nsion supplies, and
this draws the heart forcibly after them, as it were, with out previous
advisement. Yet because of the limitation, emptiness, and scarcity of
these things, commonly the desires of men are contracted much within
themselves, and run towards a monopoly of those things. They are so poor
and narrow, that they cannot be enjoyed of more, without division, and the
dividing them cannot be without diminution of each man's contentment, and
therefore men's wishes ordinarily are stinted within their own
satisfaction and possession, and cannot without some restraint of reason
extend further to other men. But this is the vast difference between
spiritual things and bodily, eternal things and temporal, that there is no
man possessed of spiritual good, but he desires a community. It is as
natural upon the apprehension of them to enlarge the soul's wishes to
other men, because there is such excellency, abundance, and solidity
discovered in them, as that all may be full, and none envy or prejudge
another. They are like the light that can communicate itself to all, and
that without diminution of its splendour. All may see it without prejudice
one to another. They are such an ocean that every one may fill their
vessel, and yet nothing less for them that come after. And therefore the
soul that wishes largely for itself, will not find that inward discontent
at the great abundance of another, which is the inseparable shadow of
earthly and temporal advantages. It is cross to men's interest, that love
gain or preferment, or any such thing, that others grow rich, or are
advanced high in the world, for it intercepts what they desire. But it is
not at all the interest of a godly soul that others be worse than himself,
but rather the salvation and happiness of all men is that interest which
alone he espouses.

Now for this, my beloved, before we proceed further, you may find how the
pulse of your souls beats, and what your temper is, by considering what is
the ordinary unrestrained and habitual wishes of your hearts. Certainly as
men are inclined so they affect, and so they desire, and these
unpremeditated desires that are commonly stirred up in the hearts of men,
argue much the inward temper and inclination of the heart, and give the
best account of it. I think if men would reflect upon themselves, they
will find that earthly things are vain, while they put on another beauty,
and have a more magnificent representation in their mi