568 Theprolnife of the Spirit, ofwalking Sa c r, XI. Pf0V.10.2,3. 4Jfc t, vfe z. manner, to which fo many greatand glorious promifes are annexed : Nowyou fhall fcarce finde any adion fo incouraged by God, nor any men fo much as righteousmen:. If a righteous man have but a little elate, yet that little is better then many riches of the wicked, Pfa1. 37.16. To have greateftates, to have large revenues in thisworld, and not by righteousways,hy fraud,opprefli on, violence, eitherby thy felt or Anceftors, is like lonahs gourd, that gave himTome eafe and fhelter for a feafon, but prefently there arofea worm with-. in it that confumed it: So that a righteous, man with his little Cottage, little morfelof bread, with his little cruifeof drink, is better then rich Dives, that gets his wealth unjufily. The rich man may fare more deliciqufly every day ; brqthe other fareth with more true joy. Latarsu may be goad of his crams, but Divermay be glad ofthecrams of his fpiritual joy and cónrentation ; yea, the righteous manbath that promife, which the greaten Potentate in the world ha th not,Verfe za.7he righteous/ball never be forfaben, norhisfeedbeg bread. Thus you lee righteoufnefs bath Gods fpiritualbonds for his outward bappinefs; and th,n foroutward calamities, if they overtake a Nation, who is looked upon but a righteous man? Noah, a righteous man, and a preacher ofrighteoufnefs, z Pet.34. God makes an Ark to fave big : And from Lots example, fee what a çomfortable conclufion Peter maketh, The Lordknoweth haw to deliver the righ_ tecus, z Pet.2.9. So that if thouart never foforward in any Religious parts and duties, ifthou art nota righteous man, thouanti notlay hold on any temporal mercies, neither mayeft thou expeftdeliverance in timeofpubliquecalamities t yea, righteoufnefs in evil times, is better then all policy, all wifdom: Men think if they take this fide, or that fide, then they are fire to do well ; Oh i remember, righteoufnefs is the lurchwifdom, and the lurch fafety, Prov.4.18. Thepath of the ynfl is as the hining light, that lhineth mere and more unto the perfefl day ;,yea, righteousmen are theSaviours of a Land, of a Nation: For as injufticeand violence defiroy it, fo righteoufnefs exalteth a Nation. Vfeof Admonition,' To allthofe who have a tender refpeet to Gods Worfhip i they long for a Reformation in the .Church, they pray for godly order, they obferve the Sabbath, they are diligent in family duties; Oh take this along with you alfo, Remember righteoufnefs, let thy words be righteous words, voidof lying, guile, falfhood, let thy adionsbe righteous actions,without fraud, op- preflion, or overreaching thy brother, elfe God will caft all thy duties and Religion as dunguponthy face:Oh let the world blufh,and be for everafhamed, to take up Inch reproaches, As. that ,thole who will not fwear, will lye, will overreach, will deal unjuftly; Oh let allmen beready to fay, They regard thy 'word, more thenother mens oaths. Oft of ln/1rufhon, How far molt men are from this newframeofheart : May we not with the Prophet, go and fearch for a righteous man, and finde none : What lyings,fallhoods,what fraud, what unjuft tradingand overreaching of other men! Oh that many men can sleep in the houles they are in, can walk in the fields alone, for horror of foul, for theirunconfcionable dealings, fortheir unjutibargains, for their fecret fraud they have tiled toget wealth ?Doelt thou not hearthe very timber in thewall groan again(' thee? Doth not the ruft of thymoney witnefsagainftthee? The crys and fighs, andgroans of thofe whom thouhaft wronged, cry aloud forvengeance.
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