Counsel to the Rich, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. To the Diſſolute and Profane.
DEvils are not all of them equally Outragious; nor are all their Children alike Vicious: ſome are chief of Sinners; and farther from God's Kingdom than others. And the name of this ſort among you Rich, is Legion; for they are many. And, unto them I now turn me.
Sirs, both Worſhipful, Honourable, and Right Honourable;
You are they, who have turned your ſelves upſide-down! Depoſed the Man, and Enthroned the Beaſt in you. Who have fallen out with Reaſon, Judgment, and Conſcience. And have taken Senſe, Fancy, and Paſſions, for King, Lords, and Commons. Suppoſing the former to be Sicilian Tyrants; and theſe latter to be leaſt Dread, when moſt Soveraign. Glorying therefore in your Bodies made Channels for your Luſts, and your Souls made Slaves to both. You are the Men, who value alike the Holy Bible, and the Alchoran; the Lord's Prayer, and an Ave Maria; the Ten Commandments, and the Laws of China; the Holy Sacraments, and Ropes of Sand. Who mind no more Heaven and Hell, than the Elyſian Field, and Stygian Lake. Who deem it to be baſe, and below the ſtrain of your Spirit, to trembleat the Divine Word. Or to fear its Judgments denounced, before you feel them Executed. Deſpiſing all Arguments, but Storms and Whirlwinds, Flames and Thunderbolts!
Who, to the utmoſt of your Power, do caſt out of your Thoughts, him that hath Power to caſt you into Hell Torments. Who do baniſh your Omnipreſent Maker out of your Minds. Racking your weak Brains to ſerve your ill Humours, and to perfect their Maſtery over your Conſciences. To poſſeſs you of the Heroical Perfection of Scoffing at Religion! And of expoſing what you name the ſqueamiſh Folly of Devotion. Who do make uſe of Paſquils and Bottles to mortify natural Principles, and to exhilarate your Frenzy. That as King John ſaid of his Buck; look how Fat it is, tho it never heard Maſs; You may boaſt what a Paradiſe you have found, without looking into a Church. And what undiſturbed Lives you have, tho they are like the Sheet in Peter's Viſion, full of all unclean Things.
Whoſe God, is a Trinity of Colours, Taſtes, and Sounds. Whoſe Buſineſs, is, therewith, to entertain your Senſes. Whoſe Schools, are Play-houſes. Whoſe Books are Cards and Romances. Whoſe Language, is profane Swearing and Swaggering. And whoſe Life, (if a Life it be) is Rage, Riot, and Sleep.
Who are Ahabs, that have perfectly ſold your ſelves. Reſerving no more, than the poor Ruines of your reaſonable Nature. Ruines, which are not Mutes; but loud Witneſſes againſt you; as you do know to your Sorrow. For as ſmall as Bees are; getting their Stings into the Noſe of a Bear, they torment him. As ſmall as Mice are; creeping into the Trunk of an Elephant, they make him very uneaſy. And, as ſmall as the Reliques of your Reaſon are, they do make every Felix to tremble, as oft as they can get an Hearing from you. They do together ſhame your Rebellion againſt them, and extort your Veneration of them.
For railly and break Jeſts, as faſt as you break Laws, if you pleaſe; but know ye Sirs, Abdicated Reaſon is Reaſon ſtill. Neither are you able to let go your Eſteem of it, as Tragically as you do uſe it. Somewhat there is within you, which will ſtill prefer Hands and Feet above Horns and Hoofs. And, if for no other end; you would have an Humane Spirit to cater for your Brute Fleſh. Notably you do darken Counſel by words without Knowledg. The words of your Mouth are as a ſtrong Wind. But as Zophar asked a great Prince, you are asked; Should your Lies make Men hold their Peace, and when you mock ſhould no Man make you aſhamed? God forbid. For there is yet ſome Hope concerning you.
Inſomuch, that, he who made you doth appeal to this relict of Reaſon in you. And ſo muſt all, who attempt to reſtore you. To call you home from Graſs, and perſwade you to turn, and be Men again!
This being my attempt; Riſe, I beſeech you, and make it yours too. Up, and ſtrain, and try, whether it be as impoſſible to you to think, as to fly; and to be moved by Thoughts, as to be recovered without them! There is (you rich Men do know) a Civility due to Strangers. As very Strangers as you, and your Reaſon, and your Conſciences are grown; yet, for once, give them a patient Hearing! Hear, and do not interrupt them while they are ſpeaking. Hear, and anſwer, every one of you; Bray not and bark not, but anſwer what is asked; they do ask you Man by Man, in your Cowley's Strain;
Is this thy Bravery, Man, is this thy Pride?
Rebel to God, and Slave to all beſide?
Thô Strangers they be, they are of no inferiour Quality. They are Judges; and have their Commiſſion from the Supream King. They are by the Father of your Beings, made your Guardians; and without their keeping, he will not keep you. Neither are they your Enemies; no, but your inward Friends, and your very ſelves! If they ſhew you a Sword, it is to ſtop your Paſſage in Harms way; as the Angel's was to ſtop Balaam. If they call you out of a pleaſant City; it is but to fetch you, as Lot, out of a Burning one. They utter no harder ſaying to any Man living, than St. Paul's to the Jaylor; Do thy ſelf no Harm!
A Lunatick is ſaid to have claſped about the middle of a Sophi, upon Paul's Steeple; ſaying, Come let us leap down! Nay, ſaid the Sophi; that every Child can do. But let us go down, and try if we can leap up. Mad are the Men, who are for leaping down; Men of Senſe, are for leaping up; even as high as Heaven.
