[6.] Sixtlily, Are there no burnt citizens that are very angry and impatient when they meet with opposition, disappointments, or pro- crastination in their earnest pursuing after the things of the worUi ? Balaam was so intent and mad upon the workl, that he desperately puts on upon the drawn sword of the angel. Num. xxii. 21-35. Are there no burnt citizens who are so intent and mad upon the world, that they will put warmly on for the world, though the Lord draws, and conscience draws, and the Scriptures draw their swords upon them ? But,
[7.] Seventhly, Are there no burnt citizens who are grown cold, very cold, yea, even stark cold, in their pursuit after God, and Christ, and heaven, and holiness, who once were for taking the kingdom of heaven by violence, who were so eagerly and earnestly set upon mak- ing a prey or a prize of the great things of that upper world, that they were highly and fully resolved to make sure of them, whatever pains or perils they run through ? i Aristotle observes, that dogs cannot hunt where the smell of sweet flowers is, because the sweet scent diverteth the smell. Ah, how has the scent of the sweet flowers of this world hindered many a forward professor from hunting after God and Christ and the great things of eternity ! The Arabic proverb saith, ' That the world is a carcase, and they that hunt after it are dogs.' Ah_, how many are there who once set their faces towards heaven, who now hunt more after earth than heaven ; who hunt rnore after terrestrial than celestial things ; who hunt more after nothing- nesses and emptinesses, than they do after those fulnesses and sweet- nesses that be in God, in Christ, in the covenant, in heaven, and in those paths that lead to happiness ! When one desired to know what kind of man Basil was, there was presented to him in a dream, saith the history, a pillar of fire, with this motto, Talis est Basilius, Basil is such a one, all on a-light fire for God. Before London was in flames, there were some who for a time were all on a-light fire for God, who now are grown either cold, or lukewarni; like the lukewarm Laodiceaus, Rev. iii. 14, 19. But,
[8.] Eighthly, Are there no burnt citizens whose hearts are filled with solicitous cares, and who are inordinately troubled, grieved, de- jected, and overwhelmed upon the account of their late losses ? And what does this speak out but an inordinate love of these earthly things ? 2 Cor. vii. 10. When Jonah's gourd withered, Jonah was much en- raged and dejected, Jonah iv. 6, seq. It is said of Adam that he turned his face towards the garden of Eden, and from his heart lamented his fall. Ah, how many are there in this day who, turning their faces towards their late lost mercies, their lost shops, trades, houses, riches, do so bitterly and excessively lament and mourn, that with Rachel, they refuse to be comforted, Jer. xxxi. 15, and with Jacob, they will go down into the grave mourning ! Gen. xxxvii. 35.'^ Heraclitus the philosopher was always weeping ; but such a frame of spirit is no honour to God, nor no ornament to religion. (1.) There
' Mat. xi. 12. As a castle or town is taken by storm.
^ One cries out, How shall I live, now I have lost my trade? another cries out, What shall I do -when I am old? another cries out, What shall I and my six children do when you are dead ? anotiier cries out, I have liut a handful of meal in the barrel, and a little oil in the cruse, and when that is spent I must lie down and die, 1 Kings xvii. 12, &c. VOL. VL ii
258 London's lamentations on [Isa. XLII. 24, 25.
is a holy sadness, wliich arises from the sense of our sins and our Saviour's sutlerinf^s: this is commendable. (2.) There is a natural sadness, which sometimes rises from sickness, weakness, and indisposi- tion of body : this is to be pitied and cured. (3.) Thwe is a sinful sadness, which usually is very furious, and hath no ears, and is rather cured by miracle than precept. This usually flows from the loss of such near and dear comforts upon which men have inordinately set their hearts, and in the enjoyment of which they have promised them- selves no small felicity. Oh that such sad souls would seriously re- member that tliere is nothing beyond remedy, but the tears of the damned ! A man who may, notwithstanding all his losses and crosses, be found walking in the way to paradise, should never place himself in the condition of a little hell. And he that may or can hope for that great-all, ought not to be excessively sad for any losses or crosses that he meets with in this world. But,
[9.] Ninthly, Are there no burnt citizens w^ho, to gain the world, do very easily and frequently fall down before the temptations of the world ? And what does this speak out, but their inordinate love to the world ? That man who is as soon conquered as tempted, vanquished as assaulted by the world, that man is doubtless in love with the world, yea, bewitched by the world, Num. xxii. 15-23; Josh. vii. 20-22; Jude 11. The cham})ions could not wring an apple out of Milo's hand by strong hand, but a fair maid by fair means got it presently. The easy conquests that the temptations of the world make upon many men, is a fair and a full evidence that their hearts are greatly endeared to it. Luther was a man weaned from the world ; and therefore when honours, preferments, and riches were offered to him, he despised them. So when Basil was tempted with money and preferment, he answered, ' The fashion of this w^orld passeth away, as the waters of a river that runs by a city, or as a fair picture drawn upon the ice, that melts away with it' Pecuniam da quce pa-maneat, &c., Give money, said he, that may last for ever, and glory that may eternally flourish. i I have read of a mortified Christian, who being tempted with offers of money to desert his religion, gave this excellent answer, ' Let not any think that he will embrace other men's goods to forsake Christ, who hath forsaken his own proper goods to follow Christ' It was an excellent answer of one of the martyrs, when he was oftcred riches and honours if he would recant, ' Do but offer me somewhat that is better than my Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall see what I will say to you.' Thus you see that men that are crucified to this world do not only resist, but also triumph over all the glittering temptations of a tempting and enticing world. And oh that such a spirit might rest ujion all those whose habitations are laid desolate ! But,
[10.] Tenthly and lastly. Are there no burnt citizens who go to the utmost of their line and liberty for the gaining of the things of this world ? Ah, how near the pit's brink, how near the borders of sin, how near the flames of vengeance, how near the infernal fire, do many venture to gain the things of this world ! And what does this speak out, but an inordinate love of this world? 0 sirs, what do all these