abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things and an evil man c. The Psalmist giveth the ungodly man a black brand saying God is not in all his thoughts Ps 10.4 and let it be for an humiliation and lamentation that God is no more in the hearts and Months of the best amongst us Secondly Having laid down a little and but a little of the Tongues Unruliness in reference to God it is sinful silence neither speaking much to Gods nor of God which is its greivous miscarriage by way of omission Let some enquiry be made after the Tongues positive guilt by way of Commission 2. Commission it 's speaking irreverently lightly or prophanely and that in reference to God and so speaking too much of God For instance First 1 Titles abused There is a frequent abuse of the Titles and Attributes of God in our common discourse saying O Lord O God O Christ O Jesu O dear God O sweet Saviour and the like and this upon very trifling occasion as when one meets an acquaintance unexpectedly out flye these words or the like and usher in no more but an how dost thou who thought to see thee here to day or a whence comest thou or whither art thou going Is not this to play with Sacred things and to take the name of the Lord our God in vain A question also may be whether when we hear onesneeze to cry God bless you or Christ help you be a bounden duty which upon this occasion God requires at our hands It s the judgment of a worthy Writer of this Nation who was no dishonour to the Nation that there is more cause with us to pray for a man Coughing than Sneezing for Coughing argueth the Cold taken to be too strong for Nature to eject it but sneezing sheweth Natures strength in mastering the Cold taken and casting of it out When I was young as I remember I read it in the French Academy that Sneezing was a good sign of a bad cause of natures strength though cold were taken Adde also this question Whether to apply the incommunicable Attributes of God as Allmighty Infinite and the like to persons or things here below as to say I love or hate such a person or thing infinitely might not such language well be spared Secondly 2 Scriptures abused The Tongue trips and falls foully when it makes bold with Scriptures using or abusing rather the phrase and language of it in jesting to provoke mirth in Company 1 In jesting or in wresting it to maintain erronious opinions as seducers do I grant that there is a facetiousness a witty cheariness in discourse which being well ordered may not onely be lawful but a duty yet to jest it in the words of Scripture as when asked why did not you come at such a time to such a place as you promised To answer merrily saying I have a Farm c. I pray you have me excused or I have a Wife and could not come and an hundred the like expressions which the Devil and prophane wits of men can forge and fancy surely this way of tossing the word of God to and fro falls within the Compass of that jesting which the Apostle saith Eph. 5.4 is not Convenient The Original word used which the Philosophers ranked among one of their vertues the Holy Apostle puts in the Catalogue of vices as fornication covetousness foolish talking Vers 3. and jesting Talking scurrilously and lasciviously is alwayes bad enough especially when cloathed with Scripture Language that is a breach of many commands together Jesting in Scripture phrases is inbeseeming the gravity and fanctity of Christianity Remember it is ill jesting with edged Tooles such surely is the word of God yea Heb. 4.12 it 's sharper than any two edged sword Againe the holy Word of God is miserably abused and prophaned 2 In wresting the Scripture in the wresting and misapplying it to the countenancing and patronizing of errors and heresies or of vicious words and practices 2 Pet. 3.16 This the Apostle Complains of saying That in Pauls Epistles are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction Unlearned and unstable Ignorance is the Root of instability Againe ignorance and instability are the Mother and Nurse of most or all the corrupt opinions and wayes which are taken up and walked in by the mistaken children of men and one great Engine which Satan useth in his seductions is the wresting misconstruing and the misapplying the Holy Scriptures making men believe that the Spirit of God speaketh that in the word which indeed never was at all the meaning of the Holy Ghost The word in the Original significantly points at this alluding to tormentors who lay men on the Rack and make them to speak that which they never meant or thought so that this wresting is to torment and rack the Scriptures and which is dreadfull to think all this is to their own destruction As if a man sadly distempered walking in a pleasant Spring or Grove should cut up a young Twig and be twisting and twining of it till he had made a with of it and then go and hang himself therein Thus the Sabbath breakâ—… who profane the day by idleness The Sabbath breaker 〈◊〉 speaking their own words by finding their own pleasure upon Gods holy day if rebuked will plead saying Mar. 2.27 The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath Thus the greedy worldlings The worldling Amos. 2 7. Hab. 2.6 who pant after the dust of the Earth and all the day long are lading themselves with thick Clay mind nothing but Earth Earth Earth if questioned why do ye thus why spend ye your strength for that which is not Bread and labour for that which will not satisfie they have a ready answer 