The crucifying of the world

Direct. 9.

BE very suspicious of a prosperous state, and be more afraid of the world when it smiles, then when it frowns. Some are much perplexed for fear left they should not stand in adversity, that too little fear being ensnared by prosperity. They are afraid what they should do in a time of trial, and do not consider, that prosperity is the great trial. Adversity doth but show that love of the world, which was in mens hearts in time of prosperity. When men forsake Christ for fear of suffering, and because they will not forsake the world, they do but show the effects of that disease, which they had catched long before. When the world pleased them they fell so deep in love with it, that now they will venture their souls to keep it. It is prosperity that breeds the disease, though adversity show it. Love not the world, and you will easily part with it, and so will easily suffer for Christ: And prosperity is liker to tice your Love to it, then adversity. This is a great reason why worldly Prosperity and true Holiness do so seldom go together: and so few of the great ones of the world are saved. O how hard is it to have the world at will, and not to be ensnared by it and over-love it? How hard is it heartily and practically to contemn a prosperous ⟨p. 164⟩condition! How hard to have serious lively thoughts of the great things of eternity, and serious preparations for death and judgement, when we have health, and wealth, and all the accommodations which our flesh doth desire! Satan knows this well enough: and therefore he is willing that his servants shall have prosperity. He knows that it is not the way to get him servants, to beat them and use them hardly, but to please them by flatteries, and fulfil their lusts, that they may be enticed to imagine▪ his service to be the best. Its the custom of harlots to set out themselves to the best, and to adorn themselves for the tempting of their lovers; and not to go in an homely dress, which no one will be taken with. No wonder then if Satan the Pander of the world, do adorn it with the best clothes, and present it to you in the most enticing garb he can. If the lips of this harlot did not drop as an honey-comb, and her mouth were not smoother then yl; she could not lead such multitudes to her end, which is bitter as wormwood, and sharp as a two-edged sword; her feet go down to death, her steps take hold of hell;