Heaven taken

3. We must offer violence to the world. The world shows its Golden Apple, it is a part of our vow in Baptism to fight under Christ's banner against the ⟨p. 80⟩world. Take heed of being drowned in the luscious delights of it. It must be a strong brain that bears heady wine. He had need have a great deal of wisdom and grace, that knows how to bear a great estate. Riches oft send up their intoxicating fumes, which make mens heads giddy with pride. Jesurun waxed fat and kicked, Deut. 32. 15. It is hard to climb up the hill of God with too many golden weights. Those that want the honours of the world, want the temptations of it, The world is blandus Daemon, a flattering enemy. It is given to some as Michol to David, for a •are. The world shows its two breasts of pleasure and profit, and many fall asleep with the breast in their mouth. The world doth never kiss us, but with an intent to betray us. It is a s•ken halter. The world is no friend to grace: it chokes our love to heavenly things: the earth puts out the fire. Naturally we love the world, Job 31. 24. If I have made Gold my hope; the Septuagint renders it, If I have been married to my Gold^*. Too many are wedded to their money; they live together as man and wife. Oh let us take ⟨p. 81⟩heed of being entangled in this pleasing snare. Many who have scaped the Rock of scandalous sins, yet have sunk in the world's golden quick-sands. The •in is not in the using of the world, but in the loving, 1 John 2. 15. Love not the world. If we are Christians, we must offer violence to the world. Believers are called out of the world: they are in the world, but not of it, John 17. 16. As we say of a dying man, he is not a man for this world. A true Saint is crucified in his affections to the world,