Chap.2,8. an Expofition ,upon tke Book of ] o a. Vert. when this is made the commendation of our love to God, that we love himmore then gold andhiver. But though we have no caufe to wonder, yet we have much cauîe to lament, while we fee the tons of men thus bufiedin the earth, and in love with earthly things. How fad is it to fee fo ma- ny venture the perifhingof their mortal bodies, muchmore of their immortal fouls, inPeeking things which perifh ? How fad is it to fee their hunger after this prey, carrying them into paths which the Lyons whelp never trod, nor the fierce Lyonever paf- fed? How fad is it to fee fuck diggingand fearchìng for flver and gold,whilc that is negle6ted which is better thengold,evendura- ble fub¡tance ? How fad is it to fee men overcoming all difficul- ties and laughing at all dangers to get gold, when as every diffi- culty flops their fearch after heavenly creatures. If,aflood (fhali I fay) break out upon them, nay, if but a few drops of trouble fall upon them, theyhavedone prefently ;,and, if a rock, or amoun- tain ((hall I Cay) be in the way, nay, if buta pebble flame or mole- hill of oppohcioa be in their way,they will goe no further ; O how far are they from cutting rocks, or labouring to remove moun- tains l How fad is it to feemen(lighting the fhadow of death in their fearch for gold, and yet affraidof deaths fhadow, even the remorefl appearance of death in their fearchesafter God ? what a fhame is it to fee men pifs not only through the fhadowof death, but through death indeed, for dying.or rather lìfelefsthings, and yet to be affraid of 4ieatbs Mallow, in following the things of eternal life l When the fluggard fhould goe on in his way,he will Auriegodiendi net, for (faith he (Pro. 26. a 3.)Tbere is Lyon in the way ; eve- oario opera vi ry thew of danger is to. him a Lyon, though poffibly it canendan- cerirgigantum ger him nomore then a. moufe. What a ,fhame and reproach is it Plin.1. 33. to mankinde, that whereas in reeking gold and Giver, men have t exceeded all the fabulous labours of theold giants, by their real labours, that yet men in feekiug grace and glory, a6 fo muchbe- low even dwarfs and pigmyes ? Be exhorted therefore, not to think any paines too much, or perils too great for the things of heaven, teeing men think no pains too much,, nor perils perilous for the things of the earth. Thevery labour inPeeking heavenly creature is very Tweet , but the enjoymentof them is infinitely fweeterowhereas the labour of feekingfor earthly treafures,isvery tir.efome,andthe veryenjoy-.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=