These things seem very great, and very tedious indeed to flesh and blood:1 but in trueth they are but small, yea matters of nothing, if we consider what is the use of them, and what will be the end of them; and therefore let us remember for our comfort when we are in this strait and difficult and unpleasant way, that we are2 going to be installed into a kingdom: and who is there that being offered a Barony, or a Lordship, yea though it be but a Farm, if so be he will take the pains to come for it: who is there (I say) that would take exception, and say, alas the air is cloudy, and the weather uncertain, nay it begins to rain, or hail, or snow already, and therefore I will even stay at home, and never wet my foot for the matter? Nay if there be but likelihood of some smaller gain, and the weather foul, and the ways deep, and themselves somewhat out of temper also, yet they will adventure to go through all, and rather ferry over, than come short of that profit that is offered: how much more then ought ⟨p. 385⟩we to break through all impediments, and swallow up all difficulties with the consideration of this, that our journey tendeth not to the getting of some small commodity, or to the purchasing of some worldly possessions, or to the obtaining of any earthly preeminence or preferment whatsoever: but that we are travelling toward our own country, where we shall receive an invaluable and eternal crown of glory? and albeit we must pass through many rough and craggy, and thorny ways, and meet with sundry things, that will be very irksome and unpleasant; yet let us make account withal, that we shall find many sweet comforts, and joys unspeakable, and glorious in the middest of our pilgrimage, and in the end shall have the fruition of that happiness, which will make amends for all. And this was it that made the Apostle Paul so comfortable, in the middest of all his sufferings Therefore we faint not, (saith he) but though our outward man perish, 3yet our inward man is renewed daily. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, causeth unto us a far most excellent, and an eternal weight of glory. Where we may note, that when he speaketh of the happiness of another life, he magnifieth the same exceedingly, both for the worth of it, and for the continuance of it:
These thinges seeme very great, and very tedious indeede to fleshe and blood:1 but in trueth they are but small, yea matters of nothing, if wee consider what is the vse of them, and what will bee the ende of them; and therefore let vs remember for our comfort when wee are in this straite and difficult and vnpleasant way, that wee are2 going to be installed into a kingdome: and who is there that being offered a Baronrie, or a Lordship, yea though it be but a Farme, if so bee hee will take the paines to come for it: who is there (I say) that would take exception, and say, alasse the aire is clowdy, and the weather vncertaine, nay it beginnes to raine, or haile, or snow already, and therefore I will euen stay at home, and neuer wet my foote for the matter? Nay if there bee but likelihood of some smaller gaine, and the weather fowle, and the waies deepe, and themselues somewhat out of temper also, yet they will aduenture to goe through all, and rather ferry ouer, than come short of that profit that is offered: how much more then ought ⟨p. 385⟩we to breake through all impediments, and swallow vp all difficulties with the consideration of this, that our iourny tendeth not to the getting of some small commoditie, or to the purchasing of some worldly possessions, or to the obtaining of any earthly preeminence or preferment whatsoeuer: but that wee are trauelling toward our owne country, where wee shall receiue an inualuable and eternall crowne of glorie? and albeit wee must passe through many rough and craggy, and thornie wayes, and meete with sundrie things, that will be very irksome and vnpleasant; yet let vs make account withall, that wee shall finde many sweete comforts, and ioyes vnspeakable, and glorious in the middest of our pilgrimage, and in the ende shall haue the fruition of that happinesse, which will make amends for all. And this was it that made the Apostle Paul so comfortable, in the middest of all his sufferings Therefore we faint not, (saith he) but though our outward man perish, 3yet our inward man is renewed daily. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, causeth vnto vs a farre most excellent, and an eternall weight of glory. Where we may note, that when he speaketh of the happinesse of another life, hee magnifieth the same exceedingly, both for the worth of it, and for the continuance of it:
- 1Answer.
- 2Note.
- 32. Cor. 4. 16. 17
