TO pursue the perfection of our Na­tures, or to govern the course of our Conversations with reference to some ultimate End, or chief Good, is not the result of Discourse or Reasoning, but an im­bred Principle, which flows from the frame and constitution of our Natures. And it cannot be imagined that God, who doth no­thing in vain, much less to evil purposes, should create this strong propension for no other end but to deceive our hopes, to frustrate our en­deavours and to vex us for ever with unsatisfi­ed desires; yea rather we may assure our selves that the Divine Goodness, who created the desire, hath also impressed such notices on our minds, as would direct and guide us, as it were by a Moral Instinct, to the knowledge and attain­ment [Page 4]of it's proper satisfaction.

But this is our unhappiness, that we our selves deface these Characters, we neglect the study of our own Natures, and rashly deter­mine our chief good, without the consultati­on of our best Capacities, our noblest Appe­tites. And thus we stray from the good we seek, and flee from the felicity we pursue. Our Judgment is partial, our Ends are trivial, and our Love degenerate. Riches and Honour transport one, sensual Pleasures charm ano­ther, a third pursues Dominion; in short, the World, in some dress or other, is the God, the aim, the end of the generality of Men. Till we find at last, by the constant delusion of our hopes, that we sought for the living among the dead, for security on a precipice, or for Happiness in things without us. How greedily then should we embrace such Propositions, as would rectifie our Judgment, correct our er­rors, and point us infallibly to our best and truest interest, and to the Methods of obtain­ing it. And such is the Proposition of my Text, where Life and Death are set before us; whatsoever is glorious, whatsoever can be loved or hoped for, against all the false appearances of worth and beauty, against all that is misera­ble, [Page 5]wretched and abhorr'd. For what is a man profited, &c.

At the one and twentieth verse of this Chap­ter,Ver. 21. our Saviour began to shew unto his Disci­ples, how he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things, and be killed, and raised again the third day. S. Peter partly through surprize,Luk. 24.21. (for they knew not that these things ought so to be) partly through his love and tender af­fection to our Saviour, began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, O Lord, Ver. 22. this shall not be unto thee. But our Saviour interprets this re­buke of S. Peter, as an instance of his Love to the world, and improves the occasion in­to a discourse of self-denyal, Ver. 24.Ver. 24. If any man will be my Disciple, he must not only be wil­ling to part with me, but himself must take up his Cross and follow me. He must be ready in mind and heart to relinquish all that is dear, even life it self, whensoever it shall stand in competi­tion with the Will of God, and the Salvation of his Soul; for what is a man profited, &c.

Which words are an allusion to a known Proverb, [...], nothing is more precious than Life; An Eye for an Eye, and a Tooth for a Tooth, but all that a Man hath will he give for his Life. From the truth and Reason [Page 6]of this proverbial comparison, our Saviour argues the incomparable value of the Soul; for if the propriety, the inheritance of the Uni­verse, be refused even to a Proverb, in Compari­son of Life; how much less shall the world in all it's profits, in it's best advantages, even life it self, contend in the ballance with the Sal­vation of the Soul?

And this is all that is necessary to be said for the Explication of the words, which of them­selves are an entire Proposition, and do plain­ly assert this great truth, viz.

That the gain of the whole World, is but an inconsi­derable acquisition, in comparison of the Salvation of the Soul. Or,

The loss of the Soul is a greater evil than can be recompenced by the gain of the whole world.

For the clearer illustration of which truth, I shall dispose my discourse into this method.

1. I shall impartially represent the profits of the world, with the nature, the quality, and the bounds of his advantage who shall gain them.

2. I shall consider and describe the Soul in all it's capacities and interests, and from thence deter­mine what it is to save, and what to lose the Soul.

3. And lastly, I shall compare these Interests together, by unquestionable Measures and [Page 7]Rules of Profit and Loss, that from thence it may appear, how contemptible an interest he hath espoused, who to gain the world shall lose his Soul.

First, I shall impartially represent the profits of the world, with the nature, the quality, and bounds of his advantage who shall gain them.

