A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 65. Of the variety of Cases wherein Contentednesse is to be exercised.

EVery state wherein any man is in this world is accompanied with so many occa∣sions* 1.1 of discontent the minde of man, as it is requisite that he learn how to be contented in every one of them. This I will indeavour to exemplifie in sundry par∣ticular cases: As

• 1. Plenty, and all manner of prosperity. Among other instances the Apostle* 1.2 giveth this wherein he had learned to be content. I know how to abound every where, and in all things I am instructed to be full, Phil. 4. 12. Two especial reasons there are to move men to learn contentedness in plenty and prosperity.
  • 1. Because no plenty, no manner of prosperity can fully satisfie a discontented minde. I•…•… all that at once he desireth should be granted him, when he hath that, he would thereupon desire more. See § 53.
  • 2. Sundry perplexities and troubles arise out of plenty and prosperity. Many upon sense hereof are so discontent, as they think they should live more quiet∣ly, if their e•…•…tate were meaner then it is; and if they had more troubles then they had. Contentment is an antidote against both these extreams.
• 2. Poverty. This is another instance which the Apostle gives of his Contentedness,* 1.3 I know how to be abased, I am instructed to be hungry, and to suffer need, Phil. 4. 12. This estate is that which the Apostle especially intends, where he saith, Having food and raiment▪ let us be therwith content, 1 Tim. 6. 8. Nature it self is satisfied with little, yea though it be homely and course. Experience sheweth, that both poor folks themselves and also their children are for the most part healthier and stronger then rich ones, and their children. Besides, poor folks are freed from many cares, fears and dangers, whereunto rich ones and great ones are subject. Poor folks have not so large and great accounts to make as the richer sort; yet their faithfull and diligent improvement of that little they have, shall be as well ac∣cepted, approved and rewarded, as a like improvement of much. The very same approbation and remuneration is given to him that improved two Talents, that is given to him that improved five Talents, and that in the very same words; Thus, W•…•…ll done thou good and faithfull 〈◊〉〈◊〉, thou hast been faithfull over a few things, I will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee Ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, Matth. 25. 21, 23. Great cause there is for poor persons to be content; especially, if the many promises and engagements of God for taking care of them, and supplying their wants and needs be duly weighed: as Psal. 34. 6, &c. & 37. 25. & 55. 22. Mat. 6. 25, &c. Phil. 4. 19.
• 3. A single life. Single persons who never were married, are indeed deprived* 1.4 of many comforts which married persons enjoy. But withall they are freed from many cares and troubles which usually accompany the married estate. In a single estate there is a greater freedom to serve God, which the Apostle implieth under this phrase, He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord, 1 Cor. 7. 32. Hereupon they who are free, and can abstain

• are advised so to abide, 1 Cor. 7. 27. The best man that ever was lived all his dayes in a single life. Who then should not be content with this estate, if God call him thereunto?
• 4. The married estate. It cannot be denied but that their estate is ordinarily much* 1.5 incumbred with sundry cares and troubles. But withall it must be granted, that these cares and troubles arise from the weakness and wickedness of men. Their wickedness who raise troubles against others. Their weakness, who suffer them∣selves to be disquieted, and too much distracted with the affairs of the family, and cares for wife, children, and others. Were it not for the wickednesse of some, and weaknesse of others, to please an husband or a wife would be no hinderance to pleasing of the Lord. If the honour, ends and priviledges of marriage (where∣of See Domesticall Duties, Treat. 2. Part. 1. §. 23, 24, 25.) be poi•…•…ed with the cares and troubles thereof, we shall find just cause to rest content in that estate.
• 5. Want of children. This or old was a matter of great discontent. This brought* 1.6 many tears from Hannahs eyes and prayers from her heart, 1 Sam. 1. 10. The Shu∣namite preferred a childe before any other thing that could be granted her, 2 King. 4. 14. Abraham himself said to God, What wil•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 give me seeing I go childlesse, Gen. 15. 2. Give me children, or else I die, saith Rachel to her husband, Gen. 30. 1. It was denounced as a great judgement against Coniah to die childlesse, Jer. 22. 30. And it is denounced as a judgement to have a miscarrying womb, and dry brest, Hos. 9. 14. To this day such as are childlesse complain, that they shall have none to bear their name, to be their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and to succeed them in their place. To these I commend these considerations:
  • 1. It is God that denieth children, Gen. 30. 2.
  • 2. They may be denied children, because God seeth them not meet to bring up children.
  • 3. Children are certain cares, but uncertain comforts.
  • 4. Children may prove a grief of minde to their parents, Gen. 26. 35. They may be a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of heavy judgments upon their Parents, 1 Sam. 3. 13. They may do much mischief to their Parents, 2 Sam. 15. 10. They may foolishly lose what their prudent parents have left them, 1 Kin. 12. 16.
  • 5. God hath promised to them that fear him, a better name then of sonnes and daughters; even an everlasting name that shall not be cut off, Isa. 50. 5.

