Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

kfiy 59.45 66a That worldly things through ourahufe are hurtfull&c, polite veto him, are readie through their finfull abufe, to bring euill out of good, and to make thofe things which in their own nature are helpes and furtherances to all holy duties, and to the aduancing ofGods glory and our faluation ; to become prouo- cations vnto fin,and the meanes ofGods difhonor, and our de- flru6lion.That therfore I may not be mi(laken in the following difcourfe, I would preadmoni(h the Reader once for all, that whereas I Phew the manifold mifchiefes which accompanie the fruition of there worldly things,it is not my meaning to de- rogate any whit front thefebleflings ofGod, or to afcribe there culls vnto them, in their owne nature; or finally to proue that they arc abfolutely vnlawfull in their vfe and poffeffion vnto all men indefinitly;but only to Phew that they degenerate frô their ovine nature, and become the occafions ofall the enfiring culls to carnal worldlings alone,when as they efleeme,loue,and Peek them,more then the rich treafures of fpiritual grace,and eternal glory And of thefe I may truly fay with the Prophet, that they do not only truflin vaniry,fetting their hearts & affe &ions vpon things which are ofno worth, but alfo that in thus doing, they concernemsfchiefe,and bring forth iniquitie. In the former refpe he compareth the painfull indeauours of carnal' worldlings to the weaning of the f iderl lbeb, which is a worke of great paines, and final! profit;for as he faith ,theirwebsjball6enogarment, nei- ther f,al they cotter themfelue.rwith their labours;and in the latter, to the hatching of the Coc4 trrcesegs;which is no leire painfull, then full ofdanger : for as the brooding hen fitteth clofe vpon there ferpents egs,and depriueth her Idle willingly not only of libertie,but alto offood,that (he maybring forth heryong ;and after all this labour Both hatch a pernicious brood, who begin their mifchiefe with the deflru6lion ofher,which hath taken al this paines in bringing them forth: fo worldlings areverylabo- n ousinhatchingtheirdefires ,andinbringingtòrththe brood of worldly vanities,depriuing tbemfelues of theirlikedliber4y, yeaeuen ofneceffaries for backe and belly;and when al is done (not by reafon ofanypoifon in the things themf lues, but only that which theycommunicate vnto them, while(l they honer ouer them with their greedie delires) they become vnto. them deadly flinging ferpents, as being occafions and motines vntA fin,which will wound theta todeath,& bring them to eternal! deflruóüon