The proposal, or preference of the Soul, as a better interest, neither denies nor exte­nuates the worth of temporal things, simply. But, on the contrary, a just and proper value, in it's place and kind, is here supposed, and must be allowed to the World, as a foundati­on of Comparison. For if the world, and all it's interests, were simply and intrinsically e­vil, the gain of the World and the loss of the Soul would be the self same thing numerically, and so the Comparison would be most absurd. It remains therefore as the granted Question of the Text, that the gain of the World is a real, substantial good in its place and kind. (And possibly Religion has been much enda­maged by an indiscreet proposal of the severer duties of self-denyal, simply, which are only required upon particular reasons, and under emergent circumstances.)

By the World then we shall understand [Page 8]whatsoever is without us, whatsoever is apt to gratifie our Sensitive Appetites, and render our natural lives easie and desirable. It is,

1. A Negation of natural Evils, of Perils, Anxiety, Poverty, Slavery, Disgrace and Pain.

2. The Possession of the contrary goods, of safety, liberty, ease, dominion, pleasure, honour, plenty, strength, and friends.

3. Health, or the vigour of those natural appe­tites which are gratified by these enjoyments, and the pleasures arising thereupon. This is the nature, the quality, and bounds of his ad­vantage who shall gain the world.

But all these interests, especially in their ut­most measures, if they were ever pursued, yet were they never obtained by one Man. The Wisdom therefore of our Saviour in putting the question to the utmost possibility, If he shall gain the whole World, is very observable, because it takes in all the Circumstances which any man, of whatsoever State, or Place, can possibly be under: And anticipates the flatte­ries of the greatest Fortune: By gaining the World then, paticular Persons are to under­stand such portions of these interests as are proper to the place we fill, or as we may rea­sonably propose to our selves, under our cir­cumstances, [Page 9]and in our Stations.

Now that these enjoyments, these advan­tages of natural Life, are good in their own Nature, and a real profit to the Possessors, will appear, if we consider these two things.

1. The nature and original Reason of hap­piness. What other Rules or directions have we, to determine our Judgment of Good and Evil, but the natural necessities, sensations, and desires of men. According to the account of the best Philosophers, Bonum est quod cui (que) con­venit, Arist. Ith. Voluptas est principium boni. Convenience, Pleasure, or the satisfaction of Appetites, is the Principle of Good. But the essential capacities of Humane Nature are Sensitive and An­nimal, as well as Religious and Intellectual. The Divine Principle of Religion, Reflection, and Understanding, is lodg'd in an Earthly body, [...]. Por­phyr. in vitu Pyth. and sent into a World surrounded with the proper satisfactions of every desire, and endowed with Organs of the quickest sense. To determine therefore the happiness of such a Being, so mixt and composed of a corporal and angelick nature, by the perfections on­ly of his Soul, without provision for the pleasures of the natural Life, is an imperfect unphilosophical account. For in whomsoever [Page 10]the Appetites of the body are stifled, or exter­minated, there is disease, and an unnatural mutilation; and in whom they remain un­gratified, there must be dolour and uneasi­ness. 'Tis true, the improvements of the Mind, and a good Conscience, are an abundant satis­faction for the want of temporal Enjoyments, (as we shall discourse anon) but we speak not now comparatively, but of things as they are in their own Natures; and yet even a compen­sation is a satisfaction for something that is wanting, and implies either a fault, or an im­perfection. There must be therefore a strict Philosophick Good in the things of the World, consider'd simply, in as much as they contri­bute to the pleasure of our being, and are the proper satisfactions of essential desires.

