Vv. 5. the 8th Chapter of the R. Q M A N S. 41 King of Babylon flood in the heads of. the way, to make Divination : Now no Du:tmy deferves fo much to be known as this : If the queftion were, Shall I be rich, or poor? happy, or miferable in the World ? it were not of filch great moment; for thefe diftin- ílions do not out -live time, but ceafe at the Grave's mouth : But this queftion is of greater moment than fo, whether I Ihall be eternally miferable, or eternally happy ? it is foolith curiofity to enquire into other things : They are not of fach importance, that we fhóuld know them before hand ; but it concerneth us much, to know whether we be in a damnable, or falvable condition; if we be in a damnable condition, to know it whilic we have time to remedy it ; if we are heirs of falvation, the aflurance of our intereft will predccupate our bleffednefs, and will be a great encouragement to us ipi the way of holinefi for the prefent. Now nothing will fooner decide this great queftiorr, than the bufineCs we have in hand, whether we be after the frefh, or after the fpirit; for be. tween thefe two, Heaven and Hell is divided. Thefetwo divide both the prefent World, and the World to come. I thought good to ptemife this, that you may confider the weight of the café in hand. II. Doit. That thefe two forts of men have two diffèrent Objee''s, the things of the fpirit, and the things of the flefh: 127.. sios 7ec o 721 ie cope c; the one fuit with the one, and the other with the other. r 7a7;i ,rnis t, the things of the flefh. Let us firft know what is meant by flefh, and then we (hall better underfland what are the things of the filch. By the flefh is not meant the mats and fubltance of our flefhly bodies, or the outward part in which our foul is featcd, and by which it performeth its Fun&ions and Opera ti'- ons; but the vitiofity and corruption of humane Nature, "inclining and addicting it felf to the intereusof the bodily life. There are the inclinations of the ¡eft, and the interefls of the flefh ; 'the inclinations of the flesh, are the evil tunings of corrupt Na- ture; and the'interefis of the flefh, are the things that feed this corruption, or gratifie thefe evil inclinations ; the fame with 7a vs.at in the Text. Now there are of Two forts : . r. Things apparently evil; as all vices and fins, Gal. s. rg 20. in,. VapWas tivEpa The works Of the flefh are manififi which are theft, adultery, fornication, ni-cleanneG, lalivioufnefi, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulation, wrath, flrif<, fèditions;. herejes, envyings, murders, drunkennefs, revellings, and filch life Tho the inward root from whence thefe things flow, be hidden, yet thefe effeós are apparent rank Weeds, that fmell Itrongin Nature's Nofirils. There are not all, but he concludeth it with a filch like ; but inflanceth in thefe, as the molt known, and molt commonly prafifed; as the Commandments forbid the grofter fin in the kind. Some ferve the flefh in a more cleanly manner: and mark in the things enumerated, fome belong to the. blind, and corrupt Will, as Idolatry and Hereje 5 Come to the depraved Will, as Witchcraft and Ha- tred; fome to the Afaions both of the irafcible Faculty, as Emulation, Wrath, Strife, Come to the concupifcible, as tincleantief; Revellings; fome to the fenfi:al Appetite, as Adultery and Drunkenneff: He inflanceth not only in the groflèr evils; as Adultery, but Wantonne , or any unfeemly behaviour, that tendeth to excite the Luft of filthinefs iii our felves or others: not only in Witchcraft, but Hatred or Malice, which is a temptation to it; not only in Murder, but Wrathand Strife 5 not only inDrunkennef; but Revelling, riotous Feafts and Meetings. There is a difference between fins; but the learl is to be avoided, if we would Ihun the greater. a. Things good in their own Nature, but immoderately affelied, as all the Comforts and appurtenances of the bodily life, which are ufed as baits of corruption, as worldly profits, honours and pleafures; fome that immediately tend to the pleating of the flefb, as bodily pleafures; others remotely, as they lay in provijon for that end. What are here called the things of the pp, are elfewhere called earthly things, Phil. They mind, is i,fy 4,. earthly things, filch things as if rightly ufed, would be comforts in our paffàge, but through our folly prove fnares. Meat, Drink, Marriage; Pleafures, Profits, Prefef ments, Ea fe, Idlenefs, Softnefs, Daintinefs ; thefe things immoderately fought, not in refpeit to God, or in fubordination, but oppofition to heavenly things, becóine baits of corruption, and fuel wherewith to feed the fiefh: While men reek them- for themfelves; and only to pleafe themfelves, they are not adjumenta, helps to Heaven, but impedi- menta, lets and fnares. Oargreatetl danger Both not lie. in things limply evil, but in law- ful,things. Carnal men efleem thefe things as th'ebefl, and place their happinefs in thesis there things they affel, and love, 'and like, and care for : fo that the heart is turned 8 F of$
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