The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…

One being desirous to see the famous City of Athens, was told, Viso Solone vidisti omnia, see but Solon, and in him you may see all the rarities and excellencies in it. Reader, wouldst thou see all the wealth and worth of sea and land? wouldst thou be upon the pinnacle of the Temple (as Christ was) and behold, and have the offer of all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them? nay, wouldst thou view heavens glorious City, the royal Palace of the Great King, the costly curious workmanship about it, and the unheard of rarities and delights in that Court, which infinite embroidered Wisdom contrived, boundless Power and Love erected, and infinite Bounty enriched! thou mayst both see and enjoy all this in God; See but God, and thou seest all; enjoy but God, and thou enjoyest all in him.

One being desirous to see the famous City of Athens, was told, Viso Solone vidisti omnia, see but Solon, and in him you may see all the rarities and excellencies in it. Reader, wouldst thou see all the wealth and worth of sea and land? wouldst thou be upon the pinacle of the Temple (as Christ was) and behold, and have the offer of all the kingdomes of the world, and the glory of them? nay, wouldst thou view heavens glorious City, the royal Pallace of the Great King, the costly curious workmanship about it, and the unheard of rarities and delights in that Court, which infinite embroydered Wisdome contrived, boundless Power and Love erected, and infinite Bounty enriched! thou mayst both see and enjoy all this in God; See but God, and thou seest all; enjoy but God, and thou enjoyest all in him.

As a Merchant in London may trade for, and fetch ⟨p. 171⟩in, the Horses of Barbary, the Canary Sacks, the French Wines, the Spanish Sweet-meats, the Oils of Candy, the Spices of Egypt, the artificial Wares of Alexandria, the Silks of Persia, the Embroideries of Turkey, the Golden-wedges of India, the Emeralds of Scythia, the Topazes of Ethiopia, and the Diamonds of Bisnager; so mightst thou (were but this God thy portion) fetch in the finest bread to feed thee, the choicest wine to comfort thee, oil to cheer thee, joy to refresh thee, raiment to clothe thee, the jewels of grace to beautify thee, and the crown of glory to make thee blessed, nay all the wealth of this and the other world. If all the riches in the Covenant of Grace, if all the good things which Christ purchased with his precious blood; nay if as much good as is in an infinite God can make thee happy, thou shouldst have it. If David were thought worth ten thousand Israelites, how much is the God of Israel worth?