For, first, The forgetfulness of the mutability ⟨p. 104⟩of the creature causeth us to expect more from it then is in it. Secondly, This expectation raiseth our affections unto the creature: hence it is, that we set our affections too much upon them, and delight too much in them. Thirdly, Strong affections, when they are set upon the creature, do always bring forth strong afflictions: for what is the reason of all the grief, that we undergo from day to day? Is it not, because our affections are set upon changeable objects, upon the creatures? And therefore when they are changed, then there is a change in the mind: whereas if thou didst look alone upon the unchangeable GOD, this would keep thee from worldly care and sorrow, this would preserve in thee evenness and aequability of mind. Therefore take heed of forgetting this, that to be unchangeable, is proper to God alone; Therefore set thy affections upon none but him: and if thou wilt do so, thou shalt always enjoy a constant security of mind, as if a man were in the upper region, where there is no change of weather, when as below here, there is one day foul, another fair; so that if a man could live with GOD, and walk with him, and have his conversation in heaven, he should not be subject to such change: whereas if a man set his mind upon earthly things, he shall be still subject to perturbations and unevenness. All grief of mind comes from hence, that thou lookest for unchangeableness from the creature, where it is not to be had. If thou wouldest look up to God, ⟨p. 105⟩thou shalt find all things a like there, there is no change with him. When an earthen pot is broken, it doth not much trouble you, for you remember it to be but an earthen pot: now every thing here below, all your friends, wife, children, they are but earthen vessels, and the consideration of this would exceedingly help you, if you would settle it on your heart. Therefore say, what a fool was I? I did not remember, they were but a flower, a vapour, and a shadow: for so the Scripture calls them. And shall a man take on, because a vapour is scattered, and a flower withered, and a shadow vanished? Therefore remember, that to be unchangeable is proper to God alone: and to be changeable is as proper to the creature, as to him to be immutable.
For, first, The forgetfulnesse of the mutabilitie ⟨p. 104⟩of the creature causeth us to expect more from it then is in it. Secondly, This expectation raiseth our affections unto the creature: hence it is, that we set our affections too much vpon them, and delight too much in them. Thirdly, Strong affections, when they are set vpon the creature, doe alwayes bring forth strong afflictions: for what is the reason of all the griefe, that we undergoe from day to day? Is it not, because our affections are set upon changeable objects, vpon the creatures? And therefore when they are changed, then there is a change in the mind: whereas if thou didst looke alone upon the unchangeable GOD, this would keepe thee from worldly care and sorrow, this would preserve in thee evenesse and aequability of minde. Therefore take heed of forgetting this, that to be unchangeable, is proper to God alone; Therfore set thy affections vpon none but him: and if thou wilt doe so, thou shalt allwayes injoy a constant security of mind, as if a man were in the uppper region, where there is no change of weather, when as belowe here, there is one day foule, another faire; so that if a man could live with GOD, and walke with him, and have his conversation in heaven, he should not be subject to such change: whereas if a man set his minde upon earthly things, he shall be still subject to perturbations and unevenesse. All griefe of mind comes from hence, that thou lookest for unchangeablenesse from the creature, where it is not to be had. If thou wouldest looke up to God, ⟨p. 105⟩thou shalt find all things a like there, there is no change with him. When an earthen pot is broken, it doth not much trouble you, for you remember it to be but an earthen pot: now every thing here below, all your friends, wife, children, they are but earthen vessels, and the consideration of this would exceedingly helpe you, if you would settle it on your heart. Therfore say, what a foole was I? I did not remember, they were but a flower, a vapour, and a shadow: for so the Scripture calls them. And shall a man take on, because a vapour is scattered, and a flower withered, and a shadow vanished? Therefore remember, that to bee unchangeable is proper to God alone: and to be changeable is as proper to the creature, as to him to be immutable.
