Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 2 · Lecture 22
Lecture XXII. on Psalme 51.1, 2. Aprill 18. 1626.
IT followeth now,2Duty that we proceed to the second duty that we owe unto men. This Doctrine therefore, which hath made knowne unto you the wonderfull goodnesse, and loving kindnesse of the Lord, and the infinitnesse of his tender mercies towards poore miserable sinners, that stand in need of his mercy, must stirre up and provoke us to be good and mercifull to them that stand in need of us. Neither is there any thing in the world, that will have that force, to make us willing to doe good, and to shew mercy unto men, as the true knowledge, and consideration of this, how good and mercifull the Lord hath beene unto us, Luke 6.36. Be ye mercifull (saith our Saviour) as your father also is mercifull, and Matth. 18.33. Shouldst not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had piety on thee? Yea, Mat. 5.45. our Saviour teaching how bountifull and good the Lord is to all sorts of men, perswadeth all his Disciples to be so too, by this argument, that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. As if he should say, there is nothing whereby you may better be knowne to be the children of God, nothing wherein you can more resemble him, then in this willingnesse, and readinesse to do good, and to be beneficiall unto others.
And there be foure things principally commended to us for our imitation in this example of our heavenly father. 1. He is full of the bowells of mercy, apt to pittie them he seeth to be in misery. 2. He is bountifull; and ready to helpe them, and do them good. 3. His bounty is altogether free, and respecteth nothing in them that might move him to it, but onelyonly this that they are in misery, and have need of him. 4. He is apt to do good, not only to them that are in misery but to all, even to all his creatures.
First, we must labour to be tender hearted, and pitifull towards them that are in distresse, and misery. For this is our fathers disposition, as we have heard, Iam. 5.11. He is very pitifull, and of tender mercy. And so must we be, if wee will approve our selves to be his children. Ephes. 4.32. Be ye kinde one to another, and tender hearted. 1 Pet. 2.8. Have compassion one of another, be pitifull. Col. 3.12. Put on (as a beautifull garment that will greatly adorne, and grace your profession) as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, bowels of mercies. They are therefore certainely most unlike to our heavenly father.Applic. 1. That are hard hearted towards the poore, not affected nor moved with their cryes, and miseries. Deut. 15.7. Thou shalt not harden thy heart from thy poore brother. 1 Ioh. 3.17. He that shutteth up his bowels of compassion from his needy brother (as if he should say, when he findeth his heart apt to be moved with compassion, violently restraineth himselfe from it) how dwelleth the love of God in him? We should provoke, and force our selves to it (as we have heard) and not against it. Pro. 21.13. He that stoppeth his eares at the cry of the poore (and striveth not to be affected with it) he also shall cry himselfe (God can make the hardest hearted man cry himselfe) but he shall not be heard. And Pro. 11.17. He that is cruell (to the poore) troubleth his owne flesh. 2. That do the workes of mercy without any mercy at all, without any compassion of heart, toward the misery of them that they doe relieve. But either 1 out of a respect to their owne credit, as the Pharisees, Mat. 6.1, 2. Or 2 out of hypocrisie as Iudas, Ioh. 12.5, 6. Or 3 out of a desire to be rid of them and freed from the noise of their clamour; as the unrighteous judge relieved the poore widow, Luk. 18.5. Where as indeed the mercifulnesse of the heart, from whence that proceedeth which wee do for the poore, is that which graceth our alms-deeds more then the valew of the thing that wee give unto them. Mat. 5.7. Blessed are the mercifull, Esa. 5 8.10. If thou draw out thy soule to the hungry, then shall thy light arise in obscurity and thy darknesse be as the noone day. Iob. 30.25. Was not my soule grieved for the poore?
Secondly, we must not content our selves to pity the poore, but we must also relieve them, and be ready to doe them good. For this is the disposition of our heavenly father. Psal. 146.7.9. He giveth food to the hungry, he relieveth the fatherlesse, and the widow. Yea he is bountifull in his goodnesse to such, Iames 1.5. He giveth to all men as need liberally, and upbraideth not. And so must we do if we will approve our selves to be the children of our heavenly father. And surely there was never any that did find the Lord to be mercifull to them, in the pardon of their sinnes that were not by the spirit of God made mercifull to them that stood in need of them. Psal. 112.4, 5. The righteous man is mercifull, and full of compassion; a good man is mercifull, and lendeth. And verse 9. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poore. Two things there be that do highly commend this duty unto us. 1. That the Lord in his Word hath declared himselfe to be greatly pleased, and delighted with it. Mic. 6.8. What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy? It is a duty that doth greatly grace all other even the best duties that we can performe. Acts 10.4. Thy prayers, and thine almes, are come up for a memoriall before God. Yea it is a duty more pleasing unto God, then any outward duty even of the first table. Mat. 12.7. I will have mercy and not sacrifice. 2. That it is a duty that God hath made greater promises unto then to any other, almost that a Christian can performe. Mat. 5.7. Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtaine mercy. In which respect Solomon saith, Pro. 14.21. He that hath mercy on the poore, happy is he. And three sorts of promises there be which are made unto it. 1. That it shall never hinder nor beggar a man; that that is thus given shall not be lost. See this promise, Pro. 19.17. He that hath pity on the poore, lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given, the Lord will pay him againe. It will returne againe; yea it will returne againe with advantage, and increase. In which respect it is compared, to the casting away of your seed into the ground, 2 Cor. 9.6. He which soweth sparingly shall reape sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reape bountifully. Admit thou dost not find it againe presently, certainely (if thou give thine almes with a good heart) it shall not be lost, thou shalt find it againe one day. Eccl. 11.1. Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many daies. And Psal. 37.26. He is ever mercifull, and lendeth; and his seed enjoyeth the blessing. Yea that that is thus given will bring Gods blessing upon all that wee have besides. Deut. 15.10. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not bee grieved when thou givest unto him; because that for this, the Lord thy God shall blesse thee in all thy work…, and in all thou puttest thine hand unto. Luke 11.41. Give almes of such things as ye have, and behold, all things are cleane unto you. This answereth two objections that usually men make to excuse their uncharitablenesse to the poore.
First, beleeve me I know not how soone I may want my selfe. I answer, Thou art an infidell if thou say so, for God hath said this is the way to keepe thee from want. Pro. 28.27 He th… giveth unto the poore shall not lack.
Secondly, I have children to provide for. I answer, thy children shall not be the poorer for this, if God bee to be beleeved; but on the contrary thy miserablenesse to the poore, is the way to bring Gods curse upon thy selfe, and thy children too. Pro 11.24. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more then is meet, but it tendeth to povertie.
The second sort of promises that are made to this duty are these; that there is nothing we can do that will give us that security of heart, that joy, and comfort against the dayes of common calamity, or against any particular judgement, that may befall our selves, as this will doe, that wee have beene given to the workes of mercy, this will free our hearts from the feare of them. Psal. 112.7, 8. He shall not be afraid of evill tidings, his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord, his heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Iam. 2.13. Mercy glorieth against judgement. For 1 we have a promise there it will give us hope to be delivered from them. Psal. 41.1. Blessed is he that considereth the poore, the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble, or 2 that God will give us strength and comfort in them, Isa. 58.10. If thou draw out thy soule to the hungry, and satisfie the afflicted soule, then shall thy light arise in obscurity, and thy darknesse be as the noone day. As if he had said, the most uncomfortable estate thou canst fall into, shall be comfortable to thee. In which respect Solomon makes this a strong motive to the workes of charity. Eccl. 11.2. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, (be liberall in thine almes) for thou knowest not what evill shall be upon the earth. As if he should say; how soone thou mayst loose all that thou hast. And surely as there is now much evill threatned to our state, by the power, and designes of our bloudy enemies, so if the wisest of Gods Prophets were now alive to direct us, what to do to prevent these evills they would advise us (next to our repentance our teares, and prayers unto God) unto this course as Daniel did that great King, Dan. 4.27. O King, let my counsell be acceptable unto thee, breake off thy sins by righteousnesse (make restitution) and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poore, if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. As if he had said, if any thing will turne away the judgement, this will.