Yea and know it for your Comfort, Sirs! As high as Heaven is, more than a few have been raiſed up to it, by this pair of Thoughts;
Godlineſs is Profitable unto all things;
The Meek God will teach his Way.
Godlineſs is Profitable to all Things.
To all deſirable things; all, at which Wiſdom can aim, as its Ends; and which it will proſecute with ſtudied Means. Seneca brands you for Mad, if theſe you do not know, and purſue. Mad, and as fit to be kept in the Tower, as other Lions. Or in Bedlam, as other People who are beſide themſelves. In Amſterdam, there be Houſes of Correction for the Debauched of both Sexes. The Raſpelhuis for Men; and the Spinhuis for Women. And, Dr. Brown reporteth, the rich Hollanders to be ſo Wiſe, as to have their extravagant Children taſte the Diſcipline of them: A pity it is, that rich Engliſh men do …ot the ſame. If Sober you be, you muſt neceſſarily ſeek, as your Moraliſt thinks,
Honour,
Peace,
Pleaſure,
Riches,
Health,
Courage,
Victory over the fear of Death!
1. But, Honour would you have, and Eminency, which is ſtiled a ſecond Patrimony. Not the Rich, but the Wiſe do inherit Honour. Senſuality, makes your Name as Carrion. Religion makes it as a precious Ointment. Precious, and preferrable to Riches, Peace and Life it ſelf. Life, which it far ourlives; and which, without it, is uſeleſs and comfortleſs. Be it then conſidered; Is there any Foundation for Honour without Religion? Who, beſides Idiots, do eſteem Ships for their Carving and Painting? Or Swords for their gawdy Hilts and Scabbards? Or Men for their Titles and Eſtates? Sober Minds do judg of Ships by their Sailing; Swords, by their Cutting; and Men, by their Reaſoning and Acting! Say then nextly; What attribution of Honour can be made to a Man that is Wicked? To think him Good, is to miſtake him; to call him ſo, is to call black, white; and crooked, ſtreight!
Sirs, your Places of Dignity are things extrinſecal; and can claim no more than outward Reſpect. The Ceremonies of Cap and Knee, they do make your due; and but little elſe. For Copper is not Gold, tho it be Money; Stamp doth not alter Metal. A Beaſt of the Town, is as very a Beaſt, as any of the Field; and worſe, thô he be Knighted or Lorded. Among Pagans, as well as Chriſtians, it has been ever ſo judged. What Eulogies gave the Heathens to a poor Socrates, and Epictetus? And how did they brand a Rich Nero, and Heliogabalus? In the Sacred Writings, Antiochus Epiphanes is named the Vile. Antiquity had an Art to embalm dead Bodies, but not wicked Names. Theſe, could never be kept from Putrefaction. The Goſpel buried the Rich Sinner's Name! But, honourably mentions the poor Saint's; The Beggar named Lazarus, was carried by Angels into Abraham's Boſom. Rich, or Poor, A wicked Man is Loathſome, and cometh to Shame. But, Righteouſneſs doth exalt a Nation. The Renowned Virgin Agatha, being asked, why ſhe ſtained the Glory of her illuſtrious Parents, by her Severities exerciſed on her ſelf, made anſwer, that Chriſtianity was Nobility and Glory.
It is true; Irreligious Men are Moles; blind and incompetent Judges. Infinite Wiſdom and Truth, ſtiles them Bears, and Vipers, alſo; hurtful things and hateful. Not is it to be expected that they ſhould be forward to praiſe their Oppoſites. But it is moſt worthy of your notice; that the Luſtre of Religion is ſuch, that Moles themſelves cannot but ſee it. And, Vipers themſelves cannot but inwardly venerate it. Otherwiſe what ſhould make the blindeſt and baſeſt of Men, to counterfeit Religion? None do go to the coſt, or do take the Pains, to counterfeit any thing that is not precious. And, what ſhould be the Reaſon, that incarnat Devils do not revile Religion; but as they do diſguiſe it, and put it under the name of Hypocriſy, and of Superſtition? Yea, and as oft as they come to themſelves, they do loath themſelves. During the reign of Vice in them, they provoke others to ſin, that they may aboliſh, or leſſen, their own Shame, by making it common.
2. Peace and Quietneſs who craves not? But all the World ſees, they are not the Rich, but the Righteous who are delivered out of all their Troubles. Vanity and Voluptuouſneſs, are open fountains of Plagues and Vexations. Neglected Duties, violated Laws, and injured Neighbours, do drown Mannorhouſes, yea, and Palaces, in Contentions and Woes. As on the contrary, there is no Ark of ſafety, like the Practice of Piety. Religion makes a Cottage, a ſafe and ſweet Habitation. Innocence and Repentance, do make a Muſick Room of a Priſon. The diſcreet Apoſtle asks not, Who is he that will harm you if you heap up Gold? But, if you follow that which is Good? The Inviſible Ruler of the World, makes himſelf known by his Judgments, upon the Richeſt that do contemn him. And, Worms themſelves will turn; the Poor, whom you tread on as Down-Hedges, do not unfrequently bite your Heels. But, Earth as well as Heaven favours Religion! God loves, and makes the worſt of Men to be at Peace with a Good one!
