Serro. XXXIX. of Covetóufnef . 27 1 petite, when they are leaving the World, as if they were to flay in it a Hundred Years longer ? So that in this fenfe alto, they are Children again, and are as fond of thefe Toys, as if they were jufl beginning the World, and .fetting out tor their wholeLife. 3. There is another Life after this, to be ferioufly thought on, and provided for with great Care: And did Men firmly believe this, they would not with Martha, bufe themfelves about many things, but mould mind the one thing neceffary, and with Mary chufe that better part which could not be taken from them. They would overlook the Trifles of this World, and (carte take notice of the things which are fen, but be only intent upon the things which are notfeen; becaufe the things which are feen are but Temporal, but the things which are not feen are Eternal. The great Concernments of another World would employ their utmofi Care, and their beft Thoughts. Whilft we are in this World, we fhould remember that this is not our home, nor the place of our refl ; and therefore as Men do in an Inn, we fhould make a (hilt with thofe indifferent Accommodations which the World will afford us, and which we can have upon eafie terms, without too much trouble and fair, becaufe we are not to continue long here ; and in the mean time we fhould cheer up our felves with the thoughts of the Pleafure and the Plenty ofour Father's Houfe, and of that full Contentment and Satisfa&ion which we [hall meet withal, when we come to thofe Everlafling Habitations. So that our great Care fhould be to provide for Eternity. If we have un- boundedDelates, let us place them upon fuch Obje&s as are worthyof them. Let us earne(lly covet the befl things, and Peek after the true Riches. We fhould fo mind the World, as to make Heaven our great Care; as to make lure to provide' ourfelves bags that wax not old; a treafure in the Heavens, that faileth not, where no Thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth, as our Saviour advifeth, Luke 52. 33. To the fame Purpofe is the Counfel of St. Paul, a Tim. 6. 17, 18, 19. Charge them that are Rich in this World, that they be Rich ingood Works, willing to diri- bute, ready to communicate, laying up for themfelves a good foundation ; or (as the word o9f á)<cl. may allo be rendred) agood treaJhre, againfi the time which is to come, that they may lay hold of Eternal Life. I have told you that all thefe things will fail in a (hors fpace ; we (ball either be flripp'd of them, or feparated from them when we come to dye, and (ball look over to thatvaft Eternity which we muff (hortly enter upon this World, and all the Enjoyments of it, will then be as nothing to us, and we (hall be wholly ta- ken up with the thoughts of another World, and be heartily forty that the things of this World have taken up fo much of our time and Care, and that, the great and weighty Concernments of all Eternity have been fo little minded and regardedby us. Now feeing all there things (hall be, pardon me, if I earnefily beg of you, in the mid ft of all your Worldly Cares, tohave tome Confideration for your Immortal Souls, which are no wife provided for by a great Effate, but are defign'd for nobler Enjoyments than this World can afford. When you are taking care to Feed and Cloath there dying Bodies, remember that better part of your (elves which is to live for ever. Let nor all your enquiry be, what Pall eat ? or what (hall I drink? or wherewithal fhall I be cloathed ? But fometimes ask your felves this Queftion, whatPall Ido to be faved ? I have an Immortal Spirit, it is but fit Tome Care fhould be taken of that, to train it up to Eternity, and to make ítfit to be made partaker of an Inheritance among them that are fanilified. The firm Belief and ferious Confideration of the great Things of another World cannot furely but cool the heat of our Affe&ions towards thefe dying and peri(hing Things, and make us refolved not to do any thing whereby we may violate the peace of our Confciences, or forfeit our Intereff and Happinefs in ano- ther World. II. By way ofRemedy againff thisVice of Covetoufnefs, it is good for Men to be contented with their Condition. This the Apofile prefcribes as the bell Cure of this Vice, Heb. 13. q. Letyour Converfation be without Covetoufnefs, and be con- tent withfilch things asye have ; .c2cluibtivot zols vrttëa,v, being contented with the prefent,
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