CHAPTER 21:

 

Their Pride.

 

 BEHOLD, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom And is not this devilish sin become our national sin

 

 1. With what a bold and impudent face have we come and appeared before GOD Who has sensibly expressed himself in ABRAHAM'S words, C Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes.” Instead of a reverential fear of God, our behavior has been stout against God, and we have not trembled in his presence; no, not whilst we have been terribly threatened by God, yea, when his dreadful threatenings have been terribly executed upon us; even in such times we have irreverently rushed into his presence.

 

 2. How have our wills risen up against the will of GOD The humble soul stoops to God's preceptive and providential will; but we have wretchedly thwarted God in all his counsels and dispensations: The great controversy betwixt God and man, is, Whose will shall stand, God's or man's O how impudently have we contended with the LORD about this! We have even thought ourselves too great to be crossed. How many think it a disgrace to be still and silent under the hand of God, but they must be clamorous, and speaking against the very heavens! They are ready to say, ’This was not well done by GOD: He might have-given or continued us this -and the other mercy.' They dislike many of GOD'S dispensations of providence: They cannot heartily say, that God holds the -reins best, and guides all his affairs with the greatest wisdom: They think if they were the orderers of matters in the world, things would be better governed: Like ABSALOM, who wished he were in DAVID'S stead, they wish they were in GOD'S stead. A proud man would have others under him; yea, he would have the great and glorious God subject to his will. Whence are all your disputings and quarrellings with GOD, save from the pride of your hearts The humble soul cries,” Not my will, but thine be done: ““'-It is the ’LORD, let him do what seemeth him God.” But so overgrown are we with an opinion of our own wisdom and worth, that we must limit the ’Holy One, and order him to rule the world: God must stoop to our prescriptions, or else we swell and break with discontent. O is not God wiser than man” Shall the clay say to the potter, Why hast thou shaped me thus” “Rather let the potsherds strive with the potsherds,” worms with worms, about the pre-eminence of wills, than we contend with GOD. O when will your proud hearts stoop to God When Shall His will be the rule When will you be willing to be dealt with as GOD pleases

 

 3. How loath are we that GOD should have any glory in the world, unless we share in it, or unless we be the immediate instruments of exalting him We are willing GOD should have some glory, so we may share with him, we are willing GOD should be exalted, so it be by ourselves; else we are discontented. O think with yourselves, how many God motions, tending to the edification of the body of CHRIST, have miscarried on this account, because others should not have the honor of beginning them Whence can it be, save from the pride of our hearts, that we have so little rejoiced when GOD has been advanced by others, and we had no hand therein We are afraid that others' glory will eclipse ours.

 

 4. How unthankful are we A proud man is always an unthankful man; and an unthankful man is always a proud man: He thinks he deserves all that is conferred on him. The humble -man counts himself less than the least of all GOD'S mercies; but the proud man reckoneth all he enjoyeth too little. ’Do we not think GOD is beholden to us for our duties and services, more than we are to him for life, breath, and-all our possessions

 

 5. Do we not think GOD -has punished us above our deserts Do we not hence cry out more of our pain, than we do of our sins - and provocations Were we humble, we should bless the LORD, that he has restrained his rough wind in the day of his east wind: We should wonder that it is so well with us, that we are not in a worse condition: We should cry out,” It is of the Lo Rn's mercy that we -are not consumed: “‘Wherefore, doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins' How loath are we to confess our iniquities have deserved all that we suffer, and a great deal more! How do we endeavor to hide our sins from God, man, and ourselves!

 

 6. How apt are we to boast of any God we do! Of our valor in the field, of our discourses in such and such company; how wisely we discharged such a service, how well we behaved in such an action!’ Come, see my zeal for the Lord.' Look to your hearts: you will find them unduly transported, as with the thoughts of your gifts and graces, so with what you do through the gift of grace. Our very graces are often an occasion of boasting. It is a rare thing to see a roan rich in gifts, and poor in spirit Even “knowledge pufeth up.”

 

 7. Both not any thing of ours swell us Are not some puffed up with their fine clothes, ribands, dressings, yea, with their very spots Their feathers, their hair, the excrements of beasts and men, make them fly high. Are not some puffed up with their birth Hence they boast, that they have the blood of Kings, or Nobles, running in their veins; or else that they are the stock of ABRAHAM, descended from parents eminent for piety. How many are swelled with their estates That they have shops full, houses full, and bags full, puffeth them up. How are others puffed up with the smiles of great men And yet how soon may the sun be overcast Then they are no more heeded than the dial is when the sun is in a cloud. How doth the bodily strength and perfections of others swell them, though every moment they are going down into the dust” What is your life It is even a vapor, that appeareth a little time, and then vanisheth away.” How are others swelled with their church-privileges” The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, are we.” Others with their revelations and high enjoyments PAUL was in danger of being exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations; therefore” was given to him a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of SATAN, to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure.”

 

 8. How little suspicion have we of ourselves Of our baseness and sinfulness, the deceits and treachery of our own hearts With how much confidence do we trust ourselves in wicked men's company, and fear not to be leavened with them How little do we suspect that we shall fall from the grace we have, or seem to have We are high minded, and therefore fear not: We do not suspect that there are worse abominations within than yet are discovered. “How do we pretend to bless God that our hearts are God We fear not the worst of ourselves. If others be overcome with uncleanness or passion, we are confident we shall never so dishonor GOD.

 

 9. Flow glad are we if others take notice of our actions! And how are we pleased if they commend us for them, and yet we would not have them think so. ’We discommend our prayers for deadness, straitness; and ourselves for want of parts. How few are troubled at the praises of their friends, more than at flashes of lightning in their faces

 

 1O. How magisterial have we been! - What dictators to others, as if all were bound to dance after us! We will not abate at all, but every poor MORDECAI must do obeisance to our opinion.

 

 11. How few will confess their faults to others Perhaps they will reform, but hate to acknowledge their trespasses to others, whom they have trespassed against. How many have you injured by tale-bearing and backbiting Must not God work a miracle to persuade us to make restitution, to go to the parties wronged, and then confess the wrong there, and then to go from house to house to vindicate and clear the party there, where before we had stained and aspersed him This makes me cry out, “LORD, who shall be saved” LORD, “many are called, but few are chosen.”

 

 12. What a stir do we make to vindicate ourselves when aspersed and calumniated! Whereas the humble soul would never stir to clear himself, as knowing how much guilt and sin there is within, were it not for the honor of GOD, and the edification of the LORD's people, which may be hindered, if prejudices be not removed.

 

 No wonder if for these things GOD make us” a shame; and a derision, a proverb, and a by-word to all nations round about us.' Our pride testifies to our faces; we are guilty of what brought down fire on Sodom. This is the sin that GOD setteth himself in battle- array against: so the word for resisting, in that Scripture,” God resisteth the proud, signifieth. It is that which makes, God abhor us, and our offerings.” Every one that is proud in heart, is an abomination to the LORD.” Believe it, GOD'S eyes are upon the haughty, that lie may bring them down, and he watcheth his opportunity to do it.”The LORD knoweth the proud afar off.” When God meets with a spectacle that he cannot endure to look upon, he turns from it, whilst it is afar off. Pride is the first of those seven things which are” an abomination to the Lord.” And no wonder that God so loatheth it, whilst it crosseth the great design of God in the Gospel, which is to humble the mountains, ”that no flesh should glory in his presence; but that be that glorieth, should glory only in the LORD.”

 

CHAPTER 22: Their Intemperance in Eating.

 

 Though Pride was the first spark that blowed up the glory of Sodom, yet there was also fullness of bread, that made the flame greater. Their pride was evidenced in their fullness of bread, as the cause in the effect. The word,*, which signifieth to be temperate, is (as one well observes) applied frequently to the mind, in opposition to pride; because sobriety proceeds from; an humble sense that nothing is ours, but all that we have is GOD'S; and all intemperance is commonly the issue of a proud spirit, which makes men look on themselves-as owners, and all creatures as their proper Gods, which are perfectly at their disposal. Hence the Crown of Pride, and the Drunkards of Ephraim, are both names for the same persons. And is not our pride evidenced in our fullness of bread Sodom's intemperance in eating (not to insist on intemperance in drinking) was very great; but I fear England's has exceeded Sodom's. I will not say,” All the labor is for the mouth,” (as SOLOMON complains,)”and yet the appetite is not filled:;” but this I say, That some, live to eat,-some sacrifice all to the belly,-to some the belly is a god. Few can displease. their appetite; like profane ESAU, they part from their heritage, from the blessing of the first-born, for a mess of pottage,-for a little pleasure to the taste. How will we deny ourselves in respect of life, when we cannot deny ourselves in respect of a little meat. As heaven and God are low, very low, with them that cannot deny themselves in a little Indian smoke, in a pipe, in a cup of liquor, but be immoderate in these, though thereby they hazard the displeasure of GOD; so are they very low with us, if we cannot, deny ourselves in our morsels. All our ruin came in at this door,-that ADAM ventured the displeasure of GOD, to eat a little pleasant fruit. A man would think, that the wounds: we received by the mouth, should make us check our appetite all our days.

