8. “But you have no friend: none, at least, that is able to help you.” Indeed you have: one that is a present help in time of trouble. You have a friend that has all power in heaven and earth, even Jesus Christ the righteous. He loved sinners of old: and he does so still. He then suffered the publicans and harlots to come unto him. And one of them washed his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. I would to God _you_ were in her place! Say, Amen! Lift up your heart, and it shall be done. How soon will he say, “Woman be of good chear! Thy sins which are many, are forgiven thee.――Go in peace. Sin no more. Love much; for thou hast much forgiven.”
9. Do you still ask, but what shall I do for ♦bread? For food to eat, and raiment to put on? I answer, in the name of the Lord God, (and mark well! His promise shall not fail) seek thou first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto thee.
♦ “read” replaced with “bread”
Settle it first in your heart, whatever I have or have not, I will not have everlasting burnings. I will not sell my soul and body for bread: better even starve on earth than burn in hell. Then ask help of God. He is not slow to hear. He hath never failed them that seek him. He who feeds the young ravens that call upon him, will not let you perish for lack of sustenance. He will provide, in a way you thought not of, if you seek him with your whole heart. O let your heart be toward him: seek him from the heart. Fear sin, more than want, more than death. And cry mightily to him who bore your sins, till you have bread to eat, that the world knoweth not of; till you have angels food, even the love of God, shed abroad in your heart: till you can say, now I know that _my_ Redeemer liveth, that he hath loved _me_ and given himself for _me_: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God!
A WORD to a SMUGGLER.
I. “WHAT is _smuggling_?” It is the _importing_, _selling_, or _buying_ of _run goods_: that is, those which have not paid the duty appointed by law to be paid to the king.
1. _Importing run goods._ All _smuggling vessels_ do this with an high hand. It is the chief, if not the whole business of these, to bring goods which have not paid duty.
2. Next to these are all _sea captains_, _officers_, _sailors_, or _passengers_, who import any thing without paying the duty which the law requires.
3. A third sort of smugglers are all those, who _sell_ any thing which has not paid the duty.
4. A fourth sort, those who _buy_ tea, liquors, linen, handkerchiefs, or any thing else which has not paid duty.
II. “But why should they not? _What harm_ is there in it?”
1. I answer, _open smuggling_ (such as was common a few years ago, on the southern coasts especially) is robbing on the highway: and as much harm as there is in this, just so much there is in smuggling. A smuggler of this kind is no honester than an highwayman. They may shake hands together.
2. _Private smuggling_ is just the same with picking of pockets. There is full as much harm in this as in that. A smuggler of this kind is no honester than a pickpocket. These may shake hands together.
3. But open smugglers are _worse_ than common highwaymen, and private smugglers are _worse_ than common pickpockets. For it is undoubtedly worse to rob _our father_, than one we have no obligation to. And it is worse still, far worse, to rob a good father, one who sincerely loves us, and is at that very time doing all he can, to provide for us, and to make us happy. Now this is exactly the present case. King George is the father of all his subjects: and not only so, but he is a good father. He shews his love to them on all occasions: and is continually doing all that is in his power, to make his subjects happy.
4. An honest man therefore would be ashamed to ask, where is the harm in robbing such a father? His own reason, if he had any at all, would give him a speedy answer. But _you_ are a Christian: are you not? You say, you believe the bible. Then I say to _you_, in the name of God, and in the name of Christ, _Thou shalt not steal_. Thou shalt not take what is not thine own, what is the right of another man. But the duties appointed by law are the King’s right, as much as your coat is _your_ right. He has as good a right to them, as _you_ have to this: these are his property, as much as this is yours. Therefore you are as much a thief if you take his duties, as a man is that takes your coat.
5. If you believe the bible, I say to _you_, as our Saviour said to them of old time, _Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto |God| the things that are |God|’s._ If then you mind our Saviour’s words, be as careful to _honour the King_, as to _fear_ God. Be as exact in giving the king, what is due to the king, as in giving God what is due to God. Upon no account whatever rob or defraud him of the least thing which is his lawful property.