The First Consideration

We should consider (in all our wants and inclinations to discontent) The greatness of the mercies that we have, and the meanness of the things that we want. The things we want, (if we are godly) they are things of very small moment in comparison to the things we have, and the things we have are things of very great moment; for the most part that which people are discontent and murmur for the want of, it is because they have not such things as reprobates have, or may have. Why should you be troubled so much for the want of that which a man or woman may have and yet be a reprobate, as that your estate is not so great, your health not so perfect, your credit not so much? You may have all those things and yet be a reprobate. Now will you be discontent for that which a reprobate may have? I shall give you the example of a couple of godly men meeting together, Anthony and Diddimus. Diddimus was blind, and yet a man of very excellent parts and graces. Anthony asked him if he was not troubled at this his want of sight. He confessed he was, but (said he) shall you be troubled at the want of what flies and dogs have, and not rather rejoice and be thankful that you have what Angels have? God hath given you those good things that make Angels glorious; is not that enough to you, though you want what thing a fly has? And so a Christian should reason the case with himself: What am I discontented for? I am discontented for want of that which a dog may have, that a Devil may have, that a reprobate may have. Shall I be discontent for not having that, when God hath given me that which makes Angels glorious? Blessed be God (said the Apostle in Ephesians 1:3) that hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. It may be you have not so great blessings in earthly places as some others have, but if the Lord hath blessed you in heavenly places that should content you. There are blessings in heaven, and He hath set you here for the present as it were in heaven, in a heavenly place. The consideration of the greatness of the mercies that we have, and the littleness of the things that God hath denied us, is a very powerful consideration to work this grace of contentment.

In all our needs and tendencies toward discontent, we should consider the greatness of the mercies we already have compared to the smallness of the things we lack. For the godly person, what is lacking is of very little importance compared to what is already possessed. Most of the time, people are discontented and murmuring because they do not have things that even an unbeliever can have. Why should you be so troubled by the lack of something a reprobate may possess — a larger estate, better health, or greater reputation? You could have all those things and still be a reprobate. Will you be discontent over something that an unbeliever may have? Consider the example of two godly men meeting together: Anthony and Diddimus. Diddimus was blind, yet a man of outstanding gifts and grace. Anthony asked him whether he was not troubled by his lack of sight. Diddimus admitted he was — but Anthony replied: should you be troubled by lacking what flies and dogs have, and not rather rejoice and be thankful that you have what angels have? God has given you the good things that make angels glorious — is that not enough, even if you lack what a fly possesses? So a Christian should reason with himself: What am I discontented about? I am discontented over something that a dog may have, that a devil may have, that an unbeliever may have. Shall I be discontent for not having that, when God has given me what makes angels glorious? The apostle says in Ephesians 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." You may not have as great blessings in earthly places as others do — but if the Lord has blessed you in heavenly places, that should be enough. There are blessings in heaven, and He has set you here in the present as though in a heavenly place. Reflecting on the greatness of the mercies we have, and the smallness of the things God has withheld, is a powerful means of producing the grace of contentment.