A LIB. Il. OfL o T and Sodom. Efpre Abraham and Lot grew rich , they dwelt rogether; now their .wealth feperates them ; Their focicty was a greater good then their riches: Many a oneis a lofer by his wealth; whowould accountthof~ things good which makeus worfe? I thadbeen the dmy ofyoung Lol to after rather then to choofe; to yeeld rather then contend : who would not here think• AbMham theNephew,andLol theUncle? It is no difparagemenr for greater perfons to b. gin uearies ofPeace. Better doth it befeemevery tOnne of A6raham ro winne wirh love, then :o(waywith power. Abraha"' yeelds over this right ofhis B choife; Lot rakes it. And behold, Lot iscroffed in that which hechofe, Abrahamis bleffi:d in that which was left him; God never luffcrs anyman to leefe by anhumble rcmiffion of his right in a defireofpeace. Wealthhathmade LoJ not only undutifull, but covetous; heefeesthegood Plaines ofJor,an, the richnelfe ofthe foyle, the commoditieoftheRivers,the firuation oftheCities,and now nor once inquiring into the conditionsof the Inhabitants, he is fn love with Sodom : Ourward appearances arcdeceitfull guides to our judgeme~t,or atfefrions: rhey areworthy to be deceived that value things as they feeme: Iris nor long afrerthor Lol payes deare for his rolhnelfe. He fled for quietnelfe with hisUncle, and findsW.trre with ftrangers: Now ishe carried prilonerwirh all his fubllancc, bygreat Enemies; Abra/Jtt,, mull refcue him, ofwhomhe was forfaken. C Tharwealth which was rhe caufeofhis former quarrels , is made a prey to mercilelfeHeathens : Thatplacewhich his eye covetouOy chole, betrayeshi•life and goods. Howmany Chriflians, whiles they have looked at gaine, have loll themfelves. · Yet this ill fuccelfeharh neither driven out Lot noramended sodo11J, he ffillloves his commodity, and rhe Sod•milet theirfinnes: wicked men grow worlewithaffliCriom, as water gtowes more cold after an heat: And as they leave not finning,fo God leaves nor plaguing rhem, but l!ill follows them with fi1cceflion ofjudgemenrs. In how few yeares bath Sodo"' fOrgot lhe was fpoiled, and led captive? If that wicked City had beenewarned by the (word, it badefcaped the fire; but now this vifitationhath nor made ren goodmen, in thole five Cities: How fit was rhis heape for 0 rhefire,whichwasallchatre? Only Lot vexed his righteous fonlewiththefightof their uncleaandfe; He vexed hisown foule, for who bade him llaytbere? yer becaufehe was vexed , he is delivered.He efcapeth their judgment fromwhole finnes he efcaped. Though he would be a g:uell ofSodom, yer becaule he would' not enterraine their finnes, hebecomes an Holl to the Angels : Eveuhe good Angels are the executionersofGods judgement: There c.nnot be abetter or more nobleact then todoe jnllice upon obl!inateMalef•ltors. Who can bee afhamed of that which d;d not mif-hefeeme the very Angels of God?Where lhould the Angels lod~e but with Lot? theHoufes ofholy men are full ofthefe heavenlySpirits, when they knownot; they pirch their Tents in ours,and vifitns,when we fee nor; and when wefeel not,ponefr us. It;, the honomofGods E Saints to bemendedbyAngels.The filthy Sodomites now flock togerher,frirred up with the fmy ofenvy and lufr, and dare requir~todoe rharin rroopes, which to afr fingle,had been too abominable;ro imagin,nnnarurall: continuance&focietyin evil makes wic~ed men omrageons, and in~udenr: It is not enough for Lot to bee the Witnelfe,bur he mull be toeBawd al(o.(Bringforth theft men that,., "'"J /znow lh<m.) Behold :even theSodomites fpeak modellly; rhough their afrsand intentsbe villanous. What a lhame is it for thofewhich profeOe purity ofheau, to fpeak filthily? Thegood man craves and pleads the !awesuf Hofpitality; and when he fees headfuong purpofes ofmifchiefe,choofesTarherrobe an ill Farherrban an ill holl : His intention was good,bur his offerwasfaulry; Ifthrough his allowance the Sc>domires haddefiled his daughters; it had been his finne: Ifthrough violence they had defiled hisguefrs; it bad been onlytheir;: There canbe nowarrant for us ro finne, lefr Yyy 3 orhers
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