She is arrived at the everlasting Rest, where the burden of corruption, the contradictions of the flesh, the molestations of the Tempter, the troubles ⟨p. 59⟩of the world, and the injuries of malicious men, are all kept out, and shall never more disturb her peace. She hath left us in these storms, who have more cause to weep for our selves and for our Children that have yet so much to do and suffer, and so many dangers to pass through, than for the Souls that are at Rest with Christ. We are capable of no higher hopes than to attain that state of blessedness which her Soul possesseth: And shall we make that the matter of our lamentation as to her, which we make the matter of our hopes as to our selves? Do we labour earnestly to come thither, and yet lament that she is there? You will say, It is not because she is clothed upon with the house from Heaven, but that she is unclothed of the flesh: But is there any other passage than Death unto immortality? Must we not be unclothed, before the garments of Glory can be put on? She bemoaneth not her own dissolved Body: The glorified Soul can easily bear the corruption of the flesh: And if you saw but what the Soul enjoyeth, you would be like minded, and be moderate in your griefs. Love not your selves so as to be unjust and unmerciful in your desires to your friends! Let Satan desire to keep them out of Heaven, but do not you desire it. You may desire your own good, but not so as to deprive your friends of theirs; yea of a greater good, that you may have a lesser by it. And if it be their company that you desire in reason you should be glad that they are ⟨p. 60⟩gone to dwell where you must dwell for ever, and therefore may for ever have their company: Had they stayed on earth, you would have had their company but a little while, because you must make so short a stay your selves. Let them therefore begin their journey before you, and grudge not that they are first at home, as long as you expect to find them there. In the mean time, he that called them from you, hath not left you comfortless: He is with you himself, who is better than a Mother, or than ten thousand friends: When grief or negligence hindereth you from observing him, yet he is with you, and holdeth you up, and tenderly provideth for you: Though turbulent passions injuriously question all his Love, and cause you to give him unmannerly and unthankful words;
She is arrived at the everlasting Rest, where the burden of corruption, the contradictions of the flesh, the molestations of the Tempter, the troubles ⟨p. 59⟩of the world, and the injuries of malicious men, are all kept out, and shall never more disturb her peace. She hath left us in these storms, who have more cause to weep for our selves and for our Children that have yet so much to do and suffer, and so many dangers to pass through, than for the Souls that are at Rest with Christ. We are capable of no higher hopes than to attain that state of blessedness which her Soul possesseth: And shall we make that the matter of our lamentation as to her, which we make the matter of our hopes as to our selves? Do we labour earnestly to come thither, and yet lament that she is there? You will say, It is not because she is cloathed upon with the house from Heaven, but that she is uncloathed of the flesh: But is there any other passage than Death unto immortality? Must we not be uncloathed, before the garments of Glory can be put on? She bemoaneth not her own dissolved Body: The glorified Soul can easily bear the corruption of the flesh: And if you saw but what the Soul enjoyeth, you would be like minded, and be moderate in your griefs. Love not your selves so as to be unjust and unmerciful in your desires to your friends! Let Satan desire to keep them out of Heaven, but do not you desire it. You may desire your own good, but not so as to deprive your friends of theirs; yea of a greater good, that you may have a lesser by it. And if it be their company that you desire in reason you should be glad that they are ⟨p. 60⟩gone to dwell where you must dwell for ever, and therefore may for ever have their company: Had they stayed on earth, you would have had their company but a little while, because you must make so short a stay your selves. Let them therefore begin their journy before you, and grudge not that they are first at home, as long as you expect to find them there. In the mean time, he that called them from you, hath not left you comfortless: He is with you himself, who is better than a Mother, or than ten thousand friends: When grief or negligence hindereth you from observing him, yet he is with you, and holdeth you up, and tenderly provideth for you: Though turbulent passions injuriously question all his Love, and cause you to give him unmannerly and unthankful words;
