A discourse about the state of true happiness delivered in certain sermons in Oxford,…A discourse about the state of true happinesse deliuered in certaine sermons in Oxford,…

Hence it is that all profane and unregenerate men, wanting the curb of a sober and sanctified conscience, have ever infinite advantage, for getting the start and precedency, in compassing the comforts, glory, and preferments of the world. For they, when the achievement of any honour, happiness or high place is on foot, advise presently with th• ordinary informers, and counsellors of their conscience, custom, example, multitude, worldly wisdom, the sway of the times and such like: but with the word of God and godly Christians, only so far as they do not cross their ends, and contradict those plots and contrivances which they have laid for their advancement unto high rooms. And thus they may pass with reasonable quietness, without grudging or grieving of a conscience so guided, through a ⟨p. 120⟩a thousand corruptions and indirections, baseness, flatteries, sinful engagements, unwarrantable courses. Any of which, if it should meet with a conscience once soundly frighted with horror of former sins, softened and sanctified by the blood of the Lamb, would not only rub off the skin and gall it, but make it bleed to death. But worldly men are at a point, they must and will enjoy the world; for here they have their portion and heaven. They esteem it their greatest happiness to be admired and adored above others; and therefore venture upon whatsoever unlawful and indirect procurements, which may bring them to high places: rather then they will be defeated and disappointed in the pursuit of worldly happiness, they will through, whether it be thick or thin, right or wrong, force or fraud, stain of reputation, or wound of conscience; Simony or flattery, friend or foe all is one: though in the mean time they strike their own poor souls through with many sorrows; though when they are most glorious in their own conceit, & in the •ie of the world; in the just censure of God, Angels, and sound Christians they be most vile & contemptible: and indeed in this seeming sun-shine of worldly prosperity, they treasure up unto themselves strange fears and astonishments, snares, fire and brimstone, and stormy tempests against their latter end.

Hence it is that all prophane and vnregenerate men, wanting the curbe of a sober and sanctified conscience, haue euer infinite aduantage, for getting the start and precedencie, in compassing the comforts, glory, and preferments of the world. For they, when the atchieuement of any honour, happinesse or high place is on foot, aduise presently with th ordinarie informers, and counsellers of their conscience, custome, example, multitude, worldly wisedome, the sway of the times and such like: but with the word of God and godly Christians, onely so farre as they doe not crosse their ends, and contradict those plots and contriuances which they haue laid for their aduancement vnto high roomes. And thus they may passe with reasonable quietnes, without grudging or grieuing of a conscience so guided, thorow a