CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

¹First Consider the infecting and contagious sinfulness in the world: How hardly can we breathe and live, but we must suck in this pestilential air; As those that live in an infected Pesthouse, or such as abide in a noisome Hospital, they cannot but have the smell and the disease of the place, so to live in this world which is wholly set on wickedness, it's a wonder of wonders if we smell not of it, savour not of it: Therefore pure Religion Jam. 1.27. is said to keep a man unspotted from the world, Unspotted, that implieth what a noisome dunghill or filthy infecting place the world is; Oh then with what care and fear should the people of God walk in this world; Every hour, every day, thou art in danger of getting some spots and defilements upon thee; Thou art not in Heaven or Paradise, but in a place where the devil hath his Throne▪ He ruleth in this world, and therefore pray and watch, depend upon Christ, little dost thou think what mire thou mayest fall in, if the arm of grace support thee not; Did not our Saviour say to his very Disciples that they should take heed of surfeiting and drunkenness, that their hearts should not be overcharged with the cares of this world, Luk. 21.34. Who would not have thought the Disciples far enough from this sin, yet they must take heed; If the green Tree may so easily take fire, what will not the dry do?

¹First Consider the infecting and contagious sinfulnesse in the world: How hardly can we breathe and live, but we must suck in this pestilentiall air; As those that live in an infected Pesthouse, or such as abide in a noisome Hospitall, they cannot but have the smell and the disease of the place, so to live in this world which is wholly set on wickenesse, it's a wonder of wonders if we smell not of it, savour not of it: Therefore pure Religion Jam. 1.27. is said to keep a man unspotted from the world, Ʋnspotted, that implieth what a noisome dunghill or fllthy infecting place the world is; Oh then with what care and fear should the people of God walk in this world; Every hour, every day, thou art in danger of getting some spots and defilements upon thee; Thou art not in Heaven or Paradise, but in a place where the devil hath his Throne He ruleth in this world, and therefore pray and watch, depend upon Christ, little dost thou think what mire thou maist fall in, if the arm of grace support thee not; Did not our Saviour say to his very Disciples that they should take heed of surfetting and drunkennesse, that their hearts should not be overcharged with the cares of this world,