A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

to affect an universal privation of these lower goods, even whilst you enjoy them; to give perishing things, perishing thoughts, esteem, and desires; to bid farewell to all things, so far as they are a snare to you, or a sacrifice that God calls for. Again, the world commands you to endeavour the greatening of your names and reputation: But Christ commands you to glory in nothing but his Cross; to account abasement for Christ your greatest Honour. Lastly the world commandeth you not to be scrupulous about small sins; but to take your liberty, and latitude: But Christ commandeth you to dread the least sin more than the greatest suffering. Now, how contrary and Inconsistent are these Masters in their Commands? Is it possible then, that we should be Masters of such contrary Loves? O! how doth love to the world eat out love to God?

to affect an universal privation of these lower goods, even whilst you enjoy them; to give perishing things, perishing thoughts, esteem, and desires; to bid farewell to all things, so far as they are a snare to you, or a sacrifice that God calls for. Again, the world commands you to endeavour the greatning of your names and reputation: But Christ commands you to glory in nothing but his Cross; to account abasement for Christ your greatest Honour. Lastly the world commandeth you not to be scrupulous about small sins; but to take your liberry, and latitude: But Christ commandeth you to dread the least sin more than the greatest suffering. Now, how contrary and Inconsistent are these Masters in their Commands? Is it possible then, that we should be Masters of such contrary Loves? O! how doth love to the world eat out love to God?

(2) Predominant Love to the world is inconsistent with the Love of God, in that it robs God of that Love and Honour, which is due to him as the Sovereign Chiefest Good. according to what measure the heart turns to the world and its concerns, in the same measure it turns from God and his concerns. When the heart is full of the world, how soon is all sense of, and love to God choked? how is the Mind bemisted, an Will charmed with the painted heart-bewitching shadows of the World? This was Israel's Case,