It provoketh us to get an interest in such a sure condition.1 Be not contented, 1. With outward happiness; things are ⟨p. 63⟩worthy according to their duration: Nature hath such a sense of Gods Eternity, that the more lasting things are, it accounteth them the better: An immortal Soul must have an eternal Good: Now all things in the world are frail and pass away, therefore called uncertain riches, 1 Tim. 6. 18. 'tis uncertain whether we shall get them, and uncertain whether we shall keep them, and uncertain whether we shall live to enjoy them if they stay with us: All of this side grace is uncertain; these things are usually blasted in their flower and beauty; as Herod was stricken in the midst of all his Royalty: so that a man may out-live his happiness, which is the greatest misery; or at least it must terminate with death; there is no use of wealth in the other world. But now the better part can never be taken from us, Luke 10. 42. and by seeking that we may have other things with a blessing, Mat. 6. 33. 2. Rest not in gifts, they are for the body rather then the person that hath them; as many are carnal, and yet come behind in no gift; God useth them like Negroes, to dig in the mines of knowledge, that others may have the gold: Judas could cast out Devils, and yet afterward was cast out among Devils. See 1 Cor. 12▪ ult. the Apostle had discoursed largely of gifts, and then concludeth thus, But yet I show you a more excellent way; and what's that? Grace that abideth and endureth for ever, as in the next Chapter. Many that have great abilities to pray, preach, discourse, yet fall away: According to the place which they sustain in the body, so they have great gifts, of knowledge, utterance, abilities to comfort, direct and instruct others, to answer doubts, to reason and argue for God, for conference and holy discourse, and yet fall foully; as those Heb. 6. 4. are said to be partakers of the Holy Ghost, that is, to have a great share of Church gifts. Nay this is not all, Gifts themselves wither and vanish when the bodily vigour is spent: The glory of a man is as the flower of the grass, 1 Pet. 1. 24. By the glory of a man is meant what ever excellency we have by Nature, wit, knowledge, strength of natural parts, as well as wealth and riches: Many times we like the dry stalk remaineth when the flower is gone;
It provoketh us to get an interest in such a sure condition.1 Be not contented, 1. With outward happiness; things are ⟨p. 63⟩worthy according to their duration: Nature hath such a sense of Gods Eternity, that the more lasting things are, it accounteth them the better: An immortal Soul must have an eternal Good: Now all things in the world are frail and pass away, therefore called uncertain riches, 1 Tim. 6. 18. 'tis uncertain whether we shall get them, and uncertain whether we shall keep them, and uncertain whether we shall live to enjoy them if they stay with us: All of this side grace is uncertain; these things are usually blasted in their flower and beauty; as Herod was stricken in the midst of all his Royalty: so that a man may out-live his happiness, which is the greatest misery; or at least it must terminate with death; there is no use of wealth in the other world. But now the better part can never be taken from us, Luke 10. 42. and by seeking that we may have other things with a blessing, Mat. 6. 33. 2. Rest not in gifts, they are for the body rather then the person that hath them; as many are carnal, and yet come behind in no gift; God useth them like Negroes, to dig in the mynes of knowledg, that others may have the gold: Judas could cast out Devils, and yet afterward was cast out among Devils. See 1 Cor. 12▪ ult. the Apostle had discoursed largely of gifts, and then concludeth thus, But yet I shew you a more excellent way; and what's that? Grace that abideth and endureth for ever, as in the next Chapter. Many that have great abilities to pray, preach, discourse, yet fall away: According to the place which they sustain in the body, so they have great gifts, of knowledg, utterance, abilities to comfort, direct and instruct others, to answer doubts, to reason and argue for God, for conference and holy discourse, and yet fall foully; as those Heb. 6. 4. are said to be partakers of the Holy Ghost, that is, to have a great share of Church gifts. Nay this is not all, Gifts themselves wither and vanish when the bodily vigor is spent: The glory of a man is as the flower of the grass, 1 Pet. 1. 24
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