274 5E1; ENTH SERMON do finally carry all the motions of their souls, called in scripture, " the pleasures of sin," and " the wages of iniquity," Heb. xi. 25. 2 Pet. ii. 15. that thing whatsoever it is, for obtaining whereof men do direct all their other endeavours, as profit, pleasure, and honour or power, and there are mediums exactly proportionable unto these ends ; namely, " the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," 1 John ii. 16. And there is a wisdom consonant unto these ends and means, and fit to direct and ma- nage these lusts, unto the attaining of those ends ; which therefore the apostle calleth the wisdom of the flesh or corrupt nature, Rom. viii. 7. and St. James, a wisdom earthly, sensual, and devilish, James iii. 15. earthly, managing the lusts of the eyes unto the ends of gain ; sensual, managing the lusts of the flesh unto ends of pleasure ; and devilish, managing the pride of life unto ends of power. But such wisdom as this, God esteems very foolishness ; My people are foolish, sottish children, they have no understanding ; Why ? " They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge," Jer. iv. 22. Wisdom is only unto that which is good; he is the wisest man who is simple and ignorant in the trade of evil, Rom. xvi. 19. If any man amongst you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may be wise," 1 Cor. iii. 18. On the other side, the true and ultimate end of a righteous man, is Almighty God as most glorious in himself, as most good unto us ; or the seeking of his glory, that he may be honoured by us : and of our own salvation ; that we may be glorified by him. The fruition of him as the highest and first, and the greatest and last, the chiefest object for the mind to rest in by knowledge, and the heart by love : this
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