The crucifying of the world

1. I know I speak to those (for the most part) that profess to believe a Life to come; but O that you had the honesty to live as you do profess! You durst not put it into your Creed, that you believe that earth is more desirable then Heaven, and that its better seek first after Carnal prosperity and delight, then for the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof. You would be ashamed to say that it is the wisest course first to make provision for the flesh, and to put off God and your salvation with the leavings of the world. And do you think it is not as bad and as dangerous to do so, as to say so? Would it bring you to your journeys end, to be of the Opinion that you should be up and going, as long as you sit still? Right Opinions in Religion are so unlikely to save a man that crosseth them in his practise, that such shall be beaten with many stripes. I had rather be in the case of many a Popish Fryer, that renounceth the world, though in a way that hath many errors, then in the case of many an Orthodox Gentleman that is drowned in the cares and pleasures of this life: Yea I think it will be easier for a Socrates, a Plato, in the day of Judgement, then for such. Christianity is a practical Religion: It is a devoted seeking for another life, ⟨image 8⟩by the improvement and contempt of this: Put not that into your Life, that you are ashamed to put into your Profession or Belief. If you Do as Infidels, you will be as miserable as if you Believed but as Infidels. And Practising a while against your Conscience, may cause God to for sake your judgement also, and give you over to Believe as you Live, because you would not Live as you Believed. And I fear that this is the case of some of you: Nay I have too much reason to know it, that some of our Gentry, even persons of note and honour among us, have forsaken Christ and are turned Infidels; and by the Love of this world, have carnally adhered to it so long, till they are so far forsaken of God, as to think that there is no other Life for them hereafter. God hath an eye on these wretches; and men have an eye on some of them. I shall now leave them in their slippery station, till a fitter opportunity. Some we have of our Nobility and Gentry that are Learned, Studious and Pious, and an honour and blessing to this unworthy Land; or else it were not like to be so well with us as it is.

1. I know I speak to those (for the most part) that profess to believe a Life to come; but O that you had the honesty to live as you do profess! You durst not put it into your Creed, that you believe that earth is more desirable then Heaven, and that its better seek first after Carnal prosperity and delight, then for the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof. You would be ashamed to say that it is the wisest course first to make provision for the flesh, and to put off God and your salvation with the leavings of the world. And do you think it is not as bad and as dangerous to do so, as to say so? Would it bring you to your journeys end, to be of the Opinion that you should be up and going, as long as you sit still? Right Opinions in Religion are so unlikely to save a man that crosseth them in his practise, that such shall be beaten with many stripes. I had rather be in the case of many a Popish Fryer, that renounceth the world, though in a way that hath many errours, then in the case of many an Orthodox Gentleman that is drowned in the cares and pleasures of this life: Yea I think it will be easier for a Socrates, a Plato, in the day of Iudgement, then for such. Christianity is a practical Religion: It is a devoted seeking for another life,