A30241:1924
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, It surpasseth in dignity; for this Joy is in God himself, it is in the highest good that can be. There cannot be a greater cause or motive to rejoice in; but as for the creatures, they are broken cisterns, they are limited in their comforts, they have their vexations as well as their delights, but above all they are below man; He debaseth himself, when he taketh delight in these sublunary things; they were made for him, not he for them: It is as ridiculous, as if a man should delight in children's baby-clouts: Oh ⟨p. 411⟩do thou remember of whom thou art born, and thou wilt take the best things to rejoice in.
Thirdly, It surpasseth in dignity; for this Joy is in God himself, it is in the highest good that can be. There cannot be a greater cause or motive to rejoyce in; but as for the creatures, they are broken cysterns, they are limited in their comforts, they have their vexations as well as their delights, but above all they are below man; He debaseth himself, when he taketh delight in these sublunary things; they were made for him, not he for them: It is as ridiculous, as if a man should delight in childrens baby-clouts: Oh ⟨p. 411⟩do thou remember of whom thou art born, and thou wilt take the best things to rejoyce in.
Fourthly, Heavenly Joy surpasseth in the certainty of it. The joy which God createth in the soul cannot be taken away by any, but God himself; Though sickness come, though poverty come, though afflictions arise, yet all these cannot take away his joy, yea in death it self many times he doth most abound and overflow, whereas all worldly joy under such calamities are turned into wounds, into howlings and tremblings, so that they know not what to do.
Fourthly, Heavenly Joy surpasseth in the certainty of it. The joy which God createth in the soul cannot be taken away by any, but God himself; Though sicknesse come, though poverty come, though afflictions arise, yet all these cannot take away his joy, yea in death it self many times he doth most abound and overflow, whereas all worldly joy under such calamities are turned into wounds, into howlings and tremblings, so that they know not what to do.