Chap. 21. and the fatal Consequence of it. 211 they may hoard up Riches, for the mean and scandalous Satisfaction of looking upon them while they are living, and of thinking, that when they are dead it will be said of them, that they have left so many Hundreds or Thousands of Pounds behind them; very probably, to ensnare their Children, or their Heirs, (for the Vanity is not peculiar to those who have Children of their own :)—Or else, that they may lavish away their Riches on their Lusts, and drown themselves in a Gulph of Sensuality, in which, if Reason be not lost, Religion is soon swallowed up, and with it all the noblest Pleasures which (can enter into the Heart of Man. In this View, the Generality of Rich People appear to me Objects of much greater Compassion than the Poor: Especially as when both live (which is frequently the Case) without any Fear of GOD before their Eyes, the Rich abuse the greater Variety and Abundance of His Favours, and therefore will probably feel, in that World of future Ruin, which awaits impenitent Sinners, a more exquisite Sense of their Misery. §. 7. And let me observe to you, my dear Reader, lest you should think yourself secure from any such Danger, that we have great Reason to apprehend, there are many now in a very wretched State, who once thought seriously of Religion, when they were first setting out, in lower Circumstances of Life; but they have since for'saken Gop for Mammon: and are now priding themselves in those golden Chains, which in all Probability, befere it be long, will leave them to remain in those of Darkness. When therefore an Attachment to the World may be followed with such fatal Consequences, let not thine Heart envy Sinners (s); and do not, out of a Desire of gaining what they have, be guilty of such Folly as to expose yourself to this double Danger of failing in the Attempt, or of being undone by the Success of it. Contract your Desires; endeavour to be easy and content with a little: And if Providence call you out to act in a larger Sphere, submit to it in Obedience to Providence, but number it among the Trials of Life, which it will require a larger Proportion of Grace to bear well. For be assured that as Affairs and Interests multiply, Cares and Duties (s) Prov. xxiii. 17. 212 An Exhortation to die to the World. Chap. 21. Duties will certainly increase, and probably Disappointments and Sorrows will increase in an equal Proportion. §. 8. On the whole, Learn by Divine Grace, to die to the present World; to look upon it as a low State of Being, which GOD never intended for the final and complete Happiness, or the supreme Care of any one of His Children: A World, where something is indeed to be enjoyed, but chiefly from Himself; where a great deal is to be borne with Patience and Resignation; and where some important Duties are to be performed, and a Course of Discipline, to be passed through, by which you are to be formed for a better State; to which as a Christian you are near, and to which God will call you, perhaps on a sudden, but undoubtedly, if you hold on your Way, in the fittest Time and the most convenient Manner. therefore all this to Him. Let your Hopes and Fears, your Expectations and Desires, with Regard to this World, be kept as low as possible; and all your Thoughts be united, as much as may be, in this one Centre, What it is that GOD would, in present Circumstances, have you to be; and what is that Method of Conduct, by which you may most effectually please and glorify Him! Refer The Young Convert's PRAYER for Divine Protection, against the Danger of these Snares. 66 B LESSED GOD! in the Midst of Ten Thousand "Snares and Dangers, which surround me from without and from within, permit me to look up unto "Thee with my humble Intreaty, that Thou wouldst "deliver me from them that rise up against me (t), and "that Thine Eyes may be upon me for Good (u)! When "Sloth and Indolence are ready to seize me, awaken 66 me from that idle Dream, with lively and affectionate "Views of that invisible and eternal World, to which "I am tending! Remind me of what infinite Importance "it is, that I diligently improve these transient Moments, which Thou hast allotted to me as the Time of my "Preparation for it! "When Sinners entice me, may I not consent (x)! "May holy Converse with God give me a Disrelish for "the (t) Psal. lix. 1. (u) Jer. xxiv. 6. (x) Prov. i. 10. Chap. 21. A Prayer to kept from these Snares. 