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

5. In a sense, worldly Lusts do hinder us of the Comfort of this World. Want increaseth with Enjoyment; as the Fire increaseth by laying on more Fuel. The more we enjoy, the more we desire; so we do not enjoy what we do possess. The more we have, the more we want; so that a covetous Man neither enjoys this World, nor the World to come.

5. In a sense, worldly Lusts do hinder us of the Comfort of this World. Want encreaseth with Enjoyment; as the Fire encreaseth by laying on more Fuel. The more we enjoy, the more we desire; so we do not enjoy what we do possess. The more we have, the more we want; so that a covetous Man neither enjoys this World, nor the World to come.

6. If it be worldly Lust, then take heed of it; for thou art as thy Love is. If thou lovest this World, thou art a worldly Man; if thou lovest God, thou art a godly Man; if thou lovest Heaven, thou art a heavenly Man. A Man is not as his Opinion is, but as his Affections are. A bad Man may be of a good Opinion, but a bad Man can never have good Affections. The Soul, as Wax, receives the Impression from the Object. Thou art a Person of the World, if thou lovest the World. Take a Looking-glass, and put it towards Heaven, there you shall see the Figure of Heaven, the Clouds and things above; put it downward towards the Earth, you shall see the Figure of the Earth, Trees, Meadows, Fruits. So doth the Soul receive a Figure from the things to which it is set; if the Heart be set towards Heaven, that puts thee into a heavenly Frame; if thou appliest it to earthly Objects, thou art a Man of the Earth.

7. The more we mortify these worldly Lusts, the more we prevent Affliction. We might prevent the bitterness of the Cross, if we would subdue our own Lusts; but because we are negligent of that Work, God is forced to lay on heavy Crosses.