LOSS
He has received God to be his treasure, and his heart and his treasure too he has sent
on ahead. On the other side of the river all his joys and all his treasures are to be
found. Here he looks upon his earthly joys as things that are lent him—borrowed
comforts. If his children die, he does not wonder: he knew that they were not
immortal. If his friends are taken away, he is not astonished: he understood that
they were born of women, and therefore would die like the rest. If his wealth takes to
itself wings, he does not marvel: he knew that it was a bird of passage, and he is not
astonished when, like the swallows, it flies elsewhere. 764.437
Oh sheep, there is no wool on your back but what will come off; child of God, there is
no comfort in your possession but what will either leave you, or you will leave it.
Nothing is our own except our God. 1543.355
So now let us refresh ourselves with the thoughts of what we have, and forget what
we have lost. Let us think of what is laid up for us, and forget the penury of our
estate below. 1825.111