2. Neither is this all, but as the world hath a proper good in its own Nature, so are we obliged to esteem and value it by the Law of God. It was God that made the Spirits so sub­tile, the Nerves so sensible, the several amabi­lities in the Object, and the inclination in the Faculty, not to betray us into Evil, but to delight us with the dominion he hath given us of the world. Such Pleasures and Enjoy­ments therefore, as proceed from these de­sires, [Page 11]as these desires proceed from God and Nature; Reason, without Revelation, would instruct us to be good, and innocent. But if we consider the testimony which God himself hath given of them, the question will be with­out dispute: Who, after a strict review of his six days work, pronounced of the whole Crea­tion, that it was very good; Gen. 1. and who out of his especial favour to his own Image, put the man whom he had formed into the Garden of Paradise; and who, lastly, allures us to Obedi­ence by the promise of these temporal rewards.Gen. 2. Both the negation of every natural Evil, and the position of every natural Good, of Rich­es and Honour, of Safety, Preferment,1 Sam. 2.30, Ps. 21.5.22.4.10.3. Suc­cess and Reputation, are all promised by God, as Blessings and Rewards.Isa. 32.17. And in the Gospel of our Saviour, though the clear Revelation of eternal Life is such an invincible motive as to which nothing can be added; yet as a col­lateral encouragement to those,Mat. 6.33. who shall seek the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, in the first place, all things else are promised to be added to them. This, says Plutarch, is the foundation of devotion, trust, and confidence in God, that we believe he Governs the world,Plut. de Su­perst. and that prosperity is of him.

Wherefore then, since the things of the world agree with the Philosophy of good in general, and are design'd, by the wisdom of God, to entertain our sensitive inferiour faculties, and are promised, by his goodness, as blessings and rewards; we cannot but conclude, that the Possessions of the world are a substantial good in their own Natures; though of infe­riour place and kind.

But the Objections drawn from such passa­ges of our Saviour as insinuate the danger of Riches, and prescribe the strictest Self-denyal, the most entire resignation of our sensual Appetites, appear so plausible at the first sight, that we must not wholly pass them over. Yet the answer will be short and easie; because our Saviour himself hath taught us by his own interpretation, to put constructions upon all such Precepts and Positions: For when himself had declared, Mark 10.24. That it is easi­er for a Cammel to go through the Eye of a Needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: He presently explains himself by those who trust in Riches: [...]. 26. Which shews, that the Precepts and Passages of this nature are not intended to be understood literally; but in a sense. As sometimes in Comparison: [Page 13] Lay not up for your selves treasure on Earth: Take no thought for to morrow. Mat. 6. Sometimes with respect to emergent Circumstances, as when the Apostles encouraged the Disciples to sell their Possessions for the relief of the persecuted Brethren. Sometimes personally, sometimes habitually: If thou wilt be perfect, sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor; and, whosoever will be my disciple let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. Be ready in mind and heart to relinquish all whensoever it shall be necessary. And that thus the Apostles un­derstood our Saviour, is evident from that of S. Peter, Luk. 18. Who glories of himself, and the other Apostles that they had perform­ed these duties; we have left all, and followed thee: and yet S. Peter kept his House at Capernaum▪ and the Apostles retained the Propriety and Possession of their Ships and Houses.

To conclude this, the noblest Science is to know ones self, to keep the mean, to preserve the vigour, and gratifie the desires of all our Faculties. Cato's best Emperour, was he who should govern, not destroy, his Appetites. Away then with all such superstitious Doctrines as prescribe us to live upon intuitive entertain­ments, to hide our selves from the Sun, Coll. Gran in vita R. P. Th. Sanchez. or to [Page 14]dwell in a pleasant Garden, but never touch a Flower. Which indeed is so far from the per­fection of a Christian, or the design of my Text, that it is the disease of the mind, sullen, morose, distrustful, impotent. But on the o­ther hand, to esteem the world above its ap­pointed value, or to consider it as our Chief Good, is the most pernicious Folly, the great­est Calamity which can befall us: which leads me, in the second place,

2. To consider and describe the Nature, the Ca­pacities and Interests of the Soul; which the Text prefers to our care and choise, rather before, and whatsoever becomes of the Profits of the World.

And we shall easily acknowledge, that we cannot comprehend the essence of the Soul, or the manner of it's operation, volition and understanding, it is inconsistent with the disad­vantages of our present state. But by the acts, effects, and inward sensations of the mind, we certainly know, that it is neither Air, nor Fire, nor Blood, nor moving Numbers, but as it is defin'd by Porphyrie, Se [...]t. [...], a Being immaterial, self-moving, and immortal, a Principle of an independent, in­tellectual life, of Understanding, Judgment, Reflection, Conscience, Goodness, Providence, [Page 15]acting as God freely, and for the sake of Ends. And the Objects about which these Faculties are exercised, and with which they are enter­tain'd, are the excellencies of the Divine Nature, to study and contemplate; the Divine Perfecti­ons, by which, as by a Rule, to judge, and govern our estimate of things; the works of Creation and Providence, the Government, the Wisdom, and the Histories of the World, to improve our minds with useful knowledge; divers Relations to God, and to one another, for the exercise of Devotion, Wisdom, Provi­dence, Love and goodness.

