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A35327
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The usefulnesse of spiritual wisdom with a temporal inheritance in a sermon preached March 11th 1688/9 at the entrance of a young man upon his habitation and particular calling / and at his request published by T. Cruso.
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Cruso, Timothy, 1656?-1697.
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1689
(1689)
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Wing C7446; ESTC R30285
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16,384
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34
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reckon'd a greater priviledge than to have Robes washt white in the Blood of the Lamb. Indeed there can be no Righteous Judgment no discerning or approving of things that are excellent where the Love of the World prevails for the mind is alwayes so far blinded by Satan the God of this World that every thing is seen in a false Light. Some men are so fond of being deceiv'd that they seem to please themselves with the fancy of Money answering all things Eccl. 10.19 not considering that though the expression is unlimited it must have a limited signification for our principal wants cannot be supplied by Silver and Gold. 1 Tim. 4.8 Godliness is profitable for all things in the largest sense because it hath the promises of the present and future Life it extends to the relief of our Earthly and our Heavenly part our outward and our inward Man. But there are many calls especially those that are most loud and urgent which Money cannot answer to the hungry and thirsty and naked Soul cannot be fed or satisfied or cloathed by it though in such cases it may assist and refresh the Body Mammon is fit as a Servant to minister to us but cannot be a God to Save us Secondly It affords proper matter of Exhortation Two things ought to be prest as consequent upon what hath been said First Whether Riches increase or decrease do not think of them above what is written If they come in like a floud upon you let not that lift you up if they Ebb and decline as much let not that cast you down Remember still how far the true estimate and value of them will reach that you may not judge your condition bettered by the smiles of Providence nor made worse by its frowns beyond what really it is It it our duty to be thankful when god prospers us in the World and to be contented when he does not but the sinful Lovers of abundance are alwayes least sensible of Gods goodness in bestowing it and yet most impatient whenever he does diminish it In every state therefore bear this upon your thoughts that the having of an Inheritance is not the chiefest good and the loss of it is not the greatest evil Secondly Let Religion be the main business and employment of your Lives Consider that your General Calling as Christians is of more concern than your particular Vocation as Men. Let Spiritual things have the constant precedency to Temporal Matth. 6.33 Seek first the Kingdom and Righteousness of God and then you may chearfully expect that other things will be added unto you The way to obtain every thing in a fit Measure is to seek every thing in the right order Be most careful and sollicitous about the one thing needful before the other many things Luk. 10.41 42. which are of far less importance chuse the good part and do your utmost to secure it 'T is better that your whole worldly portion should be neglected and hazarded than this With all thy gettings says the Wiseman get understanding Prov. 4.7 Without it though you should heap up silver as the dust you are the poorest and most miserable creatures upon Earth and the Apostle's Motto must be inverted if it be transferr'd to you As having nothing indeed 2 Cor. 6.10 when you seem to possess all things Therefore in order to the Acquiring and Improving of Holy wisdom follow these Six Directions Direct 1 First Go to God for it by prayer This is both a necessary and successful means the regular appointed way of receiving every gift which comes down from above There is 't is true a natural humane wisdom which may be increas'd and perfected by a man 's own Industry and there is a fleshly Devilish wisdom which is learn't with too much ease and speed but real saving wisdom is first infused at the New birth and further degrees of it freely communicated afterwards by the spirit of God. Folly is born and bred with us it is bound up in our hearts when we are children grows up with us when we are young men and as we increase in age and stature we increase our foolishness till God renews and enlightens our minds Jam. 1.5 If any of you lack wisdom as there is none that does not let him ask it of God who giveth to all men liberally i. e. to all that ask and upbraideth not and it shall be given him Men that contrive and labour to be rich are not sure that they shall prosper Eccles 9.11 for Bread is not to the wise there is a great uncertainty of event in all such cases but he that cryes after knowledge Prov. 2.3 4 5. and lifts up his voice with his Heart too Heaven for understanding ought to be confident of prevailing he sins if he doubts of his success if he be denyed 't is because he questions his being heard 1 King. 3.11 12 13. God liked Solomon's petition so well that he gave him in answer to it not only good measure but running over both that which he askt and a great deal more Secondly Study and Meditate in the Word This is that which makes the simple wise Psal 19.7 which made David himself wiser than his Enemies notwithstanding their subtilty Psal 119.98 99 100. and his Teachers notwithstanding their Learning and the Ancients notwithstanding their large Experience This made Timothy wise to salvation and he is therefore commended 2 Tim. 3.15 that from a Child he had known the Holy Scriptures The more Men make use of this Lamp the more Light will shine every day into their minds and upon their wayes Those hearts in which the word of Christ dwells most richly contain the greatest Treasures of the best wisdom If Gods Testimonies be your Counsellours and the Bible your Oracle and continual Companion your profiting will appear to all The reason of that damning Ignorance which abounds even in the Reformed Christian World is mens shameful unacquaintedness with the Word of God. Thirdly Chuse the Society of those who are most instructed to the Kingdom of Heaven Converse with the children of Light not with those whose understandings are darkened who love simplicity and love to propagate it who live in errour and would lead others into it He that walketh with wise men Prov. 13.20 shall be wise one spark of Light may help to kindle another But expect not to receive good from those who are evil themselves that saying of our Saviour to the Pharisees is a sufficient discouragement Matth. 12.34 Oh generation of Vipers how can you being evil speak good things Their discourses are not likely to minister Grace but to infect with sin He who is in pursuit of that understanding which is a well spring of Life must not go and seek it among the Dead 'T is dangerous to be their Familiars who are strangers to God. Fourthly Be ready to take the Counsels and reproofs of those