 

 1. How have we been guilty of eating too much! A little would content nature. How have our hearts been over-charged with surfeiting! Flow ave we forgot CHRIST'S charge against this sin, even to his own disciples! Have we not hereby been disabled to perform the service we owe to GOD As some have been strong to drink, so others to eat; both have been unfitted to wait upon God thereby. The end of our eating should have been to fit us, not to indispose us, for the service of GOD. We should measure our cheer by that which nature requireth, and not by that which appetite desireth. We divest ourselves of man, of reason, that should guide us, when we are led by a sensual appetite; and yet, alas, when we• have eaten enough, and perhaps more than enough, a new dish, at the second course, makes us fall on again.

 

 Serving divers lusts and pleasures is the high way to damnation. This way sin entered into the world; and in this way, O how many are posting to hell! If you would adopt yourselves children of wrath, then “Fulfill the desires of the flesh.” When TERTULLIAN gives an account of the Christians' feasts, ’In our feeding,' says he, ’we remember that we are to pray at night: prayer is the first and last dish of the feast; and when we depart, our behavior is so religious and modest, that one would have thought we had rather been at a sermon than a supper.' Blush, O Reader, to consider how far short we fall of these Christians! Believe it, intemperance and luxury are national sins,-the sins of England. It was spoken of our nation,’ That we build as if we should live for ever, and eat as if we should die presently.' O when shall we imitate that great Apostle “All things,” says he, “are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.” It is a base thing for a man to be tinder the power of drinks, apparel, or meats,-to be a vassal to those things over which the LORD has given him dominion. ’He that loves any thing too much,' says AQUINAS, ’is in a sense servant thereunto.' And what says the Apostle, ”Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey” How many serve not the LORD JESUS CHRIST, but their own bellies! How many are like the men of the old world, “given to eating” so the word in the original properly signifieth.

 

 2. How have our tables been unsuitable to the times we live in! Whether Zion wear the garments of joy, or of heaviness, all is one; the belly must be served: our dishes must not abate. Thou farest deliciously every day; all times are alike to thee: this is a great sin, and I cannot but charge many professors of religion with it. Respect is not had to the tokens of God's wrath. We eat without fear; without fear of the wrath of GOD, that is ready to break forth upon us. “In this day doth the LORD of Hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: and behold, joy and, glad.

 

ness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep,” (actions lawful enough at another time,)” eating flesh and drinking wine. And it was revealed in my ears by the LORD of Hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you until ye die.”

 

 3. How little respect have we had to the necessities of our brethren- If there were any true love to God, to religion, or to the Church of God, we should abate of our worldly comforts, we should cut ourselves short of what we were wont to lay out, not only in clothes, but in housekeeping, meats, and drinks; we should not give such liberty to the satisfying of the flesh, that we might be in the greater capacity to promote pious and charitable designs. But, alas! “iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxeth cold.”

 

 4. Do not we eat without a holy fear of GOD The Elders of Israel did eat their bread before the LORD. But so have not we; so do not we eat as in the presence of God. Have not some been so eager upon pleasing the flesh, and gratifying their sensual appetites, that they have (secretly at least) been troubled at a long grace (as it is called) before meat Have not some fallen to their meat without invocating God at all How unlike are such to CHRIST, whose usual practice it was, to lift up his eyes to heaven, and crave a blessing upon the creatures, before he partook of them! How distracted have been the thoughts of others that have prayed, in that short time! How were their thoughts on the meats and drinks! How hastily do men, after a blessing is craved, run to the dish, without any the least pause or consideration whether GOD heard them or no, when they called upon him! How commonly do we erase our petitions; I mean, contradict all our prayers! We pray our discourses may be heavenly, and they are altogether earthly. Few can say, as blessed Don was wont at the close of the meal, ’Blessed be God, not one word of worldly things since vie sat down.' We pray we may eat for GOD, and we eat for ourselves. We have not so God a plea to make as some,--” We have eaten and drank in thy presence.” This is not written over our tables, “Thou God seest.” We can seldom call our table Penuel, because we have seen God in this place. How little do we consider that they are God's creatures! “She did not know that I gave her corn;” and that as the meat is GOD'S, so it is he who gives us appetites, and strength and ability to put every crumb into our mouths;” for in him we live and move.” How little do we believe that we must account for every bit and drop! How little do we consider that God stoops the creatures to us, that we may stoop to him, and lay down our lives as willingly for Gore's honor, as God caused the creature to bleed and die for our use! How little do we think of the heavenly banquet, that our Father is preparing for us, where the cloth shall never be taken away, where we shall hunger and thirst no more, but be fully satisfied, and that for ever and ever!- Examine your spirits at your tables, whether the fear of God be before your eyes; whether you. stand in awe of him. It may be found that you never more forget GOD, than when Got, is mostly remembering you. When his Gods are most in your hands and mouths, your mouths are so full that they cannot show forth his praise; your eyes are so held to your belly-gods, that you forget JEHOVAH. Are there not some that will crave a blessing before they eat, that yet fail to return thanks afterwards though JOEL says, in his prophecy to Gore's people, “Ye shall eat and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the LORD your God.”

 

 5. Have not we fed without a Christian- fear of scandalizing others, upon our eating profusely What says the drunkard’ Why may not I toss the can, (in plain English, be drunk,) as well as such and such gormandize Gluttons harden and justify drunkards ST. JUDE will tell you, that sensual persons are the spots of a Christian society. O my brethren, it it is God neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, or any thing else whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or made weak.”

 

 6. Do not we eat without a prudent fear of the snares that are in our dishes In eating there ought to be much caution. Jon was afraid of the entertainments of his children. He was a wise man, and knew that there were more guests than were invited. I wish we knew it too. We think, if the sons of GOD come together, the. Devil will not come with them, though the Scripture assures us he will. It would be some check when we sit at the table, to consider, that the first immoderate sop is handed over by the Devil, and in he goes with it into our souls.

 

 7. How have we had low, base, earthly, and sensual ends in our eating! Not to refresh our bodies, but our palates; not to glorify GOD, but to pamper the flesh. Yea,. have not some men fed on such and such dishes on purpose to provoke their lust Sure our enemy is strong enough; we had need beat down the body,. and. keep it under, and not put weapons in our, enemies' hands.. What says the wise man “When thou sittest to eat with a Ruler,” (such keep plentiful' tables,)- “consider diligently what is before thee, and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite,” 1:e., bridle thine appetite by diligence, yea force; be as circumspect as if thou Overt under the razor; or,” consider diligently what is before thee, else thou puttest a knife to thy throat, i, e., thou endangerest thy life, yea, thy soul, shouldest thou give way to thy appetite. What says the Apostle” Whether you eat or drink, let all be done to the glory of God.” Why loth the Apostle name those actions of eating and drinking, but because we commonly eat and drink to please the appetite, not to fit for GOD's service When we have taken as much as serves this end, yet we must have one bit more, or one dish more, and so GOD and the Devil must part stakes.

 

 To shut up this: I believe many men dig their graves with their teeth, and their hells with their tongues, their liquorish tongues. Among the millions that are now in the grave or hell, their inordinate appetite hastened most thither. I say not but we may please our palate at some times especially; a great liberty is indulged to the sick; but if we have not a higher design than to please the appe. tile, our belly is our god. Little do many think that they are setting up another god at their tables. The Babylonians had Bel, for their god, a god of brass; but these men have a god of flesh.

 

 Repent, O England! Repent of thy abuse of the God creatures of God, and thereby of thy sacrilegious robbing God of his worship and time. How often have ye so crammed yourselves that you have been unfit for any acts of worship! Your heads have, been heavy, and spirits dull, and so God has had the carcass, but “excesses have taken away the heart.” I wish two things for you 1. That you would be as ingenuous as AUSTIN was, who confessed lie was no drunkard, but yet sometimes unmoderate in eating. And 2. That you would be restless until God has taught you what lie did him: `LORD,' says lie, ’then hast now taught me to use my meat, as my medicine, to repair, not to oppress, nature.'

 

CHAPTER 23: Their Idleness.

 

 A. THIRD sin of Sodom was Idleness. This sin is the companion of the former.” When the belly is 61ll, the bones would be at rest;” and when men have eat and drank to excess, then they rise up to play.

