Baxter - Houston-Packer Collection BX5200 .B352 1835 v2

HOW TO DO GOOD TO MANY. 5573 shows a full consent, and leaveth no room and time to repent of it. On all these accounts, I advise all the stewards of God, as they love him, and the public good, and their own souls, while they have opportunity,even to the last breath, to do good to all, and 'to provide more for the common good than for superfluities to any, and than for themaintainingungodly children in sin, to the increase of their guilt and misery. Indeed, in the choice of a calling, employment, and conditionof life, and place for their children, doing good. should be preferred before their rising in the world; and they that justly endeavor to raise their families in wealth, honor, or power, should do it only that they might do the more good. But it is Satan's design to turn all God's mercies to the cherishing of wickedness, and even the love of parents to their children to the poisoning of their souls, the strengthening of their snares, and the hindrance of their own and other men's salvation. But it is shame and pity that they who in baptism devoted their children to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, renouncing the world, the flesh, and the devil; as under the banner of the cross, should labor all their life, that impenitently at death they may leave all that they'can get to such as; in all probability, will use it in pride, fullness, and idleness, for the flesh, the world, and the devil, against him and his interest, from whom they received it; and to whom both they and all they had were once devoted. When men are loath that their estates should remove from the name and family, (for which there may be just cause,) I take it for the safest way, as aforesaid, to trust some, as men do their children with guardians, by the advice of lawyers, to secure all from their unworthy heirs,for the next,'or some other of the name and lineage, that proveth worthy. There are many other good works by which some rich men may be very profitable to the commonwealth,such as setting all the poor on work, and building hospitals for the impotent, &c.; but these this city is happily acquainted with already ; and though still there be much wanting, yet there is much done. V. But one more I will presume to name only to you that are merchants, for I am not one who have the ear of princes, who are more able. Might not somewhat more be done than yet is, to further the gospel in your factories, and in our plantations? Old Mr. Eliot, with his helpers in New England, bath shown that somewhat may be done, if others were as charitable and zealous as they. Thè Jesuits and friars showed us, in Congo, Japan, China, and other countries, that much might be done with care and diligence. Though the Papal interest was a corrupt end, and

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=