Indeed, Times there are, wherein the Lord of both, ſees Good, to try who is of his Side! And, in theſe, the better the Man, the greater his Perſecution. But, what then? Be it under Affliction by his own Hand, or under Perſecution by Men's, all is one. He never fails to ſupply Good Men with Courage, and to ſupport them with Comfort! Such, as render them rather Objects of Envy than of Pity. And of ſuch, more than of any, it is ſaid; Let me die their Death, let my laſt End be as theirs! There is ſuch a Spirit of Glory reſts upon ſincere Chriſtianity in Tribulation, as well as out of it. Such a Vertue internal Holineſs hath, to expel Fears, and to rejoice in Hopes. But, be the Kings of the Earth ever ſo much nurſing Fathers, and Queens nurſing Mothers; without Practical Religion, there can be nothing but a Hell upon Earth. Without, you will have Fightings; and within, you will have Fears. Feeling the Curſe that goeth over the Face of the whole Earth, by which every one that Stealeth is cut off on this ſide, and every one that Sweareth is cut off on that Side!
3. If you ask for Pleaſure, look no further. Here it is; here it Lives, it Moves, and it has its Being. They who have taken the largeſt draughts of all Wines, will tell you ſo, and be Vouchers, that the Sweeteſt and Richeſt are from our Saviour's Vineyard. We are agreed, I ſuppoſe, what Pleaſure is. That, it is founded in the congruity of Objects, unto Faculties. And, conſiſts in the ſatisfying Ʋſe of the things which we poſſeſs. Nor will it be denied, but, that the more noble the Objects, and the more capacious the Faculties be, the more ſatisfying, and tranſporting the Delights muſt be. Elſe the Pleaſure of Brutes, and very Inſects, might be thought to equal Mens and Angels. As readily alſo it muſt be granted; that, tho vitiated Faculties have peculiar Guſts, to which, very nauſeous things are grateful, and pernicous ones are pleaſant: Yet in ſuch Caſes, Men are beholding to their Diſtempers for their Delights. And, their Pleaſure, as it proceeds from Deluſion, it partakes of it. True Satisfaction and Complacence; riſing only from proper Objects, and regular Faculties. When the Light is pure, and the Eye is ſound; the Food wholeſome, and the Stomach good. Wherefore,
Whether it be Vertue or Vice, whoſe Ways are Pleaſantneſs, judg ye. Yea, whether Vertue promotes not Pleaſure, Naturally, as well as Morally? Whether, as it beſt deſerves it, it doth not moſt work it? There is no ſenſible Pleaſure from which it doth reſtrain you; but ſuch as is below and againſt you. Such, as hath incomparably more Sting, than Honey. And, is together oppoſite to your Reaſon, and to your Intereſt. It multiplieth intellectual, and refineth animal Pleaſures. Providing againſt their natural Emptineſs and Vanity; of which they are apt, quickly to ſatiate you, and worſe. It teaches you to uſe them, ſo as to enjoy them. To eat ſo, as not to ſurfeit; to drink ſo as not to vomit; to embrace ſo, as not to rue it. Let the fatteſt and faireſt of your Countenances be looked on, whoſe Tables groan under Stalled Oxen; and the Countenances of ſuch, whoſe Feaſt is a Dinner of Herbs. Preſently, it ſhall be ſeen, in whoſe Faces the Oil of Joy doth moſt ſhine. Boaſt not of your Sports and Diverſions; what of them is Moderate, Religion allows. And whatever is more, doth not recreate, but waſte you. Glory not in your groſſer Shames; like, Claudius his Muſhrooms, tho Pleaſant, you do know they are Poiſonous. Like the ſtately Horſe of Cn. Seius, they are attended with this miſchief; that, whoever has them is ſure to ſuffer by them. Their luſcious Honey, breeds a Choler ſo deadly. Diſſoluteneſs was never without Vultures on its Liver. But, the Sun will want Light, and the Sea Water, when Religion's deſtitute of Pleaſure! For,
Repentance it ſelf, Self-denial, and Mortification, are a very Canaan. There's Milk and Honey flowing in them, as little as you think it. Becauſe, the Vices that made them diſagreeable, being removed; Mens Natures being changed, and Faculties rectified; the Diſproportion is removed, and an Agreeableneſs is induced. What? Is it not Pleaſure to the ſound Man to Walk; tho it was Torture to him when Lame? Is it not gladly that Men keep the Cup from their Mouths, when they are thoroughly cured of their Dropſies? In the midſt of Laughter, your Hearts are ſorrowful: but, in the midſt of Sorrows, Penitents Hearts are joyful. Yet, if it were otherwiſe, a Wiſe Man would chooſe to bear the Pain of his Medicine, rather than of his Diſeaſe!
Are many pretenders to Sanctity, very ſowre? Many, who are thought to be Religious, bitterly moroſe? What then? So are Multitudes of you, who are Irreligious. And, all who underſtand their Religion or themſelves, will acknowledg; that, it is not Chriſtianity, but the want of it, that gives Men their Melancholy. For, they cannot but know; that Chearfulneſs is both a Reward, which Divine Bounty beſtows on the Religious; and a Duty, which Divine Wiſdom requires from them. In a word, ſuppoſe Vice to be as pleaſant as ever it was conceited; he that leaves Vertue for it, he leaves the Sun for a Gloworm, and a Canaan for Cabul!
