A sermon of contentment by T.F. Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A40685 of text R28032 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing F2460). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 25 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 26 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A40685 Wing F2460 ESTC R28032 10333980 ocm 10333980 44884 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A40685) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 44884) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1384:54) A sermon of contentment by T.F. Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661. [49] p. Printed by J.D. for John Willams, London : 1648. Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library. eng Contentment. Conduct of life. Sermons, English -- 17th century. A40685 R28032 (Wing F2460). civilwar no A sermon of contentment by T.F. Fuller, Thomas 1648 4450 1 5 0 0 0 0 13 C The rate of 13 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Chris Scherer Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Chris Scherer Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A SERMON OF Contentment . By T. F. a Minister of Gods Word . Phillip . 4. 11. I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content . LONDON . Printed by J.D. for John Williams at the Crown in St. Pauls Church-yard . 1648. TO THE HONORABLE and truly noble Sr. JOHN D'ANVERS Knight . Sir , THis smal Sermon may well bee termed Zoar , for is it not a little one ? Yet it bears good proportion to the short text ; on which it discourseth ; little auditory for which it was composed , and your private Chappel wherin it was delivered . As it is smal , so it desired to be secret , and intended no appearance in publike . Good was the counsel which Iaash gave Amaziah . 2 Cro. 25. 19. Abide now at home , especially in our dangerous dayes , when all going , is censurable for gadding abroad without a necessary vocation . But seeing such was your importunitie , to have it Printed , that all my excuses to the contrary , which I could alledge with truth , and the delays , which I could make with manners , might not prevaile : I have chosen rather to be accounted undiscreet then uncivil , and have yeelded to your desire . Surely Sir , Heaven can never return a denial to your requests whom I presume , ( by proportion of your earnest desiring so smal a matter ) to be zealous in your desires of hier concernment , that nothing but a grant can give you satisfaction . But the mainest motive , next your importunity , which put me on this publike adventure , was the consideration of my engagements to your noble bounty , above my possibility of deserving it . The Apostle with it is part of the duty of a good servant , Tit. 2. v. 9. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , not answering againe . I must confesse my selfe your Servant , and therefore it ill beseemed me to dislike or mutter against any thing you was pleased I should doe . Thus desiring the continuance and increase of all spiritual and temporal happines on your honour . I commend you to the Almighty . T. F. 1 TIM. 6.6 . But godlinesse with contentment is great gain . IN the foregoing verse , St. Paul sets down the worldlings prayer , creed , and commandements ; which is their daily desire , beliefe and practise , and all contained in three words ; Gain is Godlines . Now in my text St. Paul counter-mines their opinion , or raiseth our antiposition to batter down their false conceit , most elegantly crossing and inverting their words ; But Godlines with contentment is great gain . Take notice of the unaffected elegancy of the Apostle , how clearly and naturally with a little adtion , he turns the worldlings Paradox into a Christian truth . Though Sermons may not laugh with light expressions : yet it is not unlawfull for them to smile with delightfull language : Alwayes provided , that the sweetnesse of the sawce spoile not the savourinesse of the meat The Preacher sought to finde out acceptable or pleasant words , that so his sound matter might be more welcome to his auditors . Well , here wee have two contrary opinions set on foot together , 〈◊〉 is godlinesse , faith the worldling , whose Gold is his god , looking and telling thereof , his saying of his prayers . Godlinesse is great gain , saith God himselfe , by the mouth of the Apostle . Now as Peter in another case , whether it be right to hearken unto man more then unto God , judge yee . The text presents us with a Bride . 2 A Bride-maide . 3 Her great portion . 4 The present payment thereof . 1 The Bride Godlinesse . We need not enquire further into her Pedegree and extraction , she carries her Father in her Name ; and relates to God the Author thereof . 2. The Bride-maid . The Virgin her companion that follows her , or her inseparable attendant , Contentment . Godlinesse with contentment . 3 Her great Portion , Wherein observe the rich ware , Gain ; The large measure , Great gain . 4 The present payment . Not in expectances or reversions ; but down on the naile , presently deposited , is . Godlines with contentment is great gain . Wee begin with the Bride , and in the first place let us put it to the question . What godlines is ? To which quere , severall answers will be made according to mens severall affections . Aske some Fryer observant , What godlines is , and he will tel you , the wearing of a shirt of hair , girdle of hemp , fasting so often in the week , praying so often in the day with such like Canonical devotions . Ask the tenacious maintainer of some new upstart opinion , what godlines is ? And he will answer , It is the zealous defending with limb and life of such , and such strangetenets , which our fathers perchance never hard of before ; yea which is worse , such a person wil presume soto confine Godlines to his opinion , as to ungodly all others who in the least particular dissent from him . Oh , if God should have no more mercy on us , then wee have charity one to another , what would become of us ? Indeed Christ tearmeth his own a little flock , Fear not little flock . But if some mens rash and cruel censures should be true , the number of the godly would be so little , it would not be a flock . 