The Saints' Everlasting Rest

and when delightful, it is but sugared misery and deceit: The sweetest poison doth oft bring the surest death. So much as the world is loved and delighted in, so much it hurteth and endangereth the lover; and if it may not be loved, why should it be desired? If thou be applauded, it proves the most contagious breath; and how ready are the sails of Pride to receive such winds? so that it frequently addeth to thy sin, but not one cubit to the stature of thy worth: And if thou be vilified, slandered or unkindly used, methinks this should not entice thy love! Never didst thou sit by the fire of prosperity and applause, but thou hadst with it the smoke that drew water from thy eyes; never hadst thou the Rose without the pricks; and the sweetness hath been expired, and the beauty faded, before the scars which thou hadst in gathering it, were healed. Is it not as good be without the honey, as to have it with so many smarting stings? The highest delight thou hast found in any thing below, hath been in thy successful labours, and thy godly friends: And have these indeed been so sweet, as that thou shouldst be so loth to leave them? If they seem better to thee, then a life with God, it is time for God to take them from thee! Thy studies have been sweet, and have they not been also bitter? My mind hath been pleased, but my body pained; and the weariness of the flesh, hath quickly abated the pleasures of the Spirit. When by painful studies I have not discovered the truth, it hath been but a tedious way to a grievous end; discontent and trouble purchased by toilsome wearying labours▪ And if I have found out the truth (by Divine assistance) I have found but an exposed naked Orphan, that hath cost me much to take in and clothe, and ⟨p. 830⟩keep; which (though of noble birth, yea, a Divine off-spring, and amiable in mine eyes, and worthy I confess of better entertainment, yet) from men that knew not its descent, hath drawn upon me their envy, and furious opposition; and hath brought the blinded Sodomites (with whom I lived at some peace before) to crowd ^*about me, and assault my doors, that I might prostitute my heavenly Guests to their pleasure, and again expose them, whom I had so gladly and lately entertained;

and when delightful, it is but sugered misery and deceit: The sweetest poyson doth oft bring the surest death. So much as the world is loved and delighted in, so much it hurteth and endangereth the lover; and if it may not be loved, why should it be desired? If thou be applauded, it proves the most contagious breath; and how ready are the sails of Pride to receive such winds? so that it frequently addeth to thy sin, but not one cubit to the stature of thy worth: And if thou be vilified, slandered or unkindly used, methinks this should not entice thy love! Never didst thou sit by the fire of prosperity and applause, but thou hadst with it the smoke that drew water from thy eyes; never hadst thou the Rose without the pricks; and the sweetness hath been expired, and the beauty faded, before the scars which thou hadst in gathering it, were healed. Is it not as good be without the honey, as to have it with so many smarting stings? The highest delight thou hast found in any thing below, hath been in thy successful labors, and thy godly friends: And have these indeed been so sweet, as that thou shouldst be so loth to leave them? If they seem better to thee, then a life with God, it is time for God to take them from thee! Thy studies have been sweet, and have they not been also bitter? My minde hath been pleased, but my body pained; and the weariness of the flesh, hath quickly abated the pleasures of the Spirit. VVhen by painful studies I have not discovered the truth, it hath been but a tedious way to a grievous end; discontent and trouble purchased by toilsom wearying labors And if I have found out the truth (by Divine assistance) I have found but an exposed naked Orphan, that hath cost me much to take in and cloath, and