Thirdly, There was a great deal of worldliness and §3earthly-mindedness, and covetousness amongst the professing people of London. O Sirs! the world is all shadow and vanity, 'tis filia noctis, like Jonabs Gourd, a man may set 1under its shadow for a time, but it soon decays and dyes. The main reason why many Professors dote upon the world, is, because they are not acquainted with a greater glory. Men ate Acorns till they were acquainted with the use of Wheat. The Load-stone cannot draw the Iron when the Diamond is in presence; and shall earthly vanities draw the Soul when Christ the Pearl of price is in presence? Many of the Professors of London were great Worshippers of the golden Calf, and therefore God is just in turning their golden Calf into ashes. The world may well be resembled to the fruit that undid us all, which was fair to the sight, smooth in handling, sweet in taste, but deadly in effect and operation. The world in all its bravery is no better then the Cities which Solomon gave to Hiram, which he called Cabul, 2that is, displeasing or dirty. The whole world is circular, the heart of man triangular, and we know a Circle cannot fill a Triangle. If the heart of man be not filled with the three Persons in Trinity, it will be filled with the world, 3the flesh, and the Devil. Riches, like bad servants, never stay long with one master; what certainty is there in that which one storm at Sea, one treacherous friend, one false cath, one ball of fire, yea, one spark of fire may strip us of? O Sirs! if you can gather grapes of thorns, and figs of thistles, then go on, and dote upon the world still. All the things of this world are vain things, they are vanity of vanities, ⟨p. 59⟩4all in Heaven count them vain, and all in Hell count them vain: a Jacobus piece is but as a chip to them, Pearls are but as pebbles in their eyes. Lazarus was a Preacher, as some conceive, and Dives a Lawyer: sure I am, that Lazarus in Heaven is now rich enough, and happy enough; and Dives in Hell is now poor enough, and miserable enough. H• who makes his world his God while he is in the world what will he do for a God when he goes out of this world? Well, Sirs, remember this inordinate love to the world will expose a man to seven great losses. Viz.
Thirdly, There was a great deal of worldliness and §3earthly-mindedness, and coyetousness amongst the professing people of London. O Sirs! the world is all shadow and vanity, 'tis filia noctis, like Jonabs Gourd, a man may set 1under its shadow for a time, but it soon decays and dyes. The main reason why many Professors dote upon the world, is, because they are not acquainted with a greater glory. Men ate Acorns till they were acquainted with the use of Wheat. The Load-stone cannot draw the Iron when the Diamond is in presence; and shall earthly vanities draw the Soul when Christ the Pearl of price is in presence? Many of the Prosessors of London were great Worshippers of the golden Calf, and therefore God is just in turning their golden Calf into ashes. The world may well be resembled to the fruit that undid us all, which was fair to the sight, smooth in handling, sweet in taste, but deadly in effect and operation. The world in all its bravery is no better then the Cities which Solomon gave to Hiram, which he called Cabul, 2that is, displeasing or dirty. The whole world is circular, the heart of man triangular, and we know a Circle cannot fill a Triangle. If the heart of man be not filled with the three Persons in Trinity, it will be filled with the world, 3the flesh, and the Devil. Riches, like bad servants, never stay long with one master; what certainty is there in that which one storm at Sea, one treacherous friend, one false cath, one ball of fire, yea, one spark of fire may strip us of? O Sirs! if you can gather grapes of thorns, and figs of thistles, then go on, and dote upon the world still. All the things of this world are vain things, they are vanity of vanities, ⟨p. 59⟩4all in Heaven count them vain, and all in Hell count them vain: a Jacobus piece is but as a chip to them, Pearls are but as pebbles in their eyes. Lazarus was a Preacher, as some conceive, and Dives a Lawyer: sure I am, that Lazarus in Heaven is now rich enough, and happy enough; and Dives in Hell is now poor enough, and miserable enough. H• who makes his world his God while he is in the world what will he do for a God when he goes out of this world? Well, Sirs, remember this inordinate love to the world will expose a man to seven great losses. Viz.
- 1Jonah 4.
- 21 Kings 9. 13.
- 31 Joh. 5. 7.
- 4Eccle. 1. 2.