them to violate the duties of their In considering the subject, we station. "And they," says he, may,

"that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because

I. Notice the connexion between

they are brethren; but rather do godliness and contentment. them service, because they are II. Show in what respects godfaithful and beloved, partakers of liness with contentment is great the benefit." No doubt the invo- gain. luntary servitude of those who have

III. Deduce some practical in

not, by atrocious crimes, forfeited structions. their liberty, is inconsistent with

the moral law; and if real Chris- I. We notice the connexion betianity should become universal, tween godliness and contentment, slavery must be finally abolished. as it is evidently implied in the But the apostles were not legis- text. lators or civil magistrates: as mi- The word godliness frequently nisters of religion, they taught men occurs in the writings of the aposhow to act in their several situa- tles, and must therefore be undertions as matters then stood: and stood according to the tenor of when rulers embraced the gospel, their doctrine. We must not conit was proper they too should be sider it merely as a proper regulataught their duty, and instructed to tion of our affections and conduct apply a legal and regular remedy towards God, according to the first to the evil. But it would have ex- table of the moral law: but as imceedingly increased the opposition plying especially the dispositions made to the gospel, if the preachers and demeanour, suited to a sinner of it had attempted, by their own under a dispensation of mercy, and influence, to subvert the existing invited to reconciliation with his system in this respect; or even re-offended God, through the Mediator quired Christian masters indiscri- of the new covenant.

minately to liberate their slaves.- When this has been duly atWhereas, if they were taught to tended to, it will evidently appear use them as brethren, the ends of that deep humility and unfeigned humanity would be effectually an- repentance constitute an essential swered, as to the individuals con- part of evangelical godliness: for cerned, and the example would have unless we habitually possess this the most salutary tendency. frame of mind, we cannot sincerely

Having stated this matter, the make those confessions and suppliapostle next showed the sources cations, or present those sacrifices and consequences of the contrary of praise and thanksgiving, which doctrine; exhorted Timothy to with- are peculiar to Christianity. Now draw from vain disputers, who "sup- every reflecting man must perceive, posed that gain is godliness:" and that deep humility, accompanied then subjoined the words of the with cheering hope, exceedingly text, but godliness with content-tends to produce contentment. ment is great gain;" for, says he, vast proportion of the impatience we brought nothing into the and fretfulness of mankind results world, and it is certain we can carry from a false estimate of their own nothing out. And having food and merits and consequence. This inraiment, let us be therewith con- duces them to consider their trials tent." great, their comforts trifling, the

A

least affront intolerable; and every | Such men are ready to stoop, and kind and degree of respect inade-in honour to prefer others; they quate, except unqualified adulation do not complain of being buried in and submission. But such views situations, where they are underof Jehovah and the adoring sera-valued or neglected. They" think phim, as filled Isaiah with self- soberly of themselves, and as they abasement; or such apprehensions ought to think;" and this secures of the divine majesty, as caused them from manifold disappointments Job to "abhor himself, and repent and vexations, to which other men in dust and ashes," would give are exposed. "That will break

them very different views on these a proud man's heart, which will subjects. Did they enter into the scarcely break an humble man's feelings of the apostle, when he sleep ;" and it is certain that many called himself the "chief of sin- of the troubles of life affect our ners," and "less than the least of peace almost in exact proportion to all saints;" were they ready to own the degree of our pride or humiwith the centurion, Lord, I am lity. The common opinion therenot worthy that thou shouldst come fore, that self-abasement produces under my roof;" or with John melancholy, and that a favourable Baptist, "I am not worthy to loose opinion of ourselves tends to cheerhis shoe-lachet;" a total revolution fulness, is an egregious mistake. would take place in all their senti- The former may indeed depress the ments and sensations about outward spirits when connected with miscomforts and trials, and the usage apprehension, ignorance, and unbethey meet with from those around lief; and the latter may produce a them. The sharpest affliction would flow of agreeable sensations, when then appear light and momentary, nothing occurs to ruffle the mind. compared with their deserts: the Such a state, however, is so seldom meanest provision would be received to be expected in this changing with lively gratitude; while with world, and amidst the mortifications the patriarch they confessed, "we to which self-sufficiency exposes are not worthy of the least of all men; that the cheerfulness dependthy mercies:" the most unfavoura-ing on it must be extremely precable situation or disagreeable employ-rious; while patience, meekness, ment would be deemed better than hope in God, and humble gratitude, they have a right to expect: and evidently conduce to an uniform in the greatest injuries or affronts, composure and serenity; the direct they would submit to the justice of contrast to disappointed pride and God, who may correct or punish by ambition, rankling resentment, sickwhatever instruments he pleases. ening envy, and rebellious mur

