Clarke - BV4500_C46_1659_v1

Chap. 19, about our Bodies. I.9 i He that ventures much money at play, ventures v,ith it, not only the tranquillity of his minde, but makesa certain lofs of it, whatfoever becomes of the money : this bold venturing proceeds not from a contempt of this worlds goods( as filch Gamefterspretend ) but out of an,infatiable creedinetfe to gaine much in a short time : wherefore to them that have but a 'little money , and to great lovers of it , great loffcs at play are very fmarting: and yet the gain is more hurtfull than the loge : forit enflames Covetoufnetfe, and fers the heart úpona wicked labour to grow rich by the ruine ofothers : Hereby allo the F un tain ofChari: :y is dryed up,and fo thestreams of charitable deeds:i'quandringao;ay of money inplay, is not the wayCO make friends of that unrighteous Mathmon,, that receive a maninto everlaGting habitations , but an enemy rather. ,,that will turn him out of his temporali habitation. It is the way to lose both Earth and Heaven. When we have an undoubted right to our money , andthe present poffellion of it , what a madpart is it to call that intoqueliionwhether it muff be Ours or anothers, and decide that question with the cart ofaDie ? And what ungrate -, fulnefte is it to the great giver of all good gifts,to play thofegifts away,which he . bath afforded us ofhisbounteous liberality; and which have been acquired for us by thefweat and hard labour of others : and thou_h the parties at play be con- fencing to that firange way of acquifition , yet that, confent makes it not law- ful , neither ofthem beingowner of thofe goods which he calls his, but only Stewards, who must give an arcount'to their matter. So then , whether we Winne, or lofe we commit robbery : For ifwe robnot our adverfary . we rob our feives,ourfamilies, and God: and herein are worfe then that ill fervant that hid his talent in a napkin : for the Gamefler if hebe a looter bath made a- way his talent wherewith God had intrufted him : and though he be a gainer , yet he makes himfelf uncapabfeofgiving a good account of his talent to his Lord, fetinghe bath put it to anunrighteous bank. Dr. Du Cgtouln uponContentment. Quell: Why it juifhonour dais to our bodiér ? ef4nfir. As they are neceffary inflruments ofthe foul to work by : As they are Temples ofthe holy Ghoft,andas they are members ofChrifts body. Quell. Howmanifold it the care of our bodies ? ' e/fnf.The oneEvil,and forbidden,which tends to thefulfilling ofthe lufts of the flesh, Rom.r 3.54. the other good, and lawful which tends to the prefervationof our life, andhealth, that fo we may be the better fittedand enabled to the duties of our callings,general, and fpeciaL CHAP. S

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