By the Croft of Chrïlto 4Y we had Inch lands, buildings, friends, or provifion, then we were well, or at lraf` much better thennowwe are I `G how Good did we think that thefe were for us ! And therefore we full lived in Hope of more. But when we are Crucified to the world, we give up thefe Hopes. We fee then that we were deceived : we did but hope for nourifhment from a Bone : The breath are dry which we thought would have refrefhed and fatisfied us. When we fee that the world is an empty thing,a cask,a piâure,a dream, a (hadow ; we turn away from it, and look no more after it, but look for content in fomething elfe. As a child that feeth a paint- ed Apple may be eager of it till he try that it is favourlefs, and then he careth for it nomore; or if a beautifnl crab deceive him, when he bath fet his teethin it he cafteth it away. So when a Chriftian findeth the follyof his former expectations, and taft- eth the vexation of the creature which he was fo greedyof, and withal) is acquainted by a lively faith where he may bebetter; away go all his expeétations from the world ; and he promifeth bimfelf no more content or fatisfaftion in it. This is a nctable part of Mortification. As it is the Hopes of fome Good , that lets men awork in all endeavours ; fo take down their Hopes, and all the wheels of the foul ftand Pill. If it werenot for Hope, we fay, the heart would break. And therefore when all our Hopes from the world are dead the veryHeart of the old man is broken, and all his worldly motions ceafe. Then he faith,Its as good fir Rill as labour for nothing. I defpair of ever having contentment in the creature : I fee it will nor pacifie my confci- ence : it will not Pave me from the wrath to come : it will do nothing for me that is worthy my regard : and therefore let it go I will follow it no further ; It ¡hall have my heart no more. Before he had many a promifing delightful thought of the crea- tures, which he couldnot reach : He thought with himfelf, If I were but thus placed and fettled once : if I had but this or that which I want : if I were but here or there where I would be : if i had but the favour of fuchor fuch an one, how happy were I ? how well fhould I be ? I would then be'content and feek no more. But when faith bath mortifiedus to the world,we fee that .all thefe were fcoli(h dreams : we knew not what it was that we Hoped for I and then we give up all fucb Hopes for ever. Such pleafing thoughts of any worldly thing whileyou want it , orof G any
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