V.31. The ear that beareth the reproof of life, abideth among the wife.

•Prov. 17.10. Areproof entreth more into a wife man, than an hundred stripes into a fool. Prov.28.23. He that rebuketh a man, afterwards Shall find more favour than be that flattereth with the tongue.

Eph.5.11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkneß, but rather reprove

them. Mat.18.15. Moreover if thy brother fhall trefpafs against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone, if he shall hear thee, thos hast gained thy brother.

V.16. But if he shall not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witneffes every word may be eft blished.

V.17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, telit unto the Church, but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee, as an Heather man and a Publican.

СНАГ.

CHAP. XVII.

Of the Duties of the Rich and

Poor.

First, Of thofe that concern the Rich.

Cannot better begin this Chapter, than by

I fetting down that strict charge the Apoftle

directs Timothy to give to rich men, in 1 Tim 6. #17, 18, 19. Charge them that are rich in this world (He faies not intreat or perfwade them, but charge them, charge it upon their Confciences) that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncer tain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. V.18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to diftribute, willing to communicate. V. 19. Laying up in ftore for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

From this and other Scriptures, we may g4ther, that the duties that concern the rich, are thefe following.

I. They ought to look to it, and be especially careful that they be really religious and truly Godly. They have many great engagements to it: God hath dealt bountifully with them: The

things

things of this world ferve them, and flow in unto them. When poor people must take pains and work hard to earn their bread, before they eat it: They have their Tables fpread to their hands. God hath raifed them above many of their Bre thren, and therefore they ought to honour, love, and obey him from whole bounty alone they receive all their plenty. And as they have greater engagements, fo they have greater opportuni ties and advantages to be religious than others have. They may spend more time upon theit fouls than poor people can. They have more lei fure (if they have hearts fo to employ it) to attend the means of Grace, and to work out their faluation. They fhould confider, though they are rich in this world, yet there is another world that is to be look'd after. Though they enjoy the good things of this life, yet there is a lifet come which must be car'd for. Though they are encreaf'd with worldly goods, yet if they have all their portion here, they are most miferable. Seeing cis well with them here on earth, their main defign fhould be to fecure their state in Grace, and their title to Heaven. They should about all things be careful to lay hold on eternal life. This life they cannot bold, nor their riches, eftates, and poffeffions here: They fhould there fore lay bold on that which they may hold, and which will never fail them. They should be f wife as to take the right courfe to be heirs of the

Kingdon

Kingdom of Heaven; that when they must bid farewell to this life, and their eftates here, they may enter upon that glorious inheritance. And yet ftrange it is to fee how this one thing abfolutely. neceffary is neglected by far the greater part of them that are rich in this world. In those places where Silver and Gold are found (they fay) there groweth neither graffe nor plant, nor other thing that is any thing worth. Many rich mens hearts are as barren of true Piety, as those countries are of graffe: Fob (peaking of fuch, faies, Chap.21.13. They spend their daies in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 7.14. Therefore they fay unto God depart from us, for we defire not the knowledge of thy waies. v.15. What is the Almighty that we should ferve him? ind what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Tis grown almoft into a Proverb, ittle Religion goes far in a rich man or Gentleman. How do fuch perfons ufually bleß themselves in fem formal outward performances of religious uties? And if they live not in the graffe defilenents and pollutions of the world, but are of a Fair and civil converfation as to men, how eafily Can they difpenfe with themfelves from engaging n the stricter and more ferious parts of Religi on? Nay, thofe things wherein the life and hower of Godlineffe confifts, are (too often) matter of their fcorn; and flighted and neglected by them as more ado than needs. And thus it

often

often happens that they that have fulnesse of eftate, have leanneffe of foul, as 'cis, Pfal.106.15. And they that are well provided for in this life, take no due care to provide for eternity, nor to Lay up for themselves a good foundation against the rime to come, 1 Tim.6.19. They that thould be examples of Piety and goodneffe to thofe among whom they live, and by their power, wealth and greatneffe fhould countenance and promote the power of Godlineffe, prove many times the greateft difcouragers of it. Solomon obferved this as a fore evil under the Sun, Ecclef.5.13. Riches kept for the owners thereof to their hart. And not only for their hurt, but the hurt of many others round about them. Many could ne ver have been fuch great finners, and dishanow érs of God, if they had not had fo great t ftates.

II. They ought to be exceeding thankful unt God. The more God hath bestowed upon them. the greater is their debt of thankfulneffe, and the greater is their duty of obedience. If the Lo hath lifted them up, if he hath shined upon the Tabernacle, and given them power to get wealt as 'tis, Deut.8.28. Let them not facrifice to the ewn net, to their own wit or wisdom, the own labour or industry, but thankfully acknow ledge his favour, whose bleffing maketh rici Prov. 10. 23 Let them confider, Promoti cometh neither from the Eaft, nor from the W