Ofthef fiirituallevilswhich accompanylborldlythings. 75r fet our hearts on thefe vanities, the gaine and aceef4e of them will not fomuch adde toour outward eft-ate, as they detra& fromthe riches ofourfoules ; neitherwill the carnali good theybring, in anyproportion counteruaile the fpiritu- allharmes which attend vpon them. For firft, they choake the feedof the Word, and make it vnfruitfidl, from which alone the gifts and graces ofGodsSpirit fpring .In which refpe& our Sauiour calleth riches thornes, which filling mens minds with worldly cares (as it were withfo many prickles and (harpe points) do choake this feedas faoneas it fpringeth vp; and fuch thornes alfo arehonors andworldly pleafures, whenmens affe&ions are let vpon them. Forthus are they tovs ofa thornie qualitie and nature, whilefl they catch andholdvs fait inworldly impioyments; foas wecan- not fregúent the aflemblies of the Saints to heare theword Matth.tz, ofGod, butwhen we are inuitcd to this heavenlybanquet, wearereadie to pretend excufes, like tholewhowere called to the Kingsfupper : or el fe whtlefl being come within hea- ring, theymake vs withencombred Martha tonegle& theLuke te.41.42, word, and to embrace the world; and to fIóp oureares a- gainflall admonitions; as'the Lord complainethof thepeo- pleof thelewes.lff4e (faith he) vetothee when thenwaa in Ierem.zzst, pros eritie, but thoufaideff Iwill not heare, this bath been thy mannerfrom thyyouth,that ebetewbuldeFfnotobey my voice.So although the Prophet Ezechielwas aneloquent and power- full teacher ofGods word,fo that the people had no exeep- tions to' take againfl him, why they flaould not come to hearehim; yet this immoderate loue of riches made their emitting altogether vnprofitable. For fo the Lord telleth him,that thepeoplereforted vntohim, aftertheaccuflomed manner, and didfit before him, and hearehis words, but they Ezech.33.3 t. wouldnot do them ; for ivith their menthestheymade ieils, and their heartdidgoafter their couetoeefnefe,Neitherdo they on- lydiflra&mens mindsinhearing, foas they cannot attend vnto that which is fpoken, butWin a deuouter fit they haue received any profitable inflru&ion; they prefently choake ir,and make it to be quite forgotten before it canb'ebrought toanyvieorpra&ife: yea iftkeheart'be fittingly infe&èd with
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