Brooks: The Way to Happiness is Full of Thorns

“Ah Christians, since they have crowned your head with thorns, there is no reason why you should expect to be crowned with rosebuds. “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33), “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22) As there was no way to paradise but by the flaming sword, nor no way to Canaan but through a wilderness; so there is no way to heaven but by the gates of hell, there is no way to a glorious exaltation but through a sea of tribulation. They do but dream and deceive their own souls who think to go to heaven upon beds of down, or in a soft and delicate way, or that think to be attended to glory with mirth and music, or with singing or dancing. The way to happiness is not strewed with roses, but full of thorns and briers, as those of whom this world was not worthy have experienced.”

— Thomas Brooks (1608–1680)