Serm. t r. that they maybe acceptable unto God e 241 it is not good to marry. So might tome fay,if they that will be rich fall in- to cemptarion,and a fnare,cc. them it is not good tobe rich ; yea filch as are rich men fay)Let us give away, or cat+ away all that we have, ra- ther then retain filch Vipers,as Riches feem to be. To prevent filch inconCequent inferences , the Apot+le giverh this Dire&ion, whereby he fheweth that Riches may be well ufed, and beingwell ufed,be a means of helpin on our Eternal falvation. Learn hence not to condemn things good in' rhemfelves, becaufe of the abufe of them. The Lord in regardof theordinary abufe of Riches., llylerh them (Mammon of asnrighteoupefs, and yet advifeth not thereupon to cat+ them away, but to make. to our felves friends thereof; that is, fo to Luke ufe them, as thegood works done by themmay as friends before the Judgegive evidence of the truth of our Faich,and Love, and fhew that we are of theSheepof Chritf,for whom Eternal life is purchafed. Having thus (hewed the occafion and dependance of thefe words upon the former , come we now to the Logical refolution of them where wemay obferve two parts. i. A Prohibition. 2. An InjuntEion. A Prohibitionof hurtful Vices. An Injunctionof needful Vertues. r. High-mindednefs. The vices are two, Vain -confidence. Charge them that are rich inthis world,that they be not high-minded, nor troll in uncertain Riches. The Verrues are likewtfe two. I. Confidence or Faith in God ; but trufl in God, which is urged by an Argument taken fromGods bounty,in thefe words, whogiveth us rich- ly all things to enjoy. 2 Charity towards Men,expreffed in feveral phrafes,viz. by doinggood,.. and by being rich ingoodworks, ready to diflríbaate, willing tocommunicate ; which duties are inforced by an Argument taken from the benefit of performing them, which is, in brief,a ffurasice of Eternal life, implied in thefe words, Laying. up inflorefor themfelves a goodfoundation againfl the time to come, that they may layhold on Eternal life. I (hall briefly (peak fomething to the feveral branches of the Text, . as they lye in order,and then come to the Qteflion or Cafe of Confci- encegiven unto me to handle. Charge them that are rich in this world : The expreflion of our Apofle is here obfervable, in that he faith not A4;4, fpealt to them not áfyti>J,, 16.',
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