The crucifying of the world

Its strange to see how highly prosperity is regarded by the most! how earnestly they desire it, pray for it, or contrive it! and how much they are troubled when they fall into adversity; when yet they know, or say they know that the love of the world is the bane of the soul, and that it killeth men by deceiving them. Can you keep your affections as loose from the world, when you have houses and lands and all things at your will, as you could if it were otherwise? Remember I beseech you that the poison of the world is covered by its sweetness, and that it killeth none but those that love it: Be suspicious therefore that there is danger where you find delight: If your estate be such as is pleasing to your flesh, believe it is not likely to be safe to your souls. If therefore your health, your wealth, your honours, be such as your flesh would have them if your houses your accommodations, your friends be suited to your carnal desires, believe it your souls are in no small hazard; and therefore look about ⟨p. 165⟩you as you love your salvation; and fear the snare. The great enemy of your souls hath not baited his hook with so curious and costly a bait, for nothing. The cautelous fish that is afraid to swallow, yea or to taste, or to come near till he knows what is under it, doth save his life, when that which boldly ventures, and fearlessly devoureth the bait is destroyed. Its not for nothing that Solomon chargeth the man that is given to his appetite, to put his knife to his throat at a feast, and not to be desirous of the dainties which are deceitful, Prov. 23. 1, 2, 3. A prudent man foreseeth the evil (even when it is covered with the pleasantest bait,) and so he hideth himself and escapeth, when the simple passeth on and is punished, Prov. 22. 3. It is part of the description of the sensual a postates in Jude 12. that in their feasts, they fed themselves without fear. And it is as dangerous a thing to clothe your selves without fear, to seek after wealth and honours without fear, to possess your houses and lands without fear; to see any thing that's carnally pleasing to you, or hear your own praises without fear; when other men must needs have things to their will, do you study your duty, and let the will of God be your will; and if he give you a plentiful estate without seeking it, or give you reputation and the praise of men without your affecting it;