The Ready Way to Good Works, Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX. Of corporall Charitie & works of MercieMercy which tend to the reliefe of the body and outward ſtate.
ALlthough Spirituall Almeſdeeds are to be practiſed in the firſt place, and be in themſelues of a more Heavenly, excellent, acceptable, and illuſtrious nature, yet the bodie muſt be cared for as well as the ſoule. The poore mans outward eſtate and condition muſt be relieved and ſupported alſo, whether he be in extremitie, or only in neceſſitie: There is a Divine Statute to this purpoſe in Leviticus 25. 35. If thy brother bee waxen poore, and fallen in decay with thee, then ſhalt thou relieve him, yea, though he be a ſtranger, or a ſojourner that hee may live with thee: And Salomon tels us,Pro. 14. 21. 31. that ſuch a mercifull man is a happie man, and hee honoureth his maker that hath merciemercy on the poore. Our Charitie in this kinde may be practiſed and expreſſed many ſeuerall wayes.
1. In free giving: the righteous man is ſaid to ſcatter, diſperſe, Pro. 11. 24.deale, but moſt frequentlyEſai. 58. 7. to giuegive to the poore, unto thisPro. 21. 26. dutie are we earneſtly exhortedPſal. 37. 21. Pſal. 112. 9.by our Saviour Chriſt and his Apoſtles: Now as concerningLuk 11. 41. the matter of our gifts, wee muſtRom. 12. 13 give of thoſe things which we have in preſent poſſeſſion and injoyance, according as others wants and neceſſities ſhall require us, our owne hearts move us, and our temporall ſtate ſtrengthen and enables us.
Some miniſter food, and dealeProv. 22. 9. Eſai. 58. 7.their bread to the hungry, aEzek. 18. 7. 16. worke which ſhall be moſt certainely rewarded at the day ofMat. 25. 34 Judgement. In this kinde was Job very mercifull, the WiddowesJob 31. 17. and Fatherleſſe did partake of his morſels, hee was not wont to eate his bread alone. Our Saviour Chriſt after thisMat. 15. 32, 33. & 14. 19. manner refreſhed with his miraculous Loaves the hungry multitudes, which did flocke about him. This gratious practice wee ſhould not forget at our religious and ſolemne Feſtivals,Neh. 8. 10. we ſhould then more ſpeciallyEſai. 58. 7. remember to ſend portionsEzek. 18. 7. unto them that want, and for whom nothing is prepared. Some give rayment to the naked,Job 31. 19, 20. ſo did holy Job, the backs of the poore did bleſſe him: ſo didAct. 9. 36. Dorcas, ſhee made coates and garments for the poore Widdowes, and ſuch a holy and Charitable woman was the Lady Ramſey, and other ſuch gratious Saints of both ſexes, men and women full of mercy and devotion are now ſurviving. Some give faggots and fewell to warme the cold, quaking and trembling limmes of the poore, as did Sr Ambroſe Nicholas, Mr John Scott, Mr Ruſel, all Londoners, Some give monie, ſo did our Saviour, the compaſſionateJoh. 13. 29. Samaritane, the PrimitiveLuk. 10. Act. 4. 34. 37.beleevers and profeſſors of the Goſpell at Jeruſalem, ſo did the Corinthians, and Macedonians,1 Cor. 16. 2. 2 Cor. 8. & 9.as their weekely laying aſide doth ſufficiently teſtifie: And there bee many at this day who conforme to the ſame Apoſtolicall precept and Chriſtian practice dedicating weekely ſome portion of their ſubſtance to good uſes, that ſo they may bee ready to give upon every good and ſeaſonable occaſion. Laſtly, ſome give their Goods, as did Zacheus, and ſome their Lands, orLuk. 19. the value and prices of them, as did Barnabas and others.Act. 4.
2. In building Hoſpitals, and erecting Almeſ-honſes, ſome men have been this way very bountifull, and almoſt incredibly liberall as their workes and renowned monuments which they left behinde them doe infallibly demonſtrate. The moſt famous Hoſpitalls in this kingdome are, Chriſt-church, St Thomas, St Bartholomewes and Suttons Hoſpitall: private men have been the founders and Authors of the like but not ſo great Works, and ſome of them of the Cleargy: Dr White built one Hoſpitall in Briſtoll, Mr Johnſon Archdeacon of Liceſter erected two, one Mr Latham a private Miniſter in Northamptonſhire built two more, one for men, and another for women. As concerning Almeſ-houſes they are many, and very plentifull in moſt parts of this kingdome, one Mr Winlambe a Cloath worker built ſix at Sutten-valens in Kent, Sr Ambroſe Nicholas, once Lord Maior of London, built twelve neere Creeplegate: We have many in our Countie lately erected, one at Shepton Mallet, another at Somerton, another at Brewton, &c.
