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…

11. Moderation and conscionableness in getting, may, by the mercy of God, draw from His bountiful hand, a more special extraordinary gracious providence and blessing upon posterity: whereas contrary carriage may bring an heavy curse. The Prophet, who was husband to her who came crying to Elisha for comfort, 2. King. 4. 1. did fear God, saith the Text. Whereby he was happily restrained from all wicked ways of gaining, and growing into wealth. Durst he have¹ enlarged his conscience proportionably to the corruptions of those times, and shifted his Sails according to the sitting of every wind, as pillow-sowers under mens elbows, and preachers of smooth things are wont; I see no reason, but he might have been advanced to Jezebels table, as well as the four hundred flattering false temporizing prophets; and by serving the time also, have risen, and enriched both himself and his. But this honest man would rather die in debt, leave his wife and children in extreme poverty, and expose his two sons as bondmen to the Creditor; then to put his hand to any manner of iniquity in getting, or to raise an outward rotten estate, upon the ruins and bloody desolations of mens precious souls. And what follows? Rather then the wife and children of such a man shall want, God will have the Prophet do a Miracle for their supply and comfort, as appears in the Story. But now on the other side, Gehazi in the very following Chapter, 2. King. 5. will needs by Bribing make himself and his children for ever. And what is the issue? He pulls thereby an horrible curse both upon himself and his posterity: The Leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. Vers. 27. Thou haddest better then, leave a wallet to thy child, to go from door to door; then a cursed hoard of ill gotten goods.

11. Moderation and conscionablenes in getting, may, by the mercy of God, draw from His bountifull hand, a more speciall extraordinarie gracious prouidence and blessing vpon posterity: whereas contrary carriage may bring an heauy curse. The Prophet, who was husband to her who came crying to Elisha for comfort, 2. King. 4. 1. did feare God, saith the Text. Whereby he was happily restrained from all wicked wayes of gaining, and growing into wealth. Durst he haue