2. In that blessed Place there is a freedom from all afflicting Evils, that are numberless here. The present World is a labyrinth of Thorns, in every state we meet with something to vex us. You may as well count the Waves of the Sea when enraged by a Tempest, as the troubles to which in this mortal open state we are exposed.1 Man that is born of a Woman, is of few days, and full of trouble. A short life, and many miseries.2 O our unhappy capacity! the Body is liable to as many Diseases as there are Members; and the Soul to as many perplexities as passions. How often are ⟨p. 67⟩the scenes and habits changed in the time of one Man? He that lives in pleasures, must act the Mourner's part. Our sweetest comforts have hidden stings: and whatever is most pleasing may occasion bitter grief. And usually holy Men have a greater portion of afflictions here: sometimes by the malignity and violence of the wicked; as under the Law, the Lamb and the Dove were Sacrifices, the Emblems of Innocence, and Purity, and Meekness, whilst the Vulture and the Lion the greedy devourers escaped. This the Apostle declares of the Elect, They are predestinated to be conformed to the Image of God's Son, who traced out the way to Heaven in his own Blood, and by the Cross ascended to the Throne. Sometimes more immediately Divine Providence afflicts them, to preserve ⟨p. 68⟩their Spirits from the tainted pleasures of the World, and other Holy Ends: but there is a rest for the People of God in Heaven. Besides, there are Relics of Sin in the best of the Saints here. Indeed Sin is deposed from sovereignty and rule; the imperious Lusts are crucified, but not quite expired. As those that were nailed to the Cross in their hands and feet, the parts least vital and most sensible, died a painful lingering death. Still the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. As there is a complexion of Humours in humane Bodies, always jarring when they are in the soundest health; and where there is not this active contrariety, either the Body is without a Soul, a mere Carcass, or a glorified Body in Heaven. So where there is not ⟨p. 69⟩this internal Combat between Grace and Sin, either the Man is wholly‖ Carnal, dead in sins and trespasses; or wholly spiritual reigning in Heaven. And there is nothing more works on the tender affections of a Saint, than to find in himself what is displeasing to God;
2. In that blessed Place there is a freedom from all afflicting Evils, that are numberless here. The present World is a labyrinth of Thorns, in every state we meet with something to vex us. You may as well count the Waves of the Sea when inraged by a Tempest, as the troubles to which in this mortal open state we are expos'd.1 Man that is born of a Woman, is of few days, and full of trouble. A short life, and many miseries.2 O our unhappy capacity! the Body is liable to as many Diseases as there are Members; and the Soul to as many perplexities as passions. How often are ⟨p. 67⟩the scenes and habits chang'd in the time of one Man? He that lives in pleasures, must act the Mourner's part. Our sweetest comforts have hidden stings: and whatever is most pleasing may occasion bitter grief. And usually holy Men have a greater portion of afflictions here: sometimes by the malignity and violence of the wicked; as under the Law, the Lamb and the Dove were Sacrifices, the Emblems of Innocence, and Purity, and Meekness, whilst the Vulture and the Lion the greedy devourers escap'd. This the Apostle declares of the Elect, They are predestinated to be conform'd to the Image of God's Son, who trac'd out the way to Heaven in his own Blood, and by the Cross ascended to the Throne. Sometimes more immediately Divine Providence afflicts them, to preserve ⟨p. 68⟩their Spirits from the tainted pleasures of the World, and other Holy Ends: but there is a rest for the People of God in Heaven. Besides, there are Reliques of Sin in the best of the Saints here. Indeed Sin is depos'd from sovereignty and rule; the imperious Lusts are crucified, but not quite expir'd. As those that were nail'd to the Cross in their hands and feet, the parts least vital and most sensible, died a painful lingring death. Still the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. As there is a complexion of Humours in humane Bodies, always jarring when they are in the soundest health; and where there is not this active contrariety, either the Body is without a Soul, a mere Carcass, or a glorified Body in Heaven. So where there is not ⟨p. 69⟩this internal Combat between Grace and Sin, either the Man is wholly‖ Carnal, dead in sins and trespases; or wholly spiritual reigning in Heaven. And there is nothing more works on the tender affections of a Saint, than to find in himself what is displeasing to God;
- 1Job 14. 1.
- 2Tempus angustatur ad vitam, dilatatur ad miseriam.
- ‖Omnes homines aut sunt penitus caro, & nihil habent spiritus, ii sunt insidele; sine regeneratione. Aut sunt tantum spiritus sine carne. li sunt sancti; qui jam in Coelo aeterna fruuntur pace sine pugna. Aut sunt partim spiritus, partim caro. li sunt omnes renati per spiritum sanctum in Christo. Aug. cont. Jul.
