and therefore I would willingly know, how it is possible for any outward troubles or trya•s, to make a breach upon a Christians happiness. Doubtless Job was as happy 1when he sate upon the Dunghill without a rag on his back, or a penny in his purse, as he was when he sate Chief, and 2dwelt as a King in the Army. If God be the most perfect ⟨p. 73⟩Being, then to enjoy him and resemble him, is our greatest perfection. If God be the best of Beings, then our communion with him, and fruition of him, must be our greatest glory and highest felicity. Let what will befall our outward 3man, as long as our union and communion with God holds good, as long as our precious and immortal souls are in a safe and flourishing condition; as long as the Springs of Grace, of holiness, of comfort, of assurance, rises in our souls, we are happy, and no outward miseries can make us miserable. There is, saith one, Bona Throni, and there is Bona Scabelli, 4there is goods of the Throne, as God, Christ, the Spirit, Grace, the favour of God, pardon of sin, peace of conscience, &c. And there is goods of the footstool, as food, raiment, house, honours, riches, trade, credit, and all bodily conveniences and accommodations. Now it was not in the power of the flames, to burn up the goods of the Throne; they still remain safe and secure to you: all that the flames could reach too, was only the goods of the footstool, the lumber of this world. And therefore what cause have you to bear up cheerfully, quietly, sweetly and contentedly, under all your crosses and losses, trials and troubles. They which adorn 5themselves with Gold (saith one) and think themselves bettered thereby, are worse than Gold, and no Lords of it, as all should be. He is poor (saith Another) whose soul is void of Grace, not whose coffers are empty of money. By these short hints, you may clearly see, that the people of God are never the worse, for all their losses; they are as happy now they are houseless, moneyless, breadless, friendless, tradeless, as ever they were, when they were most surrounded with all the comforts of this life. Woe, woe, would be to the people of God, if their happiness should hang upon the comforts of this world, which like a Ball are tossed from man to man; a Ball of fire, a storm at Sea, a false Oath, a subtle enemy, a treacherous friend, may easily deprive a man of all his earthly blessings at a clap.
and therefore I would willingly know, how it is possible for any outward troubles or trya•s, to make a breach upon a Christians happiness. Doub•less Job was as happy 1when he sate upon the Dunghil without a ragg on his back, or a penny in his purse, as he was when he sate Chief, and 2dwelt as a King in the Army. If God be the most perfect ⟨p. 73⟩Being, then to enjoy him and resemble him, is our greatest perfection. If God be the best of Beings, then our communion with him, and fruition of him, must be our greatest glory and highest felicity. Let what will befall our outward 3man, as long as our union and communion with God holds good, as long as our precious and immortal souls are in a safe and flourishing condition; as long as the Springs of Grace, of holiness, of comfort, of assurance, rises in our souls, we are happy, and no outward miseries can make us miserable. There is, saith one, Bona Throni, and there is Bona Scabelli, 4there is goods of the Throne, as God, Christ, the Spirit, Grace, the favour of God, pardon of sin, peace of conscience, &c. And there is goods of the footstool, as food, raiment, house, honors, riches, trade, credit, and all bodily conveniencies and accommodations. Now it was not in the power of the flames, to burn up the goods of the Throne; they still remain safe and secure to you: all that the flames could reach too, was only the goods of the footstool, the lumber of this world. And therefore what cause have you to bear up cheerfully, quietly, sweetly and contentedly, under all your crosses and losses, trials and troubles. They which adorn 5themselves with Gold (saith one) and think themselves bettered thereby, are worse than Gold, and no Lords of it, as all should be. He is poor (saith Another) whose soul is void of Grace, not whose coffers are empty of money. By these short hints, you may clearly see, that the people of God are never the worse, for all their losses; they are as happy now they are houseless, monyless, breadless, friendless, tradeless, as ever they were, when they were most surrounded with all the comforts of this life. Wo, wo, would be to the people of God, if their happiness should hang upon the comforts of this world, which like a Ball are tost from man to man; a Ball of fire, a storm at Sea, a false Oath, a subtle enemy, a treacherous friend, may easily deprive a man of all his earthly blessings at a clap.
- 1Job 2.
- 2Jo•. 29. 25.
- 3Omne bonum, in summo bono.
- 4Augustine.
- 5Clemens Alexandrinus. Gregory the Great.Cl•mens Alexandrinus. Gr•gory the Great.
