The Excellency of Wifdonz. 47 nay, in that difmal cafe, appeareth more de- S E R M. firable than ever. II. Secondly, The moft precious treafures of" " this world are not valued, not even altoge- ther by worldly men, but with fome regard to virtue; but religious wifdom is neceffarily efleemed excellent independently on them, and without any manner of regard to them, which is a confideration that fuflïciently íheweth to which upon a comparifon, even in the judgment of the moft partial, the preference is' due. Perhaps this may not at firfl be affented to, that worldly treafures are valued even by worldly men with fome re- gard to virtue ; but, pray, confider, if the moft fordid fpirits would be contented to enjoy the folitary pleafure of their riches ; nay, if they can relifh any excellence in them, or find any fatisfaélion, without fo- ciety and a communication with fome in- telligent beings like themfelves. I cannot believe there is fuch an one among man- kind, and that it muff be fomething beneath the human nature which can fink into fuch a low and abje t difpofition. Now, the fo- cial are really virtuous affeáions, which ítí11 fubfift, though in a weak and low degree, even in the covetous man ; he is indeed an Idolater, as the fcripture jufily calleth him, 3 but
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