How to do good to many, or, The public good is the Christians life…How to do good to many, or, The publick good is the Christians life…

I know that this is no common error. The wicked are of a far different mind. And I know no man can do too much to save his Soul: But we may do one sort of our work too much to the neglect of other parts. We have Souls in flesh, and both parts have their proper necessity and work: Mary did somewhat else than hear, tho she wisely preferred it in its season. And no one is made for himself alone: You feel that Religious exercises do you good: But what good is it that you do to others? I confess a Monks Prayers for others is a good work: But God will have Praying and endeavouring go together, both for your selves and others. Bare Praying God to relieve the Poor and to teach your Children, and instruct the ignorant, will not excuse you from relieving, teaching or instructing them: Yea, and your own good will best come in by your fullest obedience to God: Do what he bids you, and he will take care of your Salvation: ⟨p. 14⟩Your own way may seem best, but will not prove best: It will but cast you into Melancholy and disability at last; six days shalt thou labour, is more than a permission. Its Saint Paul's Canon, he that will not work (if able) let him not cat. And it was King Solomons Mother who taught him the description of a virtuous Woman, Prov. 31. She eateth not the bread of Idleness, ver. 27. God will have mercy and obedience as better than Sacrifice. The Sentence in Judgment is, upon doing good to Christ in his members; Mat. 25. When many that heard much and Prophesied shall be cast out, Mat. 7. 21. Doing good is the surest way of receiving good. The duties of the first, and second Table, must go together. He that is not zealous to do good as well as to get good, hath not the peculiar nature of Christs Flock, Tit. 2. 14. And zeal will be diligent and not for sloth.