1 Tim. 5.8 If any provide not for his own and specially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel The Glutton Phil. 3.19 Luk. 16.19 Thus the gluttons and voluptuous Epicures of our Age who make their bellies their gods faring deliciously every day who care for nothing but to eat the fat and drink the sweet if a reason of this their brutish sensuality be demanded They 'l presently tell you Eccl. 2.24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and that he should make his soulenjoy goâ—… his labour The worst of sinners Yea the worst of sinners 〈◊〉 on swearers drunkards adulterers lyers cheaters and such like will wrest and pervert Scriptures to their own delusion obduration and destruction 3 By swearing 3. The Tongues of men grow black and bloody with Oathes of several sorts and sizes 1. Blasphemous Oathes by the parts and
which number was Mr Staunton he was of his mind that said Praestatar are quam saltare die sabbathi Aug. It was better to work them sport to plow then Dance on the Sabbath Day he would rather loose his place then countenance such a practise amongst his people During his suspension he took his degree of Doctor in Divinity in Oxford which he did to use his own words that he might put the greater honour upon his sufferings when he answered in Comitiis and opposed in Vesperiis he was wonderfully applauded by all that were present There were several Doctors in the University whose fingers did itch to be dealing with him because he was a Country Minister and a Puritan amongst which was a Doctor whose name I shall conceale though a man of great note amongst them who was so miserably nonplust by Staunton that the Auditors hiss'd at him and one call'd out for a Candle that the Doctor might see his Arguments of this good Providence Staunton himself takes thankful notice giving all the glory to God making use of that Scripture him that honoureth me I will honour At that time also he Preacht in the University upon those words of Christ in Mar. 8.36 What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his own soule c. of which Sermon he sayes He was call'd on to preach several times before the Parliament and his sermons ordered to be Printed That God did both graciously assist him in the Preaching of it and wonderfully prosper it when Preacht When the Assembly of Divines was call'd at Westminster Dr. Staunton was chosen one of that Reverend Assembly and was in good esteem amongst them insomuch that he was nominated for one of the six the Pâ—â—â—cht that useful Lecture morning by â—…ng in Westminster Abby In the year 1648 there were Visitors appointed for the University of Oxford who discharg'd Dr Newlin from his headship in C. C. C. and no man was thought so fit to succeed in that place as Dr. Staunton That Colledge had been happy in an eminently Learned and Godly President before the famous Doctor John Reynolds and now it was blest againe with the residence and regency of this excellent person what Colledge in either of the Universities can shew such another pair of Governours Here he continued above twelve years in all which time his behaviour was very exemplary not onely to those that were of his own Colledge but to the heads of other Colledges in that University Be pleased to take a short account of his Conversation from the Pen of one that was Scholar and Fellow of the House the greatest part of the time that he was President Thus he Writes At his first coming to the Colledge he put in execution and that vigorously all such Statutes as tended most to the advancement of Learning and Religion and was frequently himself present at all Lectures and other Exercises to encourage the Studious and reprehend the negligent He set up a Divinity Lecture every Lords Day early in the Morning in the Colledge Chappel for the initiating and exercising the Elder Students in order to the work of the Ministry He constantly Catechis'd the younger sort publiquely in the Chappel every Saturday He preacht once or twice every Lords Day to the edification and comfort of many besides his constant course in the Vniversity Church and Colledge Chappel and several lectures in the Country whereunto he was alwayes most ready rather seeking opportunities then declining them He had every week a meeting at his own lodgings for prayer and spiritual Conference as well of the members of the Colledge as others wherein himself alwayes bore the principal part bringing forth out of his store of experimental knowledg things new and old He was constantly present in publique duties of worship in the Chappel morning and evening observing all and reproving any that were negligent and remiss He took great care to introduce and elect into the Colledge such as he either saw or heard to have some appearances of grace at least such as were docible and inclineable towards that which is good Spiritual discourse was his meat and drink and when he sat at meals in the Colledge Hall his constant course was either from the Chapter then Read or from some occasion or other to speak that which might tend to the instruction of those who were present and to call up their minds to some heavenly contemplation In the year 1660. Being discharged from the Colledge where he had been so eminent a blessing by his prudent government and Pious example and none know this so well as such whose lot was cast to live there under his constant instruction and discipline 2 Tim. 3.10 11. both which were so far effectual that