That merldly thingsarethecaarfesofidolatrie. 677 rneanes; that when they haue in plentie and abundance théfe earthly things in their poffeifion, they are readie to relinquifh God,and to trufi in their osAme prouidence and prouifion, to bieffe themfelues in the fruitionof their (tore, andthereby to thinke themfelues fife and fecure from anydangers.Thewhich idolatrous confidence, as it doth raigne, and wholy beare fway incarnali worldlin;s, who fo only refi inworldly things, that they are moliconfident when they haue them, and moil defpe- rate when they want them; fo it fometimes taintechGods dea- reft feruants; as we may fee in the example ofthe Prophet` Da- Pfnim.;o.`. Hid, who being in profperitie,fo far prefumed.vpon the ftrength ..ofhis fiate,that heconcludedwith himfelfe;hc fhould neuer be mooned. The whichvaine confidence God feuerelg punifheth, bybreaking the (talle oftheir affiance when they molt relt vp- on it,and making their hopes to faile.According tothe Paying ofBrldtd; Thehypocrites hopejhallpertfh, hisconfidenceagopad be vetoff,and his trail/ballbeas thebottleofafpider. Soholy461068.4. faith,that the ete.t ofthewicked11.all Palle, and tbeirrefs e/hallps- Chap.fl s. rilb,and theirhope/hall beforms, ofsnind. But this idolatriewhich worldlings commit,by felting their 4.Set .9. hearts toomuch vponworldly things,maybetter appeareifwe That ambitious; confider thefpccialt infiances.For who feethnot that the ambi- conetosi,and dons man louethhis honours and prefermentsbetter then his :aim/grim tnra God ? for he isreadiefo he may getthem,to lofe his loue ; and atetdolatert° preferreth the fauourofmen before the fauour ofGod; not ca- ringhawoftenhe finnethagainfi bothhis knowledge and con- fciencc,fohe may hide his firmes out ofthe fight ofinen,and by them compaffe hisambitious defignes. So a11ò being aduanced toauthoritie andpower; in the prideofhis heart heneglc5ieth God,and tru(teth in his ownemightand greatnell'e; for fupply ofall that is good,and deliuerancefrom all which is euill. Ac- cording to that of the Pfalmi(t The wicked is faprood,thatbee Pfalm.to.4. feekethnot for God. Sowhenmen fet their heartsvponcarnall pleafures,the,y fall into this grievous finite ofidolatrie, louing their pia1zles more thenGod,and not caringto difpleafehim, fo they maypleafe themfelues. But aboneall ocher things, ri- ches immoderately toned plunge men into this finne,making them to commitfpirituall whoredome with thistarthlymain- mon?andvtteri)/ negle6ing the Lord who bath iariched them, Xx3 and
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