1. This great World, with all the Parts and Creatures of which 'tis composed, has an inherent Goodness and Perfection convenient to the End for which 'twas formed by the Creator, and that was to be useful and comfortable to Man in the Service of God. There is no Pestilence and Contagion in the nature of things, that are pleasing to our Faculties: they are dangerous, not as made by God, but as managed by Satan. They do not pervert the Minds of Men from any noxious inherent qualities, but as they are corrupted by Concupiscence. Upon this account St. John dehorting Christians from the Love of the World, as inconsistent with the Love of God, gives this reason of it, *For all that is in the World▪ the lust of the ⟨p. 8⟩Flesh, the lust of the Eyes, and the pride of Life, is not of the Father, but is of the World. He signifies the Objects, Riches, Honours, and Pleasures, by the vicious Affections, that make them deadly to Men. The Poison is not in the Flower, but in the Spider. And the Apostle speaking of the purifying Virtue of the Gospel, says, That *exceeding great and precious Promises are given to us, that by these we may be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the Corruption that is in the World through Lust. This is evident by visible experience: for many Holy Men have enjoyed temporal Blessings without the offence of God; and have been more holy and heavenly in themselves, more beneficial and good to others by his Mercies: whilst the Sensual, like the Ocean ⟨p. 9⟩that changes the sweet Showers of Heaven into its salt Quality, turn the Divine Blessings into Provision for their brutish Lusts. It appears therefore that this Contrariety of Effects is not to be attributed to the quality of worldly things that is always uniform and alike, but to the different Dispositions of the Persons that use them. As the same Food is healthful or hurtful, as the Stomach is clear or foul that receives it: In some it renews the Blood and Spirits, strengthens and preserves Life; in others it increases the sickly Matter, feeds the Disease, and brings Death more painfully and speedily.
1. This great World, with all the Parts and Creatures of which 'tis compos'd, has an inherent Goodness and Perfection convenient to the End for which 'twas form'd by the Creator, and that was to be useful and comfortable to Man in the Service of God. There is no Pestilence and Contagion in the nature of things, that are pleasing to our Faculties: they are dangerous, not as made by God, but as managed by Satan. They do not pervert the Minds of Men from any noxious inherent qualities, but as they are corrupted by Concupiscence. Upon this account St. John dehorting Christians from the Love of the World, as inconsistent with the Love of God, gives this reason of it, *For all that is in the World▪ the lust of the ⟨p. 8⟩Flesh, the lust of the Eyes, and the pride of Life, is not of the Father, but is of the World. He signifies the Objects, Riches, Honours, and Pleasures, by the vicious Affections, that make them deadly to Men. The Poison is not in the Flower, but in the Spider. And the Apostle speaking of the purifying Vertue of the Gospel, says, That *exceeding great and precious Promises are given to us, that by these we may be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the Corruption that is in the World through Lust. This is evident by visible experience: for many Holy Men have enjoyed temporal Blessings without the offence of God; and have been more holy and heavenly in themselves, more beneficial and good to others by his Mercies: whilst the Sensual, like the Ocean ⟨p. 9⟩that changes the sweet Showres of Heaven into its salt Quality, turn the Divine Blessings into Provision for their brutish Lusts. It appears therefore that this Contrariety of Effects is not to be attributed to the quality of worldly things that is always uniform and alike, but to the different Dispositions of the Persons that use them. As the same Food is healthful or hurtful, as the Stomach is clear or foul that receives it: In some it renews the Blood and Spirits, strengthens and preserves Life; in others it increases the sickly Matter, feeds the Disease, and brings Death more painfully and speedily.
- *1 John 2. 16.
- *2 Pet. 1. 4.