  These are weighty motives to perswade such as have no children, to rest con∣tent.

• ...

  6. Many Children. Christians in this case use to manifest more discontent then* 1.7 the Jews of old did. We do not reade that they used to be discontent at a nume∣rous off-spring: but rather still to desire more, though they had many. Leah had six sons one atter another: yet when she saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Iacob to wife, that she might have more children by her. Yea atter that she hired of her sister liberty to lie with Iacob, and there∣upon had two more sons and a daughter, Gen. 30. 9, 16, 17, 19, 21. We reade that Ibzan a Judge in Israel, had thirty sons and thirty daughters. And that Abdon another •…•…udge had fourty sons and thirty Nephews, Iudg. 12. 9, 14. And that Ie∣rub-baal another Judge had threescore and ten sons, Iudg. 9. 5. Should a Father now have so many, how would he complain and think, he should never have enough for them all? Surely, it is distrustfulnesse in Gods providence that causeth discontentednesse in this case. The sacred Scripture tels us, That God provideth for the young Ravens when they wander for lack of meat, Job 38. 41. Experience shew∣eth, That the lesser sort of birds bring forth and breed up fifteen young ones toge∣ther. Are not Christians children more worth then many birds? God provides for all thy children while they are in the womb. Why dost thou not trust to his providence for them when they are brought into this world? Many poor folks chil∣dren do not only wax fat and strong with course food and raiment: but also attain to very good callings through the Divine Providence.

  God hath said of our children, They are mine, born to me, Ezek. 16. 20, 21. Will he not then take care of his own?

• ...

  God hath promised Children, yea many Children as a blessing, Psal. 127. 3, 4, 5. & 128. 3. Did we believe Gods Word, and in Faith plead it before God, and depend on him for making it good, in his own way, and at his own time, we should certainly not only be content, but also thankfull for the many children he bestow∣eth on us.

• 7. Losses. This case of losses may be extended to Goods, Friends, Children,* 1.8 and other things that are near and dear unto us, and are needfull for us, and usefull unto us. Such losses do oft cause much discontent, and work great disquiet in men. But if such as have losses would seriously weigh the example of Iob, and about him consider,
  • 1. What a man he was: how great, how good, Iob 1. 1, 3.
  • 2. What his losses were in every kinde, Iob 1. 15, &c. even more I dare say, then thine are who complainest.
  • 3. With what Contentednesse, yea and Thankfullnesse he did bear all, Iob 1. 21.
  • 4. What was the end of the Lord (Jam. 5. 11.) and what recompence the Lord returned, Iob 42▪ 10, &c.

  If these four things in Iobs case were seriously weighed, we should finde him a worthy patern of Contentment in this case of losses; and a strong enforcement of the duty. The Apostle testifies of the Hebrews, That they took joyfully the spoiling of their goods: Knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better, and an endu∣ring substance, Heb. 10. 34.

  The Goods of this world are but transitory commodities; such as the Lord lends us, and that only for such a time as seemeth good to himself: he hath power to de∣mand them when he will.

  As for Friends, God who taketh them away, can and will make an abundant supply. Is not God better to us then many Friends? What good can Friends do without he also be our Friend? And if he be our Friend, what need we have any more Friends?

