A37049:1337
A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…
A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
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.
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 Cor. 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 thirsty 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, John 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