230 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. no use of them in his family.' Those monsters of men, Nero and Heliogabalus, had more interest in, and more power over, the things of this world, than ever had the best of men. Such villains in nature, so per- nicious to human society, that their not being was the interest of mankind; but yet more of the world poured on them, than they knew either how to enjoy, possess, use, or abuse. Look on all the principal treasures and powers of this world, as in the hands of one of these monsters,and there disposedof by Divine Providence, and you may see at what rate God values them. At this day, the greatest, most noble, wealthy, and fruitful parts of the earth, are given to the great Turk, with some other eastern potentates, either Mahome- tans or Pagans, who are prepared for eternal destruc- tion. And if we look nearer home, we may see in whose hands is the power of the chiefest nations of Europe, and to what end it is used. The utmost of what some Christian professors among ourselves are intent and designing upon, as that which would render them wondrous happy in their own apprehensions, put hundreds of them together, and it would not answer the waste made by the forementioned beasts every day. Doth not God proclaim herein, that the things of this world are not to be valued or esteemed l If they were so, and had a real worth in themselves, would the holy and righteous God make such a distribution of them 2 The most of those whom he loves, who enjoy his favor ; not only comparatively, have the meanest share of them, but are exercised with all the evils that the destitution and want of them can be accompanied with. His open and avowed enemies, in
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=