3 22 Chap. 33. An Expoftion upon the Book, of J o B. Verf.17; account. And furely he who remembers that whatfoever hehash, be it riches, flrength, honour, parts, knowledge, or learning, he mu(1 come to a reckoning for it, that man will not over-reckon himfelfe fomuch for it, as to be proud of it. The Apoflle con- cludes, So then every man muff givean account ofhimfelfe toGad, ( Tgm: 14.12. ) That is, of alibis receits, and of all hisexpen- ces, what hath been bellowed upon him, and how he bath im- provedwhat bath been beflowed.He mull give an account ofhim- felfe in his natural' capacityas a man ; and he mufl give account of himfelfe in his civil! capacity, as a rich or great man; and he mull give accounto£ himfelfe in his fpirituall capacity, as he hath enjoyed meanes to make him gracious, or togrow in grace. He mull give an account of himfelfe about all the good things he hash received, what good he bath done with them, either to him- felfe or others. He that is ferious upon fucks ameditation as this, {hall finde two effeets of it ; Fin i,,ir will keep him very bufie, and free him from Idleneffe ; Secondly, it will keep him very humble and free him from pride. Who can glory vainely in his Stewardfhip ( for all we have is put into our hands as Stewards, who, I fay, can glory vainely in his Stewardfhip) that alwayes . heæres this voyce founding in his ears, Come gyve an account of . thyffeward fhip, for thou mayeff be no longer- Steward. O how ill an account will theymake when they are asked,what theyhave done with their riches ? who mull anfwer, We havebeenproudofthem who being asked, what have you done with your honour, null anfwer, wehave beenproud ofit ; who being asked, what have you done with your knowledge ?- mull anfwer, we have beenproud of it. Thefe will be fad anfwers in the day of account , yet proud men(whatfoever theyhave donewith their receits) mull make this anfwer,what ocherf anfwer foever they make. Fourthly, Confiderthat themore anyone bath received(and it is the degree upon which pride rifeth the more, I fay the more any onebath received) in anykinde whatfoever,the llriaer will his account be ; for the account will be proportionable to what the receipt is. ( Luke r2. 4$.) Yowhom .. foever much isgiven, of (hall be much required, and to whom men have committed much,ofhim they will ask! themore ; where much is fowne, there God looksto reap much.. He looketh not only-for improving, but for futable) for proportionable improvement. If he that had received._
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