By the Crop ofChrif, withflabfacrifce$ 1 am well pleated ; ] and it is quickly heard , and no colt and labour feems too dear. We may fee where mens hopes and hearts are by their adventures : Surely you take that for the chief& Pearl, which you are willing to give moil for f When you can lay out.fo little upon Heaven, and 1, much upon your flefh, it appears which it is that indeed you mot} eileem. A pack of belly, Gods therebe in the world that will 'fpend 'more in one year in excefs upon thernfelves , even in gluttony' and drunkennefs, then they will give in two years to the relief of them that need : Yea force that would be loath to give in a twelve moneth fo much to the poor as they will fpend at one feaflin the entertainment of their like ; or fo much as they will venture on one horfe-race or one game at Dice, or Cards, or Bowls. But thefe are not they that I have now to deal with ; and therefore I (hall fpeak to them in the Preface more fully. It is thofe that confefs they have all from God,and that have ver- ballydevoted all tohim again, and profefs thernfelves entirely his fervants, that I have now in hand. And with fuch onewould think a fewwords might ferve, to perfwade them to lay down all at his feet, and to' give to God the things that are Gods. I do not urge you to pineyour flesh, nor to flarveyour children , nor to deal unmercifully with either. But cónfider impartially in the fear of God whether you make an equal difiribution ? and when you have cart up, what yourflefh bath by the year and what is laid up for the like ufes for the future, for your felves and yours, and then what God bath in pious and charitable works , bethink your felves whether you deal wifely or honeflly with him ? And whether thiswhich you allow, be all spat he this way requireth or expehech ? ü T I fuppofe force ungodly malicious hearts, will snakean 13 ill ufe of all that I fay and will think with themfelves, [ Thistotacheth the Profeffers of Religion : They are at covetous 41 any ; and under pretenceoflong prayers dodevour widows hotefes : after all their preaching and praying, there is none that aremore crueland clofe handed, orready to overreachordeceive then they ; nor any that aremore greedyfor the things ofthe World.] In anfwer to this Objedtion, IThaf1-ixfffay fomewhat to the Igf
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