Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

The PSrnet of the lone oft he world. 26y when their wheate and oyle abound; if in this we can with him rather place our blelI'ednefle, that the Lord is our God, Pfal.r44aS. then in the enioying of all the profperitie of the world; if we haue greater care ofrctaining the favour ofGod,and af- furance ofour owne fair ation,and leare of loling it, then of thefe worldly vanities ; and anfwerably doe vie the meanes, indeuouring abone all things toleade a godly and fandiified life,whereby our afíìrrance of them is more and more con- firmed ;and contrariwife to keepe our confciences vnfpot- red ofany wilfhll,knowne,orprefumptuous fnnes,whereby it is weakened and impaired : And if betides ourpurpofe hauing fallen into thefe firmes, and thereby hazarded our chiefe ioyes,we can with more bitter griefe bewaile ir,then any worldly fhamc and danger which wee incurre thereby; crying out with Dauid: LiTtake me O Lord to heare lay and Pfal.St.8.t z, gladoefe, that the bones which thou hag broken may reioyce; reFiore me to the lay of thy falnatian, and fablifh me with thy free f irit : then may wee be affured to atur comfort,that the Lord is our chicle loue,and that we efleeme him above the world,and worldly vanities. But ifcontrariwife wee little reioyce in God,but take all our comfort and folace in earth -' ly things ; if we feare the lone ofour worldly wealth,pomp, and pleafitreiand care not for the lofl'e of Gods loue and fa -' uour; if wee neuer endeuour to leade a Chriflian life,nor take any painesin mortifying our fnnes and corruptions, that we may attaine veto the afíihrance of Gods loue and our owne faluation ; and thinke no care or paints too much to prelcrue and fecure our worldly profits and delights; if wee doe not osourne for our fumes, becaufe by them wee haue difpleafed God,and hazarded the lo% of his fauour,buton- ly in regard offome worldly punifhment, which doth ac -' comparie them; and can heartily griene when wee are de -. priued of earthly vanities, and haue no forrow at all when' by fuse we haue loft the aflitrance of Gods loue,and ofour heauenly inheritance in his kingdome,wee make itn anifefi that our hearts and affeélions are groueling vpon the earth,' andthat we loue the world more. then God, It