213 the Converse of those who are Strangers to Thee, and "who would separate my Soul from Thee! May I honour "them that fear the Lord (y), and walking with such "wise and holy Men, may I find I am daily advancing "in Wisdom and Holiness (z)! Quicken me, O Lord, by "their Means; that by me Thou mayest also quicken "others! Make me the happy Instrument of enkindling ❝ and animating the Flame of Divine Love in their Breast; "and may it catch from Heart to Heart, and grow every Moment in its Progress! "Guard me, O Lord, from the Love of sensual Pleasure! May I seriously remember, that to be carnally "minded is Death (a)! May it please Thee therefore, to "purify and refine my Soul by the Influences of Thine "Holy Spirit, that I may always shun unlawful Gratifi ❝cations, more solicitously than others pursue them; " and that those Indulgences of Animal Nature, which "Thou hast allowed, and which the Constitution of "Things render necessary, may be soberly and mode rately used! May I still remember the superior Dignity "of my spiritual and intelligent Nature, and may the "Pleasures of the Man and the Christian be sought as "my noblest Happiness! May my Soul rise on the Wings "of holy Contemplation, to the Regions of invisible "Glory; and may I be endeavouring to form myself, "under the Influences of Divine Grace, for the Enter. "tainments of those Angelic Spirits, that live in Thy "Presence, in a happy Incapacity of those gross Delights, by which Spirits dwelling in Flesh are so often ensnared, and in which they so often lose the Memory of their high Original, and of those noble Hopes, which alone are proportionable to it! "Give me, O Lord, to know the Station in which "Thou hast fixed me, and steadily to pursue the Duties of it! But deliver me from those excessive Cares of "this World, which would so engross my Time and my "Thoughts, that the one Thing needful should be for "gotten! May my Desires after worldly "Possessions "be moderated, by considering their uncertain and unsatisfying Nature; and while others are laying up "Treasures (y) Psal. xv. 4. (z) Prov. xiii. 20. (a) Rom. viii. 6, 214 A Prayer to be kept from these Snares. Chap. 21. "Treasures on Earth, may I be rich towards GOD (b)! "May I never be too busy to attend to those great Affairs, which lie between Thee and my Soul; never be so engrossed with the Concerns of Time, as to neglect the Interests of Eternity! May I pass through Earth "with my Heart and Hopes set upon Heaven, and feel the attractive Influence stronger and stronger, as I "approach still nearer and nearer to that desirable "Centre; till the happy Moment come, when every earthly Object shall disappear from my View, and the shining "Glories of the Heavenly World shall fill my improved "and strengthened Sight, which shall then be cheared with that which would now overwhelm me! Amen," (b) Luke xii. 21. СНАР. Chap. 22. Declensions in Religion to be feared. 216 CHAP. XXII. The Case of Spiritual Decay and Languor in Religion. Declensions in Religion, and Relapses into Sin, with their sorrowful Consequences, are in the general too probable. §. 1. The Case of Declension and Languor in Religion described, negatively: §. 2. and positively; §. 3. as discovering itself, (1.) By a Failure in the Duties of the Closet, §. 4. (2.) By a neglect of social Worship, §. 5. (3.) By want of Love to our Fellow-Christians §. 6. (4.) By an undue Attachment to sensual Plea sures, or secular Cares, §. 7. (5.) By Prejudices against some important Principles in Religion; §. 8. A Symp tom peculiarly sad and dangerous. §. 9, 10. Directions for Recovery, §. 11. Immediately to be pursued. §. 12. A Prayer for one under spiritual Decays. §. 1. F I am so happy as to prevail upon you in the I Exhortation, and Cautions I have given, you will probably go on with Pleasure and Comfort in Reli gion; and your Path will generally be like the Morning Light, which shineth more and more until the perfect Day, (a). Yet I dare not flatter myself with an Expectation of such Success, as shall carry you above those Varieties in Temper, Conduct, and State, which have been more or less the Complaint of the best of Men. Much do I fear, that how warmly soever your Heart may now be impressed with the Representation I have been making, though the great Objects of your Faith and Hope continue unchangeable, your Temper towards them will be changed. Much do I fear, that you will feel your (a) Prov. iv. 18. Mind |