Humble thoughts of themselves murs. reconcile men to obscure stations, Even godly sorrow for sin, when mean circumstances, and common accompanied with an humble hope occupations, as most suited to them; of mercy, produces a tender pleaand when they are evidently called sure, a melting sweetness, a serito more public services, they enter ous joy, a heart-felt satisfaction, on them with reluctance and diffi- which far exceed the utmost refinedence; except as the lively exer- ments of sinful indulgence. Recise of faith renders them superior pentance itself, which men postto their apprehensions, and a sense pone under the notion that it is the of duty engages them to proceed. bane of comfort, is the source of

the purest and most permanent re-him in all the scenes of his life and joicing; and the true Christian death. And whether we look to must consider those seasons, in the stable and manger at Bethlewhich, melted into contrition for hem; the cottage and carpenter's his sins, he sowed the seed of his shop at Nazareth; or the well in future harvest with penitent tears, Samaria, where Jesus, wearied with as but little removed from the hap- his journey, sat down at noon and piest hours of his life. craved a drink of water: whether Faith likewise, which in its va- we follow him to the desert, where ried exercises constitutes a most he was an hungered while tempted important part of evangelical godli- by the devil; to the field, where, ness, is intimately connected with with up-lifted hands and eyes, he contentment. As "the evidence gave thanks for the barley bread of things not seen," it sets before and small fishes; or to the meals us the holy, heart-searching God, which he and his disciples may be and causes us to speak and act as supposed to have made on the in his immediate presence. This broken fragments of that humble powerfully tends to calm our tu-feast: or whether we meditate on multuous passions, to awe our souls his general poverty, who had not into adoring submission, and to where to lay his head; his scanty encourage confidence and humble maintenance, at one time earned expectation. Faith descries an with the sweat of his brow, at invisible world, and places us on another received as the alms of his the verge of eternity, as about to followers; every object may teach launch into that boundless ocean. us, in whatever 'state we are, With this prospect before us, the therewith to be content." If we concerns of time shrink into insig- turn our thoughts to the contradicnificancy and all that disparity tion, contempt, and insult, the injusof rank or fortune, which subsist tice and cruelty, to which he volunamong dying men, and about which tarily submitted: the patience, their contests, cares, and discontents meekness, serenity, and love which are principally excited, appear like he manifested, or the glorious event a fleeting dream, a pageant passing of his sufferings and death: over the stage. Our trials also may, in every one of these refiecare perceived to be transient and tions, as it were, hear him say, “Is unimportant; we feel it to be a it nothing to you, all ye that pass weakness and folly greatly to dis-by? Was ever sorrow like unto quiet ourselves about such trifles: my sorrow?" Nor can we select and discover that our wisdom con-one scene, which does not most sists in being careful to discharge powerfully inculcate resignation, our duty, while on our pilgrimage. contentment, and thankfulness; So that, if " we looked more to the whatever our circumstances and things which are not seen," and difficulties may be. For who fares less to "the things which are seen;" harder, or is more injuriously treated we should certainly become more than the Holy One of God, the spotsatisfied with our lot, and less less sacrifice for our numberless anxious about our temporal provi- transgressions?

sion.

we

Faith receives also the instrucFaith beholds especially the un-tion of Scripture, concerning the seen Saviour; and crediting the necessity, nature, and glory of the sure testimony of God,contemplates Redeemer's undertaking and obes

dience unto death upon the cross: favoured be dissatisfied? If he and this suggests further motives yield to murmurs or impatience to humble submission, admiring under the common troubles of life, gratitude, and cheerful acquiescence his inconsistency can only be equalin the will of God. The worth of led by his glaring ingratitude. our immortal souls, the evil and de- Being justified by faith, we have sert of sin, our ruined condition as peace with God through our Lord sinners, and the unavailing nature Jesus Christ." When thus reconof all earthly possessions or dis- ciled, we are admitted into a covetinctions, with various other inte- nant of friendship; " and truly our resting subjects, are most emphati- fellowship is with the Father, and cally enforced by Emmanuel's cross. the Son." In proportion to the Thus, while induced to use every degree of our faith, we enjoy peace means of securing our salvation; of conscience, and the privilege of we cannot but grow more indiffe- bringing all our cares, fears, sorrent to subordinate interests, and rows, wants, and temptations to better satisfied with a low and af- him by humble prayer; casting ficted condition. In this school all our care on him who careth for St. Paul learned contentment amidst us." We become interested in all his multiplied sufferings: yet were" the exceeding great and precious we placed in his situation we should promises" of the gospel, and that have far better reasons for our dis- oath by which the new covenant is satisfaction than we have been hi- confirmed; "that we might have therto able to allege. strong consolation, who have fled