4. Are Riches of any account with you? Or, hath their Familiarity bred Contempt? If thoſe Hedges, which keep you from being trampled on by your Neighbours, be in much requeſt, pleaſe you to conſider; Godlineſs hath the Promiſe of the Life that now is. And, in its Left Hand are Riches. i. e. The Poſſeſſion, and uſe of this World's Goods, and Contentment with them! For, a Man is no more enriched with them, than a Cheſt is, if he doth but poſſeſs, and not uſe them. And, Ʋſe without Content, is as bad as Poſſeſſion without Ʋſe; Poverty it ſelf can be no poorer, than the Man who has not ſet a limit to his Deſire. But, Religion it is, that teaches the true Art of Getting and Keeping; and no leſs of Ʋſing, and Enjoying your Portion under the Sun. Senſuality brings to a Morſel of Bread, and clothes a voluptuous Heir with Rags. Accordingly, for the moſt part you do ſee, Families, Cities, Nations, the moſt Religious, to be the moſt Proſperous. The moſt illuſtriouſly and durably Proſperous. Fartheſt from bare Feet, and Wooden Shooes. Richeſt themſelves, their Children, and their Childrens Children!
Is Religion open-handed and liberal? Yes, and its Liberality is a laying up Treaſure in the ſafeſt Bank. A lending it out, upon the beſt Intereſt. Making Friends in the Court of Heaven with it; and making the continual Feaſt of a good Conſcience with it. Which, doth as little tend to Poverty, as ſcattering of rich Seed in the moſt fertile Soil!
Doth Vice appear a plain way to Opulence? It doth ſo; Sordid Living, Fraud, and Oppreſſion, are the beaten Road, and do ſeem to be the Direct one: But they are the quite contrary. For, commonly, they do make Poor; and, laſtingly, they do never make Rich. Penury, ſtarves a Thouſand, for every one that it does fatten. Fraud, is a Partridg that ſits upon Subventaneous Eggs, and hatcheth not. Or if otherwiſe, the infamous Brood is but ſhort liv'd. The Gain of the Oppreſſor, haſtens to the Collectors for the Poor. Oftime's Mens Malice, or Juſtice, but always Divine Vengeance, cruſheth all three. And, let the Mines of one India, and the Spices of the other, be gained by a looſe Man, he ſhall ſtill be a poor One! But,
It will be asked; And are not the Communion of Saints the Poor of this World, alſo? The anſwer is eaſy. Comparatively, they are Poor; of lower Condition, than you whoſe abundance is generally your Deſtruction. But, abſolutely they are Rich. For, their little is Good, and better than your great Riches. Their Appetites, are Healthful; yours, are Canine, and Dropical. Their Enough is a Feaſt; and your Feaſts are not Enough. They are as Having nothing, yet, Poſſeſſing all Things. And, beſides; the Poverty of Good Men, is not always owing to their Goodneſs. Defect of Diligence, and of Providence, and of various Duties, brings them into their Straits. Nor would they be ſo needy, if they were more holy. Drowſineſs bringeth ſome to their Rags. And, prevailing Pride, giveth others a Fall. Rarely it is, that Saints do want Neceſſaries; and that they lay the Blame on any thing, ſo much as on their Sin, when they do want them!
5. Health, the Life of Life, muſt needs be a Pearl, and precious with you. And, will you nor believe your Eyes? Or, can you chuſe but ſee, Religion gives Health to the Navel, and Marrow to the Bones? In its Hand, is the length of Days, with the Sweetneſs of them. Youth, it beautifies, and ſweetens; and, it makes the moſt, and the beſt, of Old Age! Puts a rare Balſam into all Blood. Mortifies the VICE, that by natural Efficacy works Diſeaſe. Prevents wild Paſſions of Mind, and all intemperance of Body; which give the Humours a Ferment, that ſometimes createth preſent Sickneſs; and always diſpoſeth for future. A Chearful Mind it imparts, which doeth good like a Medicine. And if any ſuch be, is a Catholicon, both for Cure and Prevention.
All Experience doth verify this Theory. The beſt Learned King of Iſrael makes his Appeal. Who hath Wo? Who hath Sorrow? Who hath redneſs of Eyes? They that tarry long at the Wine. In the Old Teſtament, he was the Meekeſt Man, whoſe Eye, when Old, was not Dim; and his Natural Force was not abated. In the New Teſtament, he was the Diſciple, whoſe Thoughts, and Writings ran all upon Divine Love, who enjoyed a more vigorous Old Age than his Brethren. All Ages are witneſſes, how generally, vitious Lives are ſhort Ones. How Surfeits and Debaucheries inflame Blood, ſpend Spirits, and cut Lives in halves. You do know, that much will not be given you, for a Leaſe of a Lewd Man's Life! Temperance is the beſt Phyſick, ſaith Biſhop Sanderſon. And the Precepts of Chriſt well obſerved, would prevent as many Diſeaſes as his Miracles cured; ſaith grave Mr. Lukin.