5 It is a true but sad consideration how in all ages , men with more vehemency of spirit have stickled about small and unimportant points then about such matters as most concern their salvation . So that I may say ( these sorrowfull times having tuned all our tongues to military phrases ) some men have lavished more powder and shot in the defence of some sleight out-works which might well have been quitted without any losse to Religion , then in maintaing the main platform of piety , and making good that Castle of Gods service and their own salvation . Pride wil be found upon serious enquiry the principall cause hereof . For when men have studied many weeks , moneths or years about some additionall point in Divinity , they contend to have the same essentiall to salvation , because it is essentiall to their reputation , least otherwise their discretion be called into question , for taking so much pains in vain , and spending so much precious time about a needlesse matter . Hereupon they labour to inhance the value of their own studies , and will have all those mynes gold , which they have discovered ; yea , all their superstructures must be accounted fundamentall : All their far fetcht deductions and consequential results must bereputed tobe immediate and essentiall to godlines ; yea , the very life of godlines must be placed in the zealous asserting the same . 6 But it will be the safest way for us to take adescription of godlinesse from a pen infallible , impartiall , and unconcerned in our modern distractions . Even from Saint Iames himself . Pure religion ( or godlinesse ) and undefiled before God and the Father is this , to visite the fatherlesse and widdows in their affliction , and to keep himself unspoted from the world . This setteth forth the practicall part of Religion , and , as I may term it , the heat of godlinesse . To which if the speculative part , the light of Godlinesse bee added , to know the only true God , and Iesus Christ whom he hath sent , then godlines is made compleat . And godlinesse thus defined admits of a latitude , so that it may consist with some errours in judgement , and infirmities in practise ; Provided that the godly person persists in Faith , Hope and Charity , which hold out the summe of Religion as to the necessary part thereof . As for all particular forms of Church Government , Ceremonies and outward manner of divine worship , most of them admitting of alteration upon emergencies , and variation according to circumstances of time , place , and persons , ( though these be more or lesse ornamentall to godlinesse , as they neerer or further off relate to divine institution ) yet it is erronious to fixe or place the life or essence of godlinesse therein . Wee conclude this point with the words of Saint Peter Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons ; But in every nation , he that feareth him and worketh righteousnes is accepted with him : Yea , in one and the same nation , he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse of what Sect , Side , Party , Profession , Opinion , Church , Congregation soever he be is accepted with him , as having true godlines in his heart which with contentment is great gain . 7 Come we now to the Brid-maid attending her , Contentment . Contentment is a willing submission of ours to Gods will in all conditions . I say willing ; for , if it be patience perforce , what reward have you ? What doe you more then others ? Doe not even the Publicans and Sinners the same ? Yea , what doe you more then Mules and Horses which being kept with Bit and Bridle quietly carry their ryders which they cannot cast off ; In all conditions , patient in adversity , humble in prosperity , thankfull in both ; looking neither above our estates with the ambitious man to have it higher ; nor beyond it , with the covetous man to spread it broader ; nor besides it with the envivous man , repyning at the estate of others : but directly on the Portion God hath given us , and fully satisfied with the same . Even justifying Gods proceedings unto us , though wee receive from him what flesh & blood would count hard measure , namely , if his Divine wisdome should so appoint it , That with just men we perish with our righteousnesse , whilest wicked men prolong their lives in their wickednes . 8 Here we must take notice of the conjunction copulative , with . Godlines with contentment . Which furnisheth us with two profitable observations , 1. Wheresoever there is true godlinesse there is contentment . 2. Wheresoever there is true contentment there is godlines . Like Saul and Ionathan , lovely and pleasant in their lives and in their deaths they are not divided . These twin graces alwayes go together ; True it is , that Gods children may often have their fits and qualms of discontentment , as Eliah and Ionah had : But this proceeds from the imperfections of grace in them ; They are not discontented as they are godly , but as they have a principle of ungodlinesse in them the remnant of carnall corruption . 9 On the other side , no wicked man whatsoever he pretendeth , can have true contentment . Remarkable it is that in the same chapter wee finde two brethren laying claim to the grace of contentation , but on different ; yea , contrary titles . Esau said , Gen. 33. 9 I have enough my brother , keep that thouhast unto thy self . Jacob said , Gen. 33. 