Preparation for sufferings. Or The best work in the worst times Wherein the necessity,…

It is as much our interest, as it is our duty to be seasonably awakened out of our pleasant, but most pernicious drowsiness. Troubles will be so much the more sinking ⟨image 4⟩and intolerable, by how much they steal upon us by way of surprisal. For look as expectation deflowreth any temporal comfort, by sucking out much of the sweetness thereof before hand, and so we find the less in it when we come to the actual enjoyment: So the expectation of evils abates much of the dread and terror, by accustoming our thoughts before hand to them; and making preparation for them: so that we find them not so grievous, amazing and intolerable when they are come indeed.

It is as much our interest, as it is our duty to be seasonably avvakned out of our pleasant, but most pernicious drovvziness. Troubles will be so much the more sinking ⟨image 4⟩and intollerable, by how much they steal upon us by vvay of surprizal. For look as expectation deflowreth any temporal comfort, by sucking out much of the sweetness thereof before hand, and so we find the less in it when we come to the actual enjoyment: So the expectation of evils abates much of the dread and terrour, by accustoming our thoughts before hand to them; and making preparation for them: so that we find them not so grievous, amazing and intolerable when they are come indeed.

This was exemplified to us very lively by holy Mr. Bradford the Martyr, when the Keepers Wife came running into his Chamber saying, O Mr. Bradford, I bring you heavy Tidings, for to morrow you must be burned, your Chain is now buying, and presently you must go to Newgate. He put off his Hat, and looking up to Heaven said, O Lord I thank thee for it. I have looked for this a long time: it comes not suddenly to me, the Lord make me worthy of it: See in this Example the singular ⟨image 5⟩advantage of a prepared and ready soul.