Doth this Rest remain? How great then is our sin and folly, to seek and expect it here? Where shall we find the Christian that deserves not this Reproof? Surely we may all cry guilty to this accusation. We know not how to enjoy convenient Houses, Goods, Lands and Revenues; but we seek Rest in these enjoyments. We seldom, I fear, have such sweet and heart contenting thoughts of God, and Glory, as we have of our earthly delights. How much Rest do the voluptuous seek, in Buildings Walks, Apparel, Ease, Recreations, Sleep, pleasing Meats and Drinks, merry Company, Health and Strength, and long Life? Nay, we can scarce enjoy the necessary Means that God hath appointed for our Spiritual good, but we are seeking Rest in them. Do we want Minister, Godly Society, or the like helps? O, think we, if it were but thus and thus with us, we were ⟨p. 560⟩well. *Do we enjoy them? O, how we settle upon them, and bless our selves in them, as the rich fool in his wealth? Our Books, our Preachers, Sermons, Friends, Abilities for Duty? do not our hearts hug them, and quiet themselves in them, even more then in God? Indeed, in words we disclaim it, and God hath usually the preeminence in our tongues, and professions; but its too apparent, that its otherwise in our hearts, by these Discoveries. First, Do we not desire these more violently, when we want them, then we do the Lord himself? Do we not cry out more sensibly, O, my Friend, my Goods, my Health! then, O my God! Do we not miss Ministry, and Means more passionately, then we miss our God? Do we not bestir our selves more to obtain and enjoy these, then we do to recover our communion with God? Secondly, Do we not delight more in the Possession of these, then we do in the fruition of God himself? Nay, be not those mercies and duties, most pleasant to us, wherein we stand at greatest distance from God? We can read, and study, and confer, preach and hear, day after day, without much weariness, because in these we have to do with Instruments and Creatures; but in secret Prayer, and conversing with God immediately, where no Creature interposeth; how dull? how heartless and weary are we? Thirdly, And if we lose Creatures or Means, doth it not trouble us more then our loss of God? If we lose but a friend, or health, &c. all the Town will hear of it; but we can miss our God, and scarce bemoan our misery.
DOth this Rest remain? How great then is our sin and folly, to seek and expect it here? Where shall we finde the Christian that deserves not this Reproof? Surely we may all cry guilty to this accusation. We know not how to enjoy convenient Houses, Goods, Lands and Revenues; but we seek Rest in these enjoyments. We seldom, I fear, have such sweet and heart contenting thoughts of God, and Glory, as we have of our earthly delights. How much Rest do the voluptuous seek, in Buildings Walks, Apparel, Ease, Recreations, Sleep, pleasing Meats and Drinks, merry Company, Health and Strength, and long Life? Nay, we can scarce enjoy the necessary Means that God hath appointed for our Spiritual good, but we are seeking Rest in them. Do we want Minister, Godly Society, or the like helps? O, think we, if it were but thus and thus with us, we were ⟨p. 560⟩well. *Do we enjoy them? O, how we settle upon them, and bless our selves in them, as the rich fool in his wealth? Our Books, our Preachers, Sermons, Friends, Abilities for Duty? do not our hearts hug them, and quiet themselves in them, even more then in God? Indeed, in words we disclaim it, and God hath usually the preheminence in our tongues, and professions; but its too apparent, that its otherwise in our hearts, by these Discoveries. First, Do we not desire these more violently, when we want them, then we do the Lord himself? Do we not cry out more sensibly, O, my Friend, my Goods, my Health! then, O my God! Do we not miss Ministry, and Means more passionately, then we miss our God? Do we not bestir our selves more to obtain and enjoy these, then we do to recover our communion with God? Secondly, Do we not delight more in the Possession of these, then we do in the fruition of God himself? Nay, be not those mercies and duties, most pleasant to us, wherein we stand at greatest distance from God? We can read, and study, and confer, preach and hear, day after day, without much weariness, because in these we have to do with Instruments and Creatures; but in secret Prayer, and conversing with God immediately, where no Creature interposeth; how dull? how heartless and weary are we? Thirdly, And if we lose Creatures or Means, doth it not trouble us more then our loss of God? If we lose but a friend, or health, &c. all the Town will hear of it; but we can miss our God, and scarce bemoan our misery.
- *These must be delighted in; but as means only to help us to God, not as a happiness to content us without God.These must be delighted in; but as means onely to help us to God, not as a happiness to content us without God.
