The crucifying of the world

Name me one man if you can, that rejoiceth in his worldly prosperity now, and speaketh well of it, who rejoiced in it, and spoke well of it two hundred years ago! Its a child indeed that would have an house builded by every fine flower that he seeth in his way, and forgetteth his home, his friends and his inheritance! When its two to one but the flower will be withered, before his house be finished, and the pleasure will not answer the trouble and cost. Indeed if the world were a better place, then that which we are going to, I could not then blame any to desire to keep it as long as they can: And yet if it were so, the certainty of our removal should make us less regard it, and look more to the place where we must evermore remain. Much more when our home doth exceed this world in worth, as much as in continuance. Its folly enough to set a mans heart upon the fairest Inn that is in his way; but to prefer a swine-sty before a Palace where his Father dwells and his inheritance doth lie, is somewhat worse then mere ⟨p. 117⟩folly: and its meet that such be used according to their choice. Its meet indeed that we be patient in our Wilderness, and murmur not at God for the sufferings that it casteth us upon. But to love it better then the promised Land, and to think or speak hardly of our happiness it self, and those that would lead us to it, this is unreasonable. The Israelites were never so foolish as to build Cities in the Wilderness, as desiring to make it their fixed habitations; but contented themselves with moveable tents. What a curse were it if God should put you off with earth, and give you no other treasure and felicity, but what it can afford. You might well then look on your Inheritance as Hiram did on his twenty Cities in Galilee, 1 King. 9. 11, 12. and disliking it, call it the Land of Cabul. It is the description of miserable wicked men to have their portion in this life▪ Psalm 17. 14. Suppose you had the most that you can expect in the world; would you be contented with this as your portion? What is that you would have, and which you make such a stir for? Would you have larger possessions, more delightful dwellings, repute with men, the satisfying of your lusts? &c. Dare you take all this for your portion if you had it? Dare you quit your hopes of the life to come for such a portion? You dare not say so, nor do it expressly;