Secondly, As we have not yet obtained our end, so are we in the midst of labours and dangers; and is there any resting here? What painful work doth lie upon our hands? Look to our Brethren, to godly, to ungodly, to the Church, to our souls, to God; and what a deal of work in respect of each of these, doth lie before us? and can we rest in the midst of all our labours? Indeed, we may take some refreshing, and ease our selves sometimes in our troubles; if you will call that Rest: But that's not the settling Rest we now are speaking of; we may rest on Earth, as the Ark is said to have rested in the midst of Jordan, Josh. 3.13. A short and small Rest, no question; or as the Angels of Heaven are desired to turn in, and rest them on Earth, Gen. 18.4. They would have been loath to have taken up their *dwelling there. Should Israel have settled his Rest in the Wilderness, among Serpents, and enemies, and weariness, and famine? Should Noah have made the Ark his home, and have been loth to come forth when the waters were fallen? Should the Mariner choose his dwelling on the Sea? and settle his rest in the midst of Rocks and Sands, and raging Tempests? ⟨p. 566⟩though he may adventure through all these, for a Commodity of worth; yet I think he takes it not for his rest. Should a Soldier rest in the midst of fight? when he is in the very thickest of his enemies? and the instruments of death compass him about? I think he cares not how soon the battle is over: And though he may adventure upon war for the obtaining of peace, yet I hope he is not so mad, as to take that instead of Peace. And are not Christians such Travellers, such Mariners, such Soldiers? Have we not fears within, and troubles without? are we not in the thickest of continual dangers? we cannot eat, drink, sleep, labour, pray, hear, confer, &c. but in the midst of snares and perils? and shall we sit down and rest here? O Christian, follow thy work, look to thy dangers, hold on to the end, win the field, and come off the ground, before thou think of a settling rest. I read indeed that Peter on the mount, when he had seen a glimpse of Glory, said, Its good for us to be here. But sure when he was on the Sea, in the midst of waves, he doth not then say, Its good to be here▪ No, then he hath other language, Save Master, we perish.
Secondly, As we have not yet obtained our end, so are we in the midst of labors and dangers; and is there any resting here? VVhat painful work doth lie upon our hands? Look to our Brethren, to godly, to ungodly, to the Church, to our souls, to God; and what a deal of work in respect of each of these, doth lie before us? and can we rest in the midst of all our labors? Indeed, we may take some refreshing, and ease our selves sometimes in our troubles; if you will call that Rest: But thats not the setling Rest we now are speaking of; we may rest on Earth, as the Ark is said to have rested in the midst of Jordan, Josh. 3.13. A short and small Rest, no question; or as the Angels of Heaven are desired to turn in, and rest them on Earth, Gen. 18.4. They would have been loath to have taken up their *dwelling there. Should Israel have setled his Rest in the VVilderness, among Serpents, and enemies, and weariness, and famine? Should Noah have made the Ark his home, and have been loth to come forth when the waters were faln? Should the Marriner chuse his dwelling on the Sea? and settle his rest in the midst of Rocks and Sands, and raging Tempests? ⟨p. 566⟩though he may adventure through all these, for a Commodity of worth; yet I think he takes it not for his rest. Should a Souldier rest in the midst of fight? when he is in the very thickest of his enemies? and the instruments of death compass him about? I think he cares not how soon the battle is over: And though he may adventure upon war for the obtaining of peace, yet I hope he is not so mad, as to take that instead of Peace. And are not Christians such Travellers, such Marriners, such Souldiers? Have we not fears within, and troubles without? are we not in the thickest of continual dangers? we cannot eat, drink, sleep, labor, pray, hear, confer, &c. but in the midst of snares and perils? and shall we sit down and rest here? O Christian, follow thy work, look to thy dangers, hold on to the end, win the field, and come off the ground, before thou think of a setling rest. I read indeed that Peter on the mount, when he had seen a glimpse of Glory, said, Its good for us to be here. But sure when he was on the Sea, in the midst of waves, he doth not then say, Its good to be here▪ No, then he hath other language, Save Master, we perish.
- *Quum transierit tempus pugnae, & venerit pax illa quae praecellit omnem intellectum, (quantumcunque enim cogitaverit de pace illa, minus eam capit animus in ista corporis gravedine constitutus) cum venerit inquam illa pax & patria, jam domus erit Deo, qui in pugna tabernaculum. Non procedemus ad pugnandum, sed permanebimus ad loudandum. Quid enim decitur de illa domo? Beati qui habitant in domo tua, Domine, in secula seculorum laudabunt te. In tabernaculo adhuc gemimus; in domo landabimus. Quare? Quia gemitus est peregninantium, laudatio jam in patria & in domo commorantium. Qui in illam intrant ut inhabitent, ipsi sunt qui intrant ut inhabitentur. In domum tuam intra ut inhabites: In domum Dei ut inhabiter is. Est enim melior Domus: qui cum te caeperit inhabitare, beatum te facit. Nam si tu ab illo non habitaris, miseres. August. in Psal 26. & 31.
