Thomas Jacombe

For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11).

What daily inquietudes¹ of spirit are there in some because of the want of [children]! They have many other comforts, but the not having of this embitters all. Abraham himself was much troubled about it: “Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my houseis this Eliezer of Damascus?…Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir” (Gen 15:2-3). But Rachel’s passion rose very high: “Give me children,” saith she to her husband, “or else I die” (Gen 30:1). Children are very great blessings; they are promised as such [in] Psalm 128:3-4, and in other places. Indeed, they are one of the sweetest flowers that grow in the garden of earthly comforts. Hence, it is hard for persons contentedly to bear the want of them. But whoever you are upon whom this affliction lies, [I pray you] labor after a contented mind under it. And in order thereunto, consider

(1) It is the Lord Who withholds this mercy. For He gives it or withholds it as seems good to Him. Providence is not more seen in any of the affairs and concerns of men than in this of children; that there shall be many or few, some or none, all falls under the good pleasure and disposal of God. When Rachel was so passionate under the want of these, Jacob rebuked her sharply: “Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?” (Gen 30:2). “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psa 127:3). “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children” (Psa 113:9). Now if this was duly thought of, would it not quiet the heart? When God orders the thing, shall we dislike and fret at what He doeth? May not He dispense His blessings where He pleaseth? O, if He will give, we should be thankful in the owning of His goodness; if He will deny, we must be patient in the owning of His sovereignty.

(2) Sometimes this mercy is denied, but better are bestowed. God doth not give children, but He gives Himself; is not He “better than ten sons?” as Elkanah said of himself to Hannah (1Sa 1:8). There is “a better name than of sons and of daughters” (Isa 56:5) promised. They who have that “better name” have no reason to murmur because they have not that which is worse. They who have God for their Father in heaven may well be content to go childless here on earth. If God will not give me the lesser, yet if He gives me the greater good, have I cause to be angry?…

(3) Children sometimes are withheld a long time, but they are given at last. Of which we have many instances. The case is never desperate, so long as we can submit and wait. It is to be hoped [that] God designs to give us that comfort, under the want of which we can be contented.

(4) If children be given after froward and irregular desires of them, it is to be questioned whether it be done in mercy. And it is to be feared [that] this frame will very much spoil the mercy! What we get by discontent, we seldom enjoy with comfort. How many parents have experienced the truth of this! They were not quiet until they had children and less quiet after they had them; they proved so undutiful, stubborn, naught, that there was much more of vexation in the having than there was in the wanting of them.

(5) Children are great comforts, but they are but mixed comforts. The rose hath its sweetness, but it hath its pricks too; so it is with children. O the cares, fears, distractions, that parents are filled with about them! They are certain cares, uncertain comforts, as we usually express it. We eye the sweet only of this relation, and that makes us fretful: did we eye the bitter also, we should be more still and calm.

(6) Had we this mercy in the height of it filled up in all respects according to our desires and expectations, it is a thousand to one but our hearts would be too much set upon it. And that would be of fatal consequence to us upon many accounts! Therefore, God foreseeing this, it is out of kindness and love that He withholds it from us. These things being considered as to this affliction, methinks they should very much dispose the heart to [contentment] under it.
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1. inquietudes – anxieties.

From “How Christians May Learn in Every State to be Content” in Puritan Sermons, Vol. 2, Richard Owen Roberts, Publishers.

Thomas Jacombe (1623-1687): English Presbyterian minister; a man of exemplary life and great learning; born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.

Courtesy of Chapel Library