430 ertRISTIAN $ItlRALtTy, v12. )usTfCt; cßtc. CsEÀ!4Ì. X$Vfs Hence it comes to pass that there are so many bank- rupts in our days, even among the professors of strict religion : A sharnefúl and an ungodly practice, if it avise from luxury and profuseness, or from a careless neglect of their proper affairs ! It was thought sufficient, in the days of our fathers, to deserve an expulsion from the church of Christ, unless they could evidently make it appear, that it was merely by the, unforeseen and frown- ing providences of God, they were reduced to this ex- tremity. There is many a man hath groaned away his latter years in poverty, and perhaps in a cold prison, and in most forlorn circumstances of life, by means of the profuseness of his youth : f,nd he bath been taught to read the guilt of his lux ur and injustice in a long and painful lesson. But a profuse and sensual humour is not only the spring of unrighteousness among persons of better -rank and circumstance in the world, but it tempts servants also to be unjust to their masters : They will now and then provide a treat for themselves and their friends; they musteat nicely, and drink to excess : And thus they waste their master's substance. They must keep- good company in the world, and now and then spend a licen- tious hour or two, while their just and reasonable service at home is neglected ; and perhaps the purse of the mas- ter must pay for all. Under the same head I may bring a charge of injustice against the careless-and wasteful servant, . who persuades himself that his, master is rich enough, and therefore he is not solicitous to buy or-sell, or manage any affairs for him to the best advantage. He permits the goods of his master to be wasted or embezzled, he grows liberal and generous at his master's cost, and has no thought of the golden rule of our Saviour,' to manage his master's con- cerns with the same frugality and conduct, as he would' expect a servant should do for him. But it is time I pro.- ceed to 'the next particular. The fourth occasion of injustice is sloth and idleness. For the "slothful man is a brother to him that is a great waster," Prow. xviii. 9. Whosoever wants the necessaries, or the.conveniences of life, is bound to obtain them by labour and diligence, if he is not possessed of them by any .other methvt6 of
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