The crucifying of the world

Use all that you have as men that must be accountable for them. Remember that you receive them from your Master for his use. Resolve therefore so to expend and employ them, as may most further his service. Look about you, and see what good is to be done, and then consider, how far you are furnished and enabled to do it; and accordingly lay out the talents which you are entrusted with. Seek after such work; and do not stay till it be brought to your hand. If you love Christ indeed, me thinks you should not stay for an invitation to do him service, nor should you need that men come a begging to you to awaken your charity, when you know before that it is a charitable and necessary work that is before you.

Two sorts of persons I would especially direct this advice to. First to the rich and powerful in the world. Secondly, To all that are professors of Religion.

For the first sort, let them consider, that their Riches are snares to them, and will prove a certain means of their damnation, if they devote them not to God. Tithes, and Oblations, and Firstfruits were devoted to God under the Law: but all is expressly devoted to him under the Gospel; Which was expressed by the Primitive Christians selling all, and laying down at the Apostles feet: For as Life and Immortality is brought to light more abundantly in the Gospel; So also is the means of obtaining it, and the duty which we owe to him that giveth it: And as Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ, and the greatest mercies are revealed by the Gospel: So the greatest holiness comes by Christ, and the greatest obligations are laid on us in the Gospel: Especially to self-denial, and an hearty Devoting our selves and all we have to God. I beseech you observe the distinction which Christ useth,