These words are brought in by Paul , as a plain argument to perswade the Philippians that he did not seek after great things in the world , and that he sought not theirs , but them : He did not passe for a great estate ; he had better things to take up his heart withal . I do not speak ( saith he ) in respect of want , [ For ] whether I have or have not , my heart is fully satisfied , I have enough ; I have learned in whatsoever state I am , therewith to be content .

I have learned . ] Contentment in every condition is a great art , a spiritual mystery : It is to be learned , and so to be learned as a mystery ; And therefore vers. 1● . he affirms , I know how to be abased , and I know how to abound , every where and in all things I un instructed : The word * which is translated [ Instructed ] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . is derived from that word * which signifies Mystery ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and it is as much as if he had said I have learned the mystery of this businesse . Contentment is to be learned as a great mystery ; and those that are throughly trained up in that art , have learned a deep Mystery ; The which is , as Sampsons riddle to a natural man . [ I have learned it . ] It is not now to learn ▪ neither had I it at first ▪ I have attained it though with much adoe , and now by the grace of God I am become master of this art .

In whatsoever state I am ] The word [ State ] is not in the Original , but , * In what I am , that is , in whatsoever concerns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . or befals me , whether I have little or nothing at all .

Therewith to be content . ] The word * which we render Content 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . here , hath in the Original much elegancy and fulnesse of signification in it . In strictnesse of phrase it is only attributed unto God , who hath stiled himself God alsufficiant , as resting wholly satisfied in and with himself alone : but he is pleased freely to communicate of his fulnesse to the creature so that from God in Christ the Saints receive grace for grace Joh. 1. 16. in so much that there is in them an answerablenesse of the same grace in their proportion that is in Christ . And in this sense Paul saith , I have a Self-sufficiency , as the word notes .

But hath Paul a self-sufficiency you will say ? How are we sufficient of our selves ? Our Apostle affirms in another case , Tbat we are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves ? 2. Cor. 3. 5. His meaning therefore must be , I find a sufficiency of satisfaction in my own heart , through the grace of Christ that is in me ; though I have not outward comforts and worldly accommodations to supply my necessities , yet I enjoy portion enough betwixt Christ and my own soul abundantly to satisfie me in every condition . And this interpretation is sutable to that place Pro. 14 14. A good man is satisfied from himself ; and agreeable to what he verifies of himself in another place ; that though he had nothing yet he possessed all things ; because he had right to the covenant and promise , which virtually containes all , and an interest in Christ the fountain and good of all , and having that , no marvell he saith that in whatsoever state he was in , he was content . Thus you have the genuine interpretation of the text . I shall not make any division of the words , because I take them only to prosecute that one duty most necessary , viz. The quieting and comforting the hearts of Gods people under the troubles and changes they meet withall , in these heart-shaking times . And the doctrinal conclusion is in brief this .

Doct. That to be well skilled in the mystery of Christian Contentment is the Duty , Glory , and Excellency of a Christian .

This Evangelical truth is held forth sufficiently in this Scripture ; yet take one or two paralel places more for the confirmation of it . 1 Tim. 6. 6. & 8. you have both the duty exprest , and the glory thereof : Having food and raiment ( saith he vers. 8. ) let us be therewith content , there is the duty ; But godliness with contentment is great gain , vers. 6. there is the glory and excellency of it : as if godlinesse were not gain except there were contentment withall . The like exhortation you have in Heb. 13. 5. Let your conversation be without Covetousness , and be content with such things as you have . I do not find any Apostle or Writer of Scripture treat so much of this spiritual mystery of Contentment as this our Apostle hath done throughout his Epistles .

For the cleer opening and proving of this practical conclusion , I shall indevour to demonstrate these four things ;

Concerning the first , take this description ; Christian Contentment is that sweet , inward , quiet , gracious frame of spirit , freely submitting to , and taking complacency in Gods wise , and fatherly dispose in every condition .

I shall break open this discription , for it is a box of precious o●ntment , very comfortable and useful for troubled hearts , in troubled times and conditions .