6. Courage, to look dangers in the Face, is a covetable Excellence. This World is a rough Sea. The viciſſitudes of Calm and Storm, are as conſtant as thoſe of Night and Day! And it is an ill thing to be without this Anchor, when Billows do roar. But, except a Religious one, there is no Spirit of Boldneſs, and of a ſound Mind. It is true, a Wild Man may have the Metal of a Blind Horſe. Yet, the moſt of them do fear the Deity in a Tempeſt, which they deny in a ſtill Weather. And, it's only the Righteous Man, who is bold as a Lion, i. e. with a Strength and Sagacity ſufficient to his ſafety. Vice, raiſeth Tumults in your Minds; and cannot lay them. It is a thing too exorbitant, to be other than impotent. Religion, as it is a Heavenly Wiſdom and Strength, to prevent Cauſes of diſtracting Fear; ſo it carries in it a Power to overrule the blind Paſſions; which otherwiſe, will diſtract us without any Cauſe. Vice doth darken, deform, and debilitate your Spirit. Religion, enlarges your Mind, exalts your Wills, eradicates your baſe Paſſions. Maketh your Souls to bear the change of Affairs, as a ſound Body doth the change of Weathers; without much Prejudice and Impatience. For, (what an ill Man can never be) a Good Man is, ſatisfied from himſelf. His Heart not condemning him, he hath Confidence toward God! A Confidence, excelled by nothing but the beatifical Viſion. And, ſuch as gives the ſublimeſt Comforts in the loweſt Conditions. Whereas, in all ſuch, wicked Mens Fears do uſe to be proportionable unto their Guilts. It is certain, that a Galaxy was never found in their Globe. Furies, in the Pagan-dialect, do haunt and ſcourge them. Terrors are upon them, as the Sacred Scripture ſpeaks; Darkneſs is hid in their ſecret Places; a Fire not blown ſhall conſume them. Indeed,
Wit and Courage, are the things, whereof vicious Men do ſingularly make their Boaſts. As thô their Minds were the Cleareſt, and their Hearts the Stouteſt of any. But, alas, no Geeſe are ſo filly, no Hares of ſuch Puſillanimity. Where is their great Wit, who know nothing of their true Intereſt? And do purſue no higher Delights, than the inglorious ones of Swine and Goats. Proud of their fat Quails, and not aſhamed of their famiſhed Souls. Where is their Valour, who fear and fly from Vertue's warfare? Tho they muſt ſuffer a preſent Hell, and a Future, for their running from it. Who dare not ſay Nay to a Luſt, or to a looſe Companion; no, tho they bid them to run upon the Pikes of their Conſcience, and the Mouth of Heaven's Cannon, and upon more Deaths than one! Their Wit and Courage, if they muſt be ſaid to have either, are juſt like an Ulcer; the bigger the worſe. Being no other than Diſeaſes, and Reproaches.
7. Finally, is Happineſs in the next World deſired? you have no Lucid interval in this World, but without doubt it is ſo. For, tho, while you are dozed, you may dream; and when beſt awaked, you may wiſh there were no Future State; you are not able to diſpoſſeſs your ſelves of the Belief, that there is one! Noctu & Sibi, ſaith Seneca; In the Night, and when you are Alone; when you, and your Selves, do, and muſt, come together; you cannot think Atheiſts to be Orthodox, and Religious Men to be Fanaticks. No more than you can think the Priſoners in Bedlam to be the Sages of the City, and the Merchants upon the Exchange to be the Idiots and Lunaticks. Mentiuntur qi dicunt, ſaith the Pagan Eccleſiaſt, A Lie will not choak ſuch as ſay that they think there's no God, and no Life to come!
Sirs, Is there any where a Man, but there is a Conſcience? Does any one act, and not reflect upon his Actions? Is there ever a Party, but what is his own Judg too? And,
Can there be a Conſcience without a Law? How come Men to make Conſcience of any thing, if they be under no Law or Obligation? And, why ſhould they, if they be accountable to no Authority? Conſcience, without Law, is of no Force. And, can you tell,
What is a Law without a Sanction? Without a Confirmation by Rewards and Penalties. What is a Law when diſarmed of this? What is it more than the Sign of a George on Horſeback over a Door, which neither commands any Body in, or keeps any one out? Law, and Puniſhment are Relatives; and mutually connote each other, in the common Senſe of all the World. Whereever Precepts be the Rule of Subjects Duty, Sanctions are the Rules of Princes Proceſs. And, doubt you but that,
A Sanction implies a Judg? A Judg, without whom, Precept and Sanction were vain. And might be diſregarded, without Loſs, or Hazard. But, ſay alſo;
If there be a Judg, muſt there not be a Judgment-Day? A Day of ſolemn Trial, and final Judgment. Wherein, he who now rules the World with Patience, will judg it in Righteouſneſs? Who can wink ſo cloſe, but he muſt ſee this?
But, what, if the Doctrine of this Doomſ-day, were of any Ʋncertainty? What, if it did admit of Queſtion, and were no more than a probable Opinion? What, if, (as one ſpeaks) there were an even lay between the Negative and Affirmative? Would not Wiſdom, bid us ſtick to the ſafeſt ſide of the Queſtion; and make that Hypotheſis the Rule of your Life? Inaſmuch, as, if no ſuch Day do come, Good Men muſt fare as well as Bad ones. But, if it doth come, they muſt fare as much better, as Rivers of Eternal Pleaſure, are more ſweet than a Lake of unquenchable Fire! foreign, ſaid Euripides; and it was often repeated by Pyrrhon himſelf, Who knows but to Die is to Live? To return then;
Religion, which is the only Salt, to ſeaſon and ſweeten this Life, is the only means to be thought of, for ſecuring the next.
Phrenzy it ſelf cannot imagine, that Contempt of the Supream King, is the way to Preferment in his Court! Or, that, he who is only Wiſe, will ſet Crowns of Glory upon Fools? That he will make them happy for ever, who diſdain to ſeek his Acquaintance and Favour! And do as plainly love Earth, more than Heaven, as they love Heaven more than Hell!
