Is a disposition of mind in which our desires are confined to what we enjoy, without murmuring at our lot, or wishing ardently for more. It stands opposed to envy, James 3:16 . to avarice, Hebrews 13:5 . to pride and ambition, Proverbs 13:10 . to anxiety of mind, Matthew 6:25; Matthew 6:34 . to murmurings and repinings, 1 Corinthians 10:10 . Contentment does not imply unconcern about our welfare, or that we should not have a sense of any thing uneasy or distressing; nor does it give any countenance to idleness, or prevent diligent endeavours to improve our circumstances. It implies, however, that our desires of worldly good be moderate; that we do not indulge unnecessary care, or use unlawful efforts to better ourselves; but that we acquiesce with and make the best of our condition, whatever it be. Contentment arises not from a man's outward condition, but from his inward disposition, and is the genuine offspring of humility, attended with a fixed habitual sense of God's particular providence, the recollection of past mercies, and a just estimate of the true nature of all earthly things Motives to contentment arise from the consideration of the rectitude of the Divine government, Psalms 97:1-2 . the benignity of the Divine providence, Psalms 145:1-21 : the greatness of the Divine promises, 2 Peter 1:4 . our own unworthiness, Genesis 32:1-10 . the punishments we deserve, Lamentations 3:39-40 . the reward which contentment itself brings with it, 1 Timothy 6:6 . the speedy termination of all our troubles here, and the prospect of eternal felicity in a future state, Romans 5:2 . Barrow's Works, vol. 3: ser. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Burroughs on Contentment; Watson's Art of ditto; Hale's Con. p 59; Mason's Christian Morals, vol. 1: ser.2.
Despite a stated reliance on the plain meaning of the Bible and the dictates of common sense, Buck's Theological Dictionary, first published in London in 1802, seeks to provide a textual basis for the evangelical community. By combining brief essays on orthodox belief and practice with historical entries on various denominations, Buck provided an interpretive lens that allowed antebellum Protestants to see Christianity's almost two millennia as their own history.Wikipedia
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