This is the Nature, these are the Capacities, the Acts and Exercises of the Souls. From whence we collect, that the highest interest, or the perfection of the Soul, (considered in its natural capacities,) consists in the strength and vigour of these sensations and desires,Simpl. in Epict. in the habitual exercise of the faculties with their pro­per objects; in understanding clearly, in judging discreetly, in loving universally, in governing our lives wisely, in subduing our passions, in preserving the dominion of our Rea­son. It follows therefore, that to lose the Soul (according to this Original, simple sense) is to vitiate or destroy these Moral Appetites, and [Page 16]by a constant conversation with sensual Ob­jects, to be wholly govern'd, to understand, to judge, esteem and love according to them.

And methinks the naked representation of this loss, is of it self sufficient to convince us, that the World, with all it's Profits, can be no Price for so inestimable a Jewel as the safe­ty, no satisfaction for so great a calamity, as the loss of the Soul. For if we consider a a man without Knowledge, without Wisdom, without Goodness; there is nothing left, whatsoever his circumstances in the World may be, to commend him to others, or reconcile him to himself. If his Passi­ons are tame, he is the pity and contempt, if they rage, the regret and detestation of Mankind. He is a diseased, imperfect Crea­ture, the ignoble parts are swell'd to an unna­tural fullness, whilst the noble are wasted and shrivell'd into nothing. He hath lost the pleasures of a healthful Constitution, the deli­cate entertainments, the pure and unmixt de­lights which flow from all the Faculties, in the exercise of their proper functions; and is invested, on the contrary, with a dull Un­derstanding, an unsatisfied Will, tumultuary vex'd and discomposed Affections.

But if this were all the loss, such is the dege­neracy of men, how few would value it? We shall farther therefore consider the interest of the Soul, as it stands in the relation of a Sub­ject to God our Law-giver, who hath obliged our obedience to an Institution of Religion, to a Rule of Life, with Sanctions of future Bliss and Misery. He then that despises Wisdom and Goodness, may yet fear him who is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell. This is the loss of the Soul emphatically, and which our Saviour principally intends, the displeasure of God, the future punishment of our Disobe­dience, and the loss of our Interest in the Rewards of Vertue, in the Joys of Hea­ven.

And though the nature and affections, the man­ner of the reception, and conveyance of these Felicities, are impossible in our present State to be understood distinctly; (as it is fabulously re­ported of the Ghost of S. Jerom, that it appear­ed to S. Austin, writing a Tract of the fullness of joy in Heaven, and asked him if he could measure the Waters in his Fist, or meet out the Heaven with a Span). Yet this we know in general, that it consists in the absence of all E­vil, tears shall be wiped away from all Faces, Is. 25.8. 1 Cor. 15.54. no [Page 18]forbidden fruit shall be there to tempt us, no adversaries to assault us, no impetuous desires to molest us; and in the affluence of all good. Whatsoever is contained in Abraham's bosom, Luk. 16. Jo. 14.2. Ps. 16.11. 2 Cor. 4.17. 1 Cor. 2.9. in the house of our Father, in fulness of Joy, in eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor can the heart of man conceive, is the felicity of that blessed State. Our understanding shall be perfected, in a clear discovery of the most excellent glory and loveliness of God, for we shall see him as he is. 1 Jo. 3.2. We shall then discern the beauty of his Holiness, the brightness of his Understand­ing, and the largeness of his Love. And because the Soul, in all its capacities of life and action, in judgment, choice, desire, and love, is absolutely govern'd by the understanding; Therefore our knowledge, our sense of the Di­vine Perfections,Rom. 8.29. Phil. 1.21. shall of necessity, transform us into the same Nature, quicken us into the same life, and invest us in the joy of our Lord, in the same felicities with himself? Our Wills shall be perfect with indefective holiness, our Affections shall be unalterably fixed and ra­vished with the ever-fresh and inexhaustible Treasures of his Beauty. In a word, our souls shall be struck with such a powerful sense of his un­speakable glory, his Image shall be so deeply [Page 19]impress'd upon our minds, that our selves shall be changed into the likeness of his excellency, and entertain'd with the pleasures of his life. These are the glorious possibilities of the soul, the ve­ry privation thereof, or to be thrust from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his pow­er, without the punishment of pain, is more than enough to be contained in losing the Soul, though a thousand worlds were to be set a­gainst it. Yet even this is not all, for the sancti­on condemns the disobedient to the punishment of pain, as well as to the punishment of loss. A guilty Conscience consummated with wretched horror and despair shall be his Porti­tion. He shall be cast into outer darkness,Rev. 21.8. Mar. 9.43. Mat. 8.11. Rom. 2.9. Mat. 5.26. Luk. 13.28. where he shall be sure to find, whatsoever is contained in the vengeance of an Omnipo­tent God, who is a consuming fire.

