178 THE SAINT'S II.EST ÍS NOT And what are we, that God's statutes should be re- versed for our pleasure? § 4. (2) Afflictions are exceeding useful to us to keep us from mistaking our rest. A Christian's motion towards heaven is voluntary ; and not con- strained. These means therefore are most profitable, which help his understanding and will. The most dangerous mistake of our souls is, to take the crea- ture for God, and earth for heaven. What warm, affectionate, eager thoughts, have we of the world, till afflictions cool and moderate them ! Afflictions speak convincingly, and will be heard when preachers cannot. Many a poor Christian is sometimes bending his thoughts to wealth, or flesh - pleasing, or applause, and. so loses his relish of Christ, and the joy above ; till God break in- upon his riches, or children, or con- science, or health, or break down his mountain which he thought so strong : and then, when he lieth in Manasseh's fetters, or is fastened to his bed with pin - ing sickness, the world is nothing, and heaven is something. If our dear Lord did not put these thorns under our head, we should sleep out our-lives, and lose our glory. § 5. (3) Afflictions are also God's most effectual means to keep us from losing our way to our rest. Without this hedge of thorns on the right hand and left, we should hardly keep the way to heaven. If there be but one gap open, 'how ready are we to find it, and turn out at it ! When we grow wanton, or . worldly, or proud, how doth sickness or other affliction reduce us ! Every Christian, as well as Lu- ther, may call affliction one of the-best schoolmasters; and with David may say, " Before I was afflicted, I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word. "(y) Many thousand recovered sinners may cry, "O health- ful' sickness ! O comfortable sorrows! O gainful losses.! O enriching poverty ! O blessed day that ever, I was afflicted !" Not only the green pastures, and still waters, but the rod and staff, they comfort (y) Psalm cxix. 67.
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