Thataf Worldly things are Imitableand vneonßant. 6z7 this variable ground,are like vnto thofe who hauing no com- mandement or promife, will prefumeby foievertue of ami- raculous faith u, walk vpon the waters; who (as one faith)are mundo.;tantè fomuch the deeper plunged into the gulphofmifery,by how magi,inPoi"- much the more fecurely they pre(itmed oftheir permanent d"3" mergutgr. Frolperitie, therebeingnogreatermiferiethenafallehappi- oudent m nes. For there is no conliancie or fled fafines in tideworldly 'caws:fatlax things, but they are continually ready to remoue themfelues eaim lirtitttat from oneto another,at the leall becke of the great Creator, infaeuimaior and to alter the elates of worldly men by their commie ú Y Y g guff. in Pfalm. .and departure, as Hannah in her tong notablie obferuech : 529. The Lord (faith the) if a Godofknowledge,andby himenterpri- fesareeFtadltfhed: the bovand themihtiemen arebrslren, and rSom.1.3.44 theweakehattegirded themfelues with flrengeh. They that were fullare hiredoutfor bread, and the hangryarenomorehired,the farrenbath bornefeuen,andfie that hadmanychildrenúfeeble: the Lordkillethandmak.ethacme, bringethdown to thegraue, and raifethvp, &c. But let vsbriefly confider the mutability ofworldly things 4.Set1.3. in the fpeciall inflances.And firfi, what can bemore vncon- ofthemstabtG- liant and variable then honors and preferments? teeing thole Raracefbo who are thus aduanced,do continually walk inflipperie pla- Horsandp.rfcr- -ees,where they arcHill ready tocatch afall; andborrowing meats. their glory in a great partfrom the vnconflant opinion ofthe fickle multitude, which like the weathercocke turneth with euerywind, their fameand reputation muli needs be excee- ding variable, refling it felfe vpon fuch anvnflable ground. In which regard worldly men are fitly compared to fhelfifh, Plin.hb, a, cap. which dependingvpon the Moone,arefubiecrl toal her than- 99 ges,encreafing asthe encreafeth,anddecreafing, asthe incli- neth towards the waine; for fo their honor landingat the deuotionofthe vncó(lant multitude, alterethand changeth, rifeth and falleth,according to the ful or waine of their varia- ble conceits.The world promifeth indeed perpetuitie ofho- nors to thole whowill let theirhearts vpon them,and prefer them before the gloryofGod,and the faluation oftheir own foules, but he dealeth fometime vnfaithfully with hisfauou- rites, creacherouflybetraying them vnderPhewofloue, and S fa liftin.g
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