Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell,…Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell,…

Secondly, men of this world for the most part in the attainment and exercise of learning and knowledge propose to themselves, and finally rest upon many bastard, base, and degenerate ends: as, pleasure of curiosity, quiet of resolution, refining and raising the spirit, ability of discourse, victory of wit, gain of profession, ornament, and reputation, inablement for employment and business. Thus whereas variety and depth of knowledge should properly and principally serve to prepare, fit, and furnish the soul wherein it is seated: First, for a higher degree, and a greater measure of sanctification in it self: secondly, to do GOD more excellent and glorious service: Thirdly, to do more nobly in Ephratha, and be more famous in Bethlehem: I mean, by an edifying and charitable influence to illuminate and better all about them: The most learned men have these worthy ends, and comply exactly with the world: hunting only after by their knowledge, and aspiring towards (as their utmost aims) certain second prizes: as though they laboured only by their learning to find (as one says well:) a couch whereupon to rest, a searching ⟨p. 181⟩and a restless spirit: or a terrace for a wandering and variable mind, to walk up and down with a fair prospect: or a tower of state, for a proud mind to raise it self upon: or a fort or commanding ground for strife and contention: or a shop for profit or sale: and not a rich store-house for the glory of the Creator, and the relief of mans estate. And so by the abuse and misapplying of it, they put their great engine, very powerful either for excellency of good, or excess of ill, as it takes, into the Devils hands for the enlarging and advancement of his kingdom: and turn the edge of it to the dangerous hurt of others: and so by consequent and by accident, it proves a mighty bar to keep CHRIST and His kingdom out of their hearts.

Secondly, men of this world for the most part in the attainement and exercise of learning and knowledge propose to themselves, and finally rest upon many bastard, base, and degenerate ends: as, pleasure of curiosity, quiet of resolution, refining and raising the spirit, ability of discourse, victory of wit, gaine of profession, ornament, and reputation, inablement for imployment and businesse. Thus whereas variety and depth of knowledge should properly and principally serve to prepare, fit, and furnish the soule wherein it is seated: First, for a higher degree, and agreater measure of sanctification in it selfe: secondly, to do GOD more excellent and glorious service: Thirdly, to do more nobly in Ephratha, and be more famous in Bethlehem: I meane, by an edifying and charitable influence to illuminate and better all about them: The most learned men have these worthy ends, and comply exactly with the world: hunting onely after by their knowledge, and aspiring towards (as their utmost aimes) certaine second prizes: as though they laboured onely by their learning to find (as one sayes well:) a cowch whereupon to rest, a searching