nor from the South, but from above, Pfal.75.6,7. 'Tis reported of one of the Kings of France, that he was wont to say, that many thousands (no doubt) were born on the fame day he was, yet not one of them born to be a King but himself, which he noted as a free favour of Divine Providence to him, in that he was born to the Honour and Happineffe of a Kingdom, when at the fame time, many others were born to mean conditions; fore poffibly to beggery and want. 'Tis God alone that fets up one, and puls down another. He gives power, riches, and estate to one man, and sets 4nother in a mean condition. And therefore thofe whom he is pleafed to bleffe with a rightful pofeßion of riches, fhould be exceeding thankful, nd conftantly remember who hath made them in this) to differ from others. Gods impoft on Il his bleffings is thankfulneffe. If we neglect o pay this impoft, the commodity is forfeit. God an quickly blow upon and blast all our bleffings, if e be unthankful,as 'cis, Mal.2.2.If ye will not hear nd if ye will not lay it to heart, to give Glory unto y Name, faith the Lord of Hofts, I will even nd a curfe upon you, and will carfe your bleffings, c. Yet notwithstanding, fuch is the bafeneffe E mans Nature, that the more God gives to me, the leffe they own him; and if they attain a fulneffe, cisten to one, if they do not plainly ny him, and ask who is the Lord? III. They ought to be exceeding humble. Charge Kk y mak that God gali oft clot day, One bette. Put o V Charge them (faies the Apoftle) the happie preco it, thei neit ous fine to fe I co title whe hon tha appetites; fpending their eftates in riot and luxury, neither remembring the account they are to make to God of their talents, nor confidering that want and beggery (by the juft judgment of God) is ufually heir apparent to riot and prodigality. Such perfons fhould think what became of that Gentleman in the 16th of Luke, Who was clothed with Purple, and fared deliciously every day, &c. Certainly (as a late Author faies well) One plain Coat put upon a poor mans back, will better become a wealthy man, than twenty rich ones put on his own. V. They ought not to fqander away their precious time in Idleneffe, and floth, or immoderate following of recreations; but fhould employ themselves fo, as they may honour God, and be ferviceable to the world. How many are there that verifie that vulgar definition, What is A Gentleman but his pleasure? What a fad thing is it, that many fuck know not what to do with their time? Their hours lie upon their hands, either have they difcretion to improve fo precious a Talent. Certainly they can never want bufineffe, who are to work out their falvation, and fecure the ftate of their fouls to all eternity. I confeffe indeed fometimes we may have a just itle to recreations, and moderate refreshment, when we have tir'd our minds or bodies in fome boneft employment. But then we must be carefull hat our recreations have these qualifications: Kk z 1. They 1. They must be lawful, not do God, nor injurious to our neighbour. 2. Expedient, not fuch as ufalme cafion to fin and fcandal. 3. Seafonable, at fit and conveniem not on the Lords day. 4. Moderate, not spending too much on them. What a fad account will the God, who spend whole daies and night and Dice, or other Sports; who poff bestow a quarter of fo much time is their Souls? men they on o ing asd full the The conf will Let and the then 16.4 ance hand 75. The end of recreation must be us a moderate refreshment, and to fit neffe, and not to be it felf a baf Therefore bere two things are to be one well advises). We are notton only to paffe away, or drive away our the worlds wicked phrafe is) which study to redeem, and well improve. have little reafon to ftudy waies of drivs riche that which flies away fo faft of it felf, an 'tis fo impoffible to recall. S V their 17. Pfal. 2. Con and Th Who must have nothing to do in them. Then that Recreation, fhould be meerly to rent 24? Spirits, and not to win money. They theve run themfelves into two great dangers: of coveting and greedy defiring their brotherney; And how fuch (upon fober confide3.5 can make their pace with the tenth Cons 27.1 ment, I fee not. The other of rage and anger, if they happen to lofe. Both which are apt to draw on other fins: Covetoufneffe will tempt to cheating and cozening: Anger to fwearing and curfing, as common experience fhews. And how carefull should every fincere Chriftian bé co avoid the occafions and temptations leading to fin? Thofe that mind the falvation of their fouls, will confider these things; Those that do not, I know will fight them. To conclude this Particular, Let all those whom God hath raised to wealth and riches in this world, remember what were the fins of Sodom, that they may carefully avoid them. And thofe the Prophet tels us, Ezek. $16.49. were pride, fulnesse of bread, and abund_ ance of Idleneß, neither did they ftrengthen the hands of the poor and needy VI. They fhould take heed of trusting in their riches, as the Apostle adviseth, 1 Tim.6. 7. And the Pfalmift to the fame purpose. If iches encrease, fet not thy heart upon them, fal.62.1o. 'Tis hard to poffeß riches or eftates, nd not to confide in them. How many are there hat make Gold their confidence, as tis, Fob 31. 4 That think their mountain fo ftrong it shall ever be moved, Pfal. 49. 11? When alas! Who knows what a day may bring forth? Prov. 7.1. Riches have wings and flie away, Prov. 3.5. And Experience of late years, hath caught 5, that even Lands are moveables. Therefore Kk 3 they |