3. In building Houſes of correction for unruly and lawleſſe runnagates, in raiſing up workhouſes, and a common ſtocke whereby to ſet the poore on worke: By this meanes the lazie droanes, and unprofitable members of the republike may bee compelled to doe ſome ſervice unto themſelues and others, and preſerved from Idleneſſe, and ſo from theeverie, and ſo from the gallowes: Of late time divers of theſe houſes have been erected in the Country, but the moſt famous of all is Bridewell in London.
4. In binding poore mens children apprentices, and training them up in ſome honeſt trades and lawfull vocations: hereby the Parents are ſomewhat eaſed of their charge and heavie burthen, the children for the preſent maintained under their Maſters, and enabled for the future to live of themſelves, when their yeeres of ſervice ſhall bee fully expired.
5. In labouring and helping to cure and recover the ficke, weake, impotent, lame, diſeaſed, wounded, hurt or maimed: Our Saviour Chriſt ſhewed himſelfe this way very Mercifull and compaſſionate, ſo did the good Samaritane, and ſo muſt wee by our owne skill and knowledge (if we have any) or by procuring the helpe of others, endeavour to comfort and relieve thoſe that lye groaning under any grievous corporall miſery. In two Hoſpitals in London much good hath been done in this kinde: ſometimes with in the ſpace of a yeare, there have been cured in St Bartholomewes and St Thomas his Hoſpitall above a thouſand five hundred and ſixty defective and impotent perſons, beſides foure hundred which remained under cute. This certainely muſt needs bee a ſingular peice of renowned Mercy and Charity, thus to remoove tormenting paines and aches, to heale old rotten and putrified ſores, to redintegrate languiſhing and feeble members, and to reſtore creeples to health and ſtrength and ſoundneſſe of body againe, who but now were dying a living lingring death, or living a ſorrowfull and dying life.
6. In ſelling of corne in times of dearth and ſcarcity not for private gaineſake, but for the publike good to leſſon and abate the price, when it is riſing, or allready riſen, that ſo the poore might have for their money ſufficient to ſupport them, and their families in ſuch dayes of miſerie, and publike calamity. A bleſſing ſhall be upon his head, that produceth and ſelleth his corne at a low and tolerable rate, but he which with holdeth it, to enhaunce and keepe up the price thereof, miſery and deſtruction undoubtedly will bee the end of ſuch a cut-throate and Canniball, and this is his allotted portion in this life, he ſhall have many Pro. 11. 26.a curſe.
7. In providing Magazins and Storehouſes wherein to lay up abundance of graine in times of plenty for the releefe of the poore in the yeares of dearth and famine. Joſeph was hereinGen. 41. 48 2 Cron. 17. 12. & 32. 28. very provident, ſo was Jehoſaphat and Hezekiah kings of Judah: If this wiſe and laudable courſe were more obſerved and practiſed in great and populous common weales, much miſchiefe and miſery might bee prevented in time of famine.