 

 1. How are we guilty of idleness in our particular callings! Few have this for their motto, ’Let us be working.' How many at the great day will Con upbraid with, “O wicked and slothful servant!” Every man has a talent of time and strength; but it is hid, it is not employed, at least as it ought. GOD made not man to play, but to sweat out his living. It was GOD'S ordinance in Paradise, and since that we are enjoined to” labor with our hands, and not to eat the bread of idleness.” How many,” because they have not done God among their people, shall die in their iniquity!” Our land is full of drones; and no wonder, for we train up our children in idleness, and let them waste the first of their days in foolish pleasures and recreations. Foreigners breed their children (to our shame be it spoken) to work those toys with their hands, which our children must play away their time with. Hence, having inured themselves to idleness, they hate labor for the future. CHRIST saw “some standing idle” here he might see many. -He could not endure it. “Why stand ye here all the day idle” O how many are idle all the days of their lives How many gentlemen and their sons are there without a calling! They live as if GOD had sent them into the world to make their hands as perches for birds to sit upon; they are of no use to the public. In cities, how idle are the dames! They live as if GOD had given them reasonable souls, and the light of the sun, only to dress themselves, to view a glass, and adorn their carcasses.” There are some among you that work not at all, and yet busy bodies;” busy to invent ways to pass away time, though time be still running, and they are hasting into eternity. Doing nothing, (says the Apostle,) and yet working every where, save where they should; busy to go from house to house to compliment friends, to devour others' time; busy to carry tales and news, but hating the work of their calling, wherein GOD has set them.

 

 The whole life of many is to eat, and drink, and sleep, and sport, and sit and talk, and laugh themselves fat; but there is leanness in their souls. A kind of vagrant people

 

they are, that having little to do, the Devil is loath they should be idle, and therefore lie hires them to devour time, to carry news and tales, to misspend others' time. “They learn to be idle;” they study which way they may misspend time, wandering from house to house, and yet they are not only idle, but busy bodies. These are at leisure to hear the Devil, and to observe his orders. He that will not serve God at home,' the Devil, rather than lie shall stand out, will send him of his errands, and get him to put his sickle into another man's corn. ’Go,' says SATAN,’ into that house, and rail against such a God man; carry his miscarriage from one to another, until his name stinks in their nostrils. Go to such a man's door; he is employed in reading the Scriptures and God books, or catechizing his family; go, and divert him, eat up his time, that he may have no leisure for such works.' He goes; he is a busy body, and a tattler too. He must go whom the Devil drives; hence occasion is given to the adversary to speak reproachfully. Let it be considered and lamented, how much precious time is devoured in the bed. Five hour's sleep will suffice for some constitutions; the utmost that Physicians allow is seven hours; but some bury themselves in their beds almost half their time. How little do many consider, that in the day of judgment they must give account, as for every idle word, so for their idleness in their bed-chambers!

 

 Sluggard, view the sun: he is running a race, whilst thou art tumbling on thy bed. View the wind and the air: they are in motion. View the waters, they stink and corrupt, unless running. Nay, view the dull earth: it is not so dull as thou art; it brings forth for the use of man.”' Go to the ant, thou sluggard,” yea, any where, consider the ways of all, save thyself, “and be wise.” What! a professor of religion, and yet guilty of an unnatural sin Nature puts all creatures into motion, and to provide for themselves. Thou art worse than an infidel; yea, worse than a beast. The poor infant cannot suck without labor, and yet thou wouldest live without labor. God has not forbidden meat to be given to any other sinners, only these are not to be fed: let them starve and die, if they will not labor. Idleness has brought much evil upon you, and bred many in you; it begets many diseases in the body, but many more in the soul. It exempts a man from the protection of angels, and it exposeth to God's wrath it brought ruin upon Sodom, and the cities round about: and they are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”.

 

 2. How are we guilty of abundance of idleness in our general callings! And above all, spiritual sloth is most dangerous. I find some, with unwearied diligence, laboring to enlarge their possessions, and to raise their posterity; they rise early, and sit up late, and eat the bread of carefulness, but all is for their body; they do little or nothing for their precious souls. CHRIST and heaven stand by, and few regard them; few “work out their salvation with fear and trembling.” Some will not be at so much pains for their souls, as to perform the common outward duties of religion. They will go to the market, or be merry with friends, many a mile; but if a sermon be but a few paces from their thresholds, they count it intolerable to wet their feet, to expose themselves to the air. But if men are for some easy parts of religion, yet bow few are for the difficult parts thereof.! They cannot endure to watch their hearts,-to sanctify the LORD's day so strictly, as ”not to think their own thoughts, nor speak their own words, nor do their own deeds.” How many have so long given way to laziness, have lain so long upon the bed of sloth, - that when we press them to any painful and laborious duties, they say,” We have put off our coat, and loath we are to put it on.;” hence self examination, meditation, watchfulness against the first rising of sin, mortification of heart-sins, are totally laid by; and the longer we neglect them, the more ado there is to persuade us to take them up. All we have to uphold ourselves with is this, that the spirit is willing; when GOD knows to the contrary. We are willing to be rich, and therefore take pains; so we would in spiritual things too, if we were desirous of them. If we were willing to enjoy CHRIST in our closets, would we be asleep there upon our -knees If we were willing to know the way to glory, would we not take so much pains as to”-go to the shepherd's tents, and ask for the God old way” It will cut you to the heart when you come to hell-gate, that you missed of heaven, for not inquiring the way thither; and that you took more pains to be rich, and to damn your souls, than to save them. Had that time been spent in prayer, holy conference, and in self-examination, which was wasted in the bed, shop, or fields, you might have had an eternal rest; whereas bell will be, as intolerable to all, so especially to them who have stood idle all the day long.

 

CHAPTER 24:

 

Their Unmercifulness.

 

 THE fourth sin of Sodom was this,-” Neither did she strengthen the hands of the poor and needy.” That is, they were unmerciful and inhuman. And are not some professors of religion even in England, very hard-hearted and cruel”If there be among you a poor man, of one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates, in thy land, which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee, thou shall not harden thy heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother; but thou shall open thine hand wide unto him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wants. The poor we have always with us! But, when we make a feast, do we call the poor Who invites the guests that CHRIST has bid to our tables Hear ye the word of the LORD: “He shall have judgthent without mercy, that has showed no mercy.” He shall have all judgment, pure judgment, without any mixture of mercy; unmixed wrath shall be his portion: CHRIST is so resolved to punish the unmerciful, that he will overlook any sinner, rather than him; yea, for the greater honor of the justice of GOD, the LORD seems to begin and end the great assizes, with the arraignment and sentencing of the unmerciful man: How few are compassionate! The proper, vital act of mercy, is compassion. How few resent the miseries of others, as if they were their own! How few set to do God, to those who are miserable! Such, whatever they pretend, are indeed unmerciful; for mercy is an active, and a communicative thing. How few are merciful to others' souls; how Low pity, and set themselves to help sinning souls; how few are merciful to the bodies of others; how many are there, that will not spare their superfluities, to clothe and feed the naked and hungry disciples of JESUS CHRIST! Men lay out more to adorn a cupboard, or the walls of their houses, than ever they gave to CHRIST and his servants all their days. CHRIST tells you, what kindness you show to his brethren, lie counts as done unto himself: And believe it, all the scorns, and neglects you have cast on either his ambassadors, or poor saints, he will remember another day. Go to thy closet, and carry this with thee, “Whoso stoppeth his ear at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” If you give, to whom is it Is it not only to the poor of your own party But has not the LORD charged you, to “give to every man that asks” Has he excepted any but idlers Are not you to”do God to all, though especially to the household of faith” And among them, should not your greatest charity have been to them who are become poor, by GOD's..providence, or for conscience' sake. But, alas! how few can appeal to the heartsearching GOD, concerning their mercifulness! How few (if destruction from GOD be any terror to them) dare imprecate upon themselves, what Jon did in case of unmercifulness How few dare say to GOD,” If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless path not eaten thereof'; if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering, then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.”

 

CHAPTER XX 5: Their Unrighlcousness, or Unfaithfullness in Trading.

 

 INSTEAD of mercifulness, behold oppression, violence, deceit, fraud. This is a lamentation, and should be for a lamentation. Instead of giving to others that which is our own, we deny them that which is their own: Instead of letting go our ownr ight, and those dues, which in justice others are bound to pay us,-yea, instead of giving more of our own, to help them in their necessities, (which mercy calls for,) even not to require what others owe us, when not only Providence has disenabled then to pay us, but also to give them more to support their feeble state withal, behold injustice. What defrauding is there one of another! How do men, not only take all advantages of their brethren, to get what is due to them, as to seize on brethren as to get what is due to them; or to sue a bond, or turn a man out of his lease, when the day of payment is missed; but also take advantage from the necessities of the poor, to over-reach them, to get from them, either their houses or Gods, to be sure what is not their own. Have not we grinded the faces of the poor GOD will reckon for this speedily. Look over the Prophets, and see whether unmercifulness and unrighteousness ever went unpunished.

