It is then, you see, no little part of wisdom to walk rightly in the things of the World, yet as holiness is no friend to covetousness, so neither is it to prodigality, there is a midst betwixt these two, which is called frugality, this is well consistent with piety, for it neither carkingly gathereth, nor carelessly neglecteth, nor prodigally wasteth or casteth away, but is a sparing and spending, a gaining and giving out according to right reason. But for the further explication of it, I shall put you in mind of these following Scriptures, which have so many properties, qualifications, evidences, or commendations of frugality. 1. It provideth for things honest before God and men, 2 Corinth. 8. 21. Rom. 12. 17. 2. It maketh a man look well to his herds and flocks, and in a gainful sinless calling is diligent, Prov. 27. 23. and not slothful in business. Rom. 12. 11.—3. It is not vain and lordly, so a frugal woman is described, Prov. 31. 10. &c. by being honest in her carriage, honest in her family, providing for her husband, children, and servants, clothes, fare, &c. yet not vain, she maketh her own cloth, and her family is provided for, in an honest thrifty way, without great cost. 4. It is provident, though not covetous, like the Ant laying up in Summer, Prov. 6. 6. And the virtuous woman seeth and considereth a field, and purchaseth it, Prov. 31. 16. 5. It is taken up about things necessary, not superfluous, John 13. 29. the Disciples thought Judas had been sent out to buy what was necessary, not what was superfluous. 6. It putteth nothing to unthrifty uses, nor suffereth any thing needlessly to perish, according to that Word of our Lords, Joh. 6. 12. Take up the fragments that remain, that nothing, be lost. 7. It moderateth its gifts, that they be neither of covetousness nor prodigality, but as it is Psalm 112. The good man guideth his affairs with discretion. 8. The frugal man his conquest is in that which hurteth not others, and rather by his own industry then others simplicity; It lieth rather in his diligence and dexterity, then in his slight and cunning, in duty to satisfy conscience, and not in sin to raise a challenge. It is in a word, a following of riches with Gods blessing, seeking them both together, it being, the blessing of the Lord which only maketh rich, Prov. 10. 21. and he addeth no sorrow therewith;
It is then, you see, no little part of wisdome to walk rightly in the things of the World, yet as holiness is no friend to covetousness, so neither is it to prodigality, there is a midst betwixt these two, which is called frugality, this is well consistent with piety, for it neither carkingly gathereth, nor carelesly neglecteth, nor prodigally wasteth or casteth away, but is a sparing and spending, a gaining and giving out according to right reason. But for the further explication of it, I shall put you in mind of these following Scriptures, which have so many properties, qualifications, evidences, or commendations of frugality. 1. It provideth for things honest before God and men, 2 Corinth. 8. 21. Rom. 12. 17. 2. It maketh a man look well to his herds and flocks, and in a gainful sinless calling is diligent, Prov. 27. 23. and not sloathful in business. Rom. 12. 11.—3. It is not vain and lordly, so a frugal woman is described, Prov. 31. 10. &c. by being honest in her carriage, honest in her family, providing for her husband, children, and servants, cloaths, fare, &c. yet not vain, she maketh her own cloath, and her family is provided for, in an honest thrifty way, without great cost. 4. It is provident, though not covetous, like the Ant laying up in Summer, Prov. 6. 6. And the vertuous woman seeth and considereth a field, and purchaseth it, Prov. 31. 16. 5. It is taken up about things necessary, not superfluous, John 13. 29. the Disciples thought Judas had been sent out to buy what was necessary, not what was superfluous. 6. It putteth nothing to unthrifty uses, nor suffereth any thing needlesly to perish, according to that Word of our Lords, Joh. 6. 12. Take up the fragments that remain, that nothing, be lost. 7. It moderateth its gifts, that they be neither of covetousness nor prodigality, but as it is Psalm 112. The good man guideth his affairs with discretion. 8. The frugal man his conquest is in that which hurteth not others, and rather by his own industry then others simplicity; It lyeth rather in his diligence and dexterity, then in his slight and cunning, in duty to satisfie conscience, and not in sin to raise a challenge. It is in a word, a following of riches with Gods blessing, seeking them both together, it being, the blessing of the Lord which onely maketh rich,