8. By being addicted to Hoſpitalitie, Hoſpitalitas eſt ſpecies liberalitatis qua peregrinos & hoſpites ac preſertim propter verae doctrinae profeſſionem exulantes, vera benevolentia & aliquibus officiis hoſpitalitatis proſequimur. Ʋrſin. Cat. 704. Tit. 1. 8. Rom. 12. 13. 1 Pet. 4. 9. Heb. 13. 6. 1 Tim. 5. 10.This duty concernes all, both the people and the Miniſters of the Goſpell, they ought chiefly to maintaine a good example of Pietie, Charity, and Hoſpitality, that ſo they might confirme by practice, what in doctrine they teach, 1 Tim. 3. 2. Now Hoſpitality conſiſteth not in feaſting of neighbours, (as it is commonly and falſly conceived) or in keeping open houſe for all goodfellowes, or any drunken and deboiſt revellers, but in a loving entertainment of gueſts, friends, ſtrangers, acquaintance, or any other poore Saints, which come to our houſes, in relieving their wants and cōmunicating to their neceſſities. This is that hoſpitality which is commended and commanded unto us in the Booke of God, and which hath been practiſed of holy men in former ages, examples hereof in the Scriptures we have ſuch as theſe, Abraham Geneſ. 18. & 19. Exod. 2. 10.and Lot entertaining Angels in the ſhapes of men: Revel inviting and welcoming deſtitute and baniſhed Moſes: the OldJudg. 19. man of Gibeah receiving in, and providing for the Levite: Laban Gen. 24.courteouſly feaſting Abrahams ſervant: the Widdow of1 King. 17. 10. 15. 2 King. 4. 8. Job 31. 32. Sarepta, and the Shunamite relieving and refreſhing tthe Prophets of God: Job taking in and lodging ſtrangers, and opening his doores to the Travellers: St Pauls hoſt, Gajus, and othersRom. 16. 23. 3 Joh. 5. 6. more. This is hoſpitality indeed to entertaine ſtrangers, exiles, needy, helpeleſſe Saints: This is one of the good workes for which a Widdow muſt bee well reported of, 1 Tim. 5. 10. This we muſt practiſe mutually without grudging and diſcontentedneſſe, and for this doubtleſſe wee ſhall bee liberally recompenced at the day of Judgement. As concerning all profuſe Chriſtmaſſe feaſts, where unto all ſorts of perſons are promiſcuouſly and without difference invited, if they be civill and moderate, they may bee tolerable enough and procure a little popular applauſe and reputation to the makers from men, but if they be not ſeaſoned, nor ſauced with Charitie, they cannot merit or obtaine any acceptation or reward from God.
9. In lending freely, this is a1 Pet. 4. 9. Deut. 15. 8. Mar. 5. 4…. Luk. 6. 35. Pſal. 112. 5. & 37. 26. Worke of Mercy, commanded unto us from God in his Law, and charged upon us alſo by our Saviour Chriſt in his Goſpell. The Prophet David doth deſcribe a good man by this marke and propertie, after this manner, A good man is mercifull and lendeth and hee who hardeneth his heart, and ſhutteth his hand from his poore brother, doth ſufficiently publiſh to the world, that he is a graceleſſe, churliſh, and incompaſſionate man. InDeut. 15. 18. & verſe 7. 9. 10. Exod. 22. 26. 27. Deut. 24. 6. Job. 22. 7. & 24. 3. 9. Nehem. 5. Deut. 23. 19. Luk. 6. 35. the performance of this dutie, theſe few conditions are principally obſervable: We muſt lend without grudging, without griefe, a hard heart, ill thought, or evill eye, or a ſtraite and pinching hand, without taking a pawne or pledge of neceſſarie and preſent uſe to the borrower, without Morgage of Lands, Houſes, Vineyards, or taking the preſent profit thereof, without which the borrower cannot live, and honeſtly maintaine himſelfe, without Uſurie, or any ſecret and ſiniſter contracts and agreements. Such kinde of lending, I confeſſe is very rare in theſe uſurious, and cruell times, partly by reaſon of the generall inundation of that raigning ſinne of Uſury, which hath prepoſſeſſed moſt mens minds, partly by reaſon of the hardneſſe and flintineſſe of ſome mens hearts, and partly by reaſon of thePſal. 37. 21. unjuſt, unhoneſt, and unequall dealings of ſome wicked borrowers, who make no conſcience of repayment backe againe, yet ſome mercifull men there have beene in this kinde, who haveSee Dr. Willet his Catalogue of good works. lent freely ſome two hundreth, ſome ſixe hundreth, ſome a thouſand pounds to help and further yong beginners and practitioners in their honeſt trades and profeſſions.
