Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

That merldly things aretheca arfesofidolatrie. 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 fruition of their (tore, andthereby to thinke themfelues fife and fecure from any dangers.Thewhich idolatrous confidence, as it doth raigne, and wholy beare fway in carnali worldlin;s, who fo only refi in worldly things, that they are moliconfident when they haue them, and moil defpe- rate when they want them; fo it fometimes taintech Gods dea- reft feruants; as we may fee in the example of the Prophet` Da- Pfnim. ;o.`. Hid, who being in profperitie,fo far prefumed.vpon the ftrength ..ofhis fiate,that he concluded with himfelfe;hc fhould neuer be mooned. The whichvaine confidence God feuerelg punifheth, by breaking the (talle of their affiance when they molt relt vp- on it,and making their hopes to faile.According to the Paying ofBrldtd; The hypocrites hope jhallpertfh, his confidence ago pad be vet off, and his trail/ball beas the bottle ofafpider. So holy 46 1068.4. faith,that the ete.t of the wicked 11.all Palle, and tbeirrefs e/hall ps- Chap.fl s. rilb,and their hope /hall be forms, ofsnind. But this idolatriewhich worldlings commit,by felting their 4.Set .9. hearts too much vpon worldly things,may better appeare if we That ambitious; confider the fpccialt infiances.For who feeth not that the ambi- conetosi,and dons man loueth his honours and preferments better then his :aim/grim tnra God ? for he is readie fo he may get them,to lofe his loue ; and ate tdolatert° preferreth the fauour ofmen before the fauour ofGod; not ca- ring haw often he finnethagainfi both his knowledge and con - fciencc, fo he may hide his firmes out of the fight ofinen,and by them compaffe his ambitious defignes. So a11ò being aduanced to authoritie andpower; in the pride of his heart he neglc5ieth God,and tru(teth in his owne might and 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,that bee Pfalm.to.4. feekethnot for God. So when men fet their heartsvponcarnall pleafures,the,y fall into this grievous finite ofidolatrie, louing their pia1zles more thenGod,and not caring to difpleafe him, fo they may pleafe themfelues. But abone all ocher things, ri- ches immoderately toned plunge men into this finne,making them to commit fpirituall whoredome with thistarthly main- mon ?and vtteri)/ negle6ing the Lord who bath iariched them, Xx3 and