Downame - Houston-Packer Collection BX5133.D76 C552 1611 v.2

The vanitieofagreat retinue andmanyferuants. 371 is infinite,itmu(lneedsalfobeofvnfpeakeable andincom- prehéfible excellencie.Ifthe world hauefuch a goodly vaul- ted rook, beautified with loch glorious lights, and imbel- lifhedwith fuch fhiningBarres; then what (hall we thinke ofour heauenlyhabitation, whole floore ismuch moreglo- rious then this (lately roofe?Finally,if the Kingsofthe earth hauetheir marble, iuory and ieat, to adorne their buildings, then may we well conceiue that which the Apoflle law, Apocal.u. namely, that our heauenly citie is of much moreprecious flak,the wanes ofjafper,garnifhed with all manner ofpre_ tious (+ones,the gates ofpearle, and the Breets ofgold. And therefore ifwe affe&Barelybuildings,let vscontemne there batecottages on earth,and labour to beowners ofthofe glo- rious and heauenly habitations ; whichas theyareby infinit degrees moregoodly, and excellent, fo are theyalto curia- fling habitations, which neuer need repaire, noranywhit abate oftheir fir(+glorie. And thus haue I fhewed the vanitie offumptuous buil- 4,Se17.8. dings. Let vs in thenext place confider ifthere be anymore ThevanirieoJ worth & excellency inmany feruäts,&agreat retinue;where auamerouo altowe (hall find, that howfoeuer it is accounted aglorious milk. thing inthe world,to hauea multitude ofattendants, and a great traine attending at their matters heeles, yet it isbut a meere vanitie, yea ifit be poflible, morevaine then anyof the former. And this alto appeareth by the tcttimonyof the wifeSalomon, fpeaking vpon his owne experience, who fee- kingherein for Tomeworldly happines, miffedofit; andha- uing retainedloch amultitude offcruants,as,feruednot only for his neceffarie vfe, but alto for pompe and Bate, for plea. Ecclef.t.7.1r. fure and delight; concludeth of this as ofthe reiL that he foundnothing in it, but metre vanitie andvexation offpirit. Vino whichtefimonie we may adde diuers íeafons, which Thew the worthlefnes ofthis great attendance : for how(oe- uer aman hath hereby from the mouches ofmany,the good- 2ui m eltorxnr lytitlesoflord and matter, and the outward reuerence ofclidominur, capand knee, yet what is he in truth, but acommon feruant idemmxhorum vino them all, and euenas it were the Rewardofthe family, leruua elfe cogi- who taketh the careand paines to prouide them ofall necef- to>' ChryloR, g b 2 faries? in Rom.16.3.

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