And thus I have impartially stated both the Nature and the Value, first of the world, then of the Soul: I proceed therefore, as I propos'd, in the last place,

3. To compare these Interests together, by the most infallible Rules and Tests of worth, that from thence it may appear how contemp­tible an interest he has espoused, who to gain the world shall lose his Soul. And amongst those [Page 20]many reasons of difference which might be found, I shall only select a few which seem to be the most considerable. And,

1. I shall compare them with respect to certainty.

2. With respect to Fulness or Satisfaction of the Will.

3. With reference to Duration. And there is no man but will readily acknowledge, that a certain, full, and everlasting good is incom­parably preferable to a contingent, empty, tran­sient interest.

1. But first, the interest of the World is casual and uncertain: And if as great success in our pursuit as can be feigned, if the gain of the whole world be no advantage to him who shall lose his Soul, as the Text supposes, how much more unreasonable is it to prefer this interest, [...] Ar. in Ep. considering the continual Flux, the fugitive nature of temporal things. He who pursues an interest out of his own power, courts unhappiness, says Seneca. But our success in the pursuit of the world depends up­on a train of Circumstances,Epist. 63. which we may dispose and order in our thoughts, but not command. For if we were wise enough, as but few are, to lay our designs subtilly, to dispose [Page 21]Instruments aptly, to foresee accurately, to mind our business, and govern our passions strictly; yet the Wisest often find their Purposes defeated, some Links of the Chain are broken.

Because our condition is so dependent, that there is nothing brought to pass but by the assi­stance and meditation of others, by time, and by things without our power. Where then there are so many free agents, pursuing their respective private interests, as it were in a tacit conflict one upon another, [...] Ar. in Ep. there must be cross events and disappointments. This contrariety therefore of Will, the deceits of Correspon­dents, publick Calamities, and personal Follies, render our success in the world uncertain in the nature of the thing; besides, the over-ru­ling Providence of God, who causes all Designs and Interests to serve the Ends of his Alwise Councils.

But whosoever pursues the favour of God, and the Salvation of his Soul, may (with Reverence) be certain of obtaining it: Because the means and instruments are all within, between our selves and God alone. No cross conjunction of unforeseen Accidents can impede our pro­gress. Deliberate Choice, and firm Resoluti­on are infallible securities of success. But liber­ty of choice is essential to our Nature. Force in any sense, is Necessity, and therefore a con­tradiction to a reasonable Creature. It is a scandal to Religion and the Humane Nature, to suppose it impossible to Chuse the good,1 Cor. 7.34. and Refuse the Evil.Boeth. de Cons. Vertue is the life, the pleasure,Amat, sapit recte facit ani­mo quando obse­quitur suo. Isoc. a Socr. the rectitude of the Soul; who then but the wicked (who want Apology) can think it impossible to attain the perfection of our be­ing; especially considering the great assistances which God so freely offers to those who are sincere, and willing to pursue this interest. That his holy spirit shall encourage our endea­vours, Jo. 14. and assist our weakness, Jer. 32.39. that he will give us an heart of Flesh, Ez. 11.19. and cause us to walk in his ways. And what shall we not do through the power of God that strengthens us? That's the first.

