Chap. 31. Ass Expofition upon the Book of J o a. Vert 25. 539 brethren, it remainetk therefore, that they who rejoice be as if they rejoiced not. So to doe a thingas if we did it not, is todoe it fo litle that we can fcarfe difcerne whether it be done at all or no. TheApoftle loth not totally forbid that joy but regulates it ; he would haveus rejoyce in the good things of this life , yet fo, as it may appeare we are dead to them. And if wee confider wealth, the greateft worldly wealth in its utmoft worth,we have reafon enough tobe fo. For, Firft, as ro its matter and extrataion.'tis ofthe earth ; Second- ly,as to its acquifition andattainment,'tis troublefome to get it ; Thirdly, when wehave gotten it, new troubles and cares are be- gotten by it; Fourthly, the utmoft ufe andenjoyment of it is but for the fhort timeofthis life, and why fhould we rejoyce much in that at any time, which we canenjoy but a litle time. Fifthly, joy inwealth produceth many dangerous effeets,unleffe it be wel tempered and correcaèd through grace. For, Fiat , it fteales the heart away from better things; while we feed too heartily upon earthly things, and drinke largedraughts at the cifterne of thecreature, we litle mihde (if we doe not for- fake) the fountaineof living waters (7er. 2. 13 ) much friend- ¡hip and familiarity with the world, breeds an eftrangement be- tweenGod and the foule ; the more we converfe with creatures, the leffe fellowfhipwe have with Chrilt : and then he is jealous ofus, that wehave found out other lovers, and aregrowne wan- ton with our wealth. This is fpirituall Adultery, and a going a whoring fromGod, The Apoftle lames calls it fo expreffely ( Chap. 4. 3> 4.) re aske andreceave not, becaufe ye askeararJJe, thatye may conform it uponyour leeffs. Ye Adulterers and Adal- terejJes knowye not &c. TheAdulterer cares not for his wife, and the ¿dultereffe is eftranged from her owne husband, the regards not his company; And thus when the heart is taken with the beauty and glitter ofthe world, it is eftranged fromGod. Secondly, Such Joy ingreat wealthblowes up the heart with vaine oflentation and (wells it with pride , nothing keepes the heart fo low as Joy inthe higheft things ; and Joy in low things, or in things b low, lets the heart on high. Here's a ftrange con- trariety of effc is ; low things make the heart proudly high ; and high things make the heart gracicufly low. Thirdly , Inordinate worldly joy make, the heart like the Z, a a. a, world,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=