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

Reasons. 1 And first, That our Hearts may not be immoderately and inordinately cleaving to this world; We see there are many strict Commands against the Love of it: Now if we are so ready to love it though so troublesome, what if it were nothing but content; If (saith Austin) though it be Mundus amarus a bitter world thou lovest to eat and to feed of it, what if it were dulcis a sweet world; If it be Mundus periturus a perishing world, and thou art so doting upon it, what if it were Eternus everlasting: If we can handle it with delight though full of pricks, what if smooth and plain; Certainly every Godly man should wean himself from these Breasts, Seeing God hath rubbed them with so much bitterness and affliction; When therefore thou meetest with Crosses, with Troubles, with the Deceitfulness and Inconstancy of worldly Comforts, say, This is to instruct and teach me, that I am not to expect an Heaven here; The world is an Enemy thou must not love it, though commanded to love our Enemies: Here may be an over-loving an over-desiring: Here the Rule is much more true then in Physics, Appetitus non est Regula Concoctionis, Thou must hunger after these Earthly things no more then thou canst concoct or improve for Gods Glory and thy own particular good; And let the Godly know, Their greatest danger lieth in these inordinate Affections more then in gross sins; These Cares will grow up with Duties when open profaneness makes a man wholly to despise them.

Reasons. 1 And first, That our Hearts may not be immoderately and inordinately cleaving to this world; We see there are many strict Commands against the Love of it: Now if we are so ready to love it though so troublesome, what if it were nothing but content; If (saith Austin) though it be Mundus amarus a bitter world thou lovest to eat and to feed of it, what if it were dulcis a sweet world; If it be Mundus periturus a perishing world, and thou art so doting upon it, what if it were Eternus everlasting: If we can handle it with delight though full of pricks, what if smooth and plain; Certainly every Godly man should wean himself from these Breasts, Seeing God hath rubbed them with so much bitternesse and affliction; When therefore thou meetest with Crosses, with Troubles, with the Deceitfulnesse and Inconstancy of worldly Comforts, say, This is to instruct and teach me, that I am not to expect an Heaven here; The world is an Enemy thou must not love it, though commanded to love our Enemies: Here may be an over-loving an over-desiring: Here the Rule is much more true then in Physicks, Appetitus non est Regula Concoctionis, Thou must hunger after these Earthly things no more then thou canst concoct or improve for Gods Glory and thy own particular good; And let the Godly know, Their greatest danger lieth in these inordinate Affections more then in grosse sinnes; These Cares will grow up with Duties when open prophanesse makes a man wholly to despise them.