Use 4. To pity the miserable blind world, that know not where true comfort, Use 4 joy and strength is to be found, that see no beauty in the ways of God,1 and feel no sweetness in communion with him, that find no pleasure in closets, but play-houses, which Tertullian called the Devil's Churches, that cry out with Esau, they have enough. Alas! what enough can be in the Creature,2 unless of dunghills, rattles and vanities? Oh how ignorant of Heavenly treasures, of that fountain of mercies, whereof prayer drinks and refreshes the spirit of a Saint! That know not that blessed enough whereof Jacob speaks,3 that Ocean of all things to be found in God. Now Europe's in flames, and the ark in danger: he cares not though the one be burnt, and the other in ashes, so he be safe. But if his concerns catch fire, he knows not to repair but(f) to Endor or Ekron. Such have no acquaintance with, no help from God, no interest in the keeper of souls. The world's a deplorable hospital, the great Lazar-house of sick, lame and impotent persons, as Gerson terms it,5 that have no face nor heart to go to the physician of souls.
Ʋse 4. To pity the miserable blind world, that know not where true comfort, Ʋse 4 joy and strength is to be found, that see no beauty in the ways of God,1 and feel no sweetness in communion with him, that find no pleasure in closets, but play-houses, which Tertullian call'd the Devil's Churches, that cry out with Esau, they have enough. Alas! what enough can be in the Creature,2 unless of dunghils, rattles and vanities? Oh how ignorant of Heavenly treasures, of that fountain of mercies, whereof prayer drinks and resreshes the spirit of a Saint! That know not that blessed enough whereof Jacob speaks,3 that Ocean of all things to be found in God. Now Europe's in flames, and the ark in danger: he cares not though the one be burnt, and the other in ashes, so he be safe. But if his concerns catch fire, he knows not to repair but(f) to Endor or Ekron. Such have no acquaintance with, no help from God, no interest in the keeper of souls. The world's a deplorable hospital, the great Lazar-house of sick, lame and impotent persons, as Gerson terms it,5 that have no face nor heart to go to the physician of souls.
- 1Gen. 27.27.
- 2Gen. 33.9. Tertul. de spect. c. 25.26.
- 3Gen. 33.11. [Greek or Hebrew] mibi omnia.Gen. 33.11. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 mibi omnia.
- (f)1 Sam. 28.7. 2 King. 1.2.
- 5Gers. To. 2.76, 6.
