SERMON XI. THE UNJUST STEWARD. LUKE xvi. 9. I SAY UNTO YOU, MAKE TO YOURSELVES FRIENDS OF THE MAMMON OF UN- THESE Words are an Inference drawn by our bleffed Saviour from the Parable of the unjust Steward, in the foregoing Part of the Chapter; and if we are but wife enough to make a proper Application, the Inference cannot but prove of great Ufe and Advantage to us. This Man had been accused of wafting his Lord's Goods. He had, therefore, Notice given him by his Mafter, N 2 Mafter, to fettle his Account; for he would not any longer retain him as his Steward. The Steward is then introduced as debating the matter with himself, in what Manner he might hope beft to be fupported, after he was put out of the Stewardship. He was not weak enough to imagine, that another Master would be fo unguarded and thoughtless, as to employ him in the fame Capacity, when he had been removed from his Stewardship, for having proved unfaithful to his former Mafter. Not that such a Cafe was altogether impoffible; for there have been Stewards, who after they have defrauded, and almoft ruined one Mafter, have been taken in to defraud and ruin another. But this good Fortune the Man did not expect. His only Care was to know, in what Manner he might be provided for, fo as to live in fome Comfort, when he was difcarded by his prefent Lord. He had lived in Idlenefs; had been brought up to no Employment, but that which he had made a bad Ufe of; and therefore was unfit for Labour, he could not dig; and as he A had (no Doubt) lived in Luxury enough (as fuch Sort of Men generally do) fo he thought it too great a Disgrace to beg. What then muft he do? Starve he refolved he would not. He therefore hit upon an Expedient, which he had Reason to believe would very well answer his Purpose. He had not yet given up his Accounts to his Mafter; he therefore took the Refolution to defraud him yet further; and by giving his Lord's Debtors a Share in the Plunder, to fecure to himself a welcome Reception amongst Them. His Lord, though he discovered the iniquitious Dealing of his Steward, yet could not help commending him, because he had done wifely. He did not commend him for his Honefty, becaufe he had none to be commended for; but his prudent Care and Forefight, in fo well providing for himself after he was put out of his Stewardship, was what his Lord applauded him for, though he himself was the Sufferer. And, indeed, fays our Lord, the Children of this World are, in their Generation, wifer than the Children of Light. They whofe N 3 whofe only Concern it is to feek after the Pleasures, the Profits, or the Honours of this World, manage their Affairs with much more Wisdom and Dexterity, than they who profess themselves Candidates for Heaven. And I fay unto you, make to yourfelves Friends of the Mammon of Unrighteousnefs, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlafting Habitations. The Lines of this Parable are fo well marked, and the Perfons meant are fo exactly defcribed, that we cannot well miftake in applying the proper Characters. The Lord of the Steward is God Almighty, the Maker and Lord of all Things. The Steward is every Man, or indeed all Mankind in general. The Goods, which the Steward is accufed of wasting, are the various Talents committed to our Truft, Wealth, Honours, Wisdom, or the like; for the due Management of which, we are accountable to our Great Mafter. And if we do not lay them out to his Honour and Service, but confume them upon our Lufts, we shall be put out of our Stewardship; that |