serve God. For as that holy man said well, Better is the humble countreyman that serveth God, then the proud Philosopher who neglecting himself considereth the course of the heavens.
Consider 2. And examine your self in particular whether you have any disordered affection to the things above mentioned: See whether you be ready to suffer poverty, reproach, sickness, and death it self, if God thereby might be the more glorified in you. Offer your self to your Creator with indifferency to all things, so far as they make to his greater glory. Say with the Prophet: My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; and with Christ our Lord: Not as I will, but as thou. Thy will be done.
Consider 3. How foolishly they do, who have any other end then God in their actions, who employ their labours in purchasing honours, riches, renown, pleasures, and the like; No otherwise do these, then would he who being to sayl to the East should steer his course to the West, and so never come to his journeys end. Of such it is rightly said by the Prophet, You have sowed much and brought in little; you have eaten, and have not been filled; you have drunk and have not been inebriated. Lastly, They lead their days in wealth, and in a mo∣ment they go down to hell.