Foreword
"Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward;" therefore we all need to learn the same lesson as Paul. "I have learned," he said "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," Philippians 4. 11. Believers, especially, wish to attain to a holy equanimity in their tribulations and under the stresses caused by our increasingly secular society.
In this volume we have a full exposition, by the Puritan, Thomas Watson, of the above verse of Scripture, originally preached during his ministry as rector of St Stephen's, Wallbrook, London. "Although Thomas Watson issued several most valuable books," said C. H. Spurgeon, "comparatively little is known of him -- even the dates of his birth and death are unknown. His writings are his best memorial; perhaps he needed no other, and therefore providence forbade the superfluity."
Puritan preachers, having an eye to the practice of their hearers, built their heart-searching application of the truth upon sound biblical doctrine. This characteristic is evident in The Art of Divine Contentment; as is also the fact that Watson was the "master of a terse, vigorous style and of a beauty of expression. He could speak not only to win men's understanding but also to secure a place for the truth in their memories."
In reprinting the 1855 edition of The Art of Divine Contentment (the latest edition we know of) we wished to revise the layout and to add editorial notes for increased clarity. We regret, however, that lack of staff prevents us doing little more than adding a full table of contents.
We issue this little book with the prayerful hope that it will be useful in teaching the art of Godly contentment to many, enabling them, like David, to sincerely say to God in their troubles, "Thou art good, and doest good."
The Publishers
CONTENTS
THE TEXT: Philippians 4. 11, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
I THE INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXT
II THE FIRST BRANCH OF THE TEXT
The Scholar, with the First Proposition:
It is not enough to hear our duty -- we must learn it
III CONCERNING THE SECOND PROPOSITION
Learning is difficult -- good things are hard to come by
IV THE SECOND BRANCH OF THE TEXT
The Lesson: "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content", and the Proposition: A gracious spirit is a contented spirit
V THE RESOLVING OF SOME QUESTIONS
May not a Christian feel his condition, and yet be contented?
May not a Christian tell God his trouble, and yet be contented?
What is properly that contentment doth exclude?
VI SHEWING THE NATURE OF CONTENTMENT
It is a divine thing
It is an intrinsical thing
It is an habitual thing
VII REASONS PRESSING TO HOLY CONTENTMENT
God's precept
God's promise
VIII USE I. SHEWING HOW A CHRISTIAN MAY MAKE HIS LIFE COMFORTABLE
IX USE II. A CHECK TO THE DISCONTENTED CHRISTIAN
X USE III. A SUASIVE TO CONTENTMENT
Replies to apologies which discontent makes for itself:
I have lost a child:
It was my only child
I have a great part of my estate melted away
It is sad with me in my relations:
My child is in rebellion
My husband takes ill courses
My friends have dealt very unkindly with me
I am under great reproaches
I have not esteem from men
I meet with great sufferings for the sake of the truth
The wicked prosper
The evils of the times:
The times are full of heresy
The impiety of the times
The lowness of my parts and gifts
The troubles of the church
My sins disquiet and discontent me
XI DIVINE MOTIVES TO CONTENTMENT
The excellency of contentment
A Christian hath that which may make him content
Be content lest we confute our own prayers
God hath his end, and Satan misseth of his end
The Christian gains a victory over himself
All God's providences shall do a believer good
The evil of discontent
The competency a man hath
The shortness of life
The nature of a prosperous condition
The example of those eminent for contentment
Trouble here is all the trouble a believer shall have
Competency without contentment is a great judgement
XII THREE THINGS INSERTED BY WAY OF CAUTION
Be not content in a state of sin
Be not content in a condition wherein God is dishonoured
Be not content with a little grace
XIII USE IV. SHOWING HOW A CHRISTIAN MAY KNOW IF HE HATH LEARNED THIS DIVINE ART
XIV USE V. CONTAINING A CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY, OR RULES ABOUT CONTENTMENT
Advance faith
Labour for assurance
Get an humble spirit
Keep a clear conscience
Learn to deny yourselves
Get much of heaven into your heart
Look not so much on the dark side, as on the light
Consider in what posture we stand here in the world
Let not your hope depend upon these outward things
Let us often compare our condition
Bring your mind to your condition
Study the vanity of the creature
Get fancy regulated
Consider how little will satisfy nature
Believe the present condition is best for us
Do not too much indulge the flesh
Meditate much on the glory which shall be revealed
Be much in prayer
XV USE VI. OF CONSOLATION TO THE CONTENTED CHRISTIAN
Footnotes
1 Thomas Watson (c. 1620–1686) was a Puritan preacher and author, rector of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, in London until he was ejected from his pulpit by the Act of Uniformity in 1662. Spurgeon said of him: "Although Thomas Watson issued several most valuable books, comparatively little is known of him — even the dates of his birth and death are unknown. His writings are his best memorial." The Art of Divine Contentment is an exposition of Philippians 4:11 — "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" — and remains one of the most practical and searching treatments of contentment in the Christian life.