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[ 1289] How it is, that a Man may be said to abuse the lawfull comforts of this life.
IT is a good observation that is made upon that place of Iob 38. 22. where God thus challengeth Iob,* 1.1 Hast thou entred into the Treasures of Snow, or hast thou seen the treasures of the Hail? Where the Observator noteth out, That all the Comforts of this world are but like the treasures of Snow; Do but take a handful of Snow, and crush it in your hands, it will melt away presently; but if you let it lie upon the ground,* 1.2 it will continue for some time: And so it is with the things of this world, If you take the comforts of this life in your hands, and lay them too near your hearts in affection and love to them, they will quickly melt and vanish away from you; but if you leave them in their proper place, and do not set an inordinate affecti∣on upon them, they will continue the longer with you; As if you should line a garment with linnen▪ it would do very well; but if you line it with pitch or glew, that will stick fast to the body, and in all likelihood, spoil both the garment and the Man that wears it; So when the world is glewed to your hearts, it spoils the comforts of all the Mercies that you enjoy;* 1.3 and so it may be said, that the other∣wise lawful use of them is abused, when they are either used too afflectionately in making Gods of them, or being too eagerly bent in the gaining of them, Iam. 4. 13.