2. All, that live upon the goodness of God here, are not like to be blessed after Death. There is a vast difference between common and special mercies: many partake richly of God's common bounty, that have not the least interest in his love; God gives this World often ⟨p. 9⟩times to his greatest Enemies, he gives Glory in an other World, to none but his Friends and Children: Nay, let me speak it freely (I am sure I have Christ and Scripture to warrant what I say) That they which gain this World with their neglect of Heaven, shall at their Death lose both: Many receive temporal mercies, that shall never enjoy Eternal. Job 21.9. Luk. 16.25. O how greatly are they mistaken, who think that Earl, Lord Knight, &c. are words of any significancy after Death; that hope that their honours here will procure them any real respect hereafter; that reckon Gold and Silver will go currant in that Country! Many that would be counted Persons of some depth and wisdom, make a World of stir about trifles, that drive a great Trade for that which is next to nothing, and that lay in no better Provisions, than Gravel, Clay, or Dung, when they are bound for Eternity; and yet how do they bless themselves, and say I am rich, and increased in Goods, and have need of nothing: Soul take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry? They think they make a very wise bargain, when they sell their Conscience, ⟨p. 10⟩God, and Heaven, for a little of that which some call Riches; not considering that a few Hours experience may make them know, though it may be, not cure this mistake. O that I could but bring my hearers out of this Delusion! O that their apprehensions were but rectified, and that they might know the real worth of things and Persons! O that I could but bring down the price of sublunary things, and raise the things of that other World to their true worth! Consider that that holiness, as meanly as you think of it, is the most excellent thing; that that is the greatest Riches, and Man's highest dignity: God knows no difference between a Lord and a Beggar, a Prince and a Subject; He is no respectre of Persons. If there be any difference, it lies here, that God hath more wrath in store for them that had greater engagements, and better advantages to serve him than other had. I pity the poor Lords of the World!
2. All, that live upon the goodness of God here, are not like to be blessed after Death. There is a vast difference between common and special mercies: many partake richly of God's common bounty, that have not the least interes• in his love; God gives this World often ⟨p. 9⟩times to his greatest Enemies, he gives Glory in an other World, to none but his Friends and Children: Nay, let me speak it freely (I am sure I have Christ and Scripture to warrant what I say) That they which gain this World with their neglect of Heaven, shall at their Death lose both: Many receive temporal mercies, that shall never enjoy Eternal. Job 21.9. Luk. 16.25. O how greatly are they mistaken, who think that Earl, Lord Knight, &c. are words of any significancy after Death; that hope that their honours here will procure them any real respect hereafter; that reckon Gold and Silver will go currant in that Country! Many that would be counted Persons of some depth and wisdome, make a World of stir about trifles, that drive a great Trade for that which is next to nothing, and that lay in no better Provisions, than Gravel, Clay, or Dung, when they are bound for Eternity; and yet how do they bless themselves, and say I am rich, and increased in Goods, and have need of nothing: Soul take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry? They think they make a very wise bargain, when they sell their Conscience, ⟨p. 10⟩God, and Heaven, for a little of that which some call Riches; not considering that a few Hours experience may make them know, though it may be, not cure this mistake. O that I could but bring my hearers out of this Delusion! O that their apprehensions were but rectified, and that they might know the real worth of things and Persons! O that I could but bring down the price of sublunary things, and raise the things of that other World to their true worth! Consider that that holiness, as meanly as you think of it, is the most excellent thing; that that is the greatest Riches, and Man's highest dignity: God knows no difference between a Lord and a Beggar, a Prince and a Subject; He is no respecter of Persons. If there be any difference, it lies here, that God hath more wrath in store for them that had greater ingagements, and better advantages to serve him than other had. I pitty the poor Lords of the World!