11. God hath dealt graciously with mee because I have enough . Now Esau's enough was indeed not enough , being onely a proud and vain-glorious brag , scorning and disdaining at the first ( till importunity altered him ) to receive a guift from his younger Brother , as if it were a disgrace and disparagement to his greatnes to admit of any addition or accession of his estate from his inferiour . Iacobs enough was a true and reall acknowledgement of Gods goodnesse to him , resting satisfied with that portion divine providence had alotted him , such contentment alwaies gos with godlines , and is great gain . 10 Come we now to the Dowery ; and before we descend to the particulars thereof , take notice in generall of Gods bountifull dealing with his servants . God might command us to work and give us no wages , and most justly enjoyne us to labour all day in his Vineyard , and give us no penny at night ; Very good reason . Why should we expect to receive profit by him , who return no profit to him . When yee have done all those things which are commanded you : say , Wee are unprofitable servants , wee have done that which was our duty to doe ; Saul did not give but take a dowry with his daughter , and it is observable that 100 of fore-skins onely were required of David , but he gave 200 for her . Such was the super-errogation of his valour ; love and loyalty especially when joyned together , never give scant measure : God in like manner might expect that wee should give him a portion for the attaining of godlines ; All wee can doe all wee can suffer is too little to purchase so precious a grace . Yet see the goodnes of God , who knowing he is to deale with such dull workmen , who will take pains no longer then they are paid , whets us on with reward in his service . 11 Here I deny not but it is lawfull to look on those blessings and benefits which God reacheth out to us for his service ; Moses himself had respect unto the recompence of reward . But two things we must take heed of ; First that wee receive this reward in notion and nature of a meere gratuity , not exactly merited by the condignity of our performances , and onely due unto us by the vertue of Gods free promise and not our deserts . Secondly , that as we look on the reward , so wee look through and beyond it . It being a good Inn for our desires to bait at , but a bad home for them to lodge in ; Let us labour to devest our souls of mercenary thoughts , and learn to serve God for himselfe ; Active was the affection of Sechem to Dinah , as appears by his request to Iacob and his sonnes . Let me finde grace in your eyes , and what yee shall say unto mee , I will give . Ask me never so much dowry and gift , and I will give according as yee shall say unto me : But give me the Damosel to wife . Oh , that our hearts were but wrought to this holy temper , that we should desire godlinesse on any terms , undergo any hardship , though there were neither Hell to punish , nor Heaven to reward . However great is Gods goodnes , who knowing whereof wee are made , and remembring that we are but dust , is pleased to spurre us on in the rase of piety with a reward propounded , godlines with contentment is great gain . 12. So much in genenerall , That there is a Dowry ; Now in particular what is the dovvry of godlinesse . It is great gain . Great gain , of what ? Let Saint Paul himself , who wrote this Epistle tell us , when he cast up his audit , what profit he got by the profession of Piety . In labours more aboundant , in stripes above measure , in prisons more frequent , in deaths often . Where is the gain , all this while ? Perchance it follows , We will try another verse . In journying often , in perils of waters , in perils of Robbers , in perils by mine own Country-men , in perils by the Heathen , in perils in the City , in perils in the Wildernes , in perils in the Sea , in perils amongst false brethren . Where is the gain all this while ? you will say , these were but the Apostles adventures , his rich return ( slow but sure ) will come at last . Once more we will try . In wearinesse and painfulnesse , in watchings often , in hunger and thirst , in fastings often , in cold and nakednesse . The further we go , the lesse gain we find , Cushai said unto David , May all the Enemies of my Lord the King be as the young man Absalom is . But if this be gain , May all the enemies of God and goodnes have plenty thereof . It will never sink into a worldlings head that godlinesse is gain , whilest the grandees of piety are found so poore , Eliah begging food of a Widdow , Peter without gold or silver ; Our Saviour himself not having where to lay his head . It is confest that the doctrine in the text , can in no wise be made good according to the principles of flesh and blood . Our Saviour said unto Pilate , My kingdome is not of this world . So the sense and interpretation of my text is not of this world , is not carnall but spiritual , not temporal but eternal . This will plainly appear , if these two particulars be well weighed . 1 What the world counts gain , is losse . 2 What the world counts losse is gaine . What the world counts gain is losse . For what will it profit a man if he win the whole world , and loose his own soule . Most poore is the condition of those who have plenty of worldly wealth , and are not rich towards God ; Country people having a peice of light gold use to fill the Indentures thereof with dirt , so to make it the heavier ; But wisemen wil not take dirt for gold in payment . It seems in like manner that wicked men being sensible that they want waight in the scales of the sanctuary , ( Tekel thou art waighed in the ballance and found too light ) of set purpose load themselves with thick clay . But all will not make them currant in Gods sight , for riches availe not in the day of wrath . They are long in getting with much pains , hard in keeping with much care , quick in loosing with more sorrow . Wherefore as the Apostle mensions Science falsly so called , so this is gain falsly so called by men . 