20 Therny Reafom for denying Life. 9. What reafon have you tobe fo tender of the flefh ? 'fs it the greatnefs of its fuffering that you flick at ? Why ,you put poor Bealls and Birds to as much, and fodo theButchers daily for your ufe: and they muff fuller it. And why fhould the body be fo dear to you? for thematter ofit,what is it hut earth? and wherein is it more excellent then the beafts that perifh ? I think God bath purpofely cloathed your foule with fo poor a drefs, that you fhould be the lefs unwilling tobe uncloathed, and might learn to fet more by your fouls then by your bo- dies, and tomake more carefully provifion for them. It feems he bath purpofely lodged you in fo pocr a cottage, that you fhould not be at too much care for it,nor be too loth to leave it. You have, its daily Neceflities and Infirmities and pains, and fomewhat of its filth and.loathforunefs, to tell you of its meannefs ? And why fhould you, be fo loth that fo poor a cottage, fo frail a body fhould be turned to dull. ? Dull it is and to dull it is fentenced. When the foul hath left it but a week, men can fcare endure to fee it or to fmell it ? And fhould the breaking of fuch an earthen Veffell be fo unplea- - fing a thing toyou ? And for its ufefulnefs,though fo far as it is obedient it was ferviceable to, your fouls, and God , yet was it fo refraaory, ill difpofed and difobedient,that it proved 110 better then your enemie. Many a temptation it hath en- tertained and cherifhed ; and many a fin bath it drawn you to commit ; Thofe fenfes have let in a world of vanity ; Thofe-_ wandring eyes have called in covetoufnefs, and- pride-and luft. Thofe greedy appetites have been fo eager on the bait, that theyhave toooft born downyour faith and reafon, anddrawn you to excefs in meats and drinks, for matter or manner, for qualityor quantity,or both. Many a groan thofe fins have - (Oil you, and many a fmarting day they havecaufedyou'; and dad uncomfortable life you have had by reafon of them , cornparifon ofwhat youmight have had. And this flefh hath been the Mother or the Nurfe of all. You were engaged by your. Baptifmal Covenant to fight againil it,whenyou entered into the.Church ; and if you,are Chriflians,this combate hath beenyour daily work,, arid much ofthe bufinefs of your lives. AndNet are you loth-tohave thc.vidary, and, fee your elle- my],
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