 

 How few are there who mete to others, as they would have them to measure to themselves! The rule of CHRIST, whereby peace among men would be preserved, is not heeded by us. We do not deal with others, as we would be dealt with; though CHRIST says unto us, “All things, whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them; for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

 

 How common out cursed a principle is it, that every man may get for his wares as much as he can Hence men take advantage of others' necessities, or of their want of skill: Hence bad wares are put into men's hands for God wares, or else unreasonable demands are made to the prejudice of the buyer. Would we be so dealt with

 

 How commonly do men demand a far greater sum for their wares, than they will accept! Hereby they show an oppressing mind, if their customers would but comply with them. The Quakers will rise up in judgment to condemn this generation. O how do men mind profit more than their own honor and reputation, yea, (which is more inexcusable,) than the reputation of CHRIST and his Gospel! Is it not matter of lamentation, that some profess, they had rather deal with a Turk, or with a Jew, than with such and such a Christian By reason of you” the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles.” Wherein” doth your light shine before men” They cannot dive into your hearts, they can only discern your actions: They know not what your love to GOD is, though you pretend. much to knowledge; yet knowledge void of charity and honesty, is to them an abomination.

 

 How few trade in fear, lest by getting an estate, they lose God, and a God conscience When one told LATIMER, that be was cozened in paying for a knife double to what it was worth,’ No,' said he,’ he has not cozened me, but his own conscience.' No wonder that tradesmen complain of deadness in their families anti, closets, and impute it to their callings, and thereby charge GOD implicitly: Alas! it is not their calling has straitened and deadened their hearts toward GOD; but their oppression and deceit in their business path provoked God to leave them. Has not God expressly charged you,”Let no man go beyond or over-reach another in any matter, because that the LORD is the avenger of all such.” The vengeance of GOD is upon thee, in the straitness of thy spirit in duties, and without repentance it will follow thee until it has laid thee in the pit of hell!

 

 How do men labor to engross all trade to themselves, by exclaiming against their neighbor, and by underselling them at one time, that they may engage the buyer to become their customer, of whorl they will surely fetch out their penny-worth,' in the next bargain.

 

 When you have sold too dear, and so cheated your brother, though conscience, in times of sickness and danger, begins to contend with you about it, yet how loath are you to make restitution for the wrong you have offered; how unlike are you to them in lvv ehemiah: “ Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of then; so will we Jo as thou sagest.” If one should say,” So GOD shake oat every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out and emptied;” you would hardly say, Amen, and praise the LORD.

 

 When men buy a commodity, how apt are they to discommend it, to bring down the price, to say, it is naught, when all the while they know it is offered on easy terms.

 

 How do buyers take the advantage of the seller's ignorance of the worth of his own Gods! There is a cursed proverb amongst Englishmen in too great request:’ That a man may not only sell as dear, but buy as cheap as he can.' Few by AUSTIN, that bought a book at an unskilful stationer's hands, for an inconsiderable price, and afterwards gave the value of

 

 How often do buyers (even as sellers often say, they will not, they cannot take a penny less for such a commodity) answer, that they will not give a farthing more, for what they have, and yet all the while intend to come up to the buyer's price.

 

How common is it for men to take up, wares, and to promise payment at such a day, and yet fail! Yea, how do they promise, though they know they shall not be able to be as God as their word. It were better for thee to beg thy bread, than thus to Steal from l thy neighbor. Thou art ashamed to beg, as he of old; thou shouldest be ashamed to do much worse; to defy thy neighbor.” The getting of treasures by a lying tongue, is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.”

 

 How few are there, that in their buying and selling give a proof of their loving their neighbor as themselves; their neighbors' Gods and welfare as their own

 

 O when will ye ”be holy in all manner of conversation’ Holy in your trades, as well as in your church assemblies; holy in the shop, and ill all secular employment: So holy, as to abide with Got in your calling. When will ye “labor with your hands,” that ye may be able to give, and not to receive only: When will ye trade in fear, and ”be in the fear of the LORD all the day;” and that lest your shops should prove your bane, and whilst seeking after the mammon of this life, ye lose the true substance Is this thy prayer before thou enterest upon thy calling O that it were,’ Loa D, help. me to trade for thee, whilst for myself; and for the God of my neighbor's soul, body, and Gods, as well as for my own!’

 

 How few among ail the several sorts of traders, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, How can you quiet your consciences to steal custom, as many of you do What is it, save the law, that gives you right to all yon have And by the law, so much of your goods is the King’s: It is alienated from you to his crown and revenue: How dare you cheat him, should you think it hard measure to pay so great a tribute Have you forgotten what CHRIST (who came under the law) did Though tribute was exacted of him, when the children were free, yet he would work a miracle rather than give offence in denying to pay it. Why da ye not take the safest course, if it be a disputable matter: To be sure you will not give offence to GOD, to the King, to your conscience, by paying customs; but you may to all by defrauding. Do you herein as you would be dealt with If you were the political father, would you have your children cheat you Do not you, by bribes and otherwise, tempt the King's officers to be false to their trust, and to damn their souls by perjury and treachery

 

 Lastly. Consider, that self love and self-interest are prevalent, to your judgments, and to enslave them to your base passions. O consider how apt is every one to favor himself, and to stick in any absurd reasonings, whereby he may greaten himself If you say, (as they of the silver shrines,) ` This brings in our gain,' we cannot subsist without stealing customs How else can we live A father will tell you, It ill becomes a Christian's mouth to ask, How shall I live Not one that CHRIST called to forsake trades and professions, did ever answer him, I must not give over my gain. Till you can relinquish unlawful gains, you are none of CHRIST'S disciples. Those in the Acts, that burned their unlawful books, to the loss of thousands, showed themselves true converts,” so mightily grew the word and prevailed.” When Tyre shall be converted, her trading and dealings shall be sacred,” her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD.”

 

 Here give me leave to add the sin of Lying, too common among all sorts of traders, as well as others. And truly this sin comes not improperly under the head of injustice. Justice, even when it is not taken most largely, (so it is taken for all religion,) comprehends our whole duty to our neighbor, as to matters of right. Thus, by virtue of the Fifth Commandment, to do justly, is, to give to our parents their due honor, whether they be natural, civil, or spiritual. In respect to the Sixth, it is to preserve the life of our neighbor, and to have a care that we injure him not in his being. In reference to the Seventh, it is to preserve his just relations, and not touch them, or cause the violation of their faith to hirn. In reference to the Eighth, it is to preserve his estate, and not meddle with his Gods. The Ninth requires, that we preserve his God name, and not defame them, nor do any prejudice to his credit, no -more than we would to his estate: and by virtue of the Tenth, we are to moderate our very desires, so as not to envy him that which is his, nor to long to have it in our possession. And to be sure there is righteousness to be looked for in words, as well as in actions. But, alas! How doth the sin of lying abound among us! For this, GOD has a controversy with the land. Is there not need to take heed every one of his neighbor, and not to trust in any brother Will not every one deceive his neighbor, and not speak the truth Have they not taught their tongues to speak lies If you are not cozening liars, or false-witness liars, yet are you not reviling liars Do you not, upon every petty difference, speak of one another ye care not what Do ye not spread lying defamations Is not the fawning liar common among us Their a words are the words of JACOB, but their bands are the hands of ESAU.”“ The words of their mouths are smoother than butter,” but” war is in their hearts. Their words are softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords.” Is there not also many a news-telling liar among us They believe in their consciences, that it is false what they relate; and yet, “to promote an interest, to make hearts glad with lies,” they will spread that which is false. How many officious liars have we, who tell lies for some God end, as they think The highest. end is God's glory: But will ye speak wickedly for GOD, and talk deceitfully for him The Vulgate reads the text, Nuns quid Deus indiget vestro mendacio What! has GOD need of your lie It is a dishonor to God to be thus helped. And if we must not speak evil, that God may come to God, sure then we may not speak evil, that ood may come to out, How can you think you are GOD's children God engageth himself for his people, that” surely they will got lie, surely they are my people, children that will not lie.” AUSTIN, long ago, gave his judgment concerning lying, that I a man must not tell a lie to save the whole world: If it were (says he) to save thy father or thy mother out of hell, if possible it could be, thou must not tell a lie; or if it were to save a kingdom from destruction.” And yet to make a little mirth, or to gain a penny, or to prevent the frowns of a superior, how do some” teach their tongues to lie” not considering, that” all liars shall have their portion in the burning lake; “that herein they” are like the Devil, who is the father of lies, and most unlike God who cannot lie.” O then, put away lying, and speak the truth! Away with mental reservations and Jesuitical equivocations! Let thy tongue be the faithful interpreter of thy heart. Be faithful in your pro Guises and engagements: be not cc yea, and nay.”