The third and last sort of promises that are made unto this duty are such as concerne the life to come. For this will strongly confirme a man, in the hope of eternall life, if he have beene given to the workes of mercy. In which respect the Apostle calleth it. 1 Tim. 6.19. The laying up for our selves a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternall life. And our Saviour, Luke 16.9. Make you friends of the Mammon of unrighteousnesse, that when ye faile, they may receive you (as faithfull witnesses of your faith) into everlasting habitations. In which respect also in that great day of reckning, when every man shall receive according to his workes, there shall be principall regard had to the workes of mercy. Mat. 25.34—36. Come ye blessed of my father, &c. for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat, &c. And so much for the second point, I told you was to be observed, in this example of our heavenly father.
The third is this, that we must not onelyonly pity them that are in misery, and relieve them too; but we must do it freely also, though the parties we relieve be most unworthy of it.
Some cautions I will premise before I prove this.
First, true it is that the poore in all places are for the most part the most void of grace, and not so miserable in their corporall as in their spirituall estate, as Ieremy spake of them in his time. Ier. 5.4. they are fooli…h (or profane) they know not the way of the Lord, not the judgement of their God. Pro 30.9. Least I be poore, and steale, and take the name of my God in vaine; as if he had said, so do usually poore men.
Secondly, they that can do it, ought to use their utmost endeavour for the reforming of them; and it is the sinne, and shame of this, and all other places that they are born with as they are. That which Solomon speaketh of all children may specially be applyed to the poore, and their children. Pro. 22.15. Foolishnes is bound in the heart of a childe but the rod of correction (the house of correction) shall drive it farre from him.
Thirdly, you that are by office to take care for the poore, ought to enquire into their conditions as well as into their wants, and to put a difference in your almes. Let such as are uncleane, or idle, or such as so soone as you give them a penny will to the ale-house with it presently, let such I say smart for it, let them feele the misery of want a little better. It is the Apostles charge, 2 Thess. 3.10. If any will not worke, let him not eate.
Fourthly, and lastly, We are all bound in our almes to put a difference betweene the poore. Gal 6.10. Let us doe good to all men, especially to them that are of the houshold of faith. Our heavenly father whom we must follow doth so. 1 Tim. 4.10. He is the Saviour (the preserver) of all men, specially of them that beleeve. Such of the poore as feare God, though they seeke not to us, we should seeke out them, as Onesiphorus did Paul, when he was prisoner at Rome. 2 Tim. 1.17. He sought me out diligently, and found me. For that that is done to the least of these is done to Christ. Matth 25.40. Verily I say unto you in as much as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me. And what a comfort may that bee to thee to have releeved Christ? And wee may have more assurance of reward, in the least kindnesse done to such a one, then in all that we doe for other poore. Mat. 10.42. The least thing a man giveth to a poore man in the name of a Disciple, verily I say unto you, (saith our Saviour) he shall in no wise lose his reward. And the Apostle saith, Heb. 6.9, 10. of them that have ministred to the Saints (in the name of Saints hee meaneth) and yet doe minister, that they have better things in them, then can be in an hypocrite, and such as do accompany salvation. Yet though all these things be so, the point I propounded remaineth true, that the wickednesse of the poore should not cause us to shut up our bowells, and be hard-hearted towards them. Marke how the Apostle having spoken of sundry faults of the poore. 2. Thess. 3. inferreth this exhortation, vers. 13. But yee brethren be not weary in well doing. As if he should have sayd, their lewdnesse will weary, and dishearten you, if you take not heed. Let us therefore looke to our pattern. Luke 6.36. Be ye mercifull, as your heavenly Father is mercifull. How is that? verse 35. Hee is mercifull to the unthankefull, and to the evill. 1. Tim. 4.10. He is the Saviour of all men. Their very misery is a sufficient motive to him, though there bee no goodnesse in them at all; and so should it be unto thee, Exod. 23.5. If thou see the Asse of him that hate thee, lying under his burden, wilt thou cease to helpe him? Marke, 1. a beast in misery must be relieved, much more a man; 2. A beast of such a one as hateth Gods people (and that must needs be sure a very bad man) must be relieved, much more the man himselfe.
