as Watson, from his, "The Art of Divine Contenment" book. . . .
"[Divine contentment] shows how a Christian may come to lead a com-
fortable life, even a heaven upon earth--be the times what they will: by Christian contentment. The comfort of life does not rest in having much; it is Christ's maxim, 'Man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses,' (Lk. 12:15)--but it is in being content-
ed. . . . Contentment lies within a man, in the heart; and the way to be comfortable, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds quiet. 'The contented man,' says Seneca, 'is the happy man.'
"Discontent is a fretting humor, which dries the brains, wastes the spirits, corrodes and eats out the comfort of life . . . A drop or two of vinegar will sour a whole glass of wine. Let a man have the affluence and confluence of worldly comforts, a drop or two of discontent will embitter and poison all.
"Comfort depends upon contentment; Jacob went about limping, when the sinew upon the hollow of his thigh shrank: so, when the sinew of contentment begins to shrink, we go limping along in our comforts. Contentment is as necessary to keep the life comfortable, as oil is necessary to keep the lamp burning; the clouds of discontent do often drop the showers of tears.
"Would we have comfort in our lives? We may have it if we will: a Christian may carve out what condition he will to himself. Why do you complain of your troubles? It is not trouble that troubles, but discon-
tent. It is not the water outside the ship, but the water that gets in-
side, which drowns it. It is not outward affliction that can make the life of a Christian sad; a contented mind would sail above these waters--but when there is a leak of discontent open, and trouble gets into the heart, then it is disquieted and sinks. Do therefore as the mariners, pump the water out, and stop the spiritual leak in the soul, and no trouble can hurt you."
