CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

3. Consider this, that one great end why God hath thrown so many bitter roots in every thing here below, why there are so many sad exercises and afflicting troubles, it is to seek after eternal life. Thou hast not perfect health, thou hast not full content, every day hath some evil or other, and why is all this? because eternal life should be desired by thee. God seeth thy mouth cannot be brought off from sucking the breasts of the creatures, therefore they are rubbed with wormwood to wean thee. As God therefore suffered the Egyptians to afflict and oppress the Israelites, that so they might be weary of Egypt, and long for Canaan, thus it is here, God makes this world a valley of tears and fears, a valley of death, there is no ground but some worm or other devoureth it, and all this, that thou shouldst long for an haven, who art tossed in this restless sea of the world: Look then upon all the afflictions, pains, miseries, or whatsoever bitter thing it be that thou art to grapple with, and say, The Lord doth this to make me undervalue these things below, it's to make me esteem a better life. If every thing were here as I would have it, heaven would not be so welcome: Had the Prodigal not met with husks and extreme hardship,¹ he would not have resolved to go back to his Father again. Think and practise these things, so wilt thou be greatly affected with eternity: And to encourage thee herein, consider the blessed effects which a lively meditation of eternity, accompanied with a firm faith, will put thee upon.

3. Consider this, that one great end why God hath thrown so many bitter roots in every thing here below, why there are so many sad exercises and afflicting troubles, it is to seek after eternall life. Thou hast not perfect health, thou hast not full content, every day hath some evil or other, and why is all this? because eternall life should be desired by thee. God seeth thy mouth cannot be brought off from sucking the breasts of the creatures, therefore they are rubbed with wormwood to wean thee. As God therefore suffered the Egyptians to afflict and oppresse the Israelites, that so they might be weary of Egypt, and long for Canaan, thus it is here, God makes this world a valley of tears and fears, a valley of death, there is no ground but some worm or other devoureth it, and all this, that thou shouldst long for an haven, who art tossed in this restlesse sea of the world: Look then upon all the afflictions, pains, miseries, or whatsoever bitter thing it be that thou art to grapple with, and say, The Lord doth this to make me undervalue these things below, it's to make me esteem a better life. If every thing were here as I would have it, heaven would not be so wellcome: Had the Prodigall not met with husks and extream hardship,