Fourthly, the fourth thing wherein this speculative vanity appears, is in acting sins upon mere imaginary suppositions men feign, and contrive to themselves, and make a supposition to themselves ⟨p. 96⟩in their own thoughts, first of what they would be, and then what they would do. Men create fools paradises to themselves, and then walk up and down in them; as, if they had money enough, what pleasures they would have; if they were in such places of preferment, how they would carry themselves. To allude to that Absalom said, 2 Sam. 15. 4. Oh if I were a Judge in the Land, I would do this or that, &c. doing this with a great deal of pleasure, almost as much as those that really enjoy them. This may well be the meaning of that Psalm 50. 18. where of the hypocrite (who ⟨p. 97⟩outwardly abstains from gross sins) 'tis said, that he consenteth with the thief, and partaketh with the adulterer, namely, in his heart and fancy, supposing himself with them, and so desires to be doing what they do. Thus take one who is naturally ambitious (whom both nature, parts and education have all made, but a Bramble never to rule over the trees, and hath sixth in a lower sphere, as uncapable of rising higher or being greater, as the earth is of becoming a Star in Heaven, yet) he will take upon him in his own heart, feigning and supposing ⟨p. 98⟩himself to be, and then act the part of a great man there, erect a throne, and sit down in it; and thinks with himself what he would do, if a King or a great Man, &c. So take a man that is unclean, but now grown old, and a dry tree, and so cannot act his lust as formerly, yet his thoughts shall supply what is wanting in his strength or opportunity. And he makes his own heart both Bawd, Brothel house, Whore, Whoremonger, and all: so a man that is naturally voluptuous, loves pleasures, but wants means to purchase them, yet his inclinations will ⟨p. 99⟩please themselves with the thoughts of what mixture and composition of delights he would have; he will set down with himself his Bill of fare, how he would have, if he might wish, his cup of pleasure mingled, what ingredients put into it. So a man that is revengeful, and yet wants a sting, yet he pleaseth himself with revengeful thoughts and wishes, and will be making invectives and railing dialogues against him, he hates, when he is not by.
Fourthly, the fourth thing wherein this speculative vanity appeares, is in acting sinnes upon meere imaginary suppositions men faigne, and contrive to themselves, and make a supposition to themselves ⟨p. 96⟩in their own thoughts, first of what they would bee, and then what they would doe. Men create fooles paradises to themselves, and then walke up and downe in them; as, if they had money enough, what pleasures they would have; if they were in such places of preferment, how they would carry themselves. To allude to that Absolom said, 2 Sam. 15. 4. Oh if I were a Iudge in the Land, I would doe this or that, &c. doing this with a great deale of pleasure, almost as much as those that really enjoy them. This may well bee the meaning of that Psalme 50. 18. where of the hypocrite (who ⟨p. 97⟩outwardly abstaines from grosse sins) 'tis said, that hee consenteth with the thiefe, and partaketh with the adulterer, namely, in his heart and fancie, supposing himself with them, and so desires to bee doing what they doe. Thus take one who is naturally ambitious (whom both nature, parts and education have all made, but a Bramble never to rule over the trees, and hath fixt in a lower sphere, as uncapable of rising higher or being greater, as the earth is of becomming a Starre in Heaven, yet) hee will take upon him in his owne heart, faining and supposing ⟨p. 98⟩himselfe to bee, and then act the part of a great man there, erect a throne, and sit downe in it; and thinkes with himselfe what hee would doe, if a King or a great Man, &c. So take a man that is uncleane, but now growne old, and a dry tree, and so cannot act his lust as formerly, yet his thoughts shall supply what is wanting in his strength or opportunity. And he makes his owne heart both Bawd, Brothel house, Whore, Whoremonger, and all: so a man that is naturally voluptuous, loves pleasures, but wants meanes to purchase them, yet his inclinations will ⟨p. 99⟩please themselves with the thoughts of what mixture and composition of delights hee would have; hee will set downe with himselfe his Bill of fare, how hee would have, if he might wish, his cup of pleasure mingled, what ingredients put into it. So a man that is revengefull, and yet wants a sting, yet he pleaseth himselfe with revengefull thoughts and wishes, and will be making invectives and railing dialogues against him, hee hates, when hee is not by.
