A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

The Heart of Man is melted and dissolved, and all Vigour is quenched, and the Soul doth grow gross and dreggy, not fit for the chaste Consolations of the Gospel, for the Flagons of spiritual Wine, for the fullness of the Spirit, and for the sweetness of the hidden Manna.

The Heart of Man is melted and dissolved, and all Vigor is quenched, and the Soul doth grow gross and dreggy, not fit for the chaste Consolations of the Gospel, for the Flagons of spiritual Wine, for the fulness of the Spirit, and for the sweetness of the hidden Manna.

2. The Lust of the Eyes, or an inordinate desire of Riches, when we can see nothing but we must wish for it; as Ahab falleth sick for Naboth's Vineyard. The Heart of Man naturally is all for a present good, and therefore nothing is more delightful and pleasing to our Corruption, than the Glory and Bravery of the World. Heaven (as it is set forth) is a fine place to a carnal Heart, but it is to come; so Men look upon it but as a Dream and Notion, they shall have time enough to consider it hereafter; but the World is at hand. This was Demas his Bait, the present World, 2 Tim. 4.10. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved the present World. Things at a distance, tho never so glorious, lose somewhat of their Worth and Esteem, because they are so; 2 Pet. 1.9. They are blind, and cannot see afar off. All natural Men are troubled with a short Sight, they can see nothing but what is before them, they can see no Excellency in things to come: Without the Perspective of Faith we cannot look within the Veil, and therefore hunt after ⟨p. 46⟩present Interests with all Earnestness and Greediness: Covetousness is a radical Evil, 1 Tim. 6.10. The love of Money is the root of all Evil. A Soul is fit for any thing, that is subdued and captivated with the Love of the World: Look what the Root is to the Tree, that is Covetousness to all Sin. All the Branches are nourished with the Sap which the Root sucketh from the Ground; so this is that which maintains the carnal State. Covetousness is a Sin more dangerous, because all other Evils bewray themselves by some foul Action, which bringeth Shame and Remorse of Conscience, and therefore they are sooner wrought upon; but this is close and reserved, Men are more serious than profane. O but this must be renounced! lessen your Esteem of worldly things, they are not your Portion: Christ gave the Bag to the worst of the Apostles, and it brought him to the Halter.