The saints everlasting rest

Methinks I even perceive thy conscience stir now, and tell thee plainly, that this is thy case: hear it, man! O hear it now; lest thou hear it in another manner when thou wouldst be full loth. O the cursed madness of many that seem to be religious! who thrust themselves into the multitude of employments, and think they can never have business enough, till they are so loaded with labours, and clogged with cares, that their souls are as unfit to converse with GOD, as a man to walk with a mountain on his back. And when all is done, and they have lost that heaven they might have had upon earth, they take up a few rotten arguments to prove it lawful, and then they think that they have salved all. They miss not the pleasures of this heavenly life, if they can but quiet ⟨p. 300⟩their consciences, while they fasten upon lower and baser pleasures:

Methinks I even perceive thy conscience stir now, and tell thee plainly, that this is thy case: hear it, man! O hear it now; lest thou hear it in another manner when thou wouldst be full loth. O the cursed madness of many that seem to be religious! who thrust themselves into the multitude of employments, and think they can never have business enough, till they are so loaded with labours, and clogged with cares, that their souls are as unfit to con•erse with GOD, as a man to walk with a mountain on his back. And when all is done, and they have lost that heaven they might have had upon earth, they take up a few rotten arguments to prove it lawful, and then they think that they have salved all. They miss not the pleasures of this heavenly life, if they can but quiet ⟨p. 300⟩their consciences, while they fasten upon lower and baser pleasures:

For thee, O christian! who hast tasted of these pleasures, I advise thee, as thou valuest their enjoyment, as ever thou wouldst taste of them any more, take heed of this gulf of an earthly mind: For if once thou comest to this, that thou wilt be rich, thou fallest into temptation, and a snare, and into divers foolish and hurtful lusts. Keep these things as thy upper garments still loose about thee, that thou mayst lay them by whenever there is cause: but let GOD and glory be next thy heart, yea, as the very blood and spirit by which thou livest: still remember that of the Spirit, The friendship of the world is enmity with God: whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God. And, love not the world, nor the things in the world: if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. This is plain dealing; and happy he that faithfully receives it.