Man ashiv le-Yahoweh, or, A serious enquiry for a suitable return for continued life,…

2. Those that are dead to God, do make choice of the World, and the things thereof, before God: The will, following the ultimate comparative, practical dictate of the understanding, in wicked Men, doth choose Earthly things before God and Christ: For, though their absolute judgment might be for God, yet the comparat judgment (all circumstances considered) is for the world; and their will doth make choice of it accordingly: So, if you are dead to the world, you make choice of God for your chiefest good, and greatest happiness. For, though you may, in your absolute judgment, look upon the Things of the world, used with moderation, and kept in their proper place, as good; yet, in your comparative judgment (all circumstances considered) you do ultimately conclude, That God is better in himself and for you, yea, in both respects, and your will doth choose him accordingly.

3. Those that are dead to God, though they may Pray to God, and talk of God, yet they do this as though they did it not: and Pray, as if they Prayed not: God hath their Tongues, but, the world hath their Hearts. So, if you are dead to the world, though you may talk of the world, and Trade in the world, yet you do all this as if you did it not: You buy as if you possessed not; and you use this world as if you used it not: and, though the ⟨p. 249⟩world may have your hands, yet God hath your heart.

4. Those that are dead to God, they are not troubled at the loss of God, nor rejoice at the tidings how they may have the enjoyment of him; So if you are dead to the World, you are not chiefly troubled at the loss of these things, nor count it so great matter of joy, if you have them and enjoy them. A man that is dead to God desireth the world, and let who will look after God: So a man dead to the world, desireth God, and let who will look after the World as his portion, and his chiefest happiness, he will not.