to modefty, and what is good; and confequently that they are evil, and unbecoming women profeffing godlinefs. To which the apoftle Peter joins another precept after the like fort, viz. Whofe adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, and of putting on of apparel: what then? But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet fpirit, which is in the fight of God of great price." And as an inducement, he adds; for after this manner in the old time the holy women alfo, who trufted in God, adorned themfelves. Which doth not only intimate that both holy women were fo adorned, and that it behoves fuch as would be holy, and truft in the holy God, to be fo adorned; but also, that they who used thofe forbidden ornaments, were the women and people in all ages, that, for all their talk, were not holy, nor did trust in God. Such are fo far from trusting in God, that the apostle Paul exprefsly fays, that the that liveth in pleafure is dead to God, whilst fhe liveth. And the fame apostle further enjoined, that Chriftians fhould have their converfation in heaven, and their minds fixed on things above: walk honeftly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkennefs, not in chambering and wantonnefs, not in envy and ftrife: let not fornication, uncleannefs, or covetoufh 1 Pet. iii. 3, 4, 5. ir Tim. v. 6. Col. iii. 1, 2, 3, 4. Rom. xiii. 13. 1 * Phil. iii. 20. Eph. v. 3, 4. Note, not a word of men, as if this vanity belonged not to fx; let them obferve that. m nefs, be once named amongst you; neither filthinefs, or foolish talking nor jefting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks: and let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good, to the ufe of edifying, that it may minifter grace unto the hearers. But put ye on the Lord Jefus Chrift, and make no provifion for the flesh, to fulfil the lufts thereof." And, Grieve not the holy Spirit (intimating fuch converfation doth) but be ye followers of God, as dear children: walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wife; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.o you: §. IV. By this, measure yourselves, O inhabitants of this land, who think yourselves wronged, if not accounted Chriftians: fee what proportion your life and fpirit bears with thefe moft holy and felf-denying precepts and examples. Well, my friends, my foul mourns for I have been with and among you: your life and paftime are not strangers to my notice; and with compaffion, yea, inexpreffible pity, I bewail your folly. O that you would be wife! O that the juft principle in yourselves were heard! O that eternity had time to plead a little with you! why fhould your beds, your glaffes, your clothes, your tables, your loves, your plays, your parks, your treats, your recreations, poor perifhing joys, have all your fouls, your time, your care, your purse, and confideration? Be ye admonished, I beseech you, in the name of the living God, by one Eph. iv. 29. Rom. xiii. 14. Eph. iv. 30. Ibid. v. 1, 15, 16. that fome of you know hath had his fhare in thefe things, and confequently time to know how little the like vanities conduce to true and folid happinefs. No, my Friends, God Al. mighty knows, and would to God, you would believe and follow me, they end in fhame and forrow. Faithful is that most holy One, who hath determined, that every man and woman fhall reap what they fow: and will not trouble, anguifh, and disappointment, be a fad and dreadful harvest for you to reap, for all your mif-fpent time and substance, about fuperfluities and vain recreations? Retire then, quench not the holy Spirit in yourfelves; redeem your precious abufed time; frequent fuch converfation as may help you against your evil inclinations; fo fhall you follow the examples, and keep the precepts of Jefus Christ, and all his followers for hitherto we have plainly demon. ftrated, that no fuch way of living, as is in requeft among you of the land, ever was, or can be, truly Chriftian. §. V. But the best recreation is to do good: and all Christian customs tend to temperance, and fome good and beneficial end; which more or lefs may be in every action. For inftance, if men and women would be diligent to follow their refpective callings; frequent the affemblies of religious people; vifit fober neighbours to be edified, and wicked ones to reform them; be careful in the tuition of their children, exemplary to their fervants; relieve the PI Pet. i. 15. Heb. x. 25. 1 Pet. iv. 9, 10, 11. Mat. xxv. 36, 37Phil. ii. 4. lbid. iv. 8. neceffitous, see the sick, vifit the imprisoned; administer to their infirmities and indifpofitions, endeavour peace amongst neighbours: also, ftudy moderately fuch commendable and profitable arts, as navigation, arithmetic, geometry, husbandry, gardening, handicraft, medicine, &c. and that women fpin, few, knit, weave, garden, preferve, and the like housewife and honeft employments, the practice of the greateft and nobleft matrons, and youth among the very heathens; helping others, who for want are unable to keep fervants, to ease them in their neceffary affairs; often and private retirements from all worldly objects, to enjoy the Lord; fecret and steady meditations on the divine life and heavenly inheritance; which to leave undone and profecute other things, under the notion of recreations, is accurfed luft and damnable impiety; it is most vain in any to object, that they cannot do these always, and therefore why may not they use thefe common diverfions? For I ask, what would fuch be at? What would they do? And what would they have? They that have trades have not time enough to do the half of what hath been recommended. And as for those who have nothing to do, and indeed do nothing, which is worse, but fin, which is worst of all, here is variety of pleafant, of profitable, yea, of very honourable employments and diverfions for them. Such can with great delight fit at a play, a ball, a mafque, at cards, dice, &c. drinking, revelling, • Gen. v. 24. Píalm i, 2. ¡bid. lxiii. 6, Ibid. cxix. 15. Ibid. cxliii. 53 feafting, and the like, an entire day; yea, turn night into day, and invert the very order of the creation, to humour their lufts; and were it not for eating and fleeping, it would be past a doubt, whether they would ever find time to cease from thofe vain and finful pastimes, till the hafty calls of death fhould fummon their appearance in another world: yet do they think it intolerable, and hardly poffible, for any to fit fo long at a profitable or religious exercife. S. VI. But how do these think to pass their vaft eternity away? For as the tree falls, so it lies. Let none deceive themselves, nor mock their immortal fouls with a pleasant, but most falfe and pernicious dream, that they fhall be changed by a conftraining and irresistible power, juft when their fouls take leave of their bodies; no, no, my friends, what you sow, that shall you reap: if vanity, folly, vifible delights, fading pleasures; no better shall you ever reap than corruption, forrow, and the woeful anguifh of eternal difappointments. But alas! what is the reason that the cry is fo common, Must we always dote on thefe things? Why moft certainly it is this, they know not what is the joy and peace of speaking and acting, as in the presence of the most holy God that paffes fuch vain understandings, darkened with the glories and pleasures of the god of this world; whose religion is fo many mumbling and ignorantly devout-faid Gal. vi. 4 to 9. Eph. v. 6. u Amos vi. 3 to 8. u X Rom. x. 2. |