2. The world, if we could obtain it, is empty [Page 23]and unsatisfying, allayed with vexations and uneasie cares; but the favour of God, and the rewards of Heaven, are such an unmixt and perfect good, as being once obtained, we can desire no more. The formal reason of good, is satisfaction, and of evil, desire unsatisfied. But the disproportion is so great, between the world, and our innate desires of perfect happiness, that it is impossible it should fill them. For the world is confin'd by the Wis­dom of God, and fitted only for the Service of our Earthly, limited, inferiour facul­ties: and is therefore inadaequate, both in Nature and measure, to the vast capacities, to the unbounded appetites of the mind. Whoso­ever then shall fix his happiness in the Possessions of the world, expects more form it than it can perform, and shall therefore be sure to be for ever followed with cross events and new de­sires.Crescit indul­gens sibi dirus hydrops nec si­tim pellit nisi causa morbi fu­gerit venis—Hor. For sick and unnatural appetites are in­finite; Indulgence, in the Dropsie, doth but inflame the thirst; the disease is within, and the desire insatiable. [...]. Whatsoever the change of For­tune or Life may be they can never remove the vexations of the mind,Plut. de Tranq. which arise from false Opinion, says Plutarch; The Star is lost we [Page 24]steer an unknown course, and sail in an immense Sea of wild and extravagant desire: All this is na­tural and necessary. But besides the disproporti­on between the Object and the Faculty, we our selves create vexation to our selves. Our inor­dinate love of the World betrays us into fears and jealousies, and fills us with envy and ambiti­on, which cause us to judge of things, not as they are in their own nature, but with respect to o­thers, and so removes our happiness yet farther out of our own power; as Plutarch writes of Themistocles, In vita The­ [...]ist. that he raved and walk'd about the Streets at midnight, vexed and tormented with the triumph of Meltiades. [...]. Inordinate desire hin­ders even that imperfect satisfaction,de tranq. which might otherwise be found in the Object we pursue, as the same Author observes. Per­fect happiness then, or full content, is not to be found in the Enjoyments of the world.

What shall we say then? I man alone de­sign'd [Page 25]by God to be the sport, the mock of Nature? Are we the only Creatures which were made for ever to pursue, but never ob­tain our happiness? No surely;Ps. 63.3▪ Ps. 16. 1 Pet. 1.8. Rom. 14.17. Thou hast made us, O Lord, for thy self, and our Soul is unsatisfi­ed till it rests in thee: Thy favour is better than Life, and at thy right hand there is fulness of Joy and Pleasure. In a word, whosoever by Vertue, and Obedience, shall obtain the Re­wards of Heaven, and the Love of God, are under a full enjoyment, a compleat Possessi­on of abosolute perfect and unlimited goodness. For passionate Fondness, is infirmity, and there­fore incompetent to the Love of God, or the perfection of the Attribute, which consists in the most substantial effects and operations; not only in shining upon us, but in making us luminous with his brightness; and happy in the enjoyment of his perfections, in the com­munication of his felicities.

The will, of necessity therefore, shall be pre­vented, fill'd and satisfied; because there is no­thing farther to be desird; for all the good which is in any Object, is derived from this Original, simple good, which we shall then enjoy. And this is no Platonick rapsodie, but the necessary [Page 26]effects of the Divine Love, and agrees with the sober experience of Pious Men, whose Souls enjoy of full content, and easiness in God, though the methods of conveyance are inexplicable. That's the Second.

3. Thirdly, and lastly, If we were sure to gain the world, and if it were possible to be fully satisfied in the acquisition; yet is our possession uncertain, our enjoyment short; but the Interest of the Soul is everlasting.

No present State, whatsoever it may be, can denominate a Man happy: A taste of happiness without continuance, is but a mockery, a vexation. It is propriety, and sta­bility which commend an Interest, and pass it into the relation of Felicity.

