The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

Object. 10. But all this belongeth only to them that are in prosperity; but I am poor, and therefore it is nothing to me.

Answ. Many a one loveth prosperity, that hath it not: And such are doubly sinful, that will love a world which loveth not them: Even a world of poverty, misery and distress. Something you would have done, if you had had a full estate, and honour, and fleshly delights to love. Nay, many poor men ⟨p. 440⟩think better of riches and honour, than those that have them; because they never tried how vain and vexatious they are; and if they had tried them, perhaps would love them less. The world is but a painted Strumpet; admired afar off; but the nearer you come to it, and the more it's known, the worse you will like it. Is it by your own desire that you are poor? or is it against your wills? Had you not rather be as great and rich as others? Had you not rather live at ease and fullness? And do you think God will love you ever the better, for that which is against your wills? Will he count that man to be no worldling, that would fain have more of the world, and cannot? and that loveth God and Heaven no better than the rich? Nay, that will sin for a shilling, when great ones do it for greater sums? who can be more unfit for Heaven, than he that loveth a life of labour, and want, and misery better? Alas it is but little that the greatest worldlings have for their salvation: But poor worldlings sell it for less than they, and therefore do despise it more.

Answ. Many a one loveth prosperity, that hath it not: And such are doubly sinful, that will love a world which loveth not them: Even a world of poverty, misery and distress. Something you would have done, if you had had a full estate, and honour, and fleshly delights to love. Nay, many poor men ⟨p. 440⟩think better of riches and honour, than those that have them; because they never tryed how vain and vexatious they are; and if they had tryed them, perhaps would love them less. The world is but a painted Strumpet; admired afar off; but the neerer you come to it, and the more it's known, the worse you will like it. Is it by your own desire that you are poor? or is it against your wills? Had you not rather be as great and rich as others? Had you not rather live at ease and fulness? And do you think God will love you ever the better, for that which is against your wills? Will he count that man to be no worldling, that would fain have more of the world, and cannot? and that loveth God and Heaven no better than the rich? Nay, that will sin for a shilling, when great ones do it for greater summs? who can be more unfit for Heaven, than he that loveth a life of labour, and want, and misery better? Alas it is but little that the greatest worldlings have for their salvation: But poor worldlings sell it for less than they, and therefore do despise it more.