Chap. 16.] EXEMPLIFIED.. 263 rest. When shall I arrive at that safe and quiet harbor, where there are none of these storms, waves and dangers ; when I shall never more have a weary, restless night or day ? Then my life will not be such a mixture of hope and fear, of joy and sorrow ; nor shall flesh and spirit be combating within hie ; nor faith and unbelief, humility and pride, maintain a continual conflict. O whenshall I be past these soul-tor- menting fears, and cares, and griefs ? When shall I be out of this soul-contradicting, ensnaring, deceitful flesh ; this corruptible body, this vain, vexatious, world ? Alas, that I must stand and see the church and cause of Christ tossed about in contention, and made subservient to private inte- rests or deluded fancies ! There is none of this disorder in the heavenly Jerusalem ; there I shall find a harmonious concert of perfected spiri`.°,, obeying and praising their ever- lasting King. Ohow much better to be a door-keeper there, than the commander of this tumultuous world ! Why am I no more weary of this weariness ? . Why do I so forget my resting-place ? Up, then, O my soul, in thy most raised and fervent desires ! Stay not till this flesh can desire with thee ; expect not that sense should apprehend thy blessed object, and tell thee when and what to desire. Doth not the dulness of thy desires after rest accuse theeof most detestable ingra- titude and folly? Must thy Lord procure thee a rest at so dear a rate, and dost thou no more value it ? Must he go before to prepare so glorious a mansion for such a wretch, and art thou loath to go and possess it ? Shall the Lord of glory be desirous of thy company, and thou not desirous of his ? Must earth become a very hell to thee, before thou art willing to be with God? Behold the most lovely creature, or the most desirable state,and tell me, where wouldst thou be, if not with God ? Poverty is a burden ; riches a snare ; sickness unpleasing ; health unsafe; the frowning world bruises thy heel; the smilingworld stings thee to the heart; so much as the world is loved and delighted in, it hurts and en- dangers the lover ; and if it maynot be loved, why should it be. desired? Ifthou art applauded, it proves the most contagious breath ; if thou art vilified, or unkindly used, methinks this should not entice thy love. If thy successful labors, and thy godly friends, seem better to thee than a life with God, it is time for God to take them from thee. If thy studies have been sweet, have they not also been bitter ? And, at best,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=