But the natural condition of Earthly things is frail and fugitive: All those Reasons which render it so difficult to gain them, render it as hard to preserve them when obtained. Personal Follies, publick Calamities, sudden accidents, fraud and avarice, Sin and Death, [Page 27]do all oppose the security of our present state. But nothing can more disparage the value of the world, than this continual motion, flux, and change, to which it is liable; because the loss of what we once possest is a greater cala­mity than never to enjoy.Turk. Hist. in Regn. Baj. For Bajazet to change his Seraglio for a Cage, for Valerian to become the Foot-stool of his Enemy:Cassio dor. Plut. in vit. Emil. for Per­seus King of Macedon, but the fourth from A­lexander, to be led in Chains before the Tri­umphal Chariot of P. Emilius, were greater Calamities than never to have been happy.

But if our possessions of the World were firm, and stable in their Nature, our enjoy­ment, howsoever, would be short and transi­ent, because our own foundation is in the dust; our life is uncertain, and our age as no­thing.Job. 4.24. 2 Pet. 14.2.19. No period of life, no state or quality, is secure a moment from the arrest of death.

We are all under the same necessity, all our destinies are hurstled in the same Urn; sooner or later we shall all be carried into Eter­nal exile. How many have we our selves ob­served, [Page 28]who in the height of their Pleasures, in the vigour of their age, in the midst of their hopes have been suddenly snatched a­way.

The polished Marbles we are so busily de­signing into a magnificent Seat, of a sudden are become the Ornaments of our Tomb.

And it must needs be very terrible to those who have no other end or Interest, but their Possessions in the world, to consider how sud­denly they may, how soon they shall be depriv­ed of all their hope, of all their good. This consideration depresses the value of the world into vanity it self, and in a manner ballanceth the inequalities of Fortune, and makes it no ve­ry great matter whether we derive from a Scep­ter, or a Shepheards Crook.

Lay not up for your selves then Treasures upon Earth, where Moth and Rust can corrupt, or Thief break through and steal; but by patient continuance in well doing, seek for Glory, Immortality, and Eternal life. Pursue the interest of the Soul which is everlasting.

Yet such is the degeneracy of men, that we are willing to believe, and are content with a state of non-existence, of eternal night, rather than govern our lives on Earth, as may con­sist with the hopes of a blessed Immortality.

But it is impossible to extirpate the Ex­pectation of Mankind. The independent Powers of the Soul, the judgment of Con­science, the consent of Nations, will be always such irrefragable Testimonies of a future State, as we shall never be able to Subdue. Besides the positive Revelation of God,Heb. 5.9.13.14. Luk. 16.9. that the Spi­rit shall return to him that gave it, that all the Joys of Heaven, which we now described, shall endure for ever, that the City is continuing, the House eternal, and the Crown shall never fade away.

We shall then be the Treasure, the Chil­dren, and the Friends of God; whose in­finite Perfections shall be always present, and we shall always be in a capacity of Enjoyment. No age shall enfeeble our percipient Faculties, a thousand years shall be but as a day. No Reasons of Sin, of Punishment, or of Tryal (and there are no other) shall interpose to dis­continue or abate the Pleasures of this happy life. But if we shall neglect this everlasting [Page 30]happiness, the loss or punishment of the Soul, in the sense I explained it, shall be eternal too. What then shall it profit a man to gain the world, and be cast into sire unquenchable, where the Worm shall never dye.

But if we should suppose it would continue but a thousand years, or half the time, the Ar­gument is strong enough, and would bear the zeal of our Saviour in this compassionate Expostulation of my Text, What shall it profit a man, &c But there is never a plain syllable in the book of God, which favours the purga­tion, or Annihilation of Souls. And there is nothing more evident than that the Spi­rit of God intends we should believe the loss or punishment to be everlasting; because he hath chosen the most apposite phrases which can be imagin'd to express an unlimit­ed Eternity: The worm shall never dye; the Fire shall never be quenched, Mat. 3.12. Rev. 20.10. Luk. 3.17. and the smoak shall ascend for ever and ever. What then shall it profit a man to gain the world, a casual, empty, transient Interest; and lose his Soul, a certain, full, and everlasting good?

