A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Where are the Masters that command and direct in wisdom, so as their service is rather a privilege than a toil, a pleasure than a vassalage? Where are the Servants that obey in singleness of heart as unto Christ? ¹What a strange disorder and confusion is there in the world, in Kingdoms, Corporations, ²and Families? and who may be thanked for it but mens lusts, and their not faithfully filling up that Relation God hath set them in? Most are governed by the Law of corrupt nature and hell; but few, too few have that respect to the Law of God which should be.³ How excellently doth that Imperial Philosopher declaim against those that are unfaithful in their places, and do not willingly submit to, and order their lives according to the direction of the most good, wise, and just Law-giver of the world? Hear his words:⁴ He is an Aposteme of the world, who being unfaithful in his place, doth as it were apostatize and separate himself from God's rational administration. O that men were wise and understood their true interest, and were faithful to it. O that every one would labour to rectify that ataxy and disorder that is in himself, and then in his Family. Then, O then how happy would our Kingdom, Cities, Families be? It was no small commendation of the Grecian Commander,⁵ that he reckoned it none of the best qualifications of a man to be able to play well upon a Harp, but to be able to govern himself and others well: and if a City were put into his hands poor, dis-mantled, un-disciplined, to be able quickly to make it rich, strong, orderly. To fill up our Relations with Religion is the divine precept, our true wisdom, our peace, profit; it's honest: I had almost said, it's ⟨p. 445⟩one of the fairest fruits of real Christianity. Would we could all as one man engage to do our best for the putting this in execution, and then holiness to the Lord might quickly be written upon our Door, our City might be called Jehovah Shammah, the Lord dwells there, and our Land Hephsibah and Beulah. For this let every honest soul pray; for this let Ministers preach: And in the prosecution of this design I shall in my poor way give you advice by resolving of this Question, which I have made way to by this Preface.