The works of George Swinnock, M.A

It is reported of one Oromazes that he had an enchanted egg, in which (as he boasted himself) he had enclosed all the happiness of the world, ⟨p. 831⟩but being broken, nothing was found in it same wind. Truly, such is the worlds inside, wind, whatever appearance it hath in the eye of a worldling; As the forbidden tree seemed to promise knowledge to our first Parents, but it took their knowledge from them, and brought in ignorance; so the world promiseth great matters, much joy and delight, but payeth us with the contrary sorrow and horror. The worldlings voice is like that of the thief, Come let us lay wait, &c. We shall find all precious substance, and fill our houses with spoil; when alas instead of precious substance, they find pernicious shadows; and instead of filling their Houses with spoil, they fill their hearts with Gall and Worm-wood. The world as a cunning Courtesan flattereth and fawneth upon the young gallant, to commit spiritual uncleanness with her, and then casteth him from the height of fancied delights, into the depth of real horror, Proverbs 1. 10, 11. 3. Unsatisfying; All these sublunary comforts are but skin-deep. As a mist they may wet the blade, but leave the root of the corn dry, they may cause a smile in the face, but cannot refresh the heart, or satisfy the soul; The Country-man thinks if he were at the top of some high hill, he should touch the Heavens, but when with much pains and sweat and toil, he is gotten thither, he finds himself deceived. Men think if they could attain to such a degree of honour, or such a quantity of riches, or enjoy such brutish pleasures, then they should be satisfied, but they find their thirst after creatures, as immoderate as before; like men in a Fever ⟨p. 832⟩or Dropsy, the more they drink, the more they desire; He that loveth silver, shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth gold with increase; Many men have too much of the world, but no worldly man hath enough; His voice still is like the Horse-leech, Give, Give. Though he hath enough to destroy him, yet he hath not enough to content him. When the Parthians had taken Crassus the covetous Roman, who had robbed the Temple, they poured molted Gold into his mouth, saying, Drink now thy sill thou greedy wretch, of that which thou hast so long thirsted after.