10. In releaſing and freely forgiving of debts, in caſes of extremitie, when men are accidentally made poore and unable to pay: the Lord to this purpoſe made a Law in Iſrael that creditours ſhould remit unto their debtors all debts and payments at the end of every ſeventh yeer, that mercileſſe and cruell men might not create beggers in Iſraell, as they doe now too frequently in this Kingdome and Nation. This releaſe may bee two-fold, either partiall of but ſome part or portion onelyonly, or totall of the whole ſumme, if the caſe ſo requires, wee muſt lend and looke for nothing againe Luk. 6. 35. require and exact nothing, but remit and forgive all, or at the leaſt a part, as the converted uſurers did. Neh. 5. 11. This is a great worke of mercy and this compaſſion ſhould bee ſhowen unto poore men, who are willing, but by no meanes able to pay their debts, their whole eſtates being already quite eaten up and devoured by the unſatiable teeth of Uſury. Tis true I confeſſe, the politicke law gives thee leave and power, when a poore man hath nothing left, to ſeize upon his body, to commit him to ſafe cuſtodie, to lay him up in cloſe priſon: but I pray thee what ſatisfaction can this make, what profit canſt thou reape hereby, thou maiſt not eate his fleſh to ſatisfie thy bloody appetite, thou canſt not ſet him to ſale, or ſel him for a Bond-ſlave, thou canſt not coine him into money, well maiſt thou keepe him under Irons, ſtarve him in Priſon, and his Wife and Children, (if he hath any) who were ſupported with his honeſt labours: Thou canſt never this way bee lawfully and honeſtly recompenſed, unleſſe thou thinkeſt this Chriſtian ſatisfaction, to have the life and blood of a man for a little guilded durt, filthy droſſe, and ſtinking excrements of the earth. Take heed thou exact not the utmoſt of thy poor brother, and fellow ſervant, leaſt thy Heavenly MaſterMatth. 18. 32. 33. and Creditour exact the utmoſt of thee, call thee to a reckning for thy ſinnes, which thou haſt committed againſt him, deale as incompaſſionately and ſeverely with thee, and deliver thee to the Tormentors till thou haſt paid the utmoſt mite and farthing. Read and peruſe the Parable well, and withall remember the condemnatorie ſentence of the Apoſtle James denounced againſt all ſuch as will ſhew no merciemercy, Jam. 2. 13.
11. In a Relaxation and mitigation of the heavineſſe of the yoake, burthen, and bands of oppreſſion, under which many lie grieving and groning. As for inſtance, many poore men, diſconſolate widdowes, and fatherleſſe childeren, may bee brought to great miſery and extremitie, by reaſon of the intolerableneſſe of Fines, racking of Rents, exactions of Herriots, &c. Now tell me, is it not a worke of great mercy and compaſſion for rich Land-lords to deale favourably with their poore Tennants in this kinde, and to remit and abate ſome what, ſometimes of their Rents and Fines and Herriots, that ſo they may be able to live by them in ſome commendable faſhion, and indifferent ſtate and condition; yea, it is a point of wiſedome and an expreſſion of much Charitie and Fellow-feelingneſſe in ſome caſes, not to exact as much as is due, and may bee legally obtained; Nehemiah, did not requireNehem. 5. 18. the bread of the Governour, becauſe the bondage was heavie upon the people. Would to God men of eminencie, worth, and worldly abilitie, would imitate the practice of this merciful man: but there are few ſuch tenderhearted, melting, compaſſionate, great ones, in this frozen, cruell, and iron age. Oh that the complaints of the Prophets were not too true in theſe our dayes, That of Eſai. 1. 23. of Amos 4. 1. & 3. 10. & 9. 4. & 2. 6. & 5. 11. 12. and of Micha. 7. 3. & 2. 1. 2. & 3. 3.
12. In reaching forth a helping hand to releeve the oppreſſed, and the diſtreſſed, which are brought to a miſerable and calamitous condition: we are enjoyned and commanded by the Lord, to defend the fatherleſſe,Pſal. 82. 3. 4. to deliver the poor and outcaſt, to ſave them from the teeth and hands of the ungodly. It is the part of the righteous (ſaith the wiſe man) to take their caſes and cauſes into their conſideration, and in another place hee tels us, that tis but a vaine courſe to put of, and excuſe this dutie and office by pretention of ignorance.Prov. 29. 7. If thou for beare to deliver them, Prov. 24. 11. 12.who are drawne to death, and thoſe that are ready to bee ſlaine, if thou ſayeſt, behold, we knew it not, doth not hee that pondereth the heart conſider it? and he that keepeth thy ſoule, doth not hee know it? and ſhall not hee render to every man according to his works? Now in the diſcharge of this needfull dutie, we muſt look that all lawfull means bee onelyonly uſed, and wee muſt keepe our ſelves every one within the compaſſe and bounds of his calling. We may contrive and worke the deliverance of the oppreſſed by theſe lawfull meanes.
1. By Judging and conſidering their cauſes, defending them and their perſons, and rebuking and oppoſing their enemies, for their ſakes: and this is the dutie of thoſe who are called to the Magiſtracie, and ſuch publike Offices in the Common-weale to bee a Refuge and Aſylum toPſal. 82. 3. 4. the innocent poore, and fatherleſſe, to ſhelter and protect them againſt the ſtormes and tempeſts of undeſerved wrongs, and injuries which are offered them in the world. Juſt, Holy, and UprightJob. 29. 12. 17. Job diſcharged his Office faithfully