r a 5o That thefe earthly thingsabufedbecomefnares veto vs. we haue them let our heartsvpon them. All whichnotwith_. (landing the moll men, both worldlings, andprofeffors of' religion,are chokedwith thefe thornes,and intangled with thefe [tares, being mooed with thcfc baites to doe many things againll their knowledge and confcience,either for thegettingor keeping ofthem. Inwhich refpe6l Augu/line dcfcribeth riches thus : That they are a coil] danger,ro thole whopofffe them; an mill mailer,and a treacherous lemon; birdlime vetoour fpirituall wings, fathersofflatterie,tonnes of griefe and care; anaafi offeare to chafe that haue them,andof griefe tothefe that want them. 4.Se17.6 Neither are thofe tentations which are grounded vpon Tbat tentations pleafures leffe dangerous , they being commonly made grounded vpon through our abufe,fweete poyfons which kill with delight, plealaes, are and pleafant fongs which lull vs afleepe in the cradle offe- very dangerous. curitie toour perdition and detlruClion. Forwhen a man is glutted with them,howexceedingly doth lice forget him- felfe and all goodduties ? and'how prone andheadlong is he vnto all vice and wickedneffe? there being nothing fo bad which he doth not thinkewell befeemeshim, whenhis Ecclef.z.z. vnderllanding is difiraughted with this merrie madnefíe, nothing fo foolifh and ridiculous atwhich he blufhethand is atharned. Butuwe would takea liuely view ofthofewho abound inworldly pleafitres,and feevnto what lewd licen- ciouf tes they bringall thole whoare gluttedwith them; let vsconfider ofthat notabledefcriptionofthe houle ofplea- lure, which by one no leffe wittily then trulyis thus defci- Ambrofde phered : The hall (faith he) ofpleafuregloriouflyglifferedwith Cain&Abel, l(inglyfrsperfluitse,orfumptuom furníture,andwith curious in- lib.t.cap.4. grauenwalles,andthefiowre didfwimme}bith wine; theground fineiledfweetelyofodorrferotu ointments,cowered làith thebones ofdaintiefafhes, andflipperiewithflowers, now reedit, to wither. There wasa tumult of boon companions,a clamorous noire of wranglers, the [laughter ofneedleffe contenders and brablers. t.24ufscall mirth and harmonieof thefe that[upped together, thenoife ofdancers; load laughter ofthole dehichwere madly merrie, flouting and clapping hands oflicencious wantons, all things confuted andnothingin natural!order. There was to bee lean
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