ, and the * Let the Christian reader study well the way to obtain contentment. This grace, like all others, is to be found in the use of means. The means are, Consideration and Prayer. Ed. Holy Spirit, dwell with thee? Hast thou received True Godliness' glorious retinue into thy house, to abide with thee, to enrich thee, to strengthen thee, to comfort thee, and make thy life sweet to thee, and yet not content! Are thy sins pardoned, thy soul justified-hast thou union and communion with the Father and Son! and yet not content? Is not thy name written in the Book of Life? Art thou not an heir of a crown and a kingdom that fadeth not away? Let me tell thee, all these things, and many more, cannot be absolutely, and in the fullest sense thine, without Contentment. Come, art thou willing to possess them, to make them thine own, and enjoy them forever? If thou wouldst be sure of them, then get Contentment to dwell with thee; for "Godliness with contentment is great gain," 1 Tim. vi. 6. It doth not say, Godliness without Contentment, but with Contentment. This glorious prince will put thee into the present possession of all true happiness, and wilt thou not resolve to give him a residence in thy house? Thirdly, Ponder upon the excellency of Contentment; for a saint never looks like himself, or acts like a person of rank and quality, who hath received so many glorious and excellent qualities and privileges, but when in all conditions he is therewith content. Fourthly, Ponder, saith Consideration, upon the evils of Discontent. Oh! what dishonour doth it bring to God! what reproach to True Godliness! and what great wrong to thy own soul ! Fifthly, It is below thy Christian relation, to be discontent. It was the speech of Jonadab to Amon, "Why art thou, being a king's son, lean from day to day?" But that was for a wicked cause; he saw his spirit was troubled, for otherwise he was healthful enough. It is below thy relation to God, who is thy portion, thy shield, thy sanctuary, thy father. David. thought it no small matter to be a son-in-law to an earthly king; and thou art the King's son of heaven and earth, and yet not content! It is below thy relation to Jesus Christ. What, art thou the spouse of Christ, a member of Christ, the brother and friend of Christ, an heir with Christ! and yet not content? It is below thy relation with the Holy Ghost. Is he thy comforter, guide, witness, strength! and art thou not content? It is below thy relation to the holy angels who are thy guard, thy attendants, thy friends, thy watchmen! Hast thou millious of those glorious spirits to minster to thee, to fight for thee, keep thee in all thy ways! and yet not content? It is below thy relation to the saints and heavenly family. |