First , Contentment ( I say ) is a sweet [ inward ] heart-thing , it is a work of the spirit within doors : It is not only a not-seeking help to our selves by outward violence , or a forbearance of discontented murmurring expressions , in froward words and carriages against God or others ; but it is the inward submission of the heart . Psal. 62. 1. Truly , my soul waiteth upon God ; and ver. 5. My soul wait thou only upon God , so it is in your ●ooks ; but the words may be translated as rightly , My soul be thou silent unto God ; Hold thy peace O my soul : Not only the tongue must hold its peace , but the soul must be silent : Many may sit down silently , forbearing discontented expressions , yet are inwardly swollen with discontentment ; now this manifesteth a perplexed distemper and a great frowardnesse in their hearts : And God notwithstanding their outward silence hears the peevish fretting language of their souls . The shoe may be smooth and neat without , whilst the flesh is pinched within : There may be much calmnesse and stilnesse outwardly , and yet wonderful confusion , bitternesse ; disturbance and vexation within . Some are so weak that they are not able to contain the disquietnesse of their own spirits , but in words and behaviour discover what woful perturbations there are within , their spirits being like the raging Sea casting forth nothing but mire and dirt , being not only troublesome to themselves but to all those they live with : Others there are who are able to keep in such distempers of heart , ( as Judas did when he betrayed Christ with a kisse , ) but still they boyl inwardly and eate like a Canker : As David speaks concerning some whose words are smoother then honey , and butter , and yet have war in their hearts ; and as he saith in another place , whilst I kept silence my bones waxed old ; so these , whilst there is a serene calme upon their tongues , have yet blustring storms in their spirits , and whilst they keep silence their hearts are troubled , and even worn away with anguish and vexation ; they have peace and quiet outwardly , but war from the unruly and turbulent workings of their hearts , that is within . If the attainment to true contentment were as easy as keeping quiet outwardly , there need be no great learning of it ; it might be had with lesse skill and strength than an Apostle had ; yea than an ordinary christian hath or may have . Therefore certainly there is a great deal more in it than can be attained by common gifts , and ordinary power of reason ▪ which often bridles in nature . It is a heart businesse .

Secondly ; It is the [ quiet ] of the heart ; All is sedate and still there , and to understand this the better ; This quiet gracious frame of spirit , it is not opposed .

1 To a due sense of affiiction . God doth give leave to his people to be sensible of what they su●●er : Christ doth not say , Do not count that a crosse which is a crosse , but take up your crosse daily . As it is in the body natural , if the body takes physick , and is not able to bear it but presently vomits it up , or if it be not at all sensible , if it stir not the body ; either of these waies the physick doth no good , but argues the body much distempered and will hardly be cured . So it is with the spirits of men under afflictions ; if either they cannot bear Gods potions but cast them up again , or are not sensible of them , and their souls are no more stirr'd by them then the body is by a draught of smal beer , it is a sad symptome that their souls are in a dangerous and almost incurable condition . So that this inward quietnesse is not in opposition to the sense of affliction ; for indeed there were no true contentment if you were not apprehensive and sensible of your af●lictions when God is angry . It is not opposed .

2 To an orderly making our moan and complaint to God , and to our friends . Though a Christan ought to be quiet under Gods correcting hand , yet he may without any breach of Christian contentment complain to God ; ( as one of the Ancients saith ) though not with a tumultuous clamour and skreeking out in a perplexed passion , yet in a quiet still submissive way he may unbosome his heart unto God . And likewise communicate his sad condition to his gracious friends , shewing them how God hath dealt with him and how heavy the affliction is upon him , that they may speak a word in due season to his wearied soul . It is not opposed .

3 To all lawful seeking out for help in another condition , or simply endeavouring to be delivered out of the present affliction by the use of lawful means . No , I may lay in provision for my deliverance , and use Gods means , waiting on him because I know not but that it may be his will to alter my condition , and so far as he leads me I may follow his providence , it is but my duty . God is thus far mercifully indulgent to our weaknesse , and he will not take it ill at our hands if by earnest and importunat prayer we seek unto him for deliverance , till we know his good pleasure therein . And certainly thus seeking for help with such a submission and holy resignation of spirit , to be delivered when God will , and as God will , and how God will , so that our wils are melted into the will of God , this is no opposition to the quietnesse which God requires in a contented spirit .

Quest. But then , what is this quietnesse of spirit opposed unto ?

Ans. To murmuring and repining at the hand of God ; as the discontented Israelits often did , which if we our selves cannot indure either in our children or servants , much lesse can God bear it in us .

2 To vexing and f●etting ; which is a degree beyond murmuring . It is a speech I remember of an heathen , a wise man may greive under , but not be vexed with his afflictions . There is a vast difference betwixt a kindly greiving and a distempered vexation ,

3 To tumultuousness of spirit : When the thoughts run distractingly and work in a confused manner , so that the affections are like the unruly multitude in the Acts , who knew not for what end they were come together . The Lord expects that you should be silent under his rod , and as he said in Act. 19. 36. You ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly .

4 To unse●ledness and unfixedness of spirit , whereby the heart is taken off from the present duty that God requires in our several relations , both towards God , our selves , and others . We should prize duty at a higher rate then to be taken off by every trivial occasion , a Christian indeed values every service of God so much , that though some may be in the eye of the world and of natural reason , a slight empty businesse , beggerly rudiments , foolishnesse , yet seeing God calls for it , the authority of the comand doth so over awe his heart , that he is willing to spend himself and to be spent in the discharge of it . It is an expression of Luthers , ordinary works that are done in faith , and from faith , are more precious than heaven and earth . And if this be so , and a Christian know it , it is not a little matter that should divert him ; but he should answer every avocation , and resist every tentation , as Nebemiah did Chap. 6. 3. Sanballat , Geshem , and Tobiah ( when they would have hindred the building of the wal ) with this , I am doing a great work ( saith he ) so that I cannot come down , why should the work of the Lord cease ?

5 To distracting , heart-eating cares and fears . A gracious heart so estimats its union with Christ and the work that God sets it about , as it will not willingly suffer any thing to come in to choak it , or dead it . A Christian is desirous that the word of God should take such full possession as to divide between soul and spirit , but he would not suffer the fear and noise of evil-tidings to take such impression in his soul , as to make a division and strugling there , like the twins in Rebeckaes womb . A great man will permit common people to stand without his doors , but he will not let them come in & make a noise in his closet or bedchamber when he purposely retires himself from all worldly imployments . So a well tempered spirit though it may inquire after things abroad without doors in the world , and suffer some ordinary cares and fears to break in to the suburbs of the soul , so as to have a light touch upon the thoughts : Yet it will not upon any terms admit of an intrusion into the privy-chamber , which should be wholly reserved for Jesus Christ as his inward Temple .

6 To sinking discouragements . When things fall not out according to expectation , when the tyde of second causes runs so low that we see little left in outward means to bear up our hopes and hearts . That then the heart begins to reason as he in the Kings , If the Lord should open the windows of heaven how should this ●e ? Never considering that God can open the eyes of the blind with clay and spittle , he can work above , beyond , nay contrary to means ; he often makes the fairest flowers of mans indeavours to wither , and brings improbable things to passe , that the glory of enterprizes may be given to himself . Nay if his people stand in need of mirracles to work their deliverance , miracles fall as easily out of Gods hands , as to give his people daily bread . Gods blessing is many times secret upon his servants that they know not which way it comes ▪ as 2 Kings , 3. 17. Ye shall not see wind , neither shall you see rain , yet the valley shall be f●lled with water , God would have us depend on him though we do not see means how the thing should be brought to passe , else we do not shew a quiet spirit ; though an affliction be upon thee let not thy heart sink under it . So far as thy heart sinks and thou art discouraged under thy affliction , so much thou wantest of this lesson of Contentment .

7 To sinfull shiftings and shirkings out for ease and help . As we see in Saul running to the witch of Endor , and in his offering sacrifice before Samuel came : Nay the good King Jehoshaphat joynes himself with Ahaziah 2 Chron. 20. Vlt. And Asa goes to ●enhadad King of Assyria for help , not relying upon the Lord , ( 2 Chr. 16. 7 , 8. ) Though the Lord had delivered the Ethiopian Army into his hands , consisting of a thousand thousand , 2 Chron. 14 ▪ 11. And good Jacob joyned in a lye with his mother to Isaac , he was not content to stay Gods time , and use Gods means , but made too great haste and stept out of his way , to procure the blessing which God intended for him ; as many do through the corruption of their hearts and weaknesse of their faith , because they are not able to trust God , and follow him fully in all things and alwaies ; and for this cause the Lord often follows the Saints with many sore temperal crosses , ( as we see in Jacob ) though they obtain the mercy . It may be thy wretched carnal heart thinks , I care not how I be delivered , so I may but get free from it : Is it not so many times in some of your hearts when any crosse or affliction befals you ? Have not you such kind of workings of spirit as this ? Oh that I could but be delivered out of this affliction any way , I would not care , your hearts are far from being quiet . And this sinful shifting is the next thing in opposition to this quietnesse , which God requires in a contented spirit .

