Sermons preached

3dly. Another Instance is our frequent preferring the Profits and Pleasures of the World, before the Service of God; and if it doth not go so far as to forfeit our right, yet how often do we expose and put our spiritual Comforts to hazard for every trifle? As Esau, that sold his Birthright for a Morsel of ⟨p. 120⟩Meat, Heb. 12. 15, 16. The best of us show too much loathness to cut off the right Hand, and to pluck out the right Eye, or to do that which is signified by it. This shows a weakness of Love: for where Love is strong, there is a thorough inclination to God; we dare Love nothing above him, or against him, or without him.

3dly. Another Instance is our frequent preferring the Profits and Pleasures of the World, before the Service of God; and if it doth not go so far as to forfeit our right, yet how often do we expose and put our spiritual Comforts to hazard for every trifle? As Esau, that sold his Birthright for a Morsel of ⟨p. 120⟩Meat, Heb. 12. 15, 16. The best of us shew too much lothness to cut off the right Hand, and to pluck out the right Eye, or to do that which is signified by it. This shews a weakness of Love: for where Love is strong, there is a thorow inclination to God; we dare Love nothing above him, or against him, or without him.

4thly. Our backwardness to Obedience, and the tediousness we find in it, shows a great Imperfection in our Love. All goes on easily, sweetly, acceptably, where Love is at the bottom. Gen. 29. 20. Seven years to Jacob seemed as a few days, for the Love that he had to Rachel: and so Love sweetens our Obedience; His Commandments are not grievous. But when we are wedded to worldly things, and will not be reclaimed from them, then every heavenly business is an interruption to what we would be at, what we delight in.