Religion and Learning scarce flourished more in any one Society in the whole Vniversity then in that little Nursery he reckoned it adviseable to withdraw also from the City in which he had sown many handfuls of precious seed and he always well watered it with his tears few that I ever heard of Preached with greater Affection and less Affectation But when the time of his departure came there are living that still know and remember with what sad hearts his dear Friends Scholars and Citizens parted with him Some have assured me it was much-what like Paules departure from Ephesus taking his last leave of the Elders Acts 20. latter end Where they all wept fore and fell on Pauls neck and kissed him sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake that they should see his face no more and they accompanied him out of the City From the Famous University and City Recommending of himself unto the Divine Providence to fix the Bounds of his habitation for him his first flight was to Rickmersworth a small Market Town in Hertfordshire where he had not been long but he had a very kind welcome both from the Gentry as a Gentleman and other good Christians of inferiour rank as a Minister of Jesus Christ His first and chief design when a little acquainted in the place was to make way for the settlement of an able Minister of the New Testament there reckoning that one of the best accommodations of a house was wanting when such a Minister was wanting and he used to say That Rickmersworth were a good place if there were better water meaning a better Minister there and that the design took no effect was not through any default of his all means being used on his part for the bringing that purpose to pass but however he quickly found the way to that Pulpit himself and because the entrance being narrower there then in some places he sought out a wider door and more effectuall and I believe it may be affirmed he found above twenty more scarce one Sabbath passing wherein he Preached not the Gospel of the kingdome in a new Pulpit and his paines though an old man and somewhat infirm in
the mercies we receive all these do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slip out of our minds as water out of a Colander or sive What a furtherance this is to faith and love and thankfulness they best know who accustome themselves to it This was the ancient practise of Gods people and it was his wont and manner Of the many collections of this kind in his manuscript take these few instances When I was about ten years of Age being sick of a feavour and given up for dead of mine own accord I think my good God suggesting it I askt for butter-milk which taking by little and little my feavour abated and I recovered When about 14 years old swinging in a rope in my Fathers Kitchin at Birchmore which was paved with free-stone and of an high roof which I endeavouring to touch with back and belly when I was very high and my face downward the rope broke I fell down flat and there lay as dead and speechless but anon the Lord appearing for my help I brake out into a violent bleeding at mouth or nose or both and so by degrees through the blessing of the Lord revived and recovered Going to bed in my Tutors Chamber at Oxford and having a Wax Candle in a Roll burning by me I fell a sleep and left it burning on a deal box full of Linnen the box and Linnen was burned but the bed not toucht though close to it c. When I was Minister of Kingston I drank Ink one morning instead of Muscadine yet had no hurt April 8. 59. at Oxford my Wife being in her closet very late which was hung with much Linnen round about and I in bed and a sleep in the chamber adjoyning the Candle taking hold of the Linnen set it on fire which flamed round about her she the Lord assisting of her bestir'd her self pull'd down the linnen trod it underfoot masterd the fire I was not waked nor she much dammaged Feb. 1. 1666. At the Bell Inne in Aldersgate-street London between eight and nine of the Clock at night missing the way to my Chamber I went upon the Leads unrailed pitching my staffe before me I went so nigh the precipice or downfal into the yard that I found no roome for my staff but a step between me and death Oh what shall Irender c. There are many more of this sort but this may serve for a tast Whilst thou readest resolve to imitate and write after this Copy 3. His laboriousness in the Ministry of the word The next commendable excellency of this holy man which I shall mention was his diligence and laboriousness in preaching the Gospel Some hints of this you had before Minister verbi es hoc age Perk. his great care was to fulfill the Ministry he had received of the Lord his heart was in this work he did hoc agere this was his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was his meat and drink He would often say he feard to hear that rebuke from Christ another day thou wicked and slothfull servant Mat. 25.26 There is no difference betwixt nequam nequaquam an evil and an idle servant wicked because slothfull When he came to visit his friends if they did not aske to be sure he would offer his paines amongst them What he would say is there no work here for a Preacher and though his Sermons were sometimes offer'd they were never ordinary ware He never offer'd that to God in that way which cost him nothing T is said of Mr. Perkins that his Sermons were not so plain but the piously learned did admire them nor so learned but the plain and