The Eighth and last thing that this quietnesse of Spirit is opposite to , is desparate risings of heart against God in a way of rebellion : That is most abominable : I hope many of you have learned so far to be content , as to keep down your hearts from such distempers ; and yet the truth is , not only wicked men , but sometimes the very Saints of God find the beginnings of this , when an affliction lies long , and is very sore and heavy upon them indeed , and strikes them as it were in the master vein ; they find somewhat of this in their hearts , a rising against God , their thoughts begin to bubble , and their affections begin to stir in rising against God himself ; especially such as together with their corruptions have much melancholy , and the Devil working both upon the corruptions of their hearts , and the melancholy distemper of their bodies ; though there may lie much grace at the bottom , yet there may be some risings against God himself under affliction . Now Christian quietnes is opposite to all these things : that is , When afflictions come , be it what affliction it will be , yet you do not murmur , though you be sensible , though you make your moan , though you desire to be delivered , and seek it by all good means , yet you do not murmur nor repine , you do not fret , nor vex , there is not that tumultuousnesse of spirit in you , there is not unsettlednesse in your spirits , there are not distracting fears in your hearts , no sinking discouragements , no base shiftings , no risings in rebellion any way against God : This is the quietnesse of Spirit under an affliction , and that is the second thing when the soul is so far able to bear an affliction as to keep quiet under it .

Now the Third thing I would open in the discription is this , It is an inward , quiet , gracious [ frame ] of Spirit . It is a frame of Spirit , and then a gracious frame of Spirit . Contentment it is a Soul businesse , First it is inward ; Secondly quiet ; Thirdly it is a quiet Frame of Spirit . [ Frame ] by that I mean these Three things : There are Three things considerable when I say , Contentment consists in the quiet frame of the Spirit of a man .

First , That it is a grace that spreads it self through the whole Soul : as thus , It is in the judgement , that is , The judgement of the Soul of a man or woman tends to quiet the heart , in my judgement I am satisfied , that is one thing to be satisfied in ones understanding and judgement , as thus , This is the hand of God ; and this is that that is sutable to my condition , or best for me ; although I do not see the reason of the thing , yet I am satisfied in my judgement about it .

And then it is in the thoughts of a man or woman : As my judgement is satisfied , so my thoughts are kept in order .

And then it comes to the will , My will yeilds and submits to it , my affections are all likewise kept in order , so that it goes through the whole soul . There is in some a partiall Contentment , and so t is not the frame of the soul , but some part of the soul hath some Contentment , as thus , Many a man may be satisfied in his judgment about a thing , and yet cannot for his life rule his affections , nor his thoughts ▪ cannot rule his thoughts , nor the will , nor the affections though the judgement be satisfied : I make no question but many of you may know this by your own experience , if you do but observe the workings of your own hearts . Cannot you say when such an affliction befals you , I can blesse God I am satisfied in my judgement about it , I have nothing in the world to say in respect of my judgement against it , I see the hand of God and I should be content : yea I am satisfied in my judgement , that my condition is a good condition in which I am ▪ but I cannot for my life rule my thoughts , and will , and my affections , me thinks I feel my heart heavy , and sad , and troubled more then it should be , and yet my judgement is satisfied . This seem'd to be the case of David , Psal. 43. O my Soul why art thou disquieted ? David as far as his judgement went , there was a contentednesse , that is , His judgement was satisfied in the work of God upon him ; and he was troubled , but he knew not wherefore , O my Soul why art thou cast down within me ? That Psalm is a very good Psalm for those that feel a fretting , discontented ▪ distemper in their hearts at any time , for them to be reading or singin●g , he hath it once or twice in that Psalm , Why art thou cast down O my soul ? In vers. 5. And why art thou disquieted within me ? hope thou in God , for I shall yet praise him , for the help of his countenance . David had enough to quiet him , and that that he had had prevailed with his judgement , but after it had prevailed with his judgement he could not get it further . He could not get this grace of Con●entment to go through the whole frame of the Soul ; there is a great deal of stir sometimes to get Contentment into their judgements , that is , To satisfie their judgement about their condition : Come to many , that the hand of God is upon perhaps in a greivous manner , and seek to satisfie them and tell them that there is no such cause to be disquieted , O not such cause saith the troubled spirit ; O then there is no cause that any should be disquieted ; there was never any such affliction as I have , and a hundred things they have to put off what is said to them , so as you cannot so much as get into their judgements to satisfie them ; but there is a great deal of hope of Contentment if once your judgements come to be satisfied , that you can sit down and say in your judgements , I see cause to be contented ; but though you have gotten thus far , yet you may have much to do with your hearts afterward : for there is such unrulinesse in our thoughts and affections , that our judgements are not able alwaies to rule our thoughts and affections , and that makes me to say , That Contentment is an inward , quiet , gracious frame of Spirit , that is , the whole Soul , Judgement , Thoughts , Will , Affections and all are satisfied and quiet . I suppose in the very opening this , you begin to see it is a lesson that you had need learn , and it is not a thing soon got , if Contentment be such a thing as this is .