Now the use of this discourse is Infinite, be­cause it is concern'd in every Action of our [Page 31]lives; it Directs our Choice, governs our Will, and regulates our Affections. But I am afraid I have already trespassed upon your patience, I shall therefore consider but one Inference, and so conclude: namely this,

That the gain of the world,Inf. with the safety of the Soul, is the most perfect, happy state. That Riches, and Honour, with Vertue and Piety, render a man more exactly happy, than either without the other. Which indeed is rather a part of the Doctrine it self, than a Deduction from it: For, What shall it profit a man to gain the World, and lose his Soul, seems to allow the Possessions of the World, with the safety of the Soul, to be the best advan­tage, the most happy state. And,

1. In general, because our whole selves, in all our Capacities, may be Filled and Satisfied. The craving desire or emptiness of any Facul­ty,Status, omni­um bonorum aggregatione, perfectus. Boeth. is Misery in its degree; but chiefly because of the kind agreement, the mutual assistance and ministration of these several Interests, to the nourishment and increase, to the exercise and enjoyment of each other. The Rich and Ho­nourable have great Opportunities of Know­ledge and Vertue above other men. Their [Page 32]time is their own, their minds are easie, they may converse with the best Company, and study the best Authors for the improvement of their Minds. And they are always provi­ded with the necessary Requisites, the chief Instruments in the Practice and Exercise of Vertue. For the Government of our Passi­ons, the Regulation of our Appetites and Af­fections under our Possessions and Enjoy­ments of the World,Sen. Epist. are the proper Subjects of our Vertue and Victory. A poor Man's Sphere is narrow and confin'd, his Religion is negative, and his Vertue chiefly in his Will: But the Rich may fulfill the whole Law, redeem Captives, relieve the Oppressed, visit the Fatherless, patronize the Poor, bless the World. Indeed, there is scarce a Vertue, Per­sonal, Political, or Divine, but requires the presence of Earthly Things as the necessary In­struments of its Practice. [...]. Hier. in Aur. Car. And hence Pytha­goras himself commends a due regard of our Worldly Interest, because it helps the Soul la­bouring after Vertue.

And thus to use the World for the interest of the Soul, for the exercise and increase of Vertue, is the best Method we can possibly [Page 33]consult for the most pure and pleasant Enjoy­ment of the World it self.

For Religion stops the Fountain of all the Allays and Evils of the World; it rectifies our Judgment, and restrains our Passions, it ac­quaints us with our Imperfections, and delivers us from importunate desires, from Envy and Ambiti­on, from the anxious Fears of Chance and Death; which flow from false Opinion, and ever insinuate themselves where Vertue is not prepossess'd. It is indeed the only Ballast of Prosperity.

And as it separates the Ills, so it improves and meliorates whatsoever is good and plea­sant in the World. It restores us to our selves, and gives us an absolute Dominion over what we possess. It preserves a healthful Constitu­tion, and, by a mixture of different Entertain­ments, it prevents that loathing of Pleasures, which arises from the constant presence of them: It is a great improvement and addition of Honour; it gives reality to Titles, and makes inconstant Fame stable and eternal.

The practice of Vertue, Epist. says Seneca, gives a lu­stre to a man, and makes him shine as light. Quantum Dii boni decoris, quantum ponderis ad­derint! What weight, what beauty do they add? When we meet him we shall start and fall back, as at the presence of a God, and silently pray that it may be safe to look upon him, and with a trembling voice we shall be ready to say, (says he) with Virgil,

To conclude, Let us remember that Chri­stian self-denyal is but the reduction of our selves to our selves, and a melioration of our present state. That all forbidden Appetites are Artificial and Unnatural, the Effects of Dis­ease, and the Symptoms of Death. That there is no competition, thanks be to God, at the present, between the safety of our Souls, and the preservation of our Estates in the active li­teral sense; no Doctrines of Perfection to confound and cheat us, no narrow, illiberal, [Page 35]Pharisaical Opinions to fill us with scruple. And as for the moral, habitual resignation of the World it is every way our interest. To be loose and free, to use it as if we used it not, to will what God wills, and to be content with such a mixture of Good and Evil as infinite Wisdom shall determine to us, is the only way to be happy. But to devote our selves to the world, to govern our lives carelesly, to sin presumptuously, to neglect our souls, to for­feit our interest in the favour of God, and in­cur the punishment of Hell, is such a Cala­mity as can never be recompensed: For what shall it profit a man to gain the World, and lose his Soul?

Now to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be all honour, praise, and glory, now and for ever. Amen.