CONTENTMENT
What would you have, O my soul! to make you content? You
have much in hand, and more in hope. You have the comforts of life, and the
means of salvation; the word preached and the sacraments dispensed; an open
vision, and an English Bible. You have the possession of the life that now
is, and the promise of that which is to come. If you are not so blessed as
some, you are not so miserable as others. If there are many in a higher and
better state in the world than you, (and should you quarrel?) there are more
in a lower and worse condition, (and should not you wonder that you are so
blessed?)
If you get bread to eat, and clothing to put on; or
anything which is a blessing—it is much, seeing you deserve the curse and
wrath of God! It is mercy that you are an inhabitant of God's earth—you
might have been a prisoner in the pit of devouring fire! You have cause of
thankful exultation, that God's justice is not inexorably set against you.
And it may content you in however bad condition you presently are—that God
does not contend with you forever.
Are you not ashamed to wish for much—when you have
forfeited all? Would you rather have your better part here on this vain
earth—than the eternal portion hereafter? Would rather you have the
nether-springs of earthly comforts—than the upper-springs of heavenly
consolation? Would you rather have filthy lucre—than the most blessed God?
Would you rather have earthly felicity—than heavenly glory? No, Lord! You,
yourself, your love alone—shall content me forever! Anything you now give
me, is too much for me—who deserve nothing! A crumb of mercy a rich banquet
to me—who am a spiritual bankrupt. What does it matter, how I now fare—since
I shall in a little while, be brought into the king's palace, there to abide
forever in the midst of eternal pleasures?
Surely, then, his time can never be bitter—who has the
hope of an happy eternity! Nor can crosses greatly vex that soul—who is
crucified to the world, and the world to him! Nor has he any loss to
fear—who has his treasures in eternity! Neither can worldly misfortunes
impoverish him—who is an heir of the true eternal riches. Nor can the death
of friends distress him—whose best friend lives forever!
I see, then, I only need one thing to make me happy. And
that is, to know the precious things of my eternal treasure! Speak, and I am
blessed forever; speak the heavenly word, "All things are yours, and you are
Christ's, and Christ is God's."