The Practice of Piety

The 2. sort of Meditations are to consider from what evils death will free thee.

The 2. sort of Meditations are to consider from what euils death will free thee.

IT freeth thee from a corruptible body, which was conceived in the witness of ⟨p. 863⟩flesh, the hear of lust, the stain of sin, and borne in the blood of filthiness: a li•ing prison of the soul, a lively instrument of sin, • very sack of stinking dung: the excrements of whose nostrils, ears, pores, and other passages (duly considered) will seem more loathsome then the uncleanest sink or vault. Insomuch that whereas trees and plants, bring forth leaves, flowers, fruits, and sweet smells; mans body brings forth naturally nothing but lice, worms, rottenness and filthy stench. His affections are altogether corrupted;¹ and the imaginations of his heart are only evil continually. ²Hence it is that the ungodly is not satisfied with ⟨p. 864⟩profaneness, nor the voluptuous with pleasures, nor the ambitious with preferments, nor the curious with preciseness nor the malicious with revenge, nor the lecherous with uncleanness, nor the covetous with gain, nor the drunkard with drinking. New passions and fashions do daily grow: new fears and afflictions do still arise: here wrath lies in wait; there vain-glory vexeth: here pride lifts up, there disgrace casts down; and every one waiteth who shall arise in the ruin of another. Now a man is privily stung with backbiters, like fiery Serpents: anon, he is in danger to be openly devoured by his enemies, like Daniels Lyons. And a godly man,