Senn. XLI. Relig on, our ftrjt andgreat Concernment. " been to ferve my Prince, he would not have forfaken me now in the time of my gray Hairs. Nay, it is to be hoped, that lefs Diligence and Care about the Concernments ofour Souls, and another Life, than many Men ufe about the Things of this Life, will fecure our Eternal Happinefs, or elfe it is to be feared, that but very few would be Caved : And who would not place his Induftry and Endeavour upon a Defign in which he is furenot to mifcarry, if he do but heartily and in good earnett purfue it ? Efpecially when it will beof infinite greater Advantage to him, than any Defign he can propound to himfelffor this World. If a Man may be certainly happy for ever, upon the fame, or eafier Terms, than he can ordinarily compafs any of thofe little Defigns which Men propofe to themfelves in this World, who wouldnot Peek that which is moft worthy the having, and which he is fureft to obtain ? Fifthly, and Laflly, the Encouragement here in the Text is not inconfidera- ble ; that if we feel the Kingdom of God, and his Righteoufnefs, all thefe things fhall be added unto us. This certainly is a very tempting Contderation ; for who would not beglad to reconcile the Enjoyment of this World with the Hopes of Heaven, and Eternal Happinefs ? But Men do not generally like our Saviour's Method, they would leek the Things of this World in the firll Place, and get toHeaven at laft ; they would becontent to reek the one, and have the other ca{t in and conferred upon them, without their feeking. But this will not be granted, this way will not do. And yet our Saviour bath gone as far as one would think could in reafon be defired; he bath promifed that if we will make Keligion, and the Salvation of our Souls, our firfl and chief Care, that all thefe things ffiall be added unto us. So that the Defign ofgoing to Heaven, and being happy for ever, is noways inconl(tent with a competent Portion of theThings of this Life. Godlinefs (the Apoftle tells us) bath the Pronsifeof this Life, and of that which is to come. The BuGanefs of Religion, the Pra&ice of a Holy and Vir- tuous Life,' is no hindranceto a Man's thriving in his Temporal Eftate ; nay, in many Refpe&s it is apt to promote and advance it; by engaging us to diligence in our Calling, and by deriving the Blefling ofGod upon ourhonefl and lawful Endeavours ; by obliging us to the ftri& and confiant Pra&ice of Truth and Ju- Rlet, and Fidelity in all our Dealings and Commerce, which are the belt way to eflablilh a clear and folid Reputation; and good Efteem among Men, which is an unfpeakable advantage in Bufinefs, and, at the long run, one of the bell and moll Tatting Inflruments of :Profperity andSuccefs. Betdes, that Paeligion.fr'ees a Man from thofe Paffions and Vices, which do naturally tend to diffipate and ruinMen'sEflates ; as Intemperance and Lewd- nefs, which are every way chargeable Vices, and do not only rake Men off from Bufinefs, and render them unfit for it ; but wafle their Eflates, and bring many other Inconveniencies upon their Perlons and Families. Religion makes Men meek and peaceable, and inoffenfive in word and deed, which is, a great Security againft chargeable Suits and Contentions, and all forts of Injuries and Affronts from others. Among all the Beatitudes of our Saviour, he only promifeth Tem- poral Happinefs toMeeknefs, Bleid are the Meek, for theyJhall inherit the Earth: They who provoke and offend no body, are likely to be leaft.difturbed and dif- quieted by others in their Poffeffion and Enjoyments ; who will harm you (faith the Apofile, .r Pet. 3. r3.) if ye be followers of that which is good ? Some may be fo perverfe as to perfecute a Man for his goodnels but it rarely happens; moll Men have not only a kindnefs, but aveneration for true Goodnefs. By all thefe ways Religion naturally tendsto the Temporal Profperity ofMen, and the promoting of their, Welfare and Happinefs even in this World ; befides that the Providence of God is very peculiarly concerned for good Men, and a fpecial Bleffingattends them in all their Undertakings. So that excepting the Cafe of Perfecution (which God will particularly confider, and reward in another World) the Religious and Good Man, who fincerely feeks the Kingdom ofGod, and his Righteoufnefs, flandsas fair, and is upon as good Terms, for all the law- ful Enjoyments of this World, as he that makes it his only Defign to beRich and Great 2ú
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