2^6 Meditations and Observations* TheologicaS

only because they' are unsatisfactory, deceitfull, and inconsi.stint, but because in the indisposition in our selves; they arelike the eating of honey toasswage the boyling of achollerickftomack, a little pleasing to the tast, but much increasing boththe pame anddanger of the disease.

XXV.

When a hath once lost her sting,(be may trouble a whilewith her buzzing and violent striking, but can doe no furtherMr .Robtrti on hurt ; so afflctions and troubles,whole sting is pulled out in thei jo Pfilm. things that Christ suffered and was conqutrour for the Elect.

I fay, the sting of harme is taken out of the crosses that Godsendeth for the humbling of his Children or Church. And theyare sent to feare them, not to destroy them, as the destructionsthat come on the ungodly with their sting in them.

XXVI.

Mr. Hmik , Set your mind and thoughts on heavenly things, which areThcorie and able to fatissie you ; else like the Bee, you wiH flie from placepratt.of pray- t0 p| acC; because earthly things doe not fatissie you.

XXVII.

Most men will commend the Bee when they seed of her ho-ney, and perhaps with some cost and trouble seek her preserva-tion, but if (he once cause a little smart with her sting,then thefare quickly out of patience, and exclaime as much against her,and will be at no further paines and cost for her safety: So manymen will be content to serve God, as long as they may withal!advantage themselves but to serve him and deny themselves, isMas. to. *i. * worke which they have not learned. Ephraim loveth to treadtut tkr corns) faith the Prophet; you know the mouth of theOxe was not to be musled that trod out the Come, he had hisworke and reward together.

XXVIII.

When honey is expressed from the combes, if there be aay