T88 'TheCrucifyhzg of theworld, Two forts of perfons I would efpecially direft this advice to. Firf to the richand powerful in the world. Secondly, To all that areprofeffors of Religion. For the firfl fort,let them confider, that their Riches are fnares tothem, and will prove a certain means of their damnation , if theydevotethemnot toGod. Tythes,.and Oblations,. andFirft- frúits were devoted to God under the Law : but all is exprefly devoted to himunder theGofpel ; Which was exp.effedby the Primitive Chriflians felling all, and laying down ae the.Apoítles feet For as Life and Immortality is brought to light more abun- dantly in the Gofpel ; Soalto is themeans of obtaining it and the duty which we owe to him that giveth it : And as Grace andTruth came by jells Chritl, and the grearett mercies are re- waled-by the Gofpel : So the greatenholinefs comes byChrift and the greateft obligations are laid onus in the Gofpel : E.fpeci -. ally to felf- denyal, and anhearty Devoting our felves and all we have toGod. I befeech you obferve the diflin&ion whichÇhrifl ufeth, Luke 12.21. between Laying rip Riches toyour felves , and beingRich to God, and how dreadful the Application is. If almoft all your Riches be expended onyour felves andyours,or laid upin /lore as for provifion for your flefh,its plain then that you [ Lay yap richesforyour felver ] and fo are concluded by the fentence of Chriíl among the miferable fools that are there defcribed. But if you are [Rich to God ] you will Rudy to improveyour Riches for God, and often bethink your felves which way they may be employed tohis greater! fervice. He that cannot fparehis wealth,. for the ferviceof his Redeemer,and the goodof his Brother, and the furthering of hisown falvation, is very far from being Cruci- fied to theworld. 2; And it is not only the great ones that have need of this ad- 'rice, but all in their places thatare entrufted with Gods Mercies. Think not your felves excufed from works of Charity ,.becaufe you have but one talent : for one talent mutt be proportionably improved as well as ten, or elfe youwill be condemned as unpro- fitable fervants. People of the lower rank do commonly think that God requireth nothingof them, but toreceive what others give them, and ro labour for themfelves : And when they have reviled fufficiently at Rich men for worldlinefs, they often fhew thetníclvesas worldly ,_by denying their mites, ,and byunmer-- cifulnefs.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=