The Future Bleſſed State, is a Penny, which the Lord of it thinks too much for any, but Labourers in his Vineyard. Yea, Labourers to the Death therein. It is a Treaſure that he gives to none, but ſuch as part with their Sins, and are diſpoſed to part with their Lives, for it. It is that Joy of his, which no one muſt have, but they who do faithfully improve his concredited Talents. It is that Feaſt, whereto none are admitted, but ſuch as have on them the Wedding-Garment, i. e. Imputed Righteouſneſs, Inherent, and Practical! It is that Prize, which none obtain, but they who accompliſh their Race. It is that Crown, which none muſt receive, but they who fight and conquer Fleſh, World, and Devil. It is that Houſe of the King, wherein no Man gets a Manſion, but he who enters in at the Straitgate of Chriſtianity. It is that Inheritance, which belongs to none, but to new-born Children, as well as Adopted ones. And to ſuch as not only are Children, but do walk as Children of the Moſt High! Wherefore, in every reſpect, Bleſſed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it!
Ask you, now, ſeriouſly, What you ſhall do? Or, deriſorily, What it is that you can do? And, whether it be preſumed in what hath been ſaid, That diſordered Clocks can ſet themſelves to rights? Or, dead Men recal their Lives? And, Men, whom Satan hath bound for many Years, can looſe, and let themſelves go?
Sirs, You ſhall not be ſet about ought, that is either unneceſſary, or impoſſible. It is true; being corrupted in your nobleſt Parts, you can never reſtore your ſelves. In the Body, no Principles of Conſtitution can cure a Gangrene. And, in the Soul, when the Ʋnderſtanding and Will are vitiated, nothing of their own can reſtore their Rectitude. Becauſe, the Mind that ſhould direct, is more than Ignorant; even Erroneous. And, the Will that ſhould Command, is more than Impotent; even Malicious. Yea, and Sin, as deadly as it is, doth not ſmart, but ſtupify you; whereby your Vices, even the moſt cruel and ſanguinary ones, be made like Soldiers Arms; not at all uneaſy, or any more a Burden to them than their very Limbs. And, more than that, they be even Ornaments in their Sight. Of that Mind was he, who ſaid concerning profane Swearing; That it was a pity that ſuch a good Grace of Speech ſhould be any Offence? In ſhort; if ever you are Saved, you muſt be new Created. And none but Almighty Power, can produce a New-Creature. Yet, know ye, Sirs,
God your Redeemer is before-hand with you. He giveth you more Power to recover your ſelves, out of the Snare of the Devil, than you make uſe of. The Schools of Calvin and Arminius, do agree in this, that ſo much Power is given unto every Man, as ſerves to juſtify God's Commanding Man, and to condemn Man's Diſobeying God; who as you know, promiſeth you, that the Diligent Hand ſhall make Rich. Yea, and he hath given you this abundant Encouragement, to ſeek ſupernatural Grace; he hath ſaid it, The Meek he will teach his Way.
The Meek are Men humble enough, to deſire the Favour to receive his Commands; and the Grace to keep them. To deſire it, with congruous Grief and Shame of their Apoſtacy. And with entire Submiſſion to his Goſpel-way of Salvation; which is by Repentance, Faith, and new Obedience. Let it be told, if it be known, who did ever thus ſeek, and not find Eternal Life? Or, why ſhould it not be hoped, that the Mountains of your Spirits by this time are levelled? And that you are more than almoſt perſwaded to the Holy Ambition aforeſaid.
If ſo; upon the Writer be the Reproach, if you find it loſt Labour.
To off with the Vipers which have faſtned upon your Hands. The vain and vile Companions, whoſe Tongues are more venomous than Vipers Teeth. And whoſe choſen Company are under God's extream Curſe; A Companion of Fools ſhall be deſtroyed.
To commence Friendſhips with Men of ſhining Faces. Holy Wiſdom makes the Face to ſhine. And, Wiſe Mens Aſſociates, have the reverſion of Wiſdom unto Salvation! He that walks with Wiſe Men ſhall be Wiſe.
To take a Guide while you travel in Turky. This World, is Turky; a wild and ſtrange Countrey. And he who has opened you a way through it unto Heaven, he has appointed you Miniſterial Guides to lead you therein. Guides, guided themſelves by that Heavenly infallible One; whoſe Conduct you may expect in your due uſe of them. Guides, of whom your Saviour hath ſaid, He that heareth them, heareth him; and he that deſpiſeth them, deſpiſeth him.
To be very often upon bended Knees. To pray is to deſire, as Malefactors deſire their Pardon; and, as Lepers deſire their Cure. A ſhort-liv'd Vapor, cannot be ſuch a Prayer. But, what is ſincere and without ceaſing, it is never failing. It hath the promiſe of the King; and therefore is ſure to take the Kingdom of Heaven! Ask, and ye ſhall receive.
To take the Oath of Allegiance, i. e. Your Baptiſmal Covenant and Oath. Whereto, your thorow Conſent, and ſutable Walk, are all real Religion. The Lord have Mercy on the mad Multitudes; of which, ſome do place their Religion in no better than the very Spots and Blemiſhes of Religion. And others in no more, than the meer Faſhion and Dreſs of it. Vain is their Religion, by whom this Oath is not taken; tho their Sect be ever ſo ſtrict. Be their Chriſtianity of this or that Form, Chriſt ſhall profit them nothing. Their Hearts be not cleanſed by the Inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt; but deluded by ſome Angel of Light, or of Darkneſs. Baptiſm doth now ſave us; not the putting away of the filth of the Fleſh, but the anſwer of a good Conſcience towards God, by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt. Finally, it ſhall not be loſt Labour.
