10. Is not that worthy to be made thy business which will do thee good to eternity? The fool is for good for many years, but a wise man is for goods that will last to eternity. In worldly matters we value those houses and goods highest which will last longest; We will give much more for the fee-simple or inheritance for ever of a dwelling or lands, then for a term of few years, or for a lease for life, though we can enjoy them but during life. O why should it not be thus in spirituals! Why should we not set the greatest price, and take the most pains, for that which is not for years, or ages, but for ever; for that which we may enjoy, and have full solid comfort in to eternity? No good that is eternal can be little; if it be but an humane friend whom thou lovest, to enjoy him for ever, or a bodily health to enjoy it for ever, or near relations to enjoy them for ever, will infinitely advance the price and raise the value of them; but to enjoy a God for ever, the blessed Saviour for ever, the comforting Spirit for ever, fullness of joy for ever, rivers of pleasures for ever, and exceeding weight of glory for ever, a crown, a kingdom, an inheritance for ever, which is the fruit of Godliness, what tongue can declare, what mind can apprehend the worth of these! Alas, frailty is such a flaw in all earthly tenures, that it doth exceedingly abate their value, and should our affections to them. Who would esteem much of that flower which flourisheth and looks lovely in the morning, but ⟨image 16⟩perisheth and is withered at night? How little are those things worth which are to day mine, and to morrow another's, which make themselves wings, and as birds fly away, are no sooner in sight, but almost as soon out of sight? Though all the works and creatures of God are excellent, and admirable in their degrees and places, yet some are of far more worth then others, because of their nearer relation to our spiritual souls, and their eternal duration. When I look upon honours, and applause, and respect in the world, methinks its worth is little; for I can see through that air; it is but a breath, a blast that quickly passeth away. When I look upon houses, and lands, and silver, and gold, I may well judge their price low; for there is a worm that will eat out and consume the strongest timbered-dwelling, and gold and silver are corruptible things. Riches are not for ever.
10. Is not that worthy to be made thy business which will do thee good to eternity? The fool is for good for many years, but a wise man is for goods that will last to eternity. In worldly matters we value those houses and goods highest which will last longest; We will give much more for the fee-simple or inheritance for ever of a dwelling or lands, then for a term of few years, or for a lease for life, though we can enjoy them but during life. O why should it not be thus in spirituals! Why should we not set the greatest price, and take the most pains, for that which is not for years, or ages, but for ever; for that which we may enjoy, and have full solid comfort in to eternity? No good that is eternal can be little; if it be but an humane friend whom thou lovest, to enjoy him for ever, or a bodily health to enjoy it for ever, or near relations to enjoy them for ever, will infinitely advance the price and raise the value of them; but to enjoy a God for ever, the blessed Saviour for ever, the comforting Spirit for ever, fullness of joy for ever, rivers of pleasures for ever, and exceeding weight of glory for ever, a crown, a kingdom, an inheritance for ever, which is the fruit of Godliness, what tongue can declare, what mind can apprehend the worth of these! Alas, frailty is such a flaw in all earthly tenures, that it do•h exceedingly abate their value, and should our affections to them. Who would esteem much of that flower which flourisheth and looks lovely in the morning, but ⟨image 16⟩perisheth and is withered at night? How little are those things worth which are to day mine, and to morrow anothers, which make themselves wings, and as birds flye away, are no sooner in sight, but almost as soon out of sight? Though all the works and creatures of God are excellent, and admirable in their degrees and places, yet some are of far more worth then others, because of their nearer relation to our spiritual souls, and their eternal duration. When I look upon honours, and applause, and respect in the world, methinks its worth is little; for I can see through that air; it is but a breath, a blast that quickly passeth away. When I look upon houses, and lands, and silver, and gold, I may well judge their price low; for there is a worm that will eat out and consume the strongest timberd-dwelling, and gold and silver are corruptable things. Riches are not for ever.
