The crucifying of the world

1. It is not to think that the world is indeed Nothing; and that in a proper sense our life is but a dream: Nor yet sceptically to take the being and modes of all things as uncertain: Nor to imagine that sense is so far fallible, that a man of sound sense, and understanding, may not be sure of the objects conveniently presented to his sense. There still remaineth one Argument which the Sceptics were never able to confute, but will make them at any time to yield the cause; Even to scourge them, as fools, till they are sure they feel it. But we have few of these to deal with; the Scepticism of our times being restrained to those things which closelyer concern the matter of salvation.

1. It is not to think that the world is indeed Nothing; and that in a proper sense our life is but a dream: Nor yet sceptically to take the being and modes of all things as uncertain: Nor to imagine that sense is so far fallible, that a man of sound sense, and understanding, may not be sure of the objects conveniently presented to his sense. There still remaineth one Argument which the Scepticks were never able to confute, but will make them at any time to yield the cause; Even to scourge them, as fools, till they are sure they feel it. But we have few of these to deal with; the Scepticism of our times being restrained to those things which closelyer concern the matter of salvation.

2. Nor is it any part of the meaning of this Text, that we should entertain a low and base esteem of the world or any thing ⟨p. 6⟩therein, as in its Natural state considered, it is the work of God. For though man be eminently created in his image, yet all his works are like him in their measure, and therefore have all an excellency to be admired. It cannot be that infinite wisdom can make any thing which shall not have some impressions and demonstrations thereof. Nor can Goodness make any thing but what is Good. And never did the Almighty make any thing that is absolutely contemptible; Nor any thing so mean, which can be done by any other without him; so far unimitable is he in the smallest of his works. Nor did he ever make any thing in vain; but those things which seem small and useless to us, have an unsearchable excellency and usefulness which we know not of. If the unskilful have the modesty to believe, that the smallest string in an Instrument of Music, and the smallest pin in a Watch, have their use, though he know not of it, we have great reason to think as modestly of the frame of all the works of God. And those things that in themselves considered are small, yet respectively and virtually may be very great. The heart may do more to the preservation of life then a part much bigger; and the eye may see more then all the rest of the body besides. And the order, location and respects of several parts, doth give them such an admirable usefulness and excellency, which none can know that seeth not the whole frame.