Divine meditations and holy contemplations. By that reverend divine R. Sibbes D.D. Master of…Divine meditations and holy contemplations. By that reverende divine R. Sibbes D.D. Master of…

All things out of God, are but grass; when we §293joy in any thing out of God, it is a childish joy, as if we joyed in Flowers, that after we have drawn out the sweetness, we cast them away, all outward things are common to Castaways as well as to us; and ⟨p. 217⟩without Grace they will prove snares; at the hour of death what comfort can we have in them, further than we have had humility and love to use them well: Therefore if we would have our hearts seasoned with true joy, lets labour to be faithful in our places, and endeavour according to the gifts we have to glorify God.

All things out of God, are but grasse; when wee §293joy in any thing out of God, it is a childish joy, as if wee joyed in Flowers, that after we have drawne out the sweetnesse, we cast them away, all outward things are cōmon to Castawayes as well as to us; and ⟨p. 217⟩without Grace they will provesnares; at the houre of death what comfort can wee have in them, further than we have had humilitie and love to use them well: Therefore if wee would have our hearts seasoned with true joy, lets labour to be faithfull in our places, and endeavour according to the gifts wee have to glorifie God.

To glory in any thing §294whatsoever, is Idolatry, because the mind sets up a thing to glory in, which is not God; secondly, its spiritual adultery to cleave to any thing more than God: thirdly, its false witness bearing to ascribe excellency where ⟨p. 218⟩there is none, we have a prohibition; Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the rich man in his riches: God will not give his glory to another; and therefore when men will be meddling with glory, which belongs to God alone, he blasts them, and sets them aside, as broken vessels, and disdains to use them.