Clarke - BV4500_C46_1659_v1

Chap. t. Abolit Abf inenceins the `Ufe ofLawful T{sing... 3 walle more on their backs, then would cloath;a numberof the poor fe; wants of Jefus Chrift. In recreation : which are both lawful and neceffary : yet how do men fin III. therein ? r. In refpeit of the matter, when with the fool, (l'rov. 26. r S) thymake a fport of fn : as of Dice, Cards, lafcivious Dancing, Playes, Inrerludes, and all other fports, wherein is neither praife, venue, nor good sport, Phil. q. ä. 2. In refpe&of the manner, when they turne their vocation into recreation, pouring but their hearts unto pleafure, bring lovers of pleafure more then of Jod, z Tim. 3. 4. when they walletheir precious time in fports, hindring better duties, both in their general and particular callings : difhonouring the acted Name of Godby Oaths, blafphemous endings, jelling upon the Holy Word ofGod, jeeringhis.Miniflers, Servants, Religion, &c. or when ohs arc hurt by their fports, andgaine by winning their money to their prejudice or their own eflate, as Solomon faith, He that loves pallime{hall be apoor man, Prov. 2 t. 17. InMarriage : what is more neceffary for mans comfort, and forthe conci- nuance of the World and.Church by an holy feed? But many heap upfïnby the abufe of this holy Ordinance : Some conceit chat theymay marry where they lift, the fons of God to the daughters of men ; forgetting that of the Apoflle on[7 in the Lord, t (ér.7. a9+ Joyning themfelves with Infidels,Hereticus, and enemiesto the true Religion ; as did Solomon to the turning away his heart from the Lord. Others ufe it rather to the furring up of natural corru- ptions then to allay them : Some rather to further eachother to hell then to heaven, whilefl the.husbandlofeth hisauthority by unthriftineffe, bitterneffe, o.r lighmelfe : and the wife ¡hakes offbet fubjedliónby fullenneffe, andcontempt both of his perfon, andcommandments : Others fin more directlywhen the husband leaves the wife of his youth, and embraceth the boforne of a flranger : or the wife forfakes the guide of her "youth, and loves a ftranger bet- ter. In a mans calling, wherein its lawful and neceffaryfor aman to bufie him felf: But how many finherein? eitherby living inunlawful callings, or beta- king themfelves'to no callings : or not being careful to fan&ifie their callings, and the duties of themby the Wordof Godand Prayer : or not retaining hea- venly affe&ions in their earthly employments : or not flicking togathet Manna on the Sabbath dayes, which (hall rot between their teeth: or bydriving their Tradeswith as many gloffings, lies and oaths, almoft as words : or by turning their Trades into Crafts, and Myfteries of Iniquity, getting as much byDeceit and,Injuflice, asby faire dealing : or by choaking their general calling by their 1`pecial, fcarce allowing any time toGods fervice, &c. " Inproviding for amans family, which is lawful and neceffary, and he that doth it not is worfe then anInfidel, t Tim. 5. 8. yet herein many fin by carking cares : not reeking firfl the Kingdome of God for themfelves and theirs, but becoming drudges tothe world, and to their children, negle&ing to bring them, up inth: nurture and inftratliou of the Lord, as they are commanded, Ephef. 6. 4. In company and fociety with mçn which is fweet and neceffary, man being a fociable creature ; but how many fins creep into the de of this mercy ? as when men voluntary run into idle and vaine company ; affociatingthemfelves with fwearers, dtunkards, whoremongers, &c. when they fpend theil timein vain, profane, or rotten communication, neither donnor receiving good, as theymight and ought to do. Quell. What meant: may we rifetoprevent our abufe of theft lawful things ? B z Arrfrv. IV. V. VI. VII.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=