 

CHAPTER 26:

 

Their Covetousness.

 

 If there he so much unrighteousness, no wonder that there is also much covetousness. Covetousness is the seed of all unrighteousness,” the root of all evil.” It was JEZEBEL'S covetousness that made her unjustly deprive NABOTH of his vineyard. If l cannot prevail with heaven, I will go to hell for an estate, is the voice of covetousness Yea, this is that which will put men, not only on injustice to others, but to GOD himself; it will make them offer violence to religion, to divine honor, and whatever is sacred in the world. That man will stick at no abuse of God, whose god is his gain. And is not covetousness and earthly-mindedness an epidemical sin This is the grave, which never says,” it is enough;” but like SOLOMON's horse-leech, it cries, c= Give, give.” O what boundless appetites have many, who can neither use what they have, nor put a period to what they desire: As in the sea one wave riseth above another, so here, every desire of having is outGod by a new desire of getting.

 

 Are not your cares for Riches Do not your thoughts run out, O how shall I thrive in the world, get more estate, custom But not, O how shall I get the favor of God, and victory over my lusts flow solicitous are you, every day, for the world, but how flat in your desires to have the image of GOD renewed How dejected are you when you miss of a God bargain; or when you meet with some loss by sea or land But how little troubled if you lose an opportunity of communion with the LORD How are men pleased with the earth, but find no more relish in CHRIST and his ways, than in the white of an egg What great journeys have you taken, even compassed sea and land, to gain riches; and hardly can go a mile or two to meet with GOD How is every opportunity laid hold of to get more to the heap But do not you remain contented with the least measures of grace How oft have you left your meat to serve a customer 

 

 But when to serve the LORD JESUS CHRIST Flow few aim at riches, as a means to carry them to a further end They should be but as the rounds of a ladder, riot to stand upon, but thereby to ascend higher, even to glory. But, alas! few desire the world in subordination to God, and as a means to glorify GOD: but the more they love the world, the less GOD is loved; and the more their desires are carried out after riches, the less after GOD. How few pursue earthly things in obedience to GOD's call How many out of a desire of filthy lucre How few seek the world with an holy indiffrency How few reserve their zeal, and hottest endeavors, for heavenly things Is not the general cry,” Who will skew us any God” We need no proof of this; there are instances every where. How, for the getting of a penny, will some debar themselves of ordinances Is it not a sufficient excuse with some, for not attending on the worship of GOD, that they meet with a customer Doth not the clock strike too fast, whilst thou art selling to advantage Doth not time run away too fast Dost thou not wish thou couldest, with JOSHUA, cause” the sun to stand still” on a market-day, or on a fair-day, when trading is quick But when thou art in the worship of GOD,, O when will the Sabbath be God’ When will the duty be over, that we may sell How many hypocritical outcries are there against the world It eats up my time; it eats up my spirits; it robs me of communion with GOD. We say it is an enemy; and yet we can bosom this snake, lodge this enemy, that God would have us to kill.

 

 How oft has GOD charged thee against Covetousness Take heed and beware of it: Two words to the same purpose; all little enough to take thee off from earthly pursuits. How apparently has God withdrawn from thee, ever since thou wast taken with this DELILAH How hardly art thou pulled out of the deep pit, and miry clay, to duty, much more to GOD And wilt thou be rich Art thou resolved to run into the briers Then farewell to thee, not only in time, but to eternity. How many convictions and impressions of the blessed Spirit have your worldly cares choked How have your desires of riches puzzled your souls, and diverted them from minding and improving the counsels of God and conscience How unlike art thou to the primitive converts Paul, when converted,” counts all things but dung, in comparison of CHRIST.” And ZACCHIEUS no sooner had a work of grace begun upon him, but down went the world faster than ever it went tip: He parts from riches with more freedom than he sought them: “ The half of my Gods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man, I will restore four-fold.” But, alas! our hearts are as cities without walls, the world has a thoroughfare in them, and may come and go without any pass from heaven.

 

 How has this sin deadened you to all the worship of GOD How, by the interposition of this dark body of the earth, has the light of heaven, yea, the light of God's countenance, been darkened and how has thy soul been benighted and clouded They say, if a knife be put into the earth, it will lose its edge. I am sure of this, that Christians, who were-once lively and active for God, by engaging their hearts to the world, have lost their zeal, their keenness, and their luster. When thou hast gained time from thy business to discharge duty, hast thou not missed thine heart Hast thou not left and lost it in the crowd How dost thou debase thyself hereby The curse of HAM is upon thee; “a servant of servants thou art;” a slave to that which thou shouldest rule over. 

 

 God did not give thee a reasonable soul that thou shouldest choose the serpent's curse, to crawl and feed upon the earth. O tremble to think what sad effects your covetousness may have upon you before you die! DEMAS left CHRIST, “lost his soul, shipwrecked his faith, and all to embrace this present evil world. And if thou make haste to be rich, shall thou be innocent Whether thou place thy confidence and hope in thy gold, or in a golden calf, thou art guilty of idolatry, of having other gods besides the true God, and so dost highly offend the true GOD.

 

 If you did glory in the cross of CHRIST,” the world would be crucified to you, and you unto the world. But, alas! To which of us is” one day in God's courts better than a thousand!” ST. AUSTIN said,' If one drop of the joys of heaven might fall into hell, it would drown all the bitterness of hell:' so would it drown all bitterness in the soul, and all the sweetness in the world. Worldly comforts would be too coarse, too flat, too low, to recreate your hearts. Did ye but know the honey and milk of Canaan, ye would not mind the onions of Egypt. What a miserable life dost thou live! This sin brings a hell with it: thou art the Devil's martyr.” They that will be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Thou enjoyest neither God nor the world Thou still desirest that which will never satisfy thy desires. The more thou hast of the world, the more thou wantest; the more thou drinkest, the more thou thirstest: a dropsy is upon thee, and thou knowest it not. Discontent is always the companion of covetousness. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have.” Why wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not Grace and godliness is substance. Why wilt thou let go the substance for a shadow The things of the world are fancies, the things of God realities.

 

 What God is there to the owners of riches, saving the

 

beholding them with their eyes Do not you all this while bear false witness against GOD Do not you proclaim to the world, that GOD is not enough to fill your desires, and that therefore you go after the creature It is nothing to you, to call God, who is” all-sufficient,” who is” a fountain of living water,” a barren wilderness No wonder, that for the iniquity of our covetousness, God is wroth, and smites us. We are greedy of more, but what have we done with our former talents Account we must for one, for two, for ten talents: The more we have, the greater will be our account. There is a reckoning day at hand. If thou art not a God steward, as sure as this book is in thy hand, thou wilt curse the time that ever thou has an estate, and wilt wish thou has been a beggar, for then thou has not had so much to answer for before GOD. It is certain that thou shall carry none of thy estate away with thee; nothing is to be carried away, save guilt, to hell; if you have not rendered unto GOD” according to what you have received,” the heaping up of wealth is but the charging of thy account: Thou must account how thou hast disbursed to a farthing.

 

 I will suppose thou hast (by neglects of thy general calling, and by thy rising up early, and sitting up late) gained an estate. What will thy estate advantage thee, when the arrows of the LORD enter thy soul What will the world advantage the-., when the gout, fever, or burning pestilence, are upon thee What hast thou got but that which may stand with GOD's eternal hatred Never count thy gains, till thou hast got that which is inconsistent with God's wrath. Whilst you have bonds and bills upon others, do not you ran into arrears with GOD And how will you discharge those suits which GOD will commence against you When you lie a dying, will ye not wish, that your time, your strength, your spirits, had, been poured forth upon better things, than those of this life That you had traded for grace and glory, rather than for a little gilt clay O ye projectors for the world, I foresee the troubles and horrors, the doubts and fears, the anguish and amazements of your cools, which your uncertainties, as to your future state, will put you into in your dying rooms. How will you take up such language as this:’ Fool that I was, to cumber myself about many things, and neglect the one thing necessary! Fool that I was, to set my affections on things below, (none of which give me a drop of water to cool my tongue,) and to neglect the things above! O if I had never heard of CHRIST and glory, I had been more excusable for my earthly cares. How have I disquieted myself in vain; I have heaped up riches, and know not who shall gather them. Had I been as faithful to CHRIST, as I was to Mammon, O with what joy might I have removed hence! What abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom might I have had!’ G labor to prevent the horrors of death, and the gnawing worm of conscience. It is sad, when the sting of death, and the worm conscience, bite the man together. “Riches avail not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.” Believe it, it will cut you to the heart, to think, that less pains would have served for eternal life than you have bestowed for temporal Gods. This plague attends the covetous man,-The more he desires, and heaps up, the less he is desired, and the less he is lamented when he dies. So the covetous man does no God with. his riches whilst he liveth; but when he is dead, his riches come to he disposed of.” The riches of a sinner are laid up for the just.” 

