264 thefrsne: of thelotee ofthe world. auoid the impediments which croffe our worldly delires, then finne which like a (fumbling block in the wayhindreth our pafi'agcinto our heaucnly countrie ; then doe weemore ellceme,and more dearely loue the worldand worldly va. nities,then the Lord himlelfe, and the eternal' ioyes of his kingdome. 4gell.g. Lanly,that which we moll efieeme and loue,wealto take Thefou;.thfrgne in it moil ioyandcontenrment,and therefore are more care- iawhen werake full (ldl to keepe it whilefl we haue it,and beaile the loffe , of? ioy in k" thereofwith greaten griefe,when as it is taken fromvs. The pill, and :mi. ambitious man moil reioyceth in the vaine glorie of the grrrfein lofng Y g tl1Cp1, world,and careth not to lofe his life that he may preferue his honour, accounting it the bitterefl death to hue difgraced: The conetous man moll glorieth and reioyceth in his ri- ches,& is content to hazard hisfoule,rather then his wealth. The voluptuous man moll reioyceth in his pleafures, and would rather fell both earthly and heauenly patrimonies, then he wouldbe depriued ofhis fenfuall delights.And ac cording to their ioy in keeping them, fuch is their feare of loûng them, and anfwerable to both is their forrowand griefe,whenas theyare taken from them. On the other fide, they whofc hearts are inflamed with the fire ofGods loue, doe moll reioyce in him,and in the afl'uranceofhis loue and mercie towards them; and making moll precious account ofthis iewell, they had rather lofe the whole world then Gods fauour,or the teflimonics.thereof in their owne con. fciences; and gtieue more when hauing fallen into_ finne, they want the icyoftheir faluation, and doe not apprehend the loue ofGod,nor fenfibly difcerne the bcames ofhis fa- vour fhining into their hearts, as they haue done before times, then ifthey were depriuedofall the honours,riches, and pleafures ofthe world. Let cuery one therefore accor- ding to this fiigne examinehimfelfe; and ifvpon triall wee ñnde,that God is our principali ioy, and that wee moll re ioyce in his faluation; if with theProphet Dotaid wee had ;al rather fee the light of Gods countenance finning vpon vs, then that men fhould fhew vs anyworldly good ; and when it appeareth,haue more ioyofheart,then worldlymen haue when
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