To keep your Hearts at your right Hands. To join Contemplation and Action, in all things of Religion. Not to conſider what you do, is moſt Inhumane; and not to perform the Duty you have conſidered, is moſt Profane. It is an Unclean Creature, that either chews not the Cud; or, if it does, divideth not the Hoof. To act without Counſel, is to go upon four Feet. To conſult, and not to act, is to ſend your Brains a Woolgathering. Whatever your Hand finds to do, do it with all your Might!
Your Holy things, you muſt do, with Holy Thoughts and Pains. Strain the Nerves of your Mind, and of your whole Man. And, of all things, look you well to your Aims. Never go ye into the Church, as Boys go into the Thames; not to waſh and cleanſe, but to divert themſelves. Hear Sacred things, ſtriving to underſtand; make Religious Vows, reſolving to perform them; deſiring no longer to live than you do ſo!
Look on Flatterers as ſo many Murderers; turn you from them; and from your very ſelves, when you turn Flatterers to your ſelves. Be not the Apes of ſuch a Monſter as Vitellius, who upon the Approach of his Ruin, raiſed no other Fortification, but that of a drunken Mirth, which kept out the Noiſe and Report, but haſtned the Stroke of it. Remember, that wilful Sin, if any, muſt be your Death. Being that, neither God's Decrees, or Satan's Devices, do commit any rapes on your Souls. If you do not all that is here named, as many as are, themſelves, any wiſer, muſt pronounce you Wilful, and tremble at your haſtning Wo! Every Priſoner in Hell, cries out of his Will. Not complaining that his Judg was an hard Maſter, but his Heart was an hard Milſtone. Not able to ſay that he periſhed thrô meer Deceivableneſs, or otherwiſe than thrô his willingneſs to be deceived!
And, may it not now be hoped, that your Minds are inlightned too much to be incenſed againſt this Advice? That your Enmity againſt your God is abated, and your Fear of him encreaſed? Juſtly, or otherwiſe it is hoped ſo. And for the juſt and true Conqueſt of both your Fear and Enmity, you are preſented with theſe Conſiderations.
The God to whom you are called is as merciful as can be deſired. For, he is Infinitely ſo.
Indeed; our Miſery, and not our Sin, is the Object of his Mercy. Sin, is moſt contrary to his Government, yea, to h… Godhead; and cannot but be the Ob…ect of his vindictive Hatred. Pecca…um eſt Deicidium, Sch. Our Miſery, is the Object of his Mercy. Of the bleſſed Compaſſion, of which, he provideth a new and living Way of Salvation; and, being provided, he is moſt ready to ſave the very chief of Sinners, turning into that way.
Inſomuch, that let us ſuppoſe any ſingle one, to have committed all the Sins of Adam, and of his whole Progeny. The vaſt Ocean would not ſo eaſily and preſently quench one ſpark of Fire, as the Divine Mercy would forgive all thoſe Sins, upon the Sinner's believing on Chriſt Jeſus.
The Blood of our Saviour is as Satiſfactory and Meritory, as can be deſired. For it is as the Holy Oracles name it, the Blood of God, i. e. of him, who is God equal with the Father, as well as Man, like unto his Brethren. And, this hath given more honour to God, than hath been taken from him by the Sins of Devils and Men. So that, without the leaſt loſs to his Glory, God may ſave the worſt Soul that Repents, and Believeth on him that ſhed this Blood. And, in giving the Crown of Heavenly Glory, God giveth no more than his Son hath bought and paid for.
The Power of the Holy Ghoſt to convert, and to comfort, is as great as can be deſired. For he is God equal with the Father and Son; and cannot but be Omnipotent. If we are Hells of Sin and of Sorrow; he can make us Heavens of Purity and of Joy. Of Satan's Dunghils, he can make us God's Temples. There be no Hearts, but what he can cleanſe by his Inſpirations.
The Precedents and Examples of the moſt bloody Sinners ſaved, are as great as can be deſired. Sirs, as bad as your ſelves have been ſaved by the Mercy of the Father, by the Merits of the Son, and by the Power of the Holy Spirit. For, Manaſſes, a Monſter of Impiety and Villany, is now a Star in Glory. And, not a few of them who murdered our Redeemer on Earth, are now with him in Heaven. What a Catalogue have we 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11. Fornicators, Idolaters, Adulterers, Effeminate, Abuſers of themſelves with Mankind, Thieves, Drunkards, Revilers, Extortioners.
The Promiſes made to ſave other Rebels, are as great as can be deſired. For, there is not any one ſort of them to be named, but, upon their Repentance and Faith, have Salvation promiſed to them. Yea, as great Salvation, as any other. And, leſt any ſhould imagine themſelves to be excluded, moſt, if not all ſorts, are expreſly mentioned. Mentioned in the great and precious Offers and Promiſes of Salvation, upon their Converſion!
The very Name of God is as ſweet and encouraging as can be deſired. The Name, expreſſing his good Affection towards the moſt hainous Sinners, when relenting and returning. For, it was this that was given his Servant Moſes, for the heartning of ſuch. Merciful, and Gracious, Longſuffering, and abundant in Goodneſs, and in Truth, keeping Mercy for thouſands, Forgiving (both) Iniquity, Tranſgreſſion, and Sin. A Name, one would think, ſufficient to drive Deſpair out of this World. And, confine it to Hell, its proper Seat.
