The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

1. He that is a worldling, or a voluptuous flesh pleaser, and savoureth nothing but the things of the flesh, will think himself undone, when his pleasure, and plenty, and honour with men, is taken away. Nothing maketh men grieve for the loss of any worldly commodity, so much as the over-loving of it. It is Love that seeketh it when you are in hope, and Love that mourneth when you are in want, as well as Love which delighteth in it when you possess it: As sick men use to love health better than those that never felt the want of it; so it is too ⟨p. 497⟩common with poor men to love riches better than the rich that never needed: (And yet, poor souls, they deceive themselves, and cry out against the rich, as if they were the only lovers of the world, when they love it more themselves, though they cannot get it.) Never think of bearing affliction with a patient and submissive mind, as long as you over-love the things which affliction taketh from you: For the loss of them will tear those hearts which did stick so inordinately to them.

2. And if you grow to an undervaluing of Holiness, you can never be reconciled to afflicting providence. For it is for our profit that God correcteth us; but for what profit? that we may be partakers of his holiness, Heb. 12.10, 14. If therefore you undervalue that which is Gods end, and goeth for your gain, you will never think that you are gainers or savers by his rod. In correction God doth as it were make a bargain with you; he will take away your riches, or your friends, or your health, and he will give you (if you refuse it not) increase of patience, and mortification in the stead of them: he will exchange so much heavenly-mindedness, for so much of the treasures or pleasures of the world. And now, if you do not like the bargain, if really you had rather have more health, than more holiness; more of the world, than more heavenly-mindedness; more fleshly pleasure, than more mortification of fleshly desires, you will never then like the correcting hand of God, nor rightly profit by it: You will grudge at his dealing, and wish that you were out of his hand, and in your own; and that your estates, and health, and friends, were not at his disposal, but at yours; and you will lose the offered benefit, because you value it not, and accept it not as it is offered you.