Page images
PDF
EPUB

defection from gracious courfes. Such lukewarm profeffors are ufually remiß, and flight and indifferent in Religion; and though they run not into Juch exorbitant courfes, as the openly prophane do; yet ufually they love not strictness, nor the power of Godlinelle, thinking it more ado than needs. And by frequent, familiar converse with fuch, thou wilt be in danger to content thy felf with a little goodneffe, and feem fome body in thy own eies, having no better patterns before thee (as be that hath but half an eie, is a King among them that are blind.) Whereas among wife, boly, fpiritual, improv'd Chriftians, thou wilt ftill have matter of imitation and provocation to afpire to a greater perfection in goodneffe. He that walks with the wife, fhall be wifer (faith Solomon) but a companion of fools fhall be deftroyed, Prov.13.2 0.

VI. Confider, our company will be part of our happineffe in Heaven, Communion of Saints here, is the lower Heaven of Saints. O what comfort, what benefit, may we reap from good fociety? How many thousands have caufe for ever to bleffe God, that ever they liv'dneer, or came acquainted with fome perfons ferionfly Godly? From fuch company a Chriftian comes away revived, quickned, encouraged to walk in the waies of Holineffe. He finds a good relish on his Spirit ; and his heart drawn Heaven-ward: He finds himself provoked to preffe forward towards the mark of his high calling: But from wicked com

pany,

[ocr errors]

pany, 'tis ten to one, but either a man brings away a guilty Confcience, or a fad heart, or both. Upon all the fe confiderations, labour to make thy acquaintance and familiar converfe with thofe here, who must be thy companions in Heaven, if ever thou comeft thither.

Rom.12.2. And be not conformed to this world, &c.

-

1 Pet. 4.4. They think it strange, that you run not with them, to the fame exceffe of rist, speaking evil of you.

1 Cor.15.33. Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners.

Prov.12,26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour; but the way of the wicked feduceth them.

Ifa.3.10. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

V.11. Wo unto the wicked, it shall be ill with bim; for the reward of his hands fhall be given him.

Mal.3.18. Then fhall ge return, and difcern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that ferveth God, and him that ferveth him

not.

Prov.19.29. Fudgments are prepared for scorn-
ers, and ftripes for the back of fools.
Ifa. 28. 22. Now therefore be not mockers, left
Bb 3

your

your bands be made frong

Mat.18.6. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for bim that a Mill-ftone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the

Sea.

Prov. 23. 20. Be not amongst wine-bibbers, amongst riotous eaters of flesh.

V.21. For the drunkard and the glutton fhall come to poverty, and drowfineffe shall cloath a man with rags.

1 Cor.5.9. I wrote unto you in an Epiftle not to company with fornicators.

V.10. Yet not altogether with the fornicatours of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with Idolaters; for than muft ye needs go out of the world.

V.11. But now have I written unto you, not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother, be a fornicatour, or covetous, or an Idolater, or arailer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with Such a one, no not to eat.

2 Thef.3.14. And if any man obey not our Word by this Epifle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Zeph.1.12. And it shall come to paffe at that time, that I will fearch Ferufalem with candles, and punish the men that are fetled on their lees, that Jay in their heart, the Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.

365 2 Tim.3.5. Having a form of Godlinesse, but denying the power thereof, from fuch turn away. Ifa.3.9. The fhew of their countenance doth witneffe against them, and they declare their fin as Sodom, they hide it not: Wo unto their foul, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Heb. 6. 12. Be not flothful, but followers of them who through Faith and patience inherit the promises.

VV

lowing.

CHAP. VIII.

Alk confcientiously in thy particular calling, according to thefe Directions fol

I. Avoid idleneffe and floth. Remember Adam in innocency had a calling appointed him by God: And after the fall, Gen.3.19. 'cis Gods decree upon man, in the fweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread, till thou return unto the ground. No man has a priviledge to live idly and lazily; but either by labour of body, or toil of mind, either by the fweat of his browes, or of his brains, ought to be ferviceable and profitable to humane Society. Idleneffe exposes a man to many fins and many pu nishments. When the Devil finds' men idle, and not employed in Gods fervice, he entertains them into his. If thou haft nothing to do, the Devil will be ready to employ thee. David when idle, fell in

Bb 4

το

Chap. 8. to the heinous fin of adultery. A lawful calling is an excellent prefervative against a multitude of fins and temptations, I Cor.7.20,24. Let every man abide, faies the Apoftle, in the fame calling, wherein he was called. When God cals us to be Chriftians, he cals us out of the world as to our affections, but not out of the world as to our employment. An idle profeffor is a fcandalous profesor, and walks inordinately.

II. Be diligent in thy calling, for Confcience fake. Many take pains enough, but not out of Confcience to Gods Command, nor with an eye to his Glory. Whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, faies the Apoftle, Col.3.23. Thou muft be diligent in thy calling on a religious account, performing the duties thereof in obedience to God, studying both for matter and manner to approve thy felf to him. Think with thy felf, this is the calling wherein the Providence of God hath fet me. I am but his fervant in my own shop, or at my plow. To him I must give an account of my diligence and faithfulnesse

III. Seek and pray earnestly to the Lord for kis bleffing on thy lawful labours and endeavours. Tis an irreligious courfe to engage in any thing, without prayer. Thou must be fervent in prayer, as well as not flothful in business. All lawful bufineffe is fanctified by the Word and prayer, 1 Tim. 4.5. When we do that which the Word of God alloweth, and by prayer humbly beg his blef

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »