The second Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, to dwell upon the vanity of them, as well as upon the impotency of all worldly good. This is the sum of Solomons sermon; Vanity of vanity, and all is vanity. This2 our first parents found, and therefore named their second Abel, or vanity. Solomon that had tried these things, and could best tell the vanity of them, he preacheth this sermon over, again, and again; Vanity of vanity, and all is vanity. 'Tis sad to think, how many thousands there be, that can say with the ⟨p. 128⟩preacher, vanity of vanity, all is vanity, 3nay, swear it, and yet follow after these things, as if there were no other glory, nor felicity; but what's to be found in those things, they call vanity. Such men will sell Christ, Heaven, and their souls for a trifle, that call these things vanity, but do not cordially believe them to be vanity, but set their hearts upon them, as if they were their Crown, the top of all their Royalty, and glory. Oh! let your souls dwell upon the vanity of all things here below, till your hearts be so thoroughly convinced, and persuaded of the vanity of them, as to trample upon them, and make them a a foot-stool for Christ to get np, and ride in a holy triumph in your hearts.4 Chrysostom said once, that if he were the fittest in the world, to preach a Sermon to the whole world, gathered together in one Congregation, and had some high Mountain for his Pulpit, from whence he might have a prospect of all the world in his view, and were furnished with a voice of brass, a voice as loud as the Trumpet of the Arch-Angel, that all the world might hear him, he would choose to preach upon no other text, then that in the Psaln•es, O mortal men how long will ⟨p. 129⟩ye love vanity, and follow after leasing. 5Tell me, you that say all things under the Sun is vanity, if you do really believe what you say, why do you spend more though••, and time on the world, then you do on Christ, Heaven, and your immortal souls? Why do you then neglect your duty towards God, to get the world? Why do you then so eagerly pursue after the world? and are so cold in your pursuing after God, Christ, and holiness? Why then are your hearts so exceedingly raised, when the world comes in, and smiles upon you, and so much dejected, and cast down, when the world frowns upon you, and with Jonah's Gourd withers before you?
The second Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, to dwell upon the vanity of them, as well as upon the impotencie of all worldly good. This is the summe of Solomons sermon; Vanity of vanity, and all is vanity. This2 our first parents found, and therefore named their second Abell, or vanity. Solomon that had tried these things, and could best tell the vanity of them, he preacheth this sermon over, againe, and againe; Vanity of vanity, and all is vanity. 'Tis sad to think, how many thousands there be, that can say with the ⟨p. 128⟩preacher, vanity of vanity, all is vanity, 3nay, swear it, and yet follow after these things, as if there were no other glory, nor selicity; but what's to be found in those things, they call vanity. Such men will sell Christ, Heaven, and their soules for a trifle, that call these things vanity, but doe not cordially beleeve them to be vanity, but set their hearts upon them, as if they were their Crown, the top of all their Royalty, and glory. Oh! let your soules dwell upon the vanity of all things here below, till your hearts be so thoroughly convinced, and perswaded of the vanity of them, as to trample upon them, and make them a a foot-stoole for Christ to get np, and ride in a holy triumph in your hearts.4 Chrysostome said once, that if he were the fittest in the world, to preach a Sermon to the whole world, gathered together in one Congregation, and had some high Mountaine for his Pulpit, from whence he might have a prospect of all the world in his view, and were furnished with a voice of brasse, a voice as loud as the Trumpet of the Arch-Angell, that all the world might hear him, he would chuse to preach upon no other text, then that in the Psaln•es, O mortall men how long will ⟨p. 129⟩yee love vanity, and follow after leasing. 5Tell me, you that say all things under the Sun is vanitie, if you doe really beleeve what you say, why doe you spend more though••, and time on the world, then you doe on Christ, Heaven, and your immortall soules? Why doe you then neglect your duty towards God, to get the world? Why doe you then so eagerly pursue after the world? and are so cold in your pursuing after God, Christ, and holinesse? Why then are your hearts so exceedingly rais'd, when the world comes in, and smiles upon you, and so much dejected, and castdown, when the world frownes upon you, and with Jonah's Gourd withers before you?
- 12. Remedy.
- 2Gilimex King of Vandals, led in triumph, by Bellisarius, cried out, Vanity of vanity, all is vanity.Gilimex King of Vanda••s, led in triumph, by Bellisarius, cried out, Vanity of vanity, all is vanity.
- 3The fancy of Lucian, who placeth Charon on the top of an high hill, viewing all the affairs of men living, and looking on their greatest Cities as little birds nests, is very pleasant.The fancie of Lucian, who placeth Charon on the top of an high hill, viewing all the affaires of men living, and looking on their greatest Cities as little birds nests, is very pleasant.
- 4Oh the imperfection, the ingratitude, the le•ity, the inconstancy, the perfidiousness of those creatures▪ we most servilly affect.Oh the imperfection, the ingratitude, the le•ity, the inconstancy, the perfidiousnesse of those creatures▪ we most servilly affect.
- 5Ah! did we but weigh mans pain with his payment, his crosses, with his mercies; his miseries with his pleasures; we should then see that there is nothing got by the bargain, and conclude, Vanity of vanity, all is vanity.Ah! did we but weigh mans paine with his paiment, his crosses, with his mercies; his miseries with his pleasures; we should then see that there is nothing got by the bargaine, and conclude, Vanity of vanity, all is vanity.