simple did understand them he alwayes disliked immethodical indigested Preaching indeed he was a workman that needed not to be ashamed of his work and yet he was as great an enemy to quaint as he was to crude Preaching next to painfulness he lik'd plainness in a Preacher these two are not inconsistent Ministers are termed Gods Interpreters yet many times their Sermons are such that they need others to be their interpreters Many when they Preach shoot over the heads as one sayes of most of their hearers Aug. de doct Ghr. l. 4. c. 17. that is no intelligent Preacher that the hearers cannot understand they are not alwayes low in learning that stoop to the capacity of their Auditors Some say that the life of Preaching lies in the application and here indeed he was ever most lively in admonitions and exhortations he was so affectionate as he would not impart the Gospel only 1 Thes 2.8 but his very soul also to his Auditory He was called the searching Preacher This I have observed that in every Sermon he would speak something still by way of Tryal and Examination ever and anon he would have his markes of distinction betwixt the precious and the vile the sincere person and the Hypocrite This story he tells himself That having a suspition of one man in his parish who made a great profession of Religion and often thinking of him in his distinctions that very person afterwards came to him and sayd You will never leave distinguishing till you distinguish me into Hell I have related already how successful and acceptable his Ministry was where ever he came onely here give me leave to insert one passage The Doctor Preaching once at Warborough not far from Oxford one in the Congregation was so affected with his first Prayer that he ran to his house which was near and told his wife that she should make her ready and come to Church for there was one in the Pulpit that prayed like an Angel so as he never heard the like The woman hastned away with her husband and God so ordered it that that Sermon proved a means of her Conversion and she proved afterwards a serious and eminent Christian 4. His familiarity with the Holy Scripture He was familiarly acquainted with the Scriptures of the old and new Testament as Apollo he was mighty therein This is praise worthy in all Christians especially Ministers Bonus Textuarius est bonus Theologus his head was instead of a Concordance I have wondred to see how readily he could turn to any Text. He greatly loved the word and therefore could not easily forget it he loved it more then maids do their ornaments Omnia quae curant senes meminerunt Ter-Josephus sayes that the devout Jewes if they were askt concerning any point in the law they could answer it as readily as their own name Ps 119.24 Aug. Ad Volusian Ep. 1. Ep. 3. Juro tibi Petrache multo mihi chariores esse scripturas quam regnum si alterutro mihi carendum sit aequanimius me Diademate quam scripturis carendum Rob. R. Sicil. which continually run in their minds The Testimonies of God they were his delight and the men of his councel he read and meditated therein night and day Where-ever he went he carried the New Testament or
their studies so to see it reverently performed and that the whole Society came duly together Every Lords day in the Evening when the whole House met to offer up their Sacrifice of praise and prayer he examined the younger sort calling them to account about what they had heard that day which was a likely means to engage them to the greater attention in hearing and to make the truths by their pondering them sink the deeper into their hearts He took great pains to instruct them of the lower rank in the grounds of Religion calling them one day in the Week into the Chappel where he opened and explained the great and weighty Truths of Christianity to them endeavouring still not only to inform their judgments but to make the truths reach their hearts Whereas the Founder required that the Fellows and Scholars should at such a standing as was said before be ordained to the Ministry he with the consent of such of the Fellows as were impowered by Statute to make orders for the good of the Society decreed That all of such a standing or above should preach every Lords day in the morning by course in the College Chappel before the publick Sermon in the Vniversity By this means they who were designed for the Work of the Ministry might first prove and improve their own abilities And secondly approve themselves to others to be men apt to teach which is one of the qualifications required in the Apostolical Canons in them that are to be called to the Pastoral office Fifthly and lastly besides the Conference which he had often in his own Lodgings about Soul-matters and Communion in the Lords Supper in the College Chappel where he himself did administer and many of the House with others from abroad were partakers he was often discoursing with such of the Society as came to him about any business in such a manner as tended to the promoting of Holiness for he seldom let them depart without some instruction admonition or hearty counsel They especially who by reason of their place and standing were most about him received great benefit by conversing with him For his heart taught his mouth and added learning to his lips When a portion of the Scripture was read at Dinner as is usual he did not only cause altum silentium and reverent attention through the Hall that all might feed their Souls while they were