The wisest man in the World cannot tell what is good for man in this Life: No man can tell what worldly Condition is better for him, than that which is his present Condition. Among the variety of things under the Sun, which the Heart of man is apt to be drawn out unto, neither he himself nor any other for him, is able certainly to inform him, which of all those 'tis best for him to enjoy, and to reap Comfort from: Whether it be better for him to be rich or poor, high or low, in private retirement or in public service. Some mens greatness hath undone them, they had never been so wicked, ⟨p. 8⟩had not their Wealth been fuel for their Lusts: Ahithophel might have lived longer, had he not been so wise. No man can tell, whether that he snatcheth at with most greediness, have not a hook under the Bait, or be not tempered with Poison. Those that live by Rapine and Violence, Prov. 1.18. They lay wait for their own blood, they lurk privily for their own lives. But you'll say, these are hotheaded Persons, live extravagantly, walk by no Rule, don't take time to consider: well, turn your Eyes from these, to those that are most accomplished for humane wisdom and knowledge; Rom. 1.22. Professing themselves to be Wise, they became Fools; drowning their some way right (though every way short) Notions they had of God, in unreasonable Idolatry: You'll say, these were but Heathens, and therefore no marvel, if they did not like to retain God in their Knowledge, 'tis better with Christians: Look next upon Christians, and those of the highest Notions and form of Godliness (on this side the Power of it,) 2 Pet. 2.18, 19, 21. While they speak great swelling words of Vanity (about that they call Christian Liberty) they themselves are the Servants of Corruption; and it had been better for them never to have known the way of Righteousness, than not to have walked in it. Well, but for all this, Job tells us of some (of even the worst of men) that account themselves so happy, as if they needed nothing from God to better their Condition; but he tells you withal in the same breath, Job 21.15, 16. Lo, their good is not in their hand, though they think it is; they have not their Fortune (as they call it) in their own power, to retain it while they live, and dispose of it when they dye; God can overturn it when he pleaseth, and will do it to their Sorrow:
The wisest man in the World cannot tell what is good for man in this Life: No man can tell what worldly Condition is better for him, than that which is his present Condition. Among the variety of things under the Sun, which the Heart of man is apt to be drawn out unto, neither he himself nor any other for him, is able certainly to inform him, which of all those 'tis best for him to enjoy, and to reap Comfort from: Whether it be better for him to be rich or poor, high or low, in private retirement or in publick service. Some mens greatness hath undone them, they had never been so wicked, ⟨p. 8⟩had not their Wealth been fuel for their Lusts: Achitophel might have lived longer, had he not been so wise. No man can tell, whether that he snatcheth at with most greediness, have not a hook under the Bait, or be not tempered with Poyson. Those that live by Rapine and Violence, Prov. 1.18. They lay wait for their own blood, they lurk privily for their own lives. But you'l say, these are hotheaded Persons, live extravagantly, walk by no Rule, don't take time to consider: well, turn your Eyes from these, to those that are most accomplisht for humane wisdom and knowledge; Rom. 1.22. Professing themselves to be Wise, they became Fools; drowning their some way right (thô every way short) Notions they had of God, in unreasonable Idolatry: You'l say, these were but Heathens, and therefore no marvel, if they did not like to retain God in their Knowledge, 'tis better with Christians: Look next upon Christians, and those of the highest Notions and form of Godliness (on this side the Power of it,) 2 Pet. 2.18, 19, 21. While they speak great swelling words of Vanity (about that they call Christian Liberty) they themselves are the Servants of Corruption; and it had been better for them never to have known the way of Righteousness, than not to have walkt in it. Well, but for all this, Job tells us of some (of even the worst of men) that account themselves so happy, as if they needed nothing from God to better their Condition; but he tells you withall in the same breath, Job 21.15, 16. Lo, their good is not in their hand, thô they think it is; they have not their Fortune (as they call it) in their own power, to retain it while they live, and dispose of it when they dye; God can overturn it when he pleaseth, and will do it to their Sorrow:
