372 DIRECTIONS FOR GETTING AND KEEPING cost you some labor, and perhaps contempt from many of the un- thankful. And yet you should not do more than your duty, if you have opportunity for it, as most have, or may have, if theywill. Ifyou should further hire them to learn catechisms ; ifyou should extend your liberality to the utmost, for reliefof the poor; this would cost you somewhat. Ifyou carry on every just cause with resolution, though never so many great friends would draw you to betray it; this may cost you the loss of those friends. If you would but deal plainly with theungodly, and against all sin, as far as you have opportunity, especially if it be the sins of rulers and gentlemen of name and power in the world, it may.cost you some- what. Nay, though you were ambassadors of Christ,whose office is to deal plainly, and not to please men in evil, upon pain of Christ's displeasure ; you may perhaps turn your great friends to be your great enemies. Go to such a lord, or such a knight, or such a gentleman, and tell him freely, that God looketh for another man- ner of spendinghis time, than in hunting and hawking, and sport- ing and feasting, and that this precious time must be dearly reckon- ed for. Tell him that God looks he should be the most eminent in holiness, and - in a heavenly life, and give an example thereof to all that are below him, as God bath made him more eminent in worldly dignity and possessions. Tell him, that where much is given, much is required ; and that a low profession, and dull appro- bationof that which is good; will serve no man, much less such a man. Tell him that his riches must be expended to feed and clothe the poor and promote good uses, and not merely for himself and family, or else he will make but a sad account. And that he must freely engage his reputation, estate, and life, and all for Christ and his gospel, when he calls you to it ; yea, and forsake all for him, ifChrist put him to it, or elsehe can be no disciple of Christ : and then what good will his honors and riches do him, when his soul shall be called for? Try this course with great men, yea, with great men that seem religious, and that no further than faith- fulness and compassion to men's souls doth bind you, and do it with all the wisdom you can, that is not carnal ; and then tell me what it Both cost you. Let those ministers that are near them, plainly and roundly tell both the parliament-men and commanders of the army, of their unquestionable transgressions, and that according to their nature, (and woe to them if they do not,) and then let them tell mewhat it doth cost them. Alas, sirs, how great a number of professors are base, daubing, self-seeking hypocrites, that cull out the safe, the cheap, the easy part of duty, and leave all the rest ! And so ordinarily is this done, that we have.made us a new Chris- tianity by it ; and the religion of Christ's own making, the self-de- nying course prescribed by our Master, is almost unknown;, and
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