A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse…

O but there is a time a coming wherein the worldling will cry out: O Solon, ¹Solon, Solon! Thirdly, Our service, that is a homage which makes a God, when we devote all our pains, labour, and service to it, be it this or that, that makes a God: Now the covetous man his heart is most upon the world, his thoughts are most upon the world, his affections are most upon the world, and his discourse is most about the world; he that hath his mind taken up with the world, and chiefly delighted with the world's music, he hath also his tongue tuned to the same Key, and taketh his joy and comfort in speaking of nothing else, but the world hard worldly things: If the world be in the heart it will break out at the lips; a worldly minded man speaketh of nothing but worldly things. [They ²are of the world, therefore they speak of the world.] The water riseth not above the fountain; out of the warehouse the shop is furnished; the love of this world makes men forget God, neglect Christ, slight Ordinances, refuse ³Heaven, despise holiness, and oils the tongue for worldly discourses: Ah the time, the thoughts, the strength, the spirits, the words that are spent upon the ⟨p. 192⟩world, and the things of the world, whilst sinners souls lye a bleeding, and Eternity is posting on upon them! I have read of a griping Usurer, who was always best when he was most in talking of the world, being near his end he was much pressed to make his will, at last he was overcome, and then he dictates to the Scrivener after this manner: First, I bequeath my own soul to the Devil, for being so greedy of the muck of this world: Item, next I give my wives soul to the Devil, for persuading me to this course of life: Item I give the Parson of our Parish's soul to the Devil, because he did not show me the danger I lived in, nor reprove me for it. O the danger of making the world our God, when we come to die, and to make up our accounts with God. Now when men make the world their God, and set up their riches, pleasures, and profits in the place of God, no wonder if God withdraws his presence from them, and therefore as ever you would retain the gracious presence of God with you, take heed of a covetous spirit, a worldly spirit. But