OLBGrk;
Contentation with our state and condition is a fifth duty charged on the subjects of Christ's kingdom, and this is expressed privatively and positively, yet both propositions without a verb, which is best supplied by an imperative. Let your conversation be without covetousness: O tropov strictly signifieth a turning, but here it sets out the motion or turning of a man up and down in the actions of this life, which in common speech is called conversation; not any motion of the heart, nor turn of the eye, nor action of any member, after money or riches, with a sinful, inordinate love to them, or pursuit of them; forbidden, Matthew 6:25,31 1 Timothy 6:9,10 Jas 4:13 1 John 2:15. The studious endeavour and labour night and day, turning and winding every way, to be scraping together and hoarding up worldly wealth, and lading themselves with thick clay, Ecclesiastes 4:7,8 Hab 2:6,9, must not be the case or condition of any Christian, Ephesians 5:3,5 Col 3:5 2 Peter 2:3-15. And be content with such things as ye have; but having a heart acquiescence and satisfitction with that portion or pittance of earthly things which God at present doth allot us, whether more or less, and not with that only which we may think enough to serve our turn, Philippians 4:11,12 1 Timothy 6:8. For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee: the reason enforcing it is, God's giving by promise a special engagement to provide for them. This God solemnly made to Jacob, Genesis 28:15, then to Israel, Deuteronomy 31:6,8, then to Joshua, Joshua 1:5, and to all believers as well as them; for God will not let any such see the miseries of his absence, but will vouchsafe to them his presence, with all the blessings which attend it, Psalms 46:1,5 Isa 41:10 43:2 63:9.