A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

It is only Serious Godliness that can any whit really abate the Vanity Prop. III that cleaves to every Condition. Other things, may like Topical Medicines (as Plasters to the Wrists) repel the Disease, but while they do not remove the cause, they cannot Cure it: We may exchange one Vanity for another, and the Novelty may please us for a while, but when that is over, the Vexation returns. 'Tis true, God alone can cure us; but what ever method he takes to do it, whether of Indulgence, or Severity, 'tis always by framing the Heart and Life to Serious Godliness; to hate Sin, and love Holiness, to live a Life of Faith, in dependence upon God and resignation to him; to live above the transports of hopes and fears, about things temporal; and to grow up in the Graces and Comforts of the Holy Ghost for things Eternal: In short, to be Blessings to the World while we live, and to be Blessed with God when we dye; this is the business, and fruit of Serious Godliness: And this alone is that which at present can effectually abate the vexatious Vanities which every Condition swarms with.

It is onely Serious Godliness that can any whit really abate the Vanity Prop. III that cleaves to every Condition. Other things, may like Topical Medicines (as Playsters to the Wrists) repell the Disease, but while they do not remove the cause, they cannot Cure it: We may exchange one Vanity for another, and the Novelty may please us for a while, but when that is over, the Vexation returns. 'Tis true, God alone can cure us; but what ever method he takes to do it, whether of Indulgence, or Severity, 'tis alwayes by framing the Heart and Life to Serious Godliness; to hate Sin, and love Holiness, to live a Life of Faith, in dependance upon God and resignation to him; to live above the transports of hopes and fears, about things temporal; and to grow up in the Graces and Comforts of the Holy Ghost for things Eternal: In short, to be Blessings to the World while we live, and to be Blessed with God when we dye; this is the business, and fruit of Serious Godliness: And this alone is that which at present can effectually abate the vexatious Vanities which every Condition swarms with.

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,