Wantonness, in Strife and Envying? Hear what our Blessed Saviour faith, Who is that faithful and wife Steward, whom his Lord Shall make Ruler over his Houfhold, to give them their Meat in due Seafon? Bleffed is that Servant, whom his Lord, at his Coming, fhall find fo doing; verily I fay unto you, be fhall make him Ruler over all his Goods. But, and if that evil Servant shall fay in his Heart, my Lord delayeth his Coming, and fhall begin to fmite his Fellow-Servants, and to eat and drink with the Drunken; the Lord of that Servant shall come in a Day when he looketh not for him, and in an Hour that he is not aware of; and shall cut him afunder, and appoint him his Portion with the Hypocrites.

In the Parable of the Unjuft Steward, our Saviour feemeth to have his Eye, in a more especial Manner, upon the bad Use which Men are too apt to make of their Wealth. They waste it in Luxury and Wantonnefs, in oppreffing the Poor and Needy, in betraying to Ruin helpless and unguarded Innocence; and for this Abuse, they will, 0

no

no Doubt, be called to a moft fevere Account. But my beloved, do not imagine, that rich Men only are concerned in this Judgment. For whatever you have, you have received in Truft from God; and to him you must give an Account, in what Manner you have employed it. Whether

your

he hath bestowed upon you Riches, Honour, Power, Strength, or Wisdom; all are his Gifts, and in them he ought to be honoured by you. It is true, God is no Gainer by your Goodness, neither will Treachery bring him any Dishonour; for your Righteoufnefs extendeth not to him, and your Wickednefs cannot hurt him. But your Dishonesty will plunge you into the difmal Regions of eternal Woe; and your Faithfulness will provide for you everlafting Habitations in Heaven. Wifely, then, and honesty employ thofe Talents, which your Great Mafter hath committed to your Trust.

Death, which is not far from any of you, will shortly put an End to your Stewardhip; but it will not put an End to your

(

Being.

Exift you muft eternally, after this frail Life is ended; but it dependeth upon your Behaviour here, whether that Eternity shall be spent in Happiness or Mifery. Knowing, therefore, the Terrors of the Lord, we perfuade Men. And, Oh! that you would be perfuaded, my Brethren, to know in this your Day the Things that make for your everlafting Peace! An Account of yourselves you must give to your Great Lord and Mafter. Be careful, therefore, that at his Coming, you be found without Fault and blameless. Then fhall you appear in his Prefence with exceeding great Joy. Having fought the good Fight, finished your Course, and kept the Faith; your God and Saviour, to whom you have been faithful Stewards, fhall bestow upon you a Crown of Righteousness, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, eternal in the Hea

vens.

02

SERMON

SERMON XII.

THE PRODIGAL SON.

LUKE XV. 17. and Part of v.

AND WHEN HE

18.

CAME TO HIMSELF, HE SAID, HOW MANY HIRED SERVANTS OF MY FATHER HAVE BREAD ENOUGH, AND TO SPARE, AND I PERISH WITH HUNGER,! I WILL ARISE, AND GO TO

MY FATHER.

THE greatest Part of those Sins of which

Men are guilty is owing to the Want of Confideration. The Pleasures of this World which the grand Enemy of our Salvation hath taken Care to represent to our deluded Imaginations, in the most beautiful and advantageous Light, attract our Admi