feeding their Bodies but the Chapter ended if there were any difficult places in it he either propounded them to the Fellows that sate at the Table with him to be unfolded by them or else opened and unfolded them himself if it contained practical matter it was a pleasant thing to see and hear how he who applied his heart to the knowledge of God and kept his words and Laws within him had them withall fitted in his lips He lived to see some fruit of his Labours to his great joy and contentment for a competent number of them who were educated ab origine under his care became Learned well-disposed and pious men I cannot refrain but must mention one of them viz. Mr. Joseph Alleine late Minister of the Gospel at Taunton in Somersetshire for as he was a great comfort to this holy man while he continued in the College so it did revive him to hear for he was often enquiring after such as had been of his House as a father after his children that he proved so eminently pious and useful a man in the Church of God But had he lived to see the Relation of his Life now published since his Death he would have fallen into an extasie of joy And I have so much charity for some that were instrumental about his great Sufferings and often Imprisonments as to believe that if they would please to read the Relation aforesaid wherein both Conformists and Nonconformists agree to give him an high testimony for his great parts Learning peaceable spirit quiet deportment zeal of the right kind with ardent love to God and man extending to the worst of his enemies their hearts would smite them for giving so good a man so much trouble however he is now where the weary are at rest Job 3.17 We have seen how vigilant and industrious a Governour this worthy man was in his College he was also one who in compassion to mens souls took every opportunity when at home to Preach in or near the City One of the Impropriations belonging to the College about seven Miles distant having but a small stipend before his time not sufficient to afford a subsistence to an able man to labour and watch among the people for the good of their souls he first went himself afterward he desired some of the Senior Fellows to go over by course and Preach unto the people which desire of his they readily complied with for some time till the Lease of the Impropriation came to be renewed when upon the Presidents proposal the Fellows consented either much to abate or wholly remit the Fine requiring in lieu thereof a competent Sum to be paid yearly to encourage an able man to labour constantly among them When the Affairs of the College called him forth into places remote from the Vniversity he was alwayes ready to take any opportunity to do good to the souls of men One who hath rode many hundred Miles in company with him hath alwayes observed his deportment in all places and toward all persons to be such as became an heavenly minded Christian and a true Minister of Christ When he was riding on the way Deut. 6.7 he entertained his company with heavenly discourse and as variety of Objects did present themselves to him he alwayes drew excellent matter out of them glorifying God for the power wisdom and goodness which appeared in the Works of Greation and Providence Psal 104.24 As he passed by such as were about their occasions in the Fields he would many times make an halt and enter into a short discourse with them He would first ask them some ordinary question such as Travellers use to ask and then take an occasion from their answer to ask them other questions of more weight and concernment to their Souls leaving alwayes some serious word with them at parting for them to ruminate upon And I am persuaded that there are many who never saw his face nor he theirs but thus in transitu that have blest God for him When he came to his Lodging either in a publick or private house as he had a better advantage there so he constantly made good use of it for the glory of God and the edification of whatever company he was cast upon He had an excellent gift and rare faculty beyond what I did ever observe in any man beside to improve discourse so as to make it not only pleasant to those with whom he did converse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but very profitable to their souls aiming still at the last as the mark which
up their wits and busying their minds to find out the meaning of his riddle that mirth which carries this design the profit of our selves or others is lawful and laudable 3. 3 To make way for what is serious To facilitate the passage for rebukes or advice serious and weighty which with some go down smoother in a merry word then in plain and downright language so that cheariness of speech helps to gild over and sweeten the bitter Pills of reproof and counsel which are therein swallowed down no stob made but taken better in a jest than in earnest This way of dealing with others in ironical language is frequent in the Scriptures of the old and new Testament Solomon Rejoyce O young man c. and since you are so wilful and heady heed no advice that is given to you go on take your course see what will come on it But know that for all these things God will bring thee to judgment Eccl. 11.9 Take one of many in the new Testament Paul saw the Corinthians were a proud conceited people though Christians and good for the main see how he taunts them 1 Cor. 4.8 Now ye are full now ye are rich ye have reigned as Kings without us and all in an holy loving ironie 3. 