The divine life in three treatises

And if you have some Ease and Peace at present, you little know what storms are near! you may see the days, you may hear the tidings, you may feel the griping griefs and pains, which may make you call for Death your selves, and make you say that a life on earth is no felicity, and make you confess that they are Blessed that are dead in the Lord, as resting from their labours, and being past these troubles, griefs and fears. Many a poor troubled soul is in so great distress, as that they take their own lives to have some taste of Hell: and yet at the same time, are grieving because their friends are taken from them, who would have been grieved for their griefs, and for ought they know might have fallen into as sad a state as they themselves are now lamenting.

And if you have some Ease and Peace at present, you little know what storms are near! you may see the dayes, you may hear the tydings, you may feel the griping griefs and pains, which may make you call for Death your selves, and make you say that a life on earth is no felicity, and make you confess that they are Blessed that are dead in the Lord, as resting from their labours, and being past these troubles, griefs and fears. Many a poor troubled soul is in so great distress, as that they take their own lives to have some tast of Hell: and yet at the same time, are grieving because their friends are taken from them, who would have been grieved for their griefs, and for ought they know might have fallen into as sad a state as they themselves are now lamenting.

6. Do you think it is for the Hurt or the Good of your friend, that he is removed hence? It cannot be for his Hurt unless he be in Hell. (At least, it is uncertain whether to live would have been for his Good, by an increase of Grace, and so for greater Glory.) And if he be in Hell, he was no fit person for you to take much pleasure in upon earth: He might be indeed a fit object for your compassion, but not for your complacency. Sure you are not undone for want of such company as God will not endure in his sight, and you must be separated from for ever. But if they be in Heaven, you are scarce their friends if you would wish them thence. Friendship hath as great respect to the good of our friends as of our selves. And do you pretend to friendship, and yet lament the removal of your friend to his greatest happiness! Do you set more by your own enjoying his company, then by his enjoying God in perfect blessedness! This showeth a very culpable defect either in Faith or Friendship; and therefore beseemeth not Christians and friends. If Love teacheth us to mourn with them that mourn, and to rejoice with them that rejoice; can it be an act of rational Love to mourn for them that are possessed of the highest everlasting joys?