HOW 7"O DO GOOD TO MANY. 511 ease and pleasure, that man ought to give his estate from such to some that are more likely to do good with it, and to use it for God, and the public benefit. This is much contrary to the common course of most, that think no estate too great for their heirs, nor any portion too great, for their daughters, be they *hat they .will,.or what use soever they are like to make of it: but these following reasons prove it' to be true : Reason 1.' Every man bath his estate from God, and for God, and is bound, as his steward, accordingly to use it. This is past doubt; and how doth that man use it for God, who leaveth it to one that is likely to use it for the devil, in a fleshly, unprofitable life? What account can such4 steward give? Did God give it you to maintain idleness and sin Objection. O, but it is a son whom I am bound to provide for. Answer. Are you more bound to your son than to yourself? God doth not allow you to spend it, on yourself, to maintain idleness and vice; Rom. xiii. 13, 14. " Make no provision for the flesh to satisfy the lust (or will) thereof." And may you leave it for such ause as is forbidden both your son and you ? It is God that is the owner of it, and it is to him that you must both use and leave it: " Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." And will you leave it to be the fuel of lust and sin ? Obj. I leave it not for sin; but if he misuse it, I cannot help it. Ans. Would that excuse you, ifyou put a sword into a madman's hand, to say, I cannot help it if he use it ill? You might have helped it ; it is supposed that you foreknew how he was like to use it. Obj. But he may prove better hereafter, as some do. Ans. It is not bare possibilities that must guide a wise man's actions when probability is against. them. Would you commit your chil- dren to the care of a madman, or a knave, because he may possibly come to his wits, or become honest? Have you not long tried him, and have you not endeavored to cure him df his idleness, wickedness, or lust? If it be not done, what ground have you to presume it will be done when you are dead ? You may have so much hope as not utterly to despair of him ; but that will not allow you to trust him with that which God' made you steward offor his use and service. But if such hopes may be gratified, give your estate in trust to some conscionable friend, with secret order to give it your son, or kinsman, if he become hereafter fit to use it according to the ends for which God giveth it.' Reas, 2. The obligation in my text of doing good to all, extend-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=