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

3. If they be but worldly Lusts, they should not be cherished were they never so durable. Why? Because this is not our Happiness, and our Rest. Carnal Men have more of the World. Christ committed his Purse to the worst of his Disciples. Of the other he saith, They are not of the World, even as I am not of the World, John 17.16. In this World God is most liberal to the worst, therefore here we should not set up our Rest. Look as it is said of Abraham, Gen. 25.6. that he gave Gifts to Ishmael, and to the Sons of Keturah, but he gave the Inheritance to Isaac. Wicked Men have their Portion, but not the Inheritance. God will not be in their Debt, therefore they have Gifts: Therefore saith a Christian, Why should I cherish these worldly Lusts? this is not my Portion, but the Portion of others; —From Men of the World, which have their Portion in this Life, Psal. 17.14. The World is Satan's Circuit, he compasseth the Earth. It is the Saints Slaughter-house, they shed the Blood of Saints and Prophets, Rev. 16.6. It is the place where God is dishonoured. They are favoured and loved most by the World, whom Christ hath rejected and past by.

4. Worldly Lusts do hinder us from our Work. We were made for another World; and this Life is lent us for a while to look after Heaven. We cannot drive on those two Cares at once, for the World and Heaven too; as a Man cannot look with one Eye to Heaven, and with another to the Earth: therefore why should we indulge worldly Lusts? Who would lose a Crown, to be owner of a Dunghill? And will you forfeit Heaven, and the Joys of God's Presence, for worldly Conveniences? Lust hinders your care of Heaven. It is true, a temperate and religious ⟨p. 57⟩use of the World furthereth it, but worldly Lust doth take off your Heart from God and Heaven, and unfits it for it, so that your Heavenly Desires are hindered.