fhe was in hopes would have been the cafe when the price for admiffion was raised to balf a crown: But fince this has not had the wifhed-for effect, and Tradefmens wives will still imitate their betters, and intrude themselves among people of fashion, the often comes home just ready to faint, and declares, that though the room was fo crouded, the could fcarcely ftir, yet there was hardly a treature there* A violent Rout is Lucinda's averfion, yet fhe dearly loves a fnug private party of four or five tables; but notwithstanding fhe is immenfely fond of Cribbidge, fhe never touches af Card in the Paffion-week, nor the night before the Communion; and does not much chufe to play either Wednesdays or Fridays in Lent, when the can avoid it confiftently with good manners §. Lucinda *Though I doubt not but Lucinda has often read St Paul's Epiffle to Titus, yet I beg leave to remind her that one of the diftinguishing characters there given of Chriftian wives is, that they are KEEPERS AT HOME. Tit.ii. 5. § What is Lucinda's reason for abstaining from Card-playing at these feafons, but because she is confcious of the ftrange impropriety of fuch an employment for those who are called upon to redeem the time, because the days are evil? Eph. v. 15. and to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift? 2 Pet. iii. 18. Moreover, though the is fo warm an advocate for this way of confuming her leisure hours, yet fhe would dread the thought of being fummoned before the judgment-feat of Chrift with a pack of cards in her hands, well knowing that in fuch circumstances she would have little reason to hope that the Bridegroom had found her watching, with her lamp trimmed, and her oil burning: Matt. xxv. Lucinda has read Triftram Shandy, but fo far from approving of it, is greatly difcomposed at the general fatisfaction it gives to almost all forts of people; and declares, that it is a fad fign of the depravity of the times, when Clergymen are preferred and patronized for writing indecent books. But if the wickedness of the age caufes Lucinda fuch deep concern, the prefent growth of Enthufiafm affords her no lefs matter of regret; infomuch that oftentimes when she is at Cards, fhe will hold forth between the Deals, upon the neceffity of keeping a proper medium in Religion; but, "forfooth, people now-a-days, must be either Saints or Devils; though for her own part she is contented to go on in the good old way, and is not fo precife and ftrait-laced, but that She can ferve God, and take her innocent amusements very well." Lucinda has now and then fome twinges of confcience, but these are presently filenced by reflecting how much more religious fhe is, than any of her acquaintance; and by calling to mind her duties; or if this will not do, another chapter in the Bible, and fomewhat extraordinary to the first Beggar fhe meets, prefently fets all to-rights again. Such is Lucinda, and is the not quite a good creature? yet if her Religion is to be tried at the bar of God's word, fhe may with as much juftice suppose that she ferved in quality of a foot-foldier during the laft campaign in Germany, or that fhe fought in a coat of mail against the Saracens in the holy holy wars, as that fhe is now clothed with the whole armour of God (x); that her life is a spiritual warfare, and the herself a good foldier of Jefus Chrift, who endureth hardness, and is not entangled with the things of this present evil world (y). She may as well imagine that she is taking a pilgrimage with the Turks to Mahomet's tomb at Mecca, or with the Papifts to the Virgin Mary's houfe at Loretto, as that fhe is now living like a Stranger and pilgrim upon earth; looking for a city that bath foundations, whofe builder and maker is God (z). She may with equal propriety believe that she has been all her life long laid in a coffin, or wrapt up in a winding-sheet; as that he is now dead to the world, and her life hid with Chrift in God (a). In fhort, fhe has just as much reason to fancy herself already a glorified Saint in heaven, as that there is any poffibility of her arriving there as fhe goes on at present: Yet how many fouls are building their hopes of falvation upon fuch a religion as Lucinda's? and for no other reafon in the world, but because they fee others, that are looked upon as excellent Chriftians, going on in the same way, and in the fame wretched delusion with themselves: whereas if they would candidly fearch the Scriptures, I question not but they would find their ftate condemned in almost every page of the Gofpel: For the Lord feeth not as man feeth; for man looketh at the (x) Eph. vi. 11, 12, &c. (y) 2 Tim. ii. 3, 4(a) Col. iii. 3. the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart (b). Some people will perhaps cry out, Surely this is talking very uncharitably, for at this rate how few will be faved? But they cannot tell what they mean, except they would have us make God a liar; and in order to lull our poor fellow-creatures into the fatal dream of carnal fecurity, affert, that he will admit them into heaven upon terms contrary to thofe laid down in his own Word. That found pillar of our excellent Church, Bishop Hall, in his Character of a real Chriftian, has these words; "I would it were uncharitable to say, there are many Profeffors, few Chriftians; if words and "forms might carry it, Chrift would have clients enough." Our bleffed Saviour affures us, that broad is the way, and wide is the gate, that leadeth to deftruction, and many there be that go in thereat; and, that narrow is the way, and ftrait is the gate, that leadeth to life, and few there be that find it (c): Yet how composedly do many perfons repeat these awakening paffages, who at the fame time are confirming the truth of them; and though perhaps they live in no outward enormities, do nevertheless fwim with the ftream, till they fall into the gulph of endless mifery. But if we allow our Saviour to speak truth in thefe places, we can have no more terrible proof of our being in the way that leads to deftruction, than when we are doing as the generality (6) 1 Sam. xvi. 7. H (c) Matt, vii, 13, 14. rality of the world do ; nor can we have any better evidence of our being in the right way, than when we are refolved to act contrary to the torrent of cuftom, and are regardless of being thought particular; concerning which Satan's inftruments, in order to affright God's children from their obedience, talk fo learnedly in their Lectures upon the neceffity of a prudent compliance with the world. Again, when we are told in Scripture, that the kingdom of heaven fuffereth violence, and that the violent take it by force (d); that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven (e); that whoever will come after Chrift, must deny himself, and take up his crofs daily, and follow him (f); that many are called, but few chofen (g); that the righteous are fcarcely faved (b); that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of heaven (i); and, that many fhall feek to enter in, and fhall not be able (k). I fay, when we read thefe, and other texts of the like nature, we muft needs imagine, that it is not fo eafy a matter to get to heaven as many people are apt to fancy, who feem to have found out quite a new road thither, very different from that frait narrow way, to which our Saviour has directed us, and in which whofoever now dares to walk, will be told that he is righteous over-much, and (d) Matt. xi. 12. (b) 1 Pet. iv. 18. (e) Matt. xix. 24. (i) Acts xiv. 22. |