SECT. XIV. RULE 14. Consider how little will suffice Nature. THE body is but a small continent, and is easily recruited. Christ hath taught us to pray for our daily bread. Nature is content with a little. "Not to thirst, nor to starve, is enough," saith Gregory Nazianzen."Meat and drink are a Christian's riches," saith St. Hierom. And the Apostle saith"Having food and raiment, let us be con tent." The stomach is sooner filled than the eye. How quickly would a man be content, if he would study rather to satisfy his hunger than his humour! SECT. XV. RULE 15. Consider, that the present condition is best for us, because it is the appointment of God. FLESH and blood is not a competent judge. Surfeited stomachs are for banqueting stuff; but a man, that regards his health, is rather for solid food. Vain men fancy such a con dition best, and would flourish in their bravery; whereas a wise Christian hath his will melted into God's will, and thinks it best to be at his disposal. God is wise he knows whether we need food or physic; and, if we could acquiesce in Providence, the quarrel would soon be at an end. Oh, what a strange creature would man be, if he were what he could wish himself! Be content to be at God's allowance. God knows which is the fittest pasture to put his sheep in: sometimes a more barren ground doth well; whereas rank pasture may rot. Do I meet with such a cross? God shows me what the world is he hath no better way to wean me, than by putting me to a step-mother. Doth God stint me in my allowance? He is now dieting me. Do I meet with loss? It is that God may keep me from being lost.*. Every cross wind shall, at last, blow me to the right port. Did we believe that condition best which God * 'Tis pleasing to reflect, that while we are sailing through this tempestuous ocean of time, our heavenly pilot sits at the helm of all our concerns in this life, and we may be sure he will not fail to make all the cross winds of providence we have to steer through, instrumental in wafting our souls safe to that peaceful shore, where winds and waves distress no more. Come heavenly wind and blow, A prosperous gale of grace, To heaven my destined place; Then in full sail my port I'll find, And leave the world and sin behind. doth parcel out to us, we should cheerfully submit, and say-The lines are fallen in pleasant places. SECT. XVI. RULE 16. Do not too much indulge the Flesh. We are commanded to make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lust thereof. The Flesh is a worse enemy than the Devil; it is a bosom traitor: an enemy within is worse. If there were no Devil to tempt, the flesh would be another Eve to tempt to the forbidden fruit. Oh, take heed of giving way to it! Whence is all our discontent, but from the fleshly part? The flesh puts us upon the immoderate pursuit of the world; it consults for ease and plenty; and, if it be not satisfied, then discontents begin to arise. Oh, let it not have the reins! Martyr the flesh. In spiritual things, the flesh is a sluggard; in secular things, an horseleech, cryingGive, give." The flesh is an enemy to suffering; it will sooner make a man a courtier than a martyr. Oh, keep it under! Put its neck under Christ's yoke: stretch and nail it to his cross: never let a Christian look for contentment in his spirit, till he hath mortified the flesh. SECT. XVII. RULE 17. Meditate much on the Glory which shall be Revealed. THERE are great things laid up in heaven. Though it be sad for the present, yet let us be contented for it will shortly be better; it is but a little while, and we shall be with Christ, bathing our souls in the fountain of his love: we shall never complain of wants or injuries any more; our cross may be heavy, but one sight of Christ will make us forget all our former sorrows. There are two things which should give contentment 1. That God will make us able to bear our troubles, 1 Cor. x. 13. "God," saith Chrysostom, "doth like a lutanist, who will not let the strings of his lute be too slack, lest it spoil the music; nor will he suffer them to be too hard stretched or screwed up, lest they break." So doth God deal with us,* he will * The height of prosperity and the depth of adversity, are both dangerous snares to the souls of men, and nothing short of the grace of God, is sufficient to stay the mind under the powerful temptations, to which we are exposed, while labouring under either of those evils. Let us then with the pious Agar, earnestly intreat our Heavenly Father that he may give us neither poverty nor riches, but feed us with food convenient for us, Prov. xxx. 8. R not let us have too much prosperity, lest this spoil the music of prayer and repentance; nor yet too much adversity, lest the Spirit fuil before me, and the souls which he hath made, Isai. lvii. 16. 2. When we have suffered a while, (1 Pet. v. 1.) we shall be perfected in glory; the cross shall be our ladder, by which we shall climb up to heaven. Be then content, and the scene will alter. God will, ere long, turn our water into wine: the hope of this is enough to drive away all distempers from the hear. Blessed be God, it will be better-We have no continuing city here, (Heb. xix.) therefore our afflictions cannot continue. A wise man looks still to the end-The end of the just man is peace, Psal. xxxvii. 37. Methinks the smoothness of the end should make amends for the ruggedness of the way. O eternity! eternity! think often of the kingdom prepared. David was advanced from the sheep-fold to the throne. First, he held his shepherd's staff; and shortly after, the royal sceptre. God's people may be put to hard services here; but God hath chosen them to be kings, to sit upon the throne with the Lord Jesus. This, being weighed in the balance of Faith, would be an excellent means to bring the heart to contentment. |