Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

Now to apply this more closely to the present Subject: 'tis visible by the Conversation of Men in the World, that their Aims, their Appetites, their Endeavours are terminated in the World: their Souls cleave to it, the Train and Tendency of their Actions leads to it. A superficial Tincture of Religion, a Complemental Visit to God sometimes in public Worship, contents the most; but their Thoughts, their Time and Strength are spent to obtain and enjoy the present World; for 'tis esteemed their main Interest, and Heaven is only sought by the by, as an Accession to their Felicity. Now we usually approve and affect things according to common Opinions and Practice, tho unreasonable and exorbitant. The Psalmist speaking of the gathering uncertain Riches, observes, this their way is their Folly, yet their Posterity approve ¹their Sayings: they imitate the Folly ⟨p. 215⟩of their Progenitors, tho fatal to them. Men are vain in their Minds, and secure in their Sins, by Conformity to the numerous Examples that encompass them. Nay, a regenerate Man by conversing with the unregenerate World, is in danger to be tainted in his Judgment, and to be irregular in his Affections to Earthly Things: he is apt to conceive so highly, and to frame such glorious and goodly Ideas of Worldly Excellencies, that his Desires are inflamed to attain them, and proportionably he is chilled and controlled in the Alacrity and Vigour of his Endeavours after heavenly things. Thus as a fresh-Water River by its nearness to the Sea has a brackish Taste; so even the Citizens of Heaven are prone to be Earthly-minded, by their Society with the Children of this World. 'Tis the wise and earnest Advice of the Apostle, Be not conformed to ⟨p. 216⟩this World, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your Minds, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect Will of God. The Corruption of the World has deeply seized upon us since to purge it away; a Man must be melted anew and transformed into another Creature. So difficult it is for a Carnal Man to resist the united Force and potent Sway of corrupt Nature and Custom.

Now to apply this more closely to the present Subject: 'tis visible by the Conversation of Men in the World, that their Aims, their Appetites, their Endeavours are terminated in the World: their Souls cleave to it, the Train and Tendency of their Actions leads to it. A superficial Tincture of Religion, a Complemental Visit to God sometimes in publick Worship, contents the most; but their Thoughts, their Time and Strength are spent to obtain and enjoy the present World; for 'tis esteem'd their main Interest, and Heaven is only sought by the by, as an Accession to their Felicity. Now we usually approve and affect things according to common Opinions and Practice, tho unreasonable and exorbitant. The Psalmist speaking of the gathering uncertain Riches, observes, this their way is their Folly, yet their Posterity approve