`serf. 8, 9;1 o. the Epifile to the Romans. vfd. ly, by paying of debts we flail pleafe God, and finde him ready further to blefle us. See the example of the Wi- dow, 2 Kings 4. 1,2, 3. Fourthly , by this meanes we preferve our credit with men, and the peace of our conscience with God, and efcape the danger of Lawes humane, and divine mike. Whereas on the contrary; by living in debt carelefy, we offend God whole Law we break, we wound our cónfci- ence by injuflice, we hurt our owne eflimation, and dander our profeflion, canting men to fpeake hardly, not only of our felves, but of the Golpell for our fakes.Laflly,we alto incurre the penalty of the Law (to wit) imprifonmenr, and the paines of eternal! death, (to wit) hellifh torment för ourunrighteoufnefs; L Cor. 6. g. T I M. What ufe are ac to make of this inftrutlion t S 1 L. Firft, it ferveth for reproof of Inch as run in debt by borrowing, and do not mean to rettore. Secondly, of fetch as in payment ofdcbts are par- tiall, fatisfying fome and not others, when as they have wherewith to fatisfie ál1. This is the cafe of many Bank - rtipts,which break, that they may efcape by paying by quarters or halles. Third - ly,of fuch as do pay, but his grudging - ly,driving their Creditors to recover by Law, what was lent them in lové. All thefe are worfe then Pagans or Jewes. For the Heathen Rainans fo abhorred look debters, as they made a Law to cut them in pieces and to fatisfie every they owe them, even to the utwofl faro thing, yea, although it cannocbe done but to their own impoverifhing;confide- ritig two things efpecially, t that a little with righteoufnefle, is better then much with iniquity; 2 and what happened to The widow that was careful! to pay her debts, her Oyle (by Gods blefling) was encreafed, till fhe had enough for the Creditor, and a remnant and remainder for her idle and children to live on, 2 Kings 4. 7. Howbeit let this be done not for 'reputation to keep credite, or for profit fake , that yc may be trufted againe: but of conscience and obedience to that God which bath 'laid, Owe nothing to any man; that you may be lure to be comforted and bleffed in your deeds, as the A- pofile James fpeaketh in another cafe, James 1. 25. T 1 M. But cloth this jentenee reach no further tben to pecuniary debts alone ? S 1 L. Yes, it is to be extended co debts both natural" and morali, even whenfoever there is any obligation or bond either of nature, as between Fa- ther and children, husband and wife ; or ofreligion,as between all other in. feriours and fuperiours, whether Magi - ftrates or Minifers, &c. all there are debters one to another. When Paul faith of himfelfe, Rom. 1. 14. 14M a debtcr to you Romans, &c. it is true of all fuperiours. And ( what he affirmeth of Philemon 19. verfe, 1hon weft thy Jelfe, dre. belongs to all inferiors in fome fort. This coufideration, that mutuall Creditor with a quarter. Whereunto ,duties are fo many debts, fhould much the Gofpel ailudeth,in allotting punifh- nient to the unfaithful Steward, Match. 24.5 t. The Jewes though fomewhat milder yet revere enough againft retch - leffe debters, who by their Law mull be fold, and tbemfelves, their wiles and children,becóme {laves, to fatisfie their Creditors, 1 Kings 4. 1. Secondly, here is an exhortation unto all perfons, as tender either conscience or credite, and regard either God or man, either pre- fent or future hurt, to be willing and ready according to their meanes and power, to anfwer unto every man that 553 provoke us unto ferions performance. What man isthere that bath but com- mon honelly but will take care of his debts to pay them, and till the book be croffed,and the Bils be canceld,will give himfelf no quiet ? Now if we take not to heart our mutual' duties to do them becaufe they be debts, what may this ar- gue, but that we are worfe then honeft civili men, having loft both the fhame of the world, andalfo the reverence of Almighty God? T 1 M.What other debt is there yet behind for Chriffians to look_unto S1 L.
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