 

 How can you choose but tremble at doomsday You cannot desire the coming of CHRIST If the Church cries, “Come, LORD JESUS, come quickly;” you cannot join in that prayer; for your hearts are glued to this present world: You prefer Paris before Paradise. It is to the saint's loss to be kept so long from heaven; but yon count it not so: You cannot say,” Thy kingdom come.” What will you do in that day, when all the estate and friends of Divus cannot relieve Riches are like briers and thorns; God to stop gaps, but not to lay in our beds, and set our hearts upon, lest we lie down in sorrow.

 

 ENVY is a sin seldom confessed, but yet much diffused among the professors of religion.” The spirit that dwells in us lusteth to envy.” And indeed, covetousness and envy are never asunder; they are sins against the same command. Such as long that what is their neighbor's should be theirs, envy to him that which is his; and such as envy to him that which is his, long to have it to be theirs. How desirous are they to grasp all to themselves; and, therefore, how apt to be envious at the power, greatness, riches, if not Goodness, of others Doth not the experience that you have of your own hearts, testify, that this spirit is stirring and acting in you The poor envy the rich, the base the honorable, as if they had the less, because others have so much. But sure, maligning the prosperity of others, is not from the SPIRIT of GOD. He that giveth freely to all, would not have us envy those to whom he gives more freely than to ourselves; and lie that giveth us more, doth not envy us for what we have. If you have not so much as others, it is because you are unfit to receive, not because GOD is unwilling to give.

 

 Is there not a greater readiness in us to detract from men's worth, than to honor and exalt them To write down their blots and imperfections, than their virtues and graces How dull sighted are we, as to the virtues of our brethren;, but quick sighted, as eagles,, to discern their imperfections The beams of virtue are not seen, not taken notice of; but a mote in a brother's eye is soon espied.

 

 Are we not more greedy to receive and spread any thing whereby our neighbor is obscured, than what tends to his praise And is not this the reason hereof, the desire we have to shine alone, to have none to vie with, much less to excel us

 

 The beasts do not envy one another; but men do; yea, the devils envy not one another: some men are herein worse than devils. No wonder if there have been hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, and heresies, whilst envyings have abounded amongst us.’ Wrath is cruel, and anger outrageous, but who is able to stand before envy’ The malignity of this sin appears, in that it strikes directly at the Providence of GOD, who disposeth of men's conditions, according to his sovereignty and wisdom. It has a tacit accusation of GOD, for raising up some so high, and laying others so low. It is deeply unsatisfied with GOD's bounty to the children of men, that he gives so liberally to some, whereas he is not bound to any. Whilst others complain against GOD, for making the world no better, the envious man is troubled that he has done so well for his creatures. No wonder the Apostle reckoneth envy among the gross sins of murder, uncleanness, idolatry, witchcraft; and concludes, heaven is no place for such: “They which do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of GOD.” This is a sin so damnable, and so ugly, making you so much like the Devil, that it is high time you watch against it, mourn for it, and seek its ruin. O when shall we hear the exhortation; ”Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” When shall we” in honor prefer one another” When shall we, like BARNABAS, when we see the grace of God, rejoice When shall Ministers reprove the Joshuas, that are envying for their sakes, in Moses's words; I would to GOD, all the people of the LORD did prophesy” When shall we, like JOHN the Baptist, be contented to decrease, so that CHRIST may increase; and to be laid by, if others, more able, may be substituted to do God's work When shall we rejoice if GOD uses others to convert sinners by themn, more than by us And say, with MR. Don,’ I would to GOD that I were the worst Minister in England: “ his meaning was, that all should excel him in gifts and graces. O when shall we, instead of envying our brother, bless GOD for him If he has more than we have, more strength, parts, riches, honors, or graces, time account lie must pass with GOD is greater; let us pity him, rather than envy him. Believe it, God is wiser than we are; and if his distributions are various, we have as, many talents as we can well improve. Let us look to our own duty in the places wherein God has set us; and pray for them that have ten talents more than we have, that they may serve the LORD ten times more than we can.

 

CHAPTER 28: The Sins of -Family Governors.

 

 How guilty are such of you as he families to govern, of not commanding your household to serve GOD! -Of how few can GOD say, as lie (lid of ABRAHAM, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD. By your authority, you should command them to subject their hearts, wills, and consciences, to the will and pleasure of JEHOVAH: but, alas! How many of you have been careless in this Your children and servants, yea, wives, must know your authority upon worldly accounts you command them imperiously enough to fulfill your will and pleasure; to serve you: but how Gallio-like are you; little caring whether they obey the LORD

 

 2. How much passion have you discovered when children and servants, yea, and wives too, submit not to your will and pleasure: But when do they see so much zeal against their neglect of God's work, as they find in you when they neglect your commands These passions may well make your inferiors believe, that you value more your authority than God's; the having your own will obeyed, than that God's should be observed.

 

 3. How many Governors are there, that show great care fur the bodies of their families, but not for their souls Meat, and drink, and clothes, or money to buy them, they shall have; but none or little instruction.

 

 How little do you catechize your families! How seldom do you ask them any questions concerning the first principles of the doctrine of CHRIST! If you do catechize your children as you ought, in obedience to those divine commands, “Train up a child in the way wherein be should go;” “ bring up your children in, the nurture and admonition of the LORD; yet how few of you catechize the rest of your household,-your servants and wives; though they be but babes in religion, children in understanding, and this milk is appointed for children in understanding, as well as age. Neither doth the work of catechizing them belong unto Ministers, but unto you; for it belongs to all that have a charge of souls; and you are charged not only with your children's, but with your servants', and with your wives' souls. Whatever any of you may fancy, there never comes a wife, a child, or servant, into any of your families, but with this warrant from the great LORD of heaven and earth:’ Keep the soul of this - wife, this child, this servant; for if it be missing amongst the number of my sheep at the great day, through thy neglect, thy soul shall go for it.' Hence not only should your children be taught by you, but your wives and servants. The wife is commanded” to learn of her husband at home,” and the husband to walk with her as a man of knowledge. And your servants should be trained by you in religion, as ABRAHAM'S servants were.

 

 How seldom do you converse personally with every one in your families, concerning the practical part of religion! How seldom do you ask them any questions how it is with their souls; and what they think will become of them to eternity. Are you not as great strangers to the state of their souls, as you are to the souls of the Indians If their bodies be in danger, meat, physic, attendance, are procured; but their souls may perish in formality or carelessness, for any help you afford them. Some governors never treat with their households about their spiritual estate from one year to another. Hence comes the great apostasy of our times. The LORD humble us, and deliver us from blood-guiltiness! Many a husband may cry out, ’My wife's soul is like to perish, through my default.' Many a parent, I I am verily guilty of the blood of my child;' and many a master may impute to his own account, all the disorders of his servants; for that they have no personal conference with them about original corruption, regeneration, justification, sanctification, or glory. Perhaps thou prayest in thy family every day, but not knowing the inward workings of their hearts towards GOD or sin, thou knowest not how to pray as thou oughtest; thou knowest not what to confess, and what to pray for, nor what to bless GOD for.

 

 4. Have you walked with that gravity before your wives, children, and servants, as ye ought Have you not made yourselves vile by lightness or unseemly carriages Governors of families are the viceroys of GOD; they are in the place of God, and therefore should keep up their authority, and not run into such vanity or familiarity with their inferiors, as to breed in them a contempt of the ordinance of GOD.

 

 5. You have given your children and servants time to work for yourselves; have you afforded them time to serve GOD in Too many use their inferiors as they use their beasts: they work and feed their beasts,. but never instruct them; no more do they instruct their inferiors. When do you call your wives, children, servants, into your closet, and not only press them to look after their souls, and in order thereunto, to spend some time in prayer, reading, and meditation; but tell them how GOD wrought on you, how lie awakened you,-what corruptions prevailed with you, and how GOD helped you to crucify them How do you know but the same motives might melt and turn their hearts too

 

 6. Have not you miscarried as to the time for the management of your religious work in your houses Some governors pray in the morning too early; so early, with a

 

small part of their family, whilst others are in bed, or in the service of the world, that they worship not God together as they ought; and this is passed over with silence; but if they miss of their servant in the shop or field, how angry is the governor! He cries out,’ I shall be undone by the unfaithfulness of my wife, children, servants;' but sees not a greater danger, a more probable ruin falling on him, for not having his family to worship God with him.