Foure things there bee that may perswade thee to it. 1. These wretched men are thine owne flesh, Esa. 58.7. And it is a foule sin to hide thy selfe from thine owne flesh. 2. They may belong to Gods election for ought thou knowest. Destroy not him (by with-holding thy mercy saith the Apostle, Rom. 14.15.) for whom Christ dyed. 3. Thou respectest not him in thine almes (if thou give with a good heart) but the Lord. Prov. 19.17. Hee that hath pity on the poore, lendeth unto the Lord. 4. Even that, thou givest unto these that are most unworthy (if thou give it with a good heart) shall not loose a reward. Eccles. 11.1. Cast thy bread upon the waters, (be liberall towards all that stand in need) for thou shalt find it after many dayes. Now for this duty I would I could say to all you,Applic. as the Apostle did to the Corinthians, 2. Cor. 9.12. As touching the ministring to the Saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you, for I know the forwardnesse of your mind. Certainely, it is not superfluous for mee, but most needfull to speake unto you of this duty, for I know no forwardnesse in any almost unto this duty. First, it is the sin and shame of our times, that many dying in good estate, some in very great estate, bequeath nothing to the poore, though they can then enjoy them no longer. These men, 1. as they have lived, so they dye in open profession of their profane infidelity, that they beleeve not that that the Scripture hath spoken of this duty. 2. They are spots in our holy profession, and cause the Gospel to be evill spoken of, as if it were a barren, and fruitlesse religion. Rom. 2.24. The name of God is blasphemed among the Papists, through such men. I know they doe better that give in their life time, and seldome doe they give well, that never give till they dye. Yet 1. It is a great increase of sin to give, neither living nor dying. 2. It becommeth them well, that have given most in their life, to leave at their death also a testimony behind them of their charity, as good Dorcas did, Acts 9.39. The widowes that were weeping for her, shewed the coates and garments which shee made while she lived, and left behind her for the poore.
Secondly, It is the sin and shame of many that live among us, that they give nothing to the poore; they count it a great priviledge, and will plead for it (as for their lives) to be freed and exempted from this charge. And why so? forsooth they have it not. Looke on their apparell, looke on their expences in ale, in tobacco, in gaming, and you shall see no want at all; they spend more then two or three of their honest neighbours; looke on their proud and stately carriage towards their betters, and you would take them to bee gallants, and rich men. OnelyOnly, when they should give any thing to the poore, then they are bankrupts, then they have nothing. What? shall such as professe themselves to bee Christians, and the Children of God, count it a priviledge to bee exempted from giving to the poore? Certainely, a Christian will count it a matter of humbling unto him, to have nothing to giuegive, and he will labour hard that he may have something to give; according to that Ephe 4.28. Let him labour, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Thou workest, that thou mayest have to live, and to maintaine thy family, (ô that many of you did so well) nay thou workest, that thou mayest have to haunt the Ale-house, to game, to maintaine thy pride, and where is the poore man to be found that worketh to that end, that hee may have to give unto them that need?
