By theCrojs of Chrift. I 53 ftandings : And what courfe.fbould we take to quiet and redifie the mind of fuch a lover ? but even toundrefs the port, and take off all the bravery, and thew it ydu naked ; and when you fee it is but a port , me thinks you !honk' not be fond on it any more. Do fo then by the world which you more foolïthly admire. Its cloathed with Riches, andHonours , and Delights its adorned by the great applaufe of its followers : there is fuch running after it, and courting it, that you think, Pure all this ado is not for nothing. But take off all thefe befooling gawdes , and Hrip it of there ornaments, and then fee how you like it. But perhaps you'l fay, How Should I do that ? Why i. Confider frequently of how little moment thefe things are as co you. You have mat- tersof everlafting life or death , falvation or damnation.to look after and whit is riches or vain pleafures to this ? There are not the things that mutt denom nateyou happyor unhappy. You do not Hand or fall by them. They are but by, matters that are prorìiifed youas an over plus, fo far as than be fit : but your life or death confiteth not in them: Should a man that mull be for ever in Heavenor Heil , and hath but a little time to determine which it.muft be , should fuch a man fpend that little time about riches and pleafure ? Canyou have while at the door of Eterni- ty to hunt after the delights of the fleth, and Rudy after the profperity of this world ? Why do riot dying mendo fo then ? Why do they not bargain, and deceive, and contrive for their lufts and worldly accommodations ? No, theyhave then no lift to them ; then they have other thinks to think of : And why not nowas well as then ? O Remember , how little matter it is, Whether you go poor or rich to the grave ? This is not your con. cernment : and therefore let it not take you up , unlefs youwill wilfully negleiì your felves. 2. And then forget not the brevity of your worldly poffetli- ons. Remember whenever they are prefented to you in their beauty , that all, this will be but for a littlewhile. The veryeit beggar in the Town, that is not a fool, had rather be as they are, then to have an houle full of Gold till to morrow, and then to be ftript of it all again. Remember, the pleafures of fin are but for a feafon : By that time the feaft is done, you are as hungry as be- fore: by that timeyou have,done laughing, thematter of your mirth is turned into forrow, and the jell is cold , and the game is X at
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