Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

4.Set1.6. That honors bring no con- tentment to thofè that bane them. Ierem.zz,zz. fl3ofeasz.re Haggai 1.6, 4 2 2 That worldly thing! cannot faeisfie or 6rirtg contentment, then the other in their greatefi wants, and when their wines and appetites are aloft crcffzd. And thus haue I generally (hewed the infufficiencie of worldly vanities, for the bringing of contentment to thole that haue them.Let vs now take a more fpeciall view ofit in honors,riches,and bewitching pleafures.And fit(} for honor, how fhould it fatisfie and glue contentment, feeing it is but a name,title, or conceited fhadow,which hath it fubfifience in the vngrounded opinions and vaine breath of the vncon_ fiantmultitude, and like a finoake is carried about with the winde ofmens mouches? And therefore thofè that refi vpon it for the fufficing oftheir ambitious and hungrie appetites, haue that flender pittance of the falfe Paf}ors,through Gods iuf }iudge nentallotted vnto them,in (lead oftneate feeding vpon the aire; and with Ephraim they gape after the winde which puffeth them vp with vaine-glorious pride, but affor- deth vnto them no fubf }antiall nourifhment : and therefore vnto fuch the flying ofthe Prophet 11aggaì may fitly be ap- plied, ye haue eaten andare not fatio feed. In which refpe& this breath ofhonor is not vnfitly compared to the finell and o. dour of the kitchin, which doth not nourifh, orfo much fa- tisfie with the fent, as it doth fharpen the appetite by the fight. Byreason whereofambitious men are infatiable in de- firing honors (becaufe they are vaine and do not fatisfie)and being notfilled with that which they affe&, they can put no end vnto their appetite; nil' they are climing the ladder of preferment, and aspire to feate thcmfelties in the throne of himhefi honor; but never do they find contentment in the things they fo much delire; for either they catch a fan', hilefl their hafi in climing exceedeth their providence and heed; or being come to their delred height, they are not fo much fatisfied with this fitperlatiuc and tranfceudent glorie,as dif- contented anddifpleafed, becaufe there is no higher place veto which their ambition may afpire. It may be when they ñrf} aue way ro thefe proud deliires, they propounded vnto them' force low or meane pitch,which ifthey could at- taír._ visto, their deceitful) heart promifed them to ref} con- tented; but as the rich glutton craned buta drop of water to coole