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

2. Here is matter of doleful Lamentation, that in days of so much Light, and Profession of love to God, Men should so much abuse themselves and the world, by over loving of it. O that painted shadows, and dirty clay should run a way with our love! is it not a deplorable case, that the golden pleasures of this Idol world should find so much room in our hearts? yea, what matter of humiliation is this, that professors of Love to God should lavish away so much time, study, care and affection on this perishing world? Would it not make any serious heart to bleed, when it considers, how much the professors of this age are conformable to the fashions, humours, and lusts of this world? O! what an abominable thing is it, that professors should fall down and worship this great Idol the world? that the sons of God should commit folly with this old Whore, which the sons of men have lusted after so many thousand years? alas! what chains and fetters are there in the world's blandishments? what real miseries? in all her seeming felicities? what do all her allurements serve for, but to hide Satan's baits? who are they that are most in love with the world, but those that least know it? Alas! how little can this world add to, or take from out happiness? what hath this world to feed our Love, but smoke and wind?

2. Here is matter of doleful Lamentation, that in days of so much Light, and Profession of love to God, Men should so much abuse themselves and the world, by over loving of it. O that painted shadows, and dirty clay should run a way with our love! is it not a deplorable case, that the golden pleasures of this Idol world should find so much room in our hearts? yea, what matter of humiliation is this, that professors of Love to God should lavish away so much time, study, care and affection on this perishing world? Would it not make any serious heart to bleed, when it considers, how much the professors of this age are conformable to the fashions, humors, and lusts of this world? O! what an abominable thing is it, that professors should fall down and worship this great Idol the world? that the sons of God should commit folly with this old Whore, which the sons of men have lusted after so many thousand years? alas! what chains and fetters are there in the world's blandishments? what real miseries? in all her seeming felicities? what do all her allurements serve for, but to hide Satan's baits? who are they that are most in love with the world, but those that least know it? Alas! how little can this world add to, or take from out happiness? what hath this world to feed our Love, but smoak and wind?