Man ashiv le-Yahoweh, or, A serious enquiry for a suitable return for continued life,…

Some wax richer, and some wax better, and all men wax older, and many wax worser. 2 Tim. 3.13. But evil men and seducers wax worse and worse; deceiving and being deceived. To increase in Riches is not simply evil; to increase in Grace is surely good. This increase is commanded: 2 Pet. 3.18. But grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is commended, 1 Cor. 1.5. In every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance and in all knowledge. It is to be prayed for, Luk. 17.5. Lord increase our faith. Col. 1.9. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Vers. 10. That ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. But to increase in sin, and to grow in wickedness, especially after men have seen Gods displeasure against sin, in a wasting Plague, is an evil to be lamented, if we could, with tears of blood. When instead of adding grace to grace, 2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7. they add sin to sin; to Drunkenness they add Adultery; to Passion Malice, to Malice Revenge. Some men make such progress in sin by little and little, till (as all the little Channels meeting in one place) become a common Sewer of all filthiness, ⟨p. 7⟩and impiety; Sinks of sin and nasty dunghills of all uncleanness.

SOme wax richer, and some wax better, and all men wax older, and many wax worser. 2 Tim. 3.13. But evil men and seducers wax worse and worse; deceiving and being deceived. To encrease in Riches is not simply evil; to encrease in Grace is surely good. This increase is commanded: