Agemral complaint of the Prevalency ofSelflAnefs. placed there; and how few have flayed till God enthroned them and gave them the Crown and Scepter with his approbation. Among all the Nobles and great ones of the earth, that abound in riches ' how few are there that were not let a work by Pelf and ruled by it, in the getting or keeping or ufing their riches, dignities and honours ? Look on the great Revenews of the Nation, and of the world, and confider whether Godor feq; have the more of it. Oneman bath many thoufands a year, and another bath many hundreds and how much of this is devoted to God, and howmuch to carnal Pelf? And the poor that have but little,would chink us injarions to them if we fhould call to them for any thing for God, who have not enough for themfelves; when indeed God mull have all, and fell' mutt have nothing,but what it bath by way of return fromGod again,and that for God,and not for Pelf but as fubfervient , unto him.Alas, of many hundred thoufand pounds a year, which the inhabi- tants of a Countrey poffefs among them, bow little hath God that fhould have all , and howmuch hath felf that fhould have - nothing ? 0dreadful' reckoning when there Accounts mull be all call up Judge by the ule of all whether feif have not yet Dominion of all ? If men throw out to God his tenth, which is none of their own ; or if they call him now and then fome inconfiderable alms when in his members he is fain to beg for it firft, they think they have done fair , though ft/fete- s/our all the refl. Is it more think you for God or felf that our Courts of Law are filled with fo many Suits, and Law- yers have fo much employment ? Is it more think you for God or Pelf that Merchants compais Sea and Land for com- modity ? Who is it that the Souldier fights for ? is it for God orfelf?Who is it that the Tradefman deals for,t hat the Plowman labours for,t hat theTravailer goes for?is it more forGad or Pelf? Who is it that the moft ofmens thoughts are fpent for, and the molt oftheir words are fpoken for, and the molt of their rents and wealth laid out for, and the moll of their precious time im- ployed for ? is it for God or felf? Confider of it whether it be not felf that finally and morally rules the world. What elle do molt live for or looklfter ?, And is not the commonPiety, Reli- gion:
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=