23 The Cr'cifyixo of the world, behold it ; and tatting thatJoy which lull}' reconcilcth all that fully do enjoy it : which we mull here contend;or , but none do there contend about it. What a noble employment have you in comparifon of the higheft fervants of the world '? How Tweet are your delights in comparifon of the Epicures ? O happy fouls that can fee fo much of your eternal happinefs, and reach fo near it. Were I but more in your condition, I wouldnot envy Princes their glory, nor any fenfualifts and worídiingstheir contents,nor defire to be their partner. I could fpare them their troublefom dignities, and their burdenfom Riches, and the unwholfom plea- fures which they fooften furfet on, and thewind of popular ap- piaule which fo fwelleth them : Yea, what could I not fpare then', if I mightbe more with you. O happy poverty , ficknefs or im- prifonment, or whatever is called mifery by the world, if it be nearer Heaven, then a fenfual life I and if it will but advantage any foul for thofe contemplations, whichare the imployment of mortified heavenly men ! Yea if it do but remove the impedi, ments of fo fweet a life ! I know (by fome little, too littleex- perience I know ) that one hours time of that bleffed life , will eafilypay for all thecoft ; and one believing view of God will cafily blatt the beautyof the world, and flume all thofe thoughts as the iffues of my dotage , that ever gave it a lovely name or turnedmine eye upon it with defire,or caufed meonce with com- placency to behold it, or ever brought it near my heart. O Sirs, what a noble life may you live I and how much more excellent workmight you be employed in , if the world were but dead to you, and the ftreamof your fouls were turned upon God ? Had you but onedraught of the Heavenly confolations, you would ihirft no more for the pleafures of the world. Yea did you but tafle of it , as yonathax of the honey from the end of his rod , (a Sam. í4.2y.) your eyes wouldbe enlightened and your hearts revived, andyour hands wouldbe fo ftrengthened in your fpiritual warfare, that your enemies would quickly perceive ir, in your more refolute prevailing oppofition of their a faults. And experience will tell you , that you will no further reach this heavenly life, then you are Crucified to earth and flefh. God aifeth to chew himfelf to theCaeleftial inhabitants, and not to the `ferreftriat : And therefore you will fee no more of God, then you get above and converfe in Heaven : And if faith had not
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