The crucifying of the world

Another Benefit that followeth our Crucifixion of the world, is this, It will prevent abundance of needless unprofitable cost and labour, that other men are at. You will not be drawn to run and toil for a thing of nought: When other men are riding, and going, and caring, and labouring for a little smoke, or a flying shadow, you will sit, as it were, over them, and discern, and pity, and lament their folly. To see one man rejoice that hath got his prize; and another lament because he cannot get it; and a third in the eager pursuit of it; as if it were for their lives. While they live as if they had forgotten the eternal Life which is at hand; will cause you to lift up your soul to his praises, that hath saved you from this dotage. The world worketh on the sensual part first, and thereby corrupteth, and as it were brutifieth our very reason; and the whole course of worldly designs and affairs, even from the glorious actions of Kings and Commanders, to the daily business of the plough-man and the beggar, are all but the actions of frantic men, or mad men▪ I say, so far as the affairs of the world are managed by this sensual unmortified principle, a sanctified Believer can look upon them all, as on the runnings or tumults of children or idiots, or on a game at Chests, where wit is laid out to little purpose. Mortification will help you to turn your thoughts, and cares, and labours, into a more profitable course: So that when the end comes, you will have somewhat to show that you have gained; when others must complain, that they have lost all their labour, and worse then lost it. What abundance of precious time do other men lose, in dreaming pursuits of an empty, deceiving, transitory world? When God hath taken off the poise from you, of such unprofitable motion; and taught you better to employ your time. Many an hundred hours which others cast away upon worldly thoughts, or discourse, or practises, are redeemed by the wise for their everlasting benefit.