3 God sendeth affliction, to wean our hearts, from too much loving this World and worldly vanities: and to cause us the more earnestly to desire and long for *eternal life. For as the Children of Israel (had they not been ill entreated in Egypt) would never have been so ⟨p. 827⟩willing to go towards Canaan: so (were it not for the crosses and afflictions of this life,) Gods Children would not so heartily long,2 and willingly desire for the Kingdom of Heaven. For we see many Epicures that would be content to forgo heaven, on condition that they might still enjoy their earthly pleasures; and (having never tasted the joys of a better:) how loath are they to depart this life? whereas the *Apostle (that saw Heavens glory) tells us: that there is no more comparison twixt the joys of eternal life, and the pleasures of this world, then there is betwixt the filthiest dung and the pleasantest meat: 4or betwixt the ⟨p. 828⟩stinkingest dung-hill, and the fairest bed-chamber. As therefore a loving Nurse puts Worm-wood, or Mustard, on the breast, to make the child the rather to forsake the dug: so GOD mixeth sometimes affliction,5 with the pleasures and prosperity of this life; least (like the Children of this generation) they should forget God, and fall into too much love of this present evil world; and so by riches grow proud: by fame; insolent: by liberty, wanton: and spurn with their heel against the Lord, 6when they wax fat. For, if Gods children love the world so well, when (like a curst stepmother) she misuseth and strikes us; how should we love this ⟨p. 829⟩harlot if she smiled upon us, and stroked us, as she doth her own worldly Brats? Thus doth GOD (like a wise and loving Father) embitter with crosses the pleasures of this life, to his children: that finding in this earthly state no true nor permanent joys) they might sigh & long for eternal life, where firm and everlasting joys are only to be found.
3 God sendeth affliction, to weane our hearts, from too much louing this World and worldly vanities: and to cause vs the more earnestly to desire and long for *eternall life. For as the Children of Israel (had they not beene ill entreated in Aegipt) vvould neuer haue beene so ⟨p. 827⟩willing to goe towards Canaan: so (were it not for the crosses and afflictions of this life,) Gods Children would not so heartilie long,2 and willingly desire for the Kingdome of Heauen. For wee see many Epicures that vvould be content to forgoe heauen, on condition that they might still enioy their earthly pleasures; and (hauing neuer tasted the ioyes of a better:) how loath are they to depart this life? whereas the *Apostle (that saw Heauens glory) tels vs: that there is no more comparison twixt the ioyes of eternall life, and the pleasures of this world, then there is betwixt the filthiest dung and the pleasantest meate: 4or betwixt the ⟨p. 828⟩stinkingst dung-hill, and the fairest bed-chamber. As therefore a louing Nursse puts Worme-wood, or Mustard, on the breast, to make the childe the rather to forsake the dug: so GOD mixeth sometimes affliction,5 with the pleasures and prosperitie of this life; least (like the Children of this generation) they should forget God, and fall into too much loue of this present euill vvorld; and so by riches grow proud: by fame; insolent: by libertie, vvanton: and spurne with their heele against the Lord, 6when they waxe fat. For, if Gods children loue the vvorld so well, when (like a curst stepmother) shee misvseth and strikes vs; how should vvee loue this ⟨p. 829⟩harlot if shee smiled vpon vs, and stroaked vs, as shee doth her owne worldly Brats? Thus doth GOD (like a wise and louing Father) embitter with crosses the pleasures of this life, to his children: that finding in this earthly state no true nor permanent ioyes) they might sigh & long for eternall life, where firme and euerlasting ioyes are onely to be found.
- *Crebris tribulationibus Ecclesiam suam Dominus exercet: ne si cuncta temporalia fortè prosperè currant, incolatu praesentis exili• delectàta, minùs coelestem patriam suspiret. Bede in Cant.Crebris tribulationibus Ecclesiam suam Dominus exercet: ne si cuncta temporalia fortè prosperè currant, incolatu praesentis exili• delectàta, minùs coelestem patriam suspiret. Beda in Cant.
- 2Mundanus affectus praesentia amat, temporalia cumulat, spiritualia negligit, & cum totus se spargit •n imis, nil potest amare de summis. Justin. Patriarch. de disc. monast. cap. 4.Mundanus affectus praesentia amat, temporalia cumulat, spiritualia negligit, & cum totus se spargit •n imis, nil potest amare de summis. Iustin. Patriarch. de disc. monast. cap. 4.
- *2 Cor. 12.
- 4Phil. 3.8.
- 5Ne sancti viri aliqua elation in hac vita superbiant, quibusdam tentationibus reprimuntur. Eucher. in li. Reg.Ne sancti viri aliqua elatione in hac vita superbiant, quibusdam tentationibus reprimuntur. Eucher. in li. Reg.
- 6Deut. 32.15.
