The Life of Faith. 471 3. And the Tbiugbts themfelves arc corrupted and pervert- ed by it : They that (hould be thinking and caring how to pleafe God, are tbinking and caring for their bellies. Even whesi all their powers (hould be employed on God, inmedita- tion, or in prayer, their thoughts will be going after their fleibly appetite, as Exeltlels hearers were after their covetouf- nefs, 33. 51. And as Come of Chri[ls hearers were after the loaves. .. The ufe of pleating the fle(hly appetite dothmake men need riches; which is a mifery, and a (flare. Such muff needs bave their defires fadefled, and therefore cannot live on a little : And therefore if they bave riches, their fle(h devourcth almoft all, and they have little to (pare for any charitable ufes : And if they bave none, they are tempted to [leal, or get it by fore unlawful means. And fo it tempteth them to the love of. money (which is the root ofall evil) becaufe they love the lull whicfi needeth it. 5. And it maketh them utterly unfit for fufering (which Chrifl will have all his followers to cxpe&.) He that is ufed topleafe bit appetite, will take that for a grievous life, which another man will feel no trouble in : If a full fed Gentleman or Dives were tyed to fare as the poor labourer doth at the belt, he would lament his cafe as if he were undone, and would take that forhalf a martyrdom (if it were on apious pretence) whichhis neighbour would account no fuff ring, but a fraft. And will God rewardmen for fuck feltmade fufferings? How unfit is he to endure imprifonment, bini[hment and want, who hath al waits ufed to pleafe his fle(h ? If Gol cat him in- topoverty, how impatient would he be ? How plentifully and picafantly would molt poor Country -men think to live, if they had but a hundred pounds a year of their own ? But if he that hath thoufands,and is ufed tofulnefs,fhouldbe reduced to an hundred, how querulousor impatient would hebe? 6. It makcth the body heavyand unfit for duty: bothdit- ties of piety, and the honcfl labours of your calling. 7. It maketh the body difeafed; and fo more unfit to fern the foul. It is tobe noted, that the excels reproved by Paul at their Lovefcafts, was punifhcd with ficknefs, -and with death: And as that punifhcncnt had a moral Juitablenefs to chers
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