The saints everlasting rest

Sometimes a sincere man begins to be lifted up with applause; and sometimes being in health and prosperity, he hath lost his relish of Christ, and the joys above; till GOD break in upon his riches, and scatter them abroad, or upon his children, or upon his conscience, or upon the health of his body, and break down his mount which he thought so strong: and then when he lieth in Manasseh's fetters, or is fastened to his bed with pining sickness, O what an opportunity hath the Spirit to plead with his soul! When the world is worth nothing, then heaven is worth something.

Sometimes a sincere man begins to be lifted up with applause; and sometimes being in health and prosperity, he hath lost his relish of Christ, and the joys above; till GOD break in upon his riches, and seatter them abroad, or upon his children, or upon his conscience, or upon the health of his body, and break down his mount which he thought so strong: and then when he lieth in Manassah's fetters, or is fastened to his bed with pining sickness, O what an opportunity hath the Spirit to plead with his soul! When the world is worth nothing, then heaven is worth something.

How oft have I been ready to think myself at home, till sickness hath roundly told me, I was mistaken! And how apt yet to fall into the same disease, which prevaileth till it be removed by the same cure! If our dear Lord did not put these thorns into our bed, we should sleep out our lives, and lose our glory.

3. Consider, afflictions are GOD'S most effectual means, to keep us from straggling out of the way to our rest. If he had not set a hedge of thorns on the right hand, and on the left, we should hardly keep the way to heaven: if there be but one gap open without these thorns, how ready are we to turn out at it? But when we cannot go astray, but these thorns will prick us, perhaps we will be content to hold the way. When we grow wanton, or worldly, or proud; what a notable means is sickness, or other affliction, to reduce us? It is every christian, as well as Luther, that may call affliction one of his best school-masters. Many a one, as well as David, may say by experience, Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy precepts. Many a thousand poor recovered sinners may cry, O healthful sickness! O comfortable sorrows! O gainful losses! O enriching poverty! O blessed day, that ever I was afflicted! It is not only the pleasant streams, and the green pastures, but his rod and staff also that are our comfort. Though I know it is the word and Spirit that do the work; yet certainly the time of suffering is so opportune a season, that the same word will take them then, which before was scarce observed: it doth so unbolt the door of the heart, that a minister or a friend may then be heard, and the word may have easier entrance to the affections.