Page:On the providence of God in the government of the world.pdf/8

 continual cares, patiently undergo the most slavish, be guilty of the vilest actions, do any thing, endure any thing, to leave their posterity more  and a higher place; and yet, if some of them may  believed, they desire neither riches nor honour for themselves: they talk of the world like philosophers: a  is enough for all the necessities and all the delights  nature; a retired life is the most pleasant and the  secure; to sit always at a feast is but to be always  to surfeits, and, from numerous attendance  is more trouble and danger then useful service.

Now, if the desire to leave their posterity great this fine talk signify nothing, and forces them, notwithstanding into all the troubles, and dangers, and temptations to which covetous and ambitious men are ; let them consider this way of Providence, and if they believe it, it will cure them of that diseased temper of  for which their philosophy, though true, proves an insufficient remedy: they will be convinced, that a little left  their children, with all the blessings that attend upon  and faithfulness, and justice and charity, is a better inheritance than the greatest fortunes with a curse: that the biggest heap of treasure is but a poor provision, if, whilst the Father lays up the grains of oppression, 'God lays up his iniquity for his children.' Job xxi. 19.

Secondly, Prosperity or affliction happens to the children from the virtues or sins of the parents, by the laws of men. A man sees himself entering into possession of the honour and wealth of his ancestors, and rejoices in the blessings of his family which he was born to inherit; but suddenly he finds his condition changed, the descent of the honour of his house intercepted, the estate confiscated, and the blood tainted; and all this, not for his own sin but for the sin of his father. This proceeding of the law is prudent, because many men are so desperate, that no consideration of themselves can restrain them from mischief, and yet such men are afraid to ruin their posterity, and by that fear, are withheld from the greatest mischief. And this proceeding is not only prudent, but just, because the reason of the public good hath a title in all men's humours and estates antecedent and