Thirdly. It is the sin and shame of the most, that (though they give) they give not willingly, and cheerefully, and so lose the comfort, and fruit of all that they give, Paul biddeth Timothy charge rich men, that they would bee ready to distribute, willing to communicate. 1. Tim. 6.18. and Rom. 12.8. Let him that sheweth mercy, doe it with cheerefulnesse. 2. Cor. 9 7. God loveth a cheerefull giver. For this Paul commended the Macedonians, 2. Cor. 8 4. They prayed Paul with much intreaty, that he would receive their gift, for the poore Saints at Ierusalem. Two things there bee that doe discover most men give not willingly. 1. It commeth so hardly from them, they must bee sessed to so much, they are so late, and backward in their paiments▪ it commeth from them as if their heart should be taken out of their bellyes. They give as the Apostle speaketh, 2. Cor. 9.7. grudgingly, and as of necessitie. If the law compelled them not, they would never give. 2. Men give not according to their abi…ity, and that that wee give is nothing worth, unlesse it bee proportionable to our ability. Acts 1….…9. The Disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send reliefe to the brethren in Iudea. They that are rich in this world, should bee rich in good workes. 1. Tim, 6.18. And this is that, for which our Saviour preferreth the gift of the poore widdow before all that was given by others, Luke 21.4. that she gave to the utmost of her abi…ity, and so did not they.
I would therefore have these men to consider, that in giving to the poore (if they give with good hearts) they doe themselves more good then they can doe the poore, if they gave much more then they doe, A…t. 20.…5. It is a more blessed thing to give, then to receive. Prov. 11.17. The mercifull man doth good to his owne soule. The more plentifully thou givest, the greater shall thy reward be. 2. Cor. 9.6. He that soweth sparingly, shall reape sparingly, and he that soweth bountifully, shall reape bountifully. Pray therefore with the Apostles, Lu. 17.5. Lord increase our faith. Certainly, if thou hadst faith to beleeve Gods promises it would be no such trouble to thee to give to the poore.
Now to shut up all, I must answere one objection that our men usually make, for this hardnesse of heart in this kind.Object. I could be content to give what I am assessed,Answ. and more too, so I saw equallity used in sessements. To which I answer. 1. That surely there ought care to bee had of this, I meane not (saith the Apostle 2. Cor. 8.13.) that other men should bee eased, and you burdened They that have to doe in businesse for the poore, should deale faithfully, and impartially. See the Apostles care in this matter, 2. Cor. 8 20, 21. he was very carefull that no man might blame him in that businesse. 2. But say there bee a fault this way, suffer not thou the sin of others, to hinder thee from doing thy duty, or make thee doe it grudgingly, and so to loose thy reward. Remember what the Apostle saith, Rom. 12.21. Bee not overcome of evill, but overcome evill with goodnesse.
If any man shall thinke I stand too much on this point, let him remember. 1. That it well becommeth a minister of the Gospell, at all times, to plead for the poore. When Paul tooke his leave of the chiefe Apostles, the only thing they intreated of him, was this, that in his ministery, hee would remember the poore, the same which I also of my selfe (saith he) was forward to doe. Gal 2.10. 2. This is a time wherein officers are here, and in all other places chosen to take care for the poore, and sessements are usually made for that purpose; and therefore this is a seasonable doctrine for this time. 3. I speake the more of it to stirre you up at this time, to shew your compassion, and extend your liberality toward the poore of this Towne. I have long thought it a shame unto us, that such an assembly as this is, should so often meete together to serve God, and no collection be made in it in all this time for the poore. I could alleadge the example of other reformed Churches, to provoke us to this, and name to you congregations in our owne land, where collections are made for the poore every monethmonth once, upon the Lecture day. But I pray you rather consider the equitie of that law of God. Deuterono. 16.16, 17. Three times in a yeere, shall all thy males appeare before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall chuse—and they shall not appeare before the Lord empty, every man shall give, as he is able, according the blessing of the Lord thy God, which hee hath given thee. If it were for nothing else, even to professe our homage to God, it is fit in our Church-assemblies, we should somtimes give somewhat to the poore. I have hitherto forborne to doe it, because of that willingnesse many of you shewed in your weekely contributions, while that fasts continued. Now I hope it will not offend any of you that beleeve this, that you have heard (as I doubt not but you all doe) if once a quarter I crave this of you, that as you are made heere partakers of our spirituall things, so you will bee content to minister unto our poore, in these carnall things. Romanes 15.27.