3 Attended with affections Our civil mirth as it must be well seasoned well designed so also must it be well attended with suitable affections and such Christian graces as the present occasion calls for To instance in a few particulars 1. 1 Fear There should be in our greatest and highest mirth an holy fear and awfull dread of God upon our spirits merriment is a kind of boiling liquor will soon run over if not well watched and looked unto we should rejoyce in the Lord yet with fear and trembling Psal 2.11 and when we express our inward joy by outward mirth be it in feasting and dayes of thanksgiving yet still with fear and trembling It is laid by the Apostle and charged as a crime upon those seducing teachers that they did feed themselves without fear Jude 12. To feed without any fear of God or reverence to the Church the Saints with whom they did eat all their Love Feasts is Bezas note upon the place 2. 2 Sympathy With Christian Sympathy being duely sensible of and deeply laying to heart the miseries of others especially the distresses of Zion at home or abroad Amos 6.5 6 7. To chant it to the sound of the viol and drink wine in bowles but not to be grieved for the afflictions of Joseph is a provocation threatned and plagued with desolation Therefore shall they go captive with the first that go Captive c. 3. 3 Sorrow With godly sorrow mourning for the sin whilst we rebuke the sinner Love to God and our neighbours and our selves will ingage us in both mourning and rebuking also and without this all our Civil mirth will end in heaviness Prov. 14.13 Having laid down directions for the well managing of Christian Conference in the actual exercise of it and that both negatively and positively let me adde 3 Direction in Transition A third Direction which is by witty yet wise transitions to pass and slip off from common discourse into discourses more serious and spiritual As 1. From the words of others of others Our Lord Jesus Christ hath pattern'd and fairly copied this out to us by his own example Joh. 4.6.15 He being weary sat down on Jacobs well and presently a woman of Samaria coming out to draw water Christ glides into a gracious discourse with her about living water the water of life which he himself was Again having rebuked his Carnal hearers who followed him for the loaves sake he passeth into a holy and large discourse touching the bread of life which he himself was so preaching the Gospel from place to place So when Simon Peter was astonished at the draught of Fishes Christ said to him From henceforth thou shalt catch men Luk. 5.9 10. I might be very large herein But why all this surely for our imitation that we might go and do likewise When others are speaking of buying and selling what good penny-worths they had mind them of buying the truth and not selling it and of buying wine and milk Christ his Spirit grace and glory and that without price and without mony Isa 55.1 the best bargain that can possibly be made and the best penniworth that Earth or Heaven it self affordeth If the talk be what good news is stirring put in saying the Gospel the glad-tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ is the best newes which ever was told to or heard by mankind since the world was If the stream of discourses run concerning great feasts that any have made or been at what fat Venison they had what plenty of the best wines they drank of turn the stream and speak of that royal Princely feast made by the King of Kings and that for all his subjects by Christ for believers A feast of fat things full 〈◊〉 marrow of wine upon the lees well refined Isa 25.6 Math. 22.2 10. When we hear others talking of fair houses and stately buildings let it draw out our discourse concerning that building of God that house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens 2. Cor. 5.1 If of the Citie rebuilding which work the Lord prosper then speak of Abraham how he and all believers the spiritual seed of Abraham looked for a City which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11.10 If the discourse be touching the vast estate and revenues that such or such an one is possessed of or heir apparent to so many hundred or thousand pounds per annum then declare how the poorest Saint outvies and outweighs the greatest Prince King or Emperour yea all of them laid together for he is born to an inheritance incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for tihm 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. All worldly inheritances are corruptible as the world it self is but the inheritance of the Saints incorruptible and abideth for ever worldly â—â—heritances are usually much defiled both in the getting and keeping of them in ways sinful when restitution is not made of what was ill gotten when God is not honoured with their substance c. either for the maintenance of an able Ministery or for the relief of the poor but rather spending their estate upon their lusts pride gluttony drunkenness gaming whoring c. but still the inheritance of the Saints is undefiled both in the getting and keeping of it by the purchase and mediation of Jesus Christ and the Saints using of it which will be in the glorifying of God with it and for it for ever and ever yet again all worldly inheritances fade away but the inheritance of the Saints fades not away as flowers do or as the Laurels did with which the Victors in the Olympick games were crowned which though green when