Neither must we forget, that the for refuge to lay hold on the hope believer feels himself to be an habi- set before us.' We are assured, tual pensioner on the Lord's mercy that "all things work together for and bounty. He owns that he has no good to them that love God, who resources.in himself: he can neither are the called according to his purearn nor buy any thing; but indeed pose;" and these considerations owes an immense debt of which he must powerfully tend to produce cannot pay the smallest part. He inward tranquillity and that peace sues continually for pardon, through of God which passeth all underthe sacrifice of the divine Redeemer standing.

who bare the wrath he merited,| At the same time the godly man, that his salvation might consist with in the exercise of faith, sees and the honour of the law and govern-acknowledges the hand of God in ment of God; and he is a constant all the events of life. While we suppliant at the mercy-seat of his employ our thoughts on men or offended sovereign, expecting inva- second causes, we become fretful and luable blessings from his royal peevish: but when we view trials bounty. He lives by faith; Christ and injuries as the appointment is" made of God to him wisdom, of God, and realize his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and re- righteousness, and truth, our hearts demption." From his fulness his are rendered quiet and submissive. wants are continually supplied; and" It is the Lord, let him do what he experiences, that his prayers are seemeth him good." The Lord, answered, his strength renewed, gave, and the Lord hath taken his hope encouraged, and his heart away;. blessed be the name of the comforted, by waiting upon the Lord.' "The cup which my FaLord. And shall a criminal thus ther hath given me, shall I not

drink it?" Such are the effects of ing companion is inseparable from regarding our abode, provision, em- retirement: the poor erroneously ployment, and even our crosses and imagine, that it may be found in sorrows, as appointed by our recon- palaces. Britons amuse themselves ciled Father; and welcoming them with descriptions of Arcadian as salutary medicines, or necessary, groves: the Arcadians probably though painful operations, intended conclude, that none are so happy for our highest advantage. Nor is as the inhabitants of this favoured this exercise of faith ever wholly isle. But pride, ambition, an unseparated from the happy experi- easy conscience, resentment, disence, that our confidence is war- proportionate or disappointed exranted, and our expectations an- pectation, the insipidity of enjoyswered for in numerous instances ment when novelty ceases, the we find those things, which seemed common troubles of life, and the most against us, eventually condu- dread of death render men dissacive to our present comfort and tisfied and uneasy, in every place future advantage. and station, from the throne to the

It would engage us too long to cottage. They who have it in their pursue the subject into its various power, are continually shifting from particulars. Reverential fear, ad- one place and pursuit to another; miring love, spiritual worship, well and such as are excluded from this regulated passions, holy affections, privilege, envy, grudge, and murwith every hope and earnest of mur. The world resembles a numheavenly felicity, might easily be ber of people in a fever, who relish shown to promote genuine perma- nothing, are always restless, and try nent contentment. On the contrary, by incessant change of place or poswhatever men may pretend or ima- ture, to escape from their uneasy gine, "the wicked are like the sensations; but all their efforts are troubled sea, when it cannot rest, in vain. Does not this single conwhose waters cast forth mire and sideration prove, that godliness is dirt. There is no peace, saith my the health of the soul, and that withGod, for the wicked." Poets and out it there can be no abiding connovelists have beautifully described tentment?

contentment; and have often charm

ed their admirers into a momentary II. Then, we inquire in what reoblivion of their sorrows; but this spects godliness with contentment has made way for subsequent dis- is great gain.

satisfaction, with every situation There are certain ends, for which and employment in real life. And especially men desire riches. They all men of information know very suppose the coveted acquisition well, that many of those very writers would add to their present comfort: have rankled with envy and discon- secure them against many future tent, because the public has not disasters;-furnish materials for rewarded their ingenuity with libe- future enjoyment;-prove an adrality proportioned to their self-es-vantage to their children;-enable timation!--The citizen fancies that them to confer benefits on their contentment dwells in rural obscu- friends and relatives: and put it in rity; the rustic concludes that it their power to be extensively usemay be found in the splendour and ful. Perhaps all the reasons, for pleasures of the metropolis. Cour- which men pursue riches, may be tiers pretend to think, that this pleas- referred to these heads: for when