 

 Others defer morning prayer until it be almost noon. They will adventure into all worldly employments (as we say) without fear or wit: they see no need of GOD to protect them from outward or inward dangers; no need of God's blessing, until they are ready to dine; and then some Collects must be said, some short prayers perhaps run over with more haste than the boy that says his lesson, that they may rise up to eat, drink, and play.

 

 And as some are unseasonable in their duties in the morning, so others at evening. Whilst their strength lasts to serve the world, they attend it; and then, Come, let us go to prayer; when the poor wife, children, and servants had rather be in bed. The governor prays dully enough, and that while the poor family sleep, or nauseate the duty: and so, like ELI'S sons, these sons of Belial “cause their people to abhor the offering of the Lord.”

 

CHAPTER 29:

 

The Sins of Husbands and Wives.

 

 HUSBANDS and wives are called to reflection on their miscarriages, jointly, severally. Jointly, For their not being so careful of their choice as they should have been; not seeking GOD enough in a matter of so great consequence, wherein the souls of each other were so highly concerned. “Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for `that fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness And what communion has light with darkness” They came together upon low, earthly motives, for profit, pleasure, beauty, rather than to further the kingdom of CHRIST. They did not, by prayer and fasting, try to live unmarried, though the Apostle told them of the advantages of serving, CHRIST thereby. “He that is unmarried, careth for the things that belong, to the LORD, how he may please the LORD.”

 

 Severally, Husbands, ye have not loved your wives as CHRIST the Church; though the command be express. But though you have not been adulterers in any gross act, yet how oft have you wished the bond of marriage were broken And have not you had eyes full of adultery Has not your love to others degenerated into secret lust CHRIST is patient to his Church, but has “your love suffered all things” Upon light matters, what frowns, I will not say, what sharp words! Has not family prayer been neglected through your wrath CHRIST gives no occasion of jealousy; but have not some of you The LORD, searcheth hearts. CHRIST's love is bountiful: how short have you kept your wives, contrary to your engagements to endow them” with all your worldly Gods” CHRIST keeps company with the wife of his bosom: but have not some of you been more abroad than at home CHRIST edifieth his Church: do ye dwell with your wives as men of knowledge CHRIST doth communicate secrets to his spouse: are not ye strangers to the hearts, though perhaps not to the bosoms, of your nearest relations CHRIST doth confer often with his Church about the mysteries of GOD: I wish you did so. I fear some of you are Silvertongued abroad, forward to speak of CHRIST, but dumb at home, even to your wives as well as children. The woman learns not, though she ask her husband at home. CHRIST gives the sharpest rebuke to his offending spouse privately, and when he.-gets her alone: but do not you reprove before servants and children Hereby they learn forwardness, when brought into this relation, and at present alight the wives of your bosom. CHRIST doth not blaze his wife's infirmities; but so have ye. CHRIST puts the best construction on what his spouse doth: “the spirit is willing, though the flesh be weak: “but do not you put the worst When your desires are quenched, your love is God. CHRIST doth pity his Church as the weaker vessel: if ye did so, the family would be the better governed. CHRIST doth sympathize with his Church; in all her afflictions he is afflicted: but how fretful, churlish, and Nabal like are you, when the hand of Gull is heavy on your nearest relations! CHRIST doth vindicate his spouse, and is greatly displeased when she suffers from the world; but do not some of you deride your wives, and not frown when they are wronged and abused CHRIST doth not upbraid his spouse with her low condition before he put honor on her: but, alas! how oft have ye upbraided what the, condition of your wives was before you cast your eyes upon them! CHRIST gave his life for his Church what hast thou done and suffered to save the soul of thy wife CHRIST rules his Church, “not with a rod of iron, but with a -sceptre of love.” Is your dominion exercised with discretion and love Are all things done in charity Is she to thee “as a loving hind or roe” CHRIST doth not count his spouse as a servant, but a friend; lie doth not domineer over his Church: but how many husbands use their wives hardly better than servants' CHRIST notwithstanding keeps tip his authority over his Church: but do not many husbands lose it through too much luxuriousness and make themselves contemptible by yielding to their wives, as ADAM to his, whence came at first all sin and misery into the world. When CHRIST doth command his wife, his Church, lie doth it mildly: “We pray you in CHRIST'S stead: “ but many husbands imperiously enough, God knoweth, when for love's sake they should rather entreat. CHRIST doth love his spouse, though he gains nothing by her: but, alas! How many are severe enough to their wives, when they fail of that estate they expected from them!

 

 As husbands fail, so do wives. Even as the “Church is subject unto Christ, so should ye have been to your own husbands in every thing: “ but how have ye affronted your light The true Church of CHRIST loves him inwardly, as well as outwardly: so should ye have loved your husbands; but, alas! How little have ye showed the union betwixt the Church and CHRIST by your affections! The Church loves CHRIST more than angels: Whom have I in heaven but thee And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.” But how many wives are commending others' husbands more than their own! If my husband were thus and thus. Thy husband should be to thee the most precious of all persons, the most lovely in thine eyes. Not parts and gifts, but the God pleasure of God should be the ground of this special love. The Church honors CHRIST above all other persons in the world: but have not some of you mean and low thoughts of your husbands The Church is subject to CHRIST in all things: but will not some of you wear what you please, go where you please, eat what you please, and employ yourselves in what you please yea, though contrary both to your husbands' commands and entreaties! The Church fears CHRIST: so should wives. I say not either should with a slavish, but both should with a reverential, fear. Remember MICH AL: “she despised her husband in her heart,” (she did not express her slighting of him, as many do, in words,) and she had no child unto the day of her death. God took the husband's part, and put a mark of displeasure upon her. The Church loves CHRIST more and more: but O the decays of women's affections to their husbands! Partly through levity, and partly through age, and partly through cross Providences. The Church doth commend CHRIST: but seldom are wives careful herein to imitate the Church of God. How many do blazon their infirmities, rather than commend their graces! The Church is careful to please CHRIST in all things: the married woman should care (study) to please her husband, by her attire, behavior, words. She should go, speak, and so do, as may render her most acceptable in his sight, in every thing. How many cross wives are there, that love to vex rather than to delight their husbands The Church bears patiently rebukes from CHRIST: So should wives, as SARAH was commended for her meekness. “The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is, in the sight of God, of great price.” Perhaps the wife will tell me, these are but trifles that I cross my husband in. I must tell thee, to break the order of God for trifles, will greaten thy sin at the day of accounts. What, wilt thou, darest thou, for so slender a matter, tread down the law of GOD, and hazard the ruin of thy soil O consider this! and turn not your duties to your husbands into matter of talk and pastime, as the manner of most women is.

 

CHAPTER 30:

 

The Miscarriages of Parents and Children.

 

 PARENTS, how little do you plot for the God of future generations! How little do you care whether GOD has a name when you be dead and God! It is through your default, that the name of CHRIST is not had in everlasting remembrance: If you were faithful, how -would the generations to come bless the LORD in your behalf! If you were active and diligent, you might convey holiness down to your posterity. The world would soon mend, the Church of CHRIST would soon regain its ancient lustre, if ye did but faithfully discharge your duties to your children. You might ”suffer little children to come to CHRIST;” yea, you might” fill the kingdom of heaven; but do not you rather fill the kingdom of hell And as JEROBOAM” made Israel to sin,” do not you, instead of leading them the way to heaven, lead them the way to hell O consider seriously and sadly, how far you are guilty with respect to the souls of your children.

 

 1, By giving them bad examples. HAM'S not covering his father's nakedness, was a sin conveyed down to all his race. Your pride, sensuality, carelessness in the, worship of Got); your passion towards your wives, and wives towards their husbands; your forwardness towards servants, -teach your children so to carry themselves towards others. One checked his son, and said, Never parent had so wicked a child; Yes, said the son, My grandfather had.

