The Fountain of Life Opened

Inference 2.

¹With what weaned affections should the people of God walk up and down this world, content to live, and willing to die. For things present are theirs if they live, and things to come are theirs if they die. Paul expresses himself in a frame of holy indifferency. Phil. 1.23. Which to choose I know not. Many of them that are now in fruition of their inheritance above, had vitam in patientia, mortem in desiderio, life in patience, and death in desire, while they tabernacled with us. Oh (cried one) what would I give to have a bed made to my wearied soul in Christs bosom. — I cannot tell you what sweet pain, and delightful torments are in his love. I often challenge time for holding us asunder; I profess to you, I have no rest till I be over head and ears in Loves Ocean. If Christs Love (that fountain of delights) were laid open to me as I would wish; O how drunken would this my soul be! I half call his absence cruel; and the mask and veil on his face a cruel covering, that hideth such a fair, fair face from a •ick soul. I dare not challenge himself, but his absence is a mountain of Iron upon my heavy heart. O when shall we meet! How long is it to the dawning of the ⟨p. 189⟩marriage day! O sweet Lord Jesus, take wide steps. O my Lord come over mountains at one stride! O my beloved flee like a Roe, or young Hart upon the mountains of separation! O if he would fold the Heavens together like an old cloak; and shovel time, and days out of the way; and make ready in hast the Lambs wife for her husband! Since he looked upon me, my heart is not mine own.

¹With what weaned affections should the people of God walk up and down this world, content to live, and willing to die. For things present are theirs if they live, and things to come are theirs if they die. Paul expresses himself in a frame of holy indifferencie.