A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

Dir. 3. Moreover, if you would find the Pleasure of a Holy life, see that the flesh be fool you not into an over high estimation of any worldly thing: that so your appetites may not be corrupted with such contrary unwholesome Pleasures, nor your hearts be overwhelmed with worldly cares, or griefs or troubles. If you will glut your selves with other kind of pleasures, you cannot expect that Holiness should be your pleasure. You cannot find your delight in God, when you turn from him to seek it in the creature. If you •ought for less in friends, and health, and prosperity in the world, you might have more in God. How should you find content in God, when you set so light by him, that the promise of beholding him in endless glory, will not please you, unless you may also have your fleshly desires, or selfish inclinations pleased here? This is it that perverteth your judgements and affections, and causeth you to injure God and your selves. You first fancy that it is an excellent thing to be Rich and Renowned and to rule over others, or to have plenty of all accommodations for your flesh: and then because God satisfieth not these carnal fancies, you think he neglecteth you, o• deals hardly with you! As if every person in the Town should murmur because they are not Bailiffs or Justices; when if they had the wit to know it, they are but kept from a double encumbrance, and from a burden which perhaps would break their backs. When the people are thus befooled by the flesh into brutish conceits of the nature of felicity, and into an over-valuing of these worldly things, they are then always either tickled by deluding pleasures, or troubled for the crossing of their carnal wills, so that they grow out of relish and liking with the true and durable delights. Take heed therefore of this carnality.

Dir. 3. Moreover, if you would find the Pleasure of a Holy life, see that the flesh be fool you not into an over high estimation of any worldly thing: that so your appetites may not be corrupted with such contrary unwholsome Pleasures, nor your hearts be overwhelmed with worldly cares, or griefs or troubles. If you will glut your selves with other kind of pleasures, you cannot expect that Holiness should be your pleasure. You cannot find your delight in God, when you turn from him to seek it in the creature. If you •ought for less in friends, and health, and prosperity in the world, you might have more in God. How should you find content in God, when you set so light by him, that the promise of beholding him in endless glory, will not please you, unless you may also have your fleshly desires, or selfish inclinations pleased here? This is it that perverteth your judgements and affections, and causeth you to injure God and your selves. You first fancie that it is an excellent thing to be Rich and Renowned and to rule over others, or to have plenty of all accommodations for your flesh: and then because God satisfieth not these carnal fancies, you think he neglecteth you, o deals hardly with you! As if every person in the Town should murmur because they are not Byliffs or Justices; when if they had the wit to know it, they are but kept from a double encumberance, and from a burden which perhaps would break their backs. When the people are thus befooled by the flesh into brutish conceits of the nature of felicity, and into an over-valuing of these worldly things, they are then always eitheir tickled by deluding pleasures, or troubled for the crossing of their carnal wills, so that they grow out of relish and liking with the true and durable delights. Take heed therefore of this carnality.