Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ... he would have us to keep them for his sake. Abraham and Solomon grew rich in religion. And Job says, that a good man "shall lay up gold as dust." But he must not be such as the men before us, if they be as you have described them. Save-all. I think that we are all agreed in this matter, and therefore there needs no more words about it. Money-love. No, there needs no more words about this matter indeed: for he that believes neither Scripture nor reason (and you see we have both on our side), neither knows his own liberty, nor seeks his own safety. By-ends. My brethren, we are, as you see, going all on pilgrimage, and for our better diversion from things that are bad, give me leave to propound unto you this question: Suppose a man, a minister or a tradesman, &c. should have an advantage lie before him, to get the good blessings of this life, yet so as that he can by no means come by them, except in appearance, at least, he becomes extraordinary zealous in some points of religion that he meddled not with before; may he not use this means to attain his end, and yet be a right honest man? Money-love. I see the bottom of your question; and with these gentlemen's good leave, I will endeavour to shape you an answer: and first, to speak to your question as it concerns a minister himself. Suppose a minister, a worthy man, possessed but of a very small benefice, and has in his eye a greater, more fat and plump by far; he has also now an opportunity of getting it, yet so as by being more studious, by preaching more frequently and zealously, and, because the temper of the people requires it, by altering some of his principles; for my part, I see no reason but a man might do this (provided he has a call); ay, and a great deal more besides, and yet be...