184 The Crucifying' of the world, and your immortal fouls ? Ìf indeed you are Dead to it, and alive to Chrill 3 let it be feen in your families, and be feen in all your duties and converfation. Let the greateft perlons thatenter into your families, attend the worshipof him that is Greater, or let them.ot beáktended. Negle& them that will negle& the fer- viceof God. Remember that the fourth Commandment requi. reth you to fee that the Sabbath be fantlified, even by the fl:ran- ger that is within yourgates , as well as by your felves and the fervants that are in your houfes. If you have carnal Gentlemen at your table,orare at theirs, do not be your felves fo carnal as to be afhamed of holy difcourfe in their prefence, or to fupprefs any fpeech that may tend to edification, and to the honour of your Lord. Let them all know that you have greater matters to do, then to attend and humour them, and that you have a Mafler that mùfi be Pleafd whoever be difpleafed. Takeheed alfo that the worlddo not caufe you to neglect the .opportunities which are before you for your own advantage. Mifsnot a Sermon which may be profitable to you, without Ne- ceslity. Mifs not the help of private Inftrudions and Confe- rence, and other edifying Sacred duties, without neceffity, Omit not anyof your ferret addreffes toGod, without Necefìi ty. And' take nothing for a Necefsity, but that which is at that timea greater duty then that which you do Omit. I know that Works of Neceffity andMercymay be done even on the Lords day, and ads of Worfhip may be delayedon fuch occafions : for Godwill then have Mercy and notSacrifice. But Mercy on our own andothers fouls in feeking their relief, muff not be neg- leded for lower thing,. And look not only to the Matter, but the Manner of your duties, that Woeldlinefs do not deflroy the Life and Vigour of them. Turn out all thoughts of earthly things when you ap- ,proach.tbe Lord in holy worship. Provoke not his jealoulie by prefenting before him a diflracded mind, or lifelefs carkaife. O what fleepy; frozenduties do many profeflors offer to the Lord , even fromweek CO week, becaufe their hearts are fo diftra:fted by he world, that theyare to Peekwhen God shouldhave them. 5. I F
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