 

 2. By humoring your children: Teaching them early to be proud of their fine clothes, and to revenge. Come, give me a blow, says the mother to the child. Many, like apes, kill their children with hugging them. AUSTIN tells a sad story of one CYRILLUS, who loved an only son immoderately, and let him do (without correction) what he would. Afterwards, this son, in a fit of drunkenness, offers violence to his mother, killed his father, wounded mortally two of his sisters, and would have ravished another. Through foolish pity, parents, especially mothers, give the reins to their children when they are young, and thereby they grow headstrong, and are a shame to the mother that bore them. The sparing of the rod is the ruin of the child. Do not you reprove your children as old fond ELI did Thereby' he brought a plague upon himself and upon his posterity. What saith one, ‘Never cease convincing or correcting, until thou hast subdued the spirit of thy child, i f he contends with thee.' You pretend such harshness is inconsistent with love; but I say from the LORD, such fondness is consistent with hatred: and I am sure the Lo RD is on my side in this. “He that spareth the rod, hateth his son: he that loves him chasteneth him betimes.” Is it love to suffer a wound in thy child to fester, rather than to apply a painful corrosive for the cure But what says the fond mother If the child should be the worse for my correction, it would be a trouble to me whilst I live, O that such a doting mother would hear the LORD himself!” Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest, yea, he shall give delight to thy soul. Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it out.”

 

 3. By not acquainting them with the LORD, and his ways, d ad that betimes. Has not GOD commanded, “Thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” And is not childhood and youth the time wherein SOLOMON adviseth, the children of men should be trained up”in the way wherein they should go” O parents! if GOD be worth your own acquaintance, is he not worth the acquaintance of such as are so near and dear unto you Can you, without trembling, think that as soon as death breaks up your house, you may ascend to heaven, and your children must be sent to hell, and that through your default But if you should die in this neglect of instructing your children, you will be miserable as well as they: And O what a greeting will there be hereafter, between ungodly parents and children! What a hearing will it be to your tormented souls, to hear your children cry out against you:’ All this that we suffer is because of you; you should have taught us better, and did not:' What an addition will such outcries be to your misery!

 

 4. By not redressing the authority disorderly carriage did your children towards one another. How few REBECCAS are there: she was careful to remove jars and mischiefs that might arise between her two sons.

 

 5. By not praying for your children's souls, and against those very particulars which their natural constitutions lead them most to.

 

 6. By not correcting them aright: As to time, not early enough: “He that loves him, correcteth him betimes.” Not whilst the fault is fresh in his thoughts, with all the

 

aggravating circumstances thereof. Not with compassion enough. You have reason,' says Ma. Don,’ to be angry with yourselves, rather than to be bitter to your children; for you correct your own sin in your children. If the child be forward, has he not seen his parents brawling and contentious'' Not ushering correction with prayer, that God would bless the word and the rod. Commonly, parents correct in a passion, whereby prayer is hindered, and the medicine becomes invalid.

 

 7. By being angry without a cause, or above the desert.

 

Anger must be according to the nature of the offence. If parents be always chiding or correcting,-they make their children resolute.” Provoke not your children to wrath.” Some parents want natural affections, and are too severe But correction, like physic, if too frequent, will work no more with children, than our meat with us.

 

 8. By loving your children more than Go n: Loving them as they are yours, not as they are GOD's; as they bear your image, not God's; for their beauty and parts, rather than for their graces: loving a beautiful child that is void of grace, more than a deformed child, though eminent in grace: loving one excessively, as JACOB, JOSEPH; hence, JOSEPH is envied by the rest. Prodigal favors to some, especially if without reason, are offensive to others who are less respected. Loving so, as loath to let them go when God calls for them. You cannot say as ELI, “It is the LORD, let him do as seems him God.” God pulls and you pull; and you quarrel with God about the LORD, and you think you do well to be angry. JOB blessed GOD, when God took all away at once by one blow.

 

 9. By not devoting them to some honest callings, but letting them live in idleness, and so they grow up monuments of your neglect. But if you do provide a calling for your children, is it not what is most gainful, rather than what will be most useful to the soul Had you not rather have them rich factors among idolaters, (where they learn the manners of the Heathens,) than to have a meaner calling at home, where the Gospel is preached in power and purity.

 

 1O. By not matching them to godly persons, but rather to the rich: Hereby ye show that the silver shrines are in higher repute than grace and godliness.

 

 11. By giving all to your children, though the Church of GOD has more need of it. Hereby you evidence that you prefer not Zion before your chief joy: that you love the outward grandeur of your children more than the prosperity of the Church.’It is a wonder,' says MR. BAXTER,’ how so many, seemingly holy, can quiet their consciences in such a sin as this is. If one of you have two or three hundred pounds per annum, it is a wonder if you leave a hundred pounds a year of it to pious or charitable uses. Nay, do not parents leave all to their children, when they have apparent proofs that they will spend it in the service of hell O let parents tremble! What, wilt thou enable and strengthen thy children to rebel against GOD Put fuel to the fire; put swords into their hands to fight against the Most High'

 

 Parents, I beseech you, look diligently to your duties; be humbled for these and such like miscarriages. O look about you, and you will see a sad apostasy in children Parents civil, the children debauched; parents godly, the children formal or loose; parents eminent for grace, children notorious for lewdness. Let your bowels turn within you to see so great a degeneracy. Double your diligence, that there may be an holy seed. Knock off the chains of hell from your children while you may. Lay not out all your time how they may be rich. It is no time to seek great things for yourselves: seek them not. Pity the souls of your children, that are slaves to the Devil. How can ye mind your trades, fields, bodies, whilst the souls of your children are perishing How can ye see the Devil driving your children to sin and hell, and ye stand still with a Gallio-spirit Go to your closets, and ask your hearts, whether the soul be not the principal part of the child And whether that needs not your care more than the body Do not throw away the blade to preserve the scabbard. GOD has set you to watch their souls, to train up their souls, to provide for their souls: if you do nut, what is your love more than a Pagan's, a Turk's, toward, your children You think you should be unnatural if you should not lay up for your children: but here is the best laying up, to lay up a stock of prayers for theta, and a stock of counsel and instruction in them. O Parents! Once more, I beseech you, put on bowels of compassion. Pity the perishing souls of your own children. Command your children to keep the way of the LORD: suffer them not to fashion themselves according to the course of the world. Connive not at them in practicing what you think is abominable in tile worship of GOD. Remember they are Gore's children more than yours.” All souls are mine.” God claims a special right in them, “ Thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me.” If you neglect your duties, you and your children are like to have sad greetings, when you meet before the LORD another day. How will your children lay their hells and torments to your doors! How will they curse the day they were born of such fond women, who indulged them in their neglect of GOD! Cursed be the day that ever I saw the passion, the pride, the formality of my father, or of my mother; for thereby I learned to sin against the LORD. O your examples undid the! I had not come to this place of torment had it not been for you.

 

 Children, are not you also greatly faulty towards your parents If children be richer than their parents, how irreverent are they; how over familiar with their parents; as if they had forgot “the first commandment with promise.” How disobedient are they to their lawful commands Though the command of God be express, “Children, obey your parents in all things;” and it is added, “for this is well pleasing unto the LORD. Children, obey your parents in the LORD, for this is right. Honor thy father and thy mother, (which is the first commandment with promise,) that it may be well with thee, and thou may live long on the earth.” Was CHRIST subject to his parents, and should not you be subject to yours Sure you should-obey theta as far as could be without sin, though their commands crossed your natural desires. How stout and rebellious are children when corrected! How few can say, “We have had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence!” This sin so provoked, God, that he made it capital in the days of old.”If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them; then shall his father and his mother lay hold of him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and shall say, This our son is stubborn and rebellious; and all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die so shall thou put evil away from among you.” How rebellious are children in refusing the callings which parents have appointed for them! If the parent be bound to bring them up to a calling, are not the children bound to attend that calling” Brethren, let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with GOD.” CHRIST probably was- brought up in his reputed father's calling: “Is not this the carpenter” How disobedient are children in their marriages! Children are their parents' Gods: so GOD reckoneth them; yea, so the Devil reckoneth them. When the Devil had commission to meddle with JOB'S Gods, he falls on the children. Some are worse than ISHMAEL: Nature and civility made him submit to his mother for the choice of his wife. 

 

 If children must obey their parents in little, much more in weighty matters. How little have you requited your parents. This you are bound unto: “To show pity at home, and to requite parents, is God and acceptable before the LORD.” Your parents took care of you when you were as beasts; you had your life and education from them; and do you slight them when old or weak How are you degenerated from your parents' commands and examples There are few true Rechabites, who forbore wine from generation to generation. It makes my heart ache when I read, that” The people served the LORD all the days of JOSHUA, and all the days of the Elders that out-lived JOSHUA, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that lie did for Israel; but there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord.” In vain will ye trust in your baptismal relation to GOD, that” you have ABRAHAM to your father: “ GOD'S judgments will be more heavy on you than on others, when” the children of the kingdom shall be cast out.” You will be ready to curse the day you came of such parents, that ever you had such holy instructions and examples to no purpose, save to greaten your condemnation.