13 Secondly , They nicke-name that losse which is gain in very deed , such were all those sanctified afflictions which Saint Paul suffered . It is confest that thornes and thistles had never grown in the world , had Adam stood in his integrity , yet some of them since mans fall cannot well be wanted ; Holy thistle ( we know ) hath a Soveraign vertue , and sweet bryer hath a pleasant scent . All tribulations are thorns to flesh and blood ( the word imports as much ) yet as Sanctified to Gods children in Christ they become of excellent use , increasing their grace here and glory hereafter ; Lynnen new washt though it may dry more by day time , is observed to whiten more in a fair night ; Adversity sanctified to a Christian soule doth more improve the same in purity and piety , then the constant enjoying of a prosperous condition . 14 But we need goe no further for the proof of the great profit gotten by Gods service , then to the words of the Apostle . Godlinesse hath the promise of the life which now is , and of that which is to come . It is reported of Alexander that having conquered the World , he wept because there was no more left for his valour to overcome : But least Gods children should have any cause of discontentment , that their joy may have room enough to dilate it self in , see a life and a life , a vvorld and a vvorld , one here and another hereafter , one in possession , another in reversion alotted unto them . 15 Come we now to the present payment , is , Even at this present instant , God hath done great things for us already , whereof we rejoyce . Excellent is the expression of the Apostle . Or things present , or things to come , All are yours . Here some carping curious Criticks may challenge St. Paul of impropriety of language ; yea , finde both fals Grammar and Logick in his words , false Tense , to say future things are , fals Logick , for how can things to come be ours , which be not , But know St. Paul spake with languages more then them all , and had no need to learn the congruity of construction from any other . It is good in law to say , This reversion is mine because the reversioner is in present possession of the right to it , though not of the profit by it ; yea , heaven on earth is actually ours already ; the possession of a clear conscience , and the spirit of adoption signs and seals unto us the favour of God , then which , no greater gain . 16 And now as the Eunuch said to Philip , See here is water , what doth hinder me to be baptized , so say I . Behold , here is a Bride , Godlines , ready provided ; A bride maid , Contentment , ready prepared . The great portion presently to be paid . What hinders now but the marriage may instantly proceed , that so we may be wedded and bedded together . But what answered Philip to the Eunuch ? If thou believest with all thine heart , thou maiest be baptised . So say I. If thou lovest this Bride with all thy Soule , counting nothing too dear to obtain her , the marriages solemnities may instantly goe on . Oh that I had perswasive eloquence effectually to advance this match , the best is , what is vvanting in mee the spokesman , is plentifully supplyed in her the bride . 17. But two things we must beware of . Take heed you mistake not the shaddow for the substance , the picture for the person . Saint Paul tels us of some , who have the forme of godlinesse , but deny the power thereof . The Poets tels us of many who at first were suiters to Penelope the Mistresse , but at last were married to the Maids which attended her . It is to be feared that many who pretend to love godlinesse it self , fall at last a courting and woeing of the forme , the meer outside and garb of Religion , and content themselves with the same : wherein an hypocrite may equally , yea exceed the sincerest Saint and servant of God . Lastly , Beware least thy coveteous heart rather love the Portion then the Person , have more minde to the gaine then the godlines . We finde how the next kinsman was very ready to redeem the parcel of Naomies land which was his brother Elimelechs . But as soon as withall he heard , hee must take Ruth to wife , he fell back from his promise and purpose ; Many there be which are very forward to wed the gain , but are utterly unwilling to have the godlines with it . Such a suiter was Balaam himselfe : O that I might aye the death of the righteous , and let my last end be like his , who was carelesse to live the life of the righteous . But let us labour to have the substance and sincerity of Piety in our hearts , knowing that we are to deale with such a God who prefers a dramme of integrity before a pound of profession ; And if wee acquit our selves upright in his presence , godlinesse with contentment is great gain unto us . I say godlinesse in generall not restrictively Engrossed to some particular party , but extended according to the dimension of charity to all persons agreeing in the essentials to salvation ; In my fathers house there be many Mansions , as if God had provided severall repositaries of happinesse for such as differ in smaller opinions , vvhilest all agreeing in generall godlinesse , may meet in one grand Heaven and place of eternall Felicity , Amen . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A40685e-360 I. II. Eccles. 12. 10. III. Acts 4. ●9 . IV. Luk. 12. 32. James 1.27 . John 17. 3. Act. 10. 34. Eccles. 7. 15. 2 Sam. 23 1 Kin. 19 4. Jonah 4.1 Luke 17.10 . 1 Sam. 18 25. Hebr. 11.26 . Gen. 34.11 , 12 Object . 2 Cor. 11 23. Vers. 26. 〈◊〉 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Answ. John 18.36 . Luk. 12.21 . Dan. 5.27 . Hab. 2.6 Prov. 11.4 . 2 Tim. 6.20 . 1 Tim. 4.8 . 1 Cor. 3. 22. 1 Cor. 14 18. Act. 8.36 Acts 8. 37. 2 Tim. 3. 5. Ruth . 4. 6. Num. 23.10 . Joh. 14.2