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ear from hearing the cause of the widow and fatherless, or of the needy, and drowns the cry of the oppressed; to which we ought not only to lend an ear, but also to administer relief according to their necessity and our abil ity. But mankind is too apt to despise the base or low things of the world, and to join with that which is pleasant to the eye, and agreeable to the lust of the heart; (like Dives, the rich glutton of old, who loved self better than poor Lazarus) but do not consider that which is lasting. and would do them good for ever. How shall I express the excellent glory and eternal sweetness of this love to the Lord and our neighbour? Oh! how is my soul grieved, and how doth my spirit mourn before the Lord, when I see any walk contrary to the commands of Christ, or that are in enmity to the truth, and in hatred one to another, even from my tender years, ever since God Almighty opened my understanding, and made known to me him that is true and my cry hath been many times to him, to keep and preserve me in his true love and fear, to the end of my days; in love both to him and the brethren: but more especially to those that do his will, (although there is universal love in my heart to all). Christ said, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Mat. xii. 50. Therefore, my love is more singly unto those. The apostle also thus writes concerning love to the brethren: "We (says he) know that we have passed from death unto life." (How did they know it?)" Because we love the brethren; he ht loveth not his brother, abideth in death." 1 John in. 14. Are they then in death that are in enmity with the brethren? Assuredly they are, for this enmity is sin; "And the wages of sin is death." Rom. vi. 23. and those that are therein, are dead while they live. I wish, and heartily pray to the God and Father of spirits, that from the snares of death his people may forever be preserved.

Now I would shew people some of the many snares of death and satan.

1st, Some people are too apt to judge one another, and to speak evil of things they know not, except by report

and supposition, which too often lets in enmity, and is not according to the mind of Christ, but is a snare of the enemy of man's salvation. Surely if people were sensible thereof, they would not so hardly censure one another; for indeed we ought to be well satisfied before we give judgment, and then it ought to be in love, and not in enmity. It is better to suffer, than to censure, or to be judged, than to judge. "Judge not, that ye be not judged," Mat. vii. 1. said the Judge of heaven and earth. But people are too much possessed with uncharitableness and revenge one towards another, and are not so ready to forgive one another their trespasses, as the Almighty is to forgive them: though to forgive one another their trespasses be every christian's duty, and without which we cannot justly expect God to forgive us our trespasses, as Christ taught. Mat. vi. 14, 15.

2d. Persecution for righteousness sake, also is another great branch of that corrupt tree, which never did, and never will bring forth good fruit, but must be cut down by the ax of God's power, which is laid to the root of every corrupt tree, in order to cut it down; and the Lord will burn it with unquenchable fire. It is the true

church's lot to be persecuted, but she never persecutes any for he that is her high priest for ever, commanded quite the contrary, viz. Love to enemies, and to do good to them that hated them, to pray for them that despitefully used and persecuted them. Mat. v. 44. They were also to rejoice, and to be exceeding glad when all manner of evil was spoken falsely against them for Christ's sake; because great should be their reward in heaven; and Christ observes, that so they persecuted the prophets. Mat. v. 11, 12.

3d. Many are rebelling against God, and doing, despite to the spirit of grace in their own hearts, and trespassing one against another, not living in love, but in enmity against God and one another. The judgment of man is terrible to the rebellious, how much more if men rebel against God, our Saviour, will his judgment be just and dreadful, as he hath not only power to kill the body, but can afterwards cast the soul into hell? Oh! that the

sons and daughters of men, would but fear to offend him, the King of eternal glory. Israel of old, his own peculiar people, did fear and tremble before him; even all their host, his presence was so dreadful. Exod. xix. 18. And a noble king made a decree, that men should fear and tremble before the living God. Dan. vi. 26.

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Oh! that all would work out their salvation with fear and trembling, according to scripture testimony. Phil. ii. 12. I desire all people might thus love the Lord, then should we fear exceedingly to offend him; also if one man did truly love another very well, were the case thy own, thou wouldst very unwillingly offend him whom thou lovest dearly. So if we love Christ in deed, and in truth, then we should fear to offend him, and must of necessity love one another also: so shall we fulfil the great commands, that the whole law and the prophets Hang on.

