Its likely Reader, thou dealest with sinners; thy first care must be that thou mayst not partake of their sins. Its reported that at Belgrade in Hungary, Danubius and Sava, 1two famous Rivers, the one pure, the other filthy meet, and yet their waters mingle no more then water and oil, not that either float above the other, but both join unmixed, so that near the middle of the River, saith my Author, I have gone in a Boat and tasted the Danube, as clear as a Spring, and putting my hand an inch further, I have taken of the Sava, as troubled as a street channel, tasting the gravel in my teeth; thus they run together unmingled sixty miles. So shouldst thou in thy contracts and dealings with the wicked, keep thy self pure and undefiled. Thy next care must be, to make them better; A meek gracious carriage may win them to Christ. Some Fish have been caught with a Golden Hook; Sometimes by parting with a little of thy right, by losing a little silver, thou mayst gain a precious soul; He that always stands strictly and stiffly upon his right, may thereby wrong both God and his Gospel. Heavenly mindedness, shining in a Christians dealings with profane men, hath such a beauty in it, that it attracteth at the first sight the eyes of every beholder, like the sudden appearance of a Candle ⟨p. 55⟩in a dark room. As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, Gal. 6. 10. An opportunity to do good to others, is a great mercy to our selves. The Oil of grace like the Widows, 2 King. 4. 6. increaseth by pouring out; an opportunity is a special season, which God affordeth us, for the benefit of our own and others souls; When time and helps meet and marry, their off-spring is opportunity. Thou dealest with those at one time, whom thou mayst never see again; possibly their hearts being big with sin, they bring forth in thy presence, either swearing, or slandering, or mocking at holiness; now God gives thee an opportunity, by a prudent affectionate reproof, and by serious savoury advice, to kill those brats of Hell, as soon as they are born, and to make the Parents barren in regard of such a cursed brood for ever after, which if thou neglectest, thou shalt never have again. The Bird of opportunity is usually upon the wing, she flieth away of a sudden, and we never fee her again; therefore whilst thou hast her, make the best use of her.
Its likely Reader, thou dealest with sinners; thy first care must be that thou mayst not partake of their sins. Its reported that at Belgrade in Hungary, Danubius and Sava, 1two famous Rivers, the one pure, the other filthy meet, and yet their waters mingle no more then water and oyl, not that either float above the other, but both joyn unmixed, so that neer the middle of the River, saith my Author, I have gone in a Boat and tasted the Danow, as clear as a Spring, and putting my hand an inch further, I have taken of the Sava, as troubled as a street channel, tasting the gravel in my teeth; thus they run together unmingled sixty miles. So shouldst thou in thy contracts and dealings with the wicked, keep thy self pure and undefiled. Thy next care must be, to make them better; A meek gracious carriage may win them to Christ. Some Fish have been caught with a Golden Hook; Sometimes by parting with a little of thy right, by losing a little silver, thou mayst gain a precious soul; He that always stands strictly and stifly upon his right, may thereby wrong both God and his Gospel. Heavenly mindedness, shining in a Christians dealings with prophane men, hath such a beauty in it, that it attracteth at the first sight the eyes of every beholder, like the sudden appearance of a Candle ⟨p. 55⟩in a dark room. As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, Gal. 6. 10. An opportunity to do good to others, is a great mercy to our selves. The Oyl of grace like the Widows, 2 King. 4. 6. increaseth by powring out; an opportunity is a special season, which God affordeth us, for the benefit of our own and others souls; When time and helps meet and marty, their off-spring is opportunity. Thou dealest with those at one time, whom thou mayst never see again; possibly their hearts being big with sin, they bring forth in thy presence, either swearing, or slandering, or mocking at holiness; now God gives thee an opportunity, by a prudent affectionate reproof, and by serious savoury advice, to kill those brats of Hell, as soon as they are born, and to make the Parents barren in regard of such a cursed brood for ever after, which if thou neglectest, thou shalt never have again. The Bird of opportunity is usually upon the wing, she flieth away of a sudden, and we never fee her again; therefore whilst thou hast her, make the best use of her.
- 1Sir Henry Blunts Voyage into the Levant.
