A26903:331
Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity,…
Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity, physic, and law, III. the sons of magistrates and rich men / by Richard Baxter.Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity, physick, and law, III. the sons of magistrates and rich men / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by T.S., 1681
Chapter 12: Counsel to the Sons of the Nobility and Magistrates.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I. One part of your great danger is, that you are commonly bred up among the baits of sensuality. It is not for nothing that fullness of bread is made one of the sins of Sodom, Ezek. 16.49. and that he that after lay in the flames of Hell is described, as richly clothed and faring sumptuously every day. Not that all rich Clothes or sumptuous seasonable Feasting is a sin, but that these use both to signify sensuality and to cherish it. Its the sure brand of the ungodly, to be Lovers of Pleasure more than of God. They that but seldom come where tempting plenty is, of delicious meats and drinks are too often overcome: But they that are bred up, where plenty of both these is daily before them, are in greater danger, lest their Table and their Drink become a snare.
I. One part of your great danger is, that you are commonly bred up among the baits of sensuality. It is not for nothing that fulness of bread is made one of the sins of Sodom, Ezek. 16.49. and that he that after lay in the flames of Hell is described, as richly cloathed and faring sumptuously every day. Not that all rich Cloathes or sumptuous seasonable Feasting is a sin, but that these use both to signifie sensuality and to cherish it. Its the sure brand of the ungodly, to be Lovers of Pleasure more than of God. They that but seldom come where tempting plenty is, of delicious meats and drinks are too often overcome: But they that are bred up, where plenty of both these is daily before them, are in greater danger, lest their Table and their Drink become a snare.
Feast not therefore without fear, remember that flesh-pleasing sensuality is as damnable in the rich as in the poor, and that the greatest wealth will not allow you to take any more for quantity or quality, than standeth with Temperance, and truly tendeth to fit you for your duty, your riches are given you in trust as God's Stewards, to serve your Country, and relieve the poor, and to promote good uses, but not to serve your fleshly lusts, nor to be abused to excess or cherish sin. To be sober and temperate is the interest of your own Souls and Bodies, and under your great Temptations the more laudable.