The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…

3. God sendeth affliction, to wean our hearts from too much loving this world and worldly vanities; and to cause us the ⟨p. 379⟩more earnestly to desire and long for^* Eternal Life. For as the Children of Israel (had they not been ill entreated in Egypt ) would never have been so willing to go towards Canaan: so (were it not for the crosses and afflictions of this life) God's Children would not so heartily long, and willingly desire for the Kingdom of Heaven. For, we see many Epicures that would be content to forego Heaven, on condition that they might still enjoy their earthly Pleasures; and (having never tasted the joys of a better) how loth are they to depart this life? Whereas the Apostle (that saw^* Heavens glory) tells us, that there is no more comparison betwixt the joys of eternal life, and the Pleasures of this world, than there is betwixt the filthiest dung and the pleasantest meat; or betwixt the stinkingest^† Dunghill, and the fairest Bed Chamber. As therefore a loving Nurse puts […] or Mustard on the Breast, to make the Child the rather to forsake the […]: so God mixeth sometimes • affliction with the pleasures and prosperity of […], lest (like the Children of this […] ration) they should forg•• God, and fall into too much love of this […] sent evil World; and so by Riches grow proud; by Fame insolent; […] liberty wanton, and ^†[…] against the Lord, when they […]. For if God's Children love the World so well when (like a curst Step-mother) she mis• seth ⟨p. 380⟩and strikes us, how should we love this Harlot, if she smiled upon us, and stroked us, as she doth her own worldly Brats? Thus doth God (like a wise and loving Father) embitter with crosses the pleasures of this life to his Children, that (finding in this earthly state no true and permanent joys) they might sigh and long for eternal life, where firm and everlasting joys are only to be found.