  Children that are taken from us, are taken to a better Father, that provideth better for them then we can. That Children taken away, are not to be reckoned among things lost, is evident by Iobs case; in that God doubled all the things that Iob lost, save his children. Other things that he lost were doubled unto him. In stead of seven thousand sheep which he lost, he had fourteen thousand restored: In stead of three thousand Camels, he had six thousand: So in other things which he lost: But having lost seven sons, and three daughters, he had but so many re∣stored to him: yet are these accounted doubled, because the ten children which were taken away were with God, and not utterly lost. There is therefore no rea∣son that a man should be discontent that his children are taken away to a better place. It was Iacobs ignorance of that course which God took to advance Ioseph to such an estate as he might be a means of preserving his Fathers houshold, and of saving much people alive, that made him so impatient and discontent at his supposed losse, G•…•…n. 37. 33, &c. & 45. 7.

• ...

  8. Crosses in mens Callings. Mens Callings are the ordinary means of their liveli∣hood.* 1.9 If they thrive not thereby, but rather lose, they use to be much discon∣tent.

  To remove discontent in this kinde:

  • 1. I advise such to search into the cause of their not thriving: whether it be not their own unskilfulnesse, idlenesse, negligence, pride, prodigality, too eager pursuit of their pleasures, too much trust in such as are unfaithfull, or otherlike faults of their own: or whether they do not ambitiously aim at a greater kinde of thriving then God seeth meet for them: or whether it be not envy at the greater thriving of others, then at themselves. If so, they have just cause to be humbled; To such I may say, Wheresore doth a living man complain, Lam. 3. 39. a man for the punishment of his sin. In these and otherlike cases a man hath more cause to repent then be discontent.
  • 2. In this case about crosses in their Callings, I advise men to consider, that it is the Lord who giveth, or with-holdeth blessing. Reade for this purpose,

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  • ... Psal. 127. 1, 2. & 128. 2, 3, 4. This consideration is of great force to make a belie∣ver content with that estate wherein God sets him, willing to abide therein, pati∣ent under crosses that befall him therein, diligent in the duties thereof, constant in waiting on God for his blessing, and ready to resign himself wholly to Gods dispo∣sing Providence.
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  9. Reproach. All reproach is against a mans name; which is more precious* 1.10 unto him then wealth, yea then life it self, Prov. 22. 1. Eccles. 7. 1. Reproaches pierce deep into a mans soul, and make him exceedingly discontent.

  The advice therefore which was given about crosses in a mans calling, must in this case be observed.

  Consider the cause of the reproach that is laid upon thee: If it be for thy own misdemeanour, or wickednesse. Thou art to bear it contentedly as a just punish∣ment. But if it be without cause given on thy part, refer the case to God: and say as David did, Let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction: and that the Lord will requite good for his cursing this day, 2 Sam. 16. 11, 12.

  On hope hereof rest content: the rather, because not only many righteous men, but also Christ himself endured in this case more then thou dost.

  If the reproach be for righteousnesse sake, and for the Lords sake, we ought not only to be content therewith, but also to rejoyce therein, Matth. 5. 11, 12.

  The like may be said of all manner of persecution for the Lords sake.

• 10. Afflictions. Under this head I comprize all manner of oppressions, and* 1.11 hard handlings by men: and all kinde of wasting, and torturing maladies more immediately inflicted by God: yea, and all things grievous to weak flesh. To work contentment in these cases, our eye must be on the prime and principal Au∣thor of all, which is the wise God, and our tender Father: and withall we ought to consider the end which he aims at therein, and the good that he will pro∣duce from thence. He sees that the afflictions which he layeth on us either, mediately by visible, instrumentall, and secondary means: or immediately by himself, are need•…•…ull for us, and usefull to us: For he alwayes correcteth us for our profit, Heb. 12. 10. See more hereof on that place.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cases wherein contentment is to be pra∣ctised.
• * 1.2

  1. Plenty.
• * 1.3

  2. Poverty.
• * 1.4

  3. A single li•…•…e.
• * 1.5

  4. The marri∣ed estate.
• * 1.6

  5. Want of children.
• * 1.7

  6. Many chil∣dren.
• * 1.8

  7. Losses.
• * 1.9

  8. Crosses in callings.
• * 1.10

  9. Reproach.
• * 1.11

  10. Afflictions.