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4th. I have also many times been grieved, when I have heard cursing and swearing, and the Lord's name taken in vain, which many too much abound in (by sea and land) and too little consider that God will not hold them guiltless. Exod. xx. 7. I am sure this is far from obeying him. Oh! the deep sense of this great sin, it hath been, and is of great moment, and is a great concern on my mind: vengeance from heaven is, and will be the portion of all such, that thus violate the mind and will of God. Judgment, judgment is the lot and inheritance of all the wicked, who remain and live in wickedness. though the Lord is slow to anger, and of great loving kindness, and his mercy endureth forever, to them that truly repent of evil, and do that which is good: yet he has also prepared weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, for them that continually live in sin. There is a possibility of sinning, until there is no mercy nor grace for man: witness the words of God; " My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh." Gen. vi. 3. But those that are willing to put the day of God afar off, are ready to say, Christ is our advocate with the Father; he maketh intercession for our sins; (very well) but it is conditionally it is if thou wilt repent and sin (Mark that well!) repentance without sinning

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no more, will not do. John viii. 11. Confession is very good, but forsaking is abundance better: confession without forsaking will stand in little stead in the day of Faccount.

5th. Also being drunk with wine, or with strong drink; drunkenness is a great sin: first against God, and, secondly, the abuse of God's mercies, and good creatures. And by this frame of drunkenness, men are often fitted for any business their master the devil may call them to: so that this great sin ought to be strictly watched against. Surely if men had any good desires in their hearts, or any love to God, they would refrain from such great wickedness. I admire how people can expect mercy from God, or the intercession of Christ, when they are piercing his sides, and putting him to open shame: for those that are sinning against him, are piercing of him. How can such expect he will interceed for them, when they have dealt so shamefully with him, and grieved him, and from time to time disobeyed his voice? Now suppose a man stood condemned before a judge, and that at the judge's right hand there sat one who had power in his hand, and this poor condemned person, hopes he will interceed for him; and yet this poor wretch has done to him as before mentioned. What grounds can he have to hope for intercession, clemency, or lenity, while he believes he can do no otherwise than sin against him all his days? For my part, I think his faith, hope, and belief, are but vain; without any reason or ground. But he that loveth Christ Jesus, the lord of life and glory, so as to keep his commandments, the Lord will love him, and interceed for him, and make himself known unto him; according to his words which he spake, “He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my father; and I will love him, and manifest myself unto him." John xvi. 21.

6th. Covetousness, which is idolatry, is also another great snare of the enemy, and many are caught therein. It is in vain for the covetous to say, he hath a share in the love of God; for he hath neither love to the Lord, nor

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to his neighbour. A poor naked man might ask him long enough for relief, or for his coat, before he would give him his hand to help, or coat either; or any manner of relief: although Christ expressly commanded it, “Give to him that asketh, and from him that would borrow turn not thou away." Mat. v. 42. How can any be so hard hearted, as to see his brother's or his neighbour's poverty, and not administer of his ability to the needful's necessi ty? but says the covetous or miserable man, I have children, or a family to take care of: but too often covetousness brings a curse, and not a blessing, upon family and children also. Perhaps one that is covetous may say, that charity begins at home. But let him remember, that if it doth begin there, the consequence most com. monly is very bad, when it ends there. Every christian hath need to have charity (in his breast) in a twofold sense, or else there is no proper pretence to christianity; in short, covetousness is out of the love either to God or man: all those (with abundance more, that I shall forbear to mention) are eminent snares of the devil; and satan layeth them according to the propensity of man or woman, and suits them with their nature. Oh ! I will warrant thee, he will colour them finely, and put a pleas ant gloss upon them, to betray thy soul, and keep it in bondage forever.

7th. It is he that tells the murderer, that it is better to live a merry life and short, than to take pains and care all his lifetime; and the thief likewise with the robber.

8th. It is he also who tells the whoremongers and drunkards, that so many people are in these practices, because it is natural for people to be so overcome: but he doth not tell them that by nature all are children of wrath, and that without this lustful nature be overcome, there is no salvation. Eph. ii. 3.

9th. It is he that tells the swearers, they are so used to it, that it is impossible for them to leave it off. He never bids them repent and forsake, that they might find mercy with God and Christ that died for them; but died not that they should live in sin.

10th. It is he that tells the covetous, it is good to be saving, and not to spend all his substance in gluttony

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