The Commands of God for the worſt of Sinners to hope, and to repent, are as great and as bright as can be deſired. None are more abſolute, none more expreſs. The words of a late excellent Author are Sunbeams. To preſcribe Repentance without a foundation of Forgiveneſs, were inconſiſtent with God's Excellencies. Nor is there any Cauſe why any Man under a call to Repentance, ſhould doubt of Forgiveneſs. Unleſs God be ready to forgive the Sins of Penitents, his Patience is meerly ſubſervient to Wrath, and a Reſolution to deſtroy. But, this would reflect unſpeakable Diſhonour on him. If a Man deal thus, it is a token of as evil a Mind as can be in him.
The Intreaties God ſendeth to the moſt lewd Sinners, to turn to him, are as kind as can be deſired. As ſignificative, I mean, of his aſtoniſhing Love, and deſire of their Salvation upon his gracious Terms. O bottomleſs Depth, and amazing Height of Divine Love! God beſeeches. God prays you to be reconciled and ſaved. Soveraign Majeſty, even courteth Worms. Infinite Mercy wooeth very Vipers.
The Parable in which God hath given the Picture of his Heart towards Penitents, is as moving as can be deſired. Luke 15. Review it; behold, a Brother of yours, an horrid Prodigal, relents and humbles himſelf. And, what's the next News? His moſt merciful Father beholds him; compaſſionates him; runs toward him; falls on his Neck and kiſſes him; calls for the beſt Robe for him; for a Ring; for Shooes on his Feet; and for a Feaſt to be made.
The Wall of Fire God has made to keep you from your pernicious Follies, is as aweful as can be deſired. For, this Wall is Hell; and Hell is Torment of Extremity unto all Eternity. Wherewithal wo'd you then be held from your deſtructive Courſes, if the Fear hereof will not curb your Luſts?
The Kingdom God offers you, to draw you to his Love and Service, is as rich as can be deſired. For, it is high as Heaven, durable as Eternity, delightful as Joy in Extaſy! And, laſtly,
The Admonition given you of all theſe Particulars, is as plain as can be deſired. That, which you have the refuſal of in the Sacred Oracles, is a very Light and Lamp. And, what you have in Eccleſiaſtical Writings, is not given in Clouds and Darkneſs. Both are ſet before you in ſuch a Light, that none of you can be blind, ſave only thoſe who will not ſee. Neither, can the moſt violent of you take Hell by any Force, without loving Darkneſs rather than Light!
Sirs, your Lives are Vapours, your great Eſtates are great Snowballs. Thoſe are vaniſhing, theſe are melting. Your carnal Comforts, like your drunken ſerving-Men, will be out of the way, when you do moſt need them. For your rotten Sticks be not Fire, your Gloworms be not Stars; your ſhining Duſt is not Heaven. And your preſent excuſes of Sin, like other Thieves, at the approach of Light, will be ſure to be gone. Neither are your Breakfaſts of it, ſo full of Honey, as your Supper will be of Gall. Vanities, are very Changelings. Abſalom's Hair, now is his Pride; but, anon it is his Halter. Jezabel's Paint, makes her Face a heap of Charms for a while; but, 'tis not long before 'tis waſhed off with her Blood, and ſhe is trod under Foot. Herod's Robes are now reſplendent and Royal; but by and by they are over-run with Vermin, which eat up his miſerable Majeſty like Carrion; and make a ſad Figure of his Sceleton. Sirs; ſay not that I roll in railing Rhetorick, and tumble in ugly Tropes. You do hate no Boanerges now, as you will hate your Paraſites one Day. The Day wherein the Root of your Merriments will be found to be Rotteneſs, and their Bloſſom ſhall riſe up as the Duſt. Wherefore, haſte, haſte, Gentlemen! The worſt of Men are willing to be Good, as Auſtin was to be Chaſte. And, the moſt of them do ſtay till they are in the Jaws of Hell, before they conſider what is the worth of a Soul. Wherefore, you are left with the words of the beſt Maſter, ſpoken to the worſt Servant; very kindly they are ſpoken to you; What you do, do quickly!
Then may it be ſaid to you that live in Proſperity, Peace be unto you, and Peace to your Houſes, and Peace unto all that you have; as David's Youths were commanded to greet the Great Man of Maon, whoſe Poſſeſſions were in Carmel.
Be doing therefore, good Sirs! and ſay not of your humble Monitor, as Cardinal Mattheo Langi, concerning Luther, viz. That thô the Romans needed a Scouring, it was not fit that they ſhould take it from ſo ſorry a Hand. Forgive me the Apoſtrophe, in which I leave you.
So that our Worſhipful, our Honourable, and our Right Honourable Lepers, may be cleanſed, and made wiſe to Salvation,
Send O my Lord I pray thee, by the Hand of him whom thou wilt ſend!
Make no long tarrying, good Lord; but ſend ſome Eliphaz or other, with a more radiant Eloquence to tell them, that, They are deſtroyed from Morning to Morning! They periſh for ever without any regarding it; their Excellency which is in them goeth away. They die even without Wiſdom. O ſend, before it be ſaid to this Gallant, and to that,
The Fruits that thy Soul luſted after, are departed from thee; and all the things which were Dainty and Goodly, are departed from thee; and thou ſhalt find them no more at all. In one hour thy great Riches are come to nought! Thy Soul is required of thee; and whoſe ſhall the things be which thou haſt provided?
May ſuch as are deaf to a leſſer Timothy, be made to hearken to a greater Paul or Peter! And they who have been as wicked, turn to be as wiſe, as that Son who ſaid to his Father, I will not! but afterward, he repented, and went.