The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs

The worthie Man, especially in his latter times, was surrounded (through Gods blessing on him) with a verry great confluence of what might give forth Contentment to a vast spirit of his Rank and Calling. He was enriched with a large measure of abilities and opportunities in serving his Lord; (to glorifie whom, and do much good to others, is the divine part of a Man gracious (which he was) the highest and most solid Satisfaction, and in many respects exceeds what personal Communion with God, singly considered, brings in) Besides, he lived and died in a fulness of honour and esteem with the best of Men, of Saints; yea, the worst of enemies: Likewise of Estate, and outward Comforts, within his sphear and ranck; all which might and did afford Contentment to what was outward in him. In the midst of these, his studie was to find out a more sublime way, and hidden art of Self-sufficiencie, than was in the power of all things to contribute or teach; Such a skill as did not onely poise and compose his spirit in the present enjoyment of all, but might fortifie and furnish him with provision for the future against the loss of all, in times wherein no man knoweth what evil will be in the Earth. This Mark, his first Lines shew, he shot at. This Art, some Philosophers of old pretend themselves Masters of, and to instruct others in, through the assistance of Natural and Moral Elements, elevated to the utmost height their Principles could carrie them; but in vain: Their Chymistrie, in this kind, being able to produce no more but a sullen obstinacie and obdurateness of mind. The Natural Spirit of a Man, feeling it self greater than all Creatures, gathering up, and consolidating its self into its self, is able (as Solomon saies) to sustain its own, and all other infirmities. But that Autarchy this Author here presents, is a Mysterie, which none of these Princes of the World knew, or the Wisdom of Man teacheth, but the Holy Ghost teacheth; and which few, but those that are perfect, do attain; Teaching the soul to denie it self into weakness, emptiness, in, and to its self, and all things else; and thus dissolved to unitie it self, to him who onely hath blessedness and all-sufficiencie, with whom associated and made intimate, it melts it self into all His Interests, making them its own, and thereby comes to have all that All-sufficiencie of the High God, to be its Self-sufficiencie: And then, what state can that soul be in, wherein it may not be content? seeing it hath God to be the chiefest comfort in its best times, and onely comfort in its worst. This, though it be the inheritance of every Saint, in the right and title to it, yet the possession and enjoyment of it, depends upon an improvement of this inheritance, and that upon a skill which is to be learned by experience and much exercise (as Paul speaks) I have learned in whatsoever estate I am, therewith to be content. This piece of learning, this serious spirited Man inured himself unto, and digging for it as Rubies (as Solomon’s Scholar for Wisdom) hath found it, and hath hewn forth this Jewel (a Title given neither by himself, nor by us the Publishers, to the Subject it self, yet the Materials themselves deserving it) out of the Rock, and hath artificially cut it) that the innate Rays, of this so glorious a Grace, might shine forth to others. And here it comes to be presented, though set forth as the richest Jewels are, often for a while, in ruder metal, until bargained for, but then are placed in Tablets worthie of them. The onely seat this is ordained for, is, the precious Tablets of Mens Hearts, in, and from which alone, the native lustre of it will be made conspicuous. Reader, buy it, set, and wear it there, and it shall (as Solomon speaks, Prov. 3:22, &c.) be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck: Thou shalt not be afraid when thou liest down; yea, thy sleep shall be sweet unto thee: for the Lord will be thy confidence.

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