The saints everlasting rest

But a far greater grief it is to our spirits, to see the spiritual miseries of our brethren: to see such an one, with whom we took sweet counsel, now falling ⟨p. 67⟩off to sensuality, turned drunkard, worldling, or a persecutor, and these trying times have given us too large occasion for such sorrows: to see our dearest friends turned aside from the truth of Christ, and confident in the flesh continue their neglect of Christ and their souls, and nothing waking them out of their security; and to think how certainly they shall be in hell for-ever, if they die in their present state: and will it not be a blessed day, when we shall rest from all these sorrows? When the people shall be all righteous, even the work of GOD's hands, the branch of his planting, that he may be glorified? Thus shall we rest from our participation of our brethren's sufferings.

6. We shall rest from all our personal sufferings. And though this may seem a small thing to those that live in continual ease, and abound in all kind of prosperity; yet methinks, to the daily afflicted soul, it should make the fore-thoughts of heaven delightful: and I think I shall meet with few of the saints, but will say, that this is their own case.

Though we are reconciled by the blood of the covenant, and the price is paid for our full deliverance; yet our Redeemer sees fit to leave this measure of misery upon us, to mind us of what we would else forget; to be serviceable to his wise and gracious designs, and advantageous to our full and final recovery. As all our senses are the inlets of sin; so they are the inlets of sorrow. Grief creeps in at our eyes, at our ears, and almost every where: it seizeth upon our head, our hearts, our flesh, our spirits: and what part doth escape it? fears devour us, and darken our delights, as the frost nips the buds: cares feed upon our our spirits, as the scorching sun doth wither the delicate flowers. Or, if any hath fortified his inwards against these, yet he is naked still without.