The Art of Divine Contentment

by Thomas Watson

in ePub, .mobi and .pdf formats

This is an extremely practical exposition of Philippians 4:11, I have learned, in whatever state I am therewith to be content, Watson spends the entire book on this one verse. He considers the great dishonor done to almighty God by the sin of discontent. The doctrine of Christian contentment is clearly illustrated and profitably applied. The special cases where, through changes in providences, discontentment most commonly arises are examined and preservatives are applied to the soul.

“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.”

Thomas Watson graduated from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was known for being a hard student. He was a man of considerable learning, a popular but judicious preacher, and eminent in the gift of prayer. He is one of the most popular of all English Puritans and, certainly, one of the most readable. Watson pastored at St. Stephen's Walbrook in London. The building in which he pastored was destroyed by fire in 1666. After being ejected in 1662, he continued ministering in London for many years. He retired to Essex, where he died suddenly while at prayer.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Introduction to the Text

The First Branch of the Text, the Scholar

The Second Branch of the Text

The Lesson itself, with the Proposition

The Resolving of Some Questions

Showing the Nature of Contentment

Reasons Pressing to Holy Contentment

Uses for the Christian

Motives to Divine Contentment

Three Cautions

How a Christian May Kknow if He has Learned Contentment

A Christian Directory, or RULES about Contentment

Consolation to the Contented Christian

By Topic

Joy

By Scripture

Old Testament

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

New Testament

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jude

Revelation

By Author

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