Love not the world, nor the things of the world, that is, our own Lusts, imply∣ing, there is in us by nature a love to the world, and the things of the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life.
The lust of the flesh is such a corrupt inclination, whereby our bodies do affect sensual lusts, and sensual objects, as meat and drink, that is, intemperancy, or women, that is Incontinencie, or Pastimes and Pleasures; and that is Volup∣tuousnesse; and they are called the Lusts of the flesh because our flesh sets us a work to them, what are the lusts of the eye? there is a good eye, a bountiful eye, but an evil eye is called a covetous eye, Pro. 23.6. Deu. 15.7. so then the lusts of the eye is Covetousnesse, and it is called the lust of the eye, because the eye stirs us up to it; and that is all he hath to behold them, Eccles. 5.10, 11. the very be∣holding satisfies.
The pride of Life, is the affecting of a mans own carnal excellency, when as he doth look at himself only, whether he doth it in heart by high conceit, or worldly boastings, or in outward carriage, now all these we are ready to love, we are ready to love our own wantonnesse, our intemperancy, or to be carried away with the lust of the Eye, the profits of the World, or else to be puft up with our own excellency: whatsoever the heart lusts after, it is ei∣ther honour, or profit, or pleasure: now, love not the World, nor the lusts of it: why, would you think a man should be so wicked as to love Voluptuousnesse, or Profit, or Honour? Yes, St. John else would not so carefully have forbid∣den it.
Reas. 1 Now that this is so, appears, 1. From our aptnesse to take part with our own lusts, when they are either discovered or reproved; thus He∣rod loved his lust, his Herodias, which appears in that he took part with his lust against John Baptist, and took it hainously that he should reprove him for it, Matth. 14.3. he will rather restrain John than restrain his lust, when a man would rather restrain the Ministers than his lust, that is a sign of his love to his lust. So Asa, 2 Chron. 16.10. he not only affected his security, but he loved his lust, which is manifest, in that he took it so hainously when the Prophet reproved him for it: so for pride of life, it was Jonahs greatest lust, love of his own credit, which appears, in that hee was displeased excee∣dingly, because he was crost in it, that the City was not destroyed: hee had Prophecied destruction to Niniveh, and God upon their repentance spared them, and he thought he should be counted a false Prophet, and lose his cre∣dit, and therefore he was much displeased, yea, he was displeased that God should reprove him for his frowardnesse, Jon. 4. so that he loved this pride and anger in himself, because he pleaded for it, when God askt him, Dost thou well to be angry? Yea, saith he, I do well to be angry even to the death. If a man plead for his Lust, and stand out against reproof, that is a sign he loves that lust.
Reas. 2 From the slight regard we give to exhortations against our Lusts: if Ministers exhort, Love not the world, nor the things of the world, if we slight them, and search not out our lusts, and put them away, and mortifie them: if we favour our selves therein, it plainly appears wee love them. If a Prince should send to a City, not to harbour such and such Traitors, but to seeke