TheCrrscifying of the world, L. F you are Crucified to the world , be lure that you feek it not nor any thing in it , for its own fake ; but only as a means to higher thinks. The Gncerity of your hearts Both lie much in this and the life of your fouls depends much upon it. Labour in your lawful callings and fpare not (foyou exclude riot. your fpiritual work ).: It is not your Labour that we find fault with : But if the crer ture be the end of any Labour ,. you may better fit Will, and fpareyour pains; or rather fpeedily change your intentions. If you overtake the hallyefi traveller in his journey, and askhim , why he takes all that pains ; he will not fay it is, For Love of theway that he travaileth in, but for Love. of the place to which he is going, or the perlons, or things which . he there expects : So mutt it bewith you , if you arethe heirs of heaven : I blame you not to be glad of afair way, and to love it rather then a foul one : but it is not for the love of t heway that you mutt travail. He that runs in a race, doth not bellow all that pains for the Love of the pathwhich he runs in , but for Love of the Prize, which he expecteth atthe end. And he that . ploughethand foweth, doth it more for Loveof the crop which he hopeth for then for Love of his labour He that faileth through the dangerous Seas, performethnot his voyage for-Love of the Sea,or of his Ship, but for Loveof the Merchandize and Gain whichhe feeketh. The Carryer that goethweekly to Lox. don with your wares, doth not take all that pains for Love of the carriage , or of the way ; but of the gain which he deferveth. So mutt it be withyou, in all your worldlybufrnefs. When you feel( for credit, or pleafure, or maintenance in the world, it mutt not be finally for,the Love of there but for theEnd which they are given for and which your hearts and lives and all mutt he devoted to. Your hearts will as loondeceive you in this as in any thing, if you do not watch them with jealoufie and diligence: How quickly .*ill the heart begin to Love the creature for it . felf, that feerned once to Love it but for God ? Look in what meafure you love your wealth, your houles your recreations, your friends, for themfelves, and becaufe theyaccommodate the efh ; fo far you wrong cod, and abufe them to Idolatry. And if your Love do begin in greater purity , if you be not watchful.
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