Some general directions for a comfortable walking with God delivered in the lecture at…Some generall directions for a comfortable walking with God deliuered in the lecture at…

2. A Christian dare not for his life so far enlarge his conscience, as to gain by any unwarrantable means, or unconscionable course, as oppression, corruption, cozening, violence, lying, unjust dealing, &c. and therefore in this griping, and greedy age, in the highest noontide of iniquity, or rather darkest midnight of the works of darkness (though outward want be infinitely countervailed with inward comfort) he doth not commonly come to that excess, and superfluity of temporal things, which many times worldlings with wider consciences, easily and immeasurably engross. The largest consciences in these last & worst days, are the only devourers, and swallowers down of worldly wealth. A religious resolution to save a mans soul, (more is the pity!) is many times a notable curb to keep him from growing rich, and into reputation with the world. Gods blessings even in temporal things, I deny not, are sometimes ⟨p. 284⟩very plentifully upon the right owners, Gods own children; and both heavenly and earthly happiness have been wreathed together by the merciful hand of God, and set upon their heads: but if we look upon the common courses holden in the world that way; and in all forecast of carnal reason, he is likeliest to grow rich and rise, who is resolved to damn his soul. In ordinary conceit of profane policy, and apprehensions of worldly wisdom, Joseph mist¹ a great deal of earthly contentment, and in a precise humour put from him much possibility of preferment, by not yielding to the impure solicitations of his wanton Mistress. Micaiah, in not jumping with the four hundred false prophets,² in their lying flattery to please the two Kings: Jonathan, in not joining with his father Saul, for the prevention and confusion³ of David. Had a sensual worldling been in Josephs case, an unsanctified Minister in Micaiahs, an ambitious Absalom in Jonathans, assuredly they had all yielded to the several temptations. The conscience of an unregenerate man will marvellously stretch it self, and grant out very large dispensations, especially when any special glory, profit or pleasure of the world is in pursuit and possibility.

2. A Christian dare not for his life so farre enlarge his conscience, as to gaine by any vnwarrantable meanes, or vnconscionable course, as oppression, corruption, coozening, violence, lying, vniust dealing, &c. and therefore in this griping, and greedy age, in the highest noonetide of iniquitie, or rather darkest midnight of the workes of darknesse (though outward want bee infinitely counteruailed with inward comfort) hee doth not commonly come to that excesse, and superfluitie of temporall things, which many times worldlings with wider consciences, easily and immeasurably ingrosse. The largest consciences in these last & worst dayes, are the onely deuourers, and swallowers downe of worldly wealth. A religious resolution to saue a mans soule, (more is the pitie!) is many times a notable curbe to keepe him from growing rich, and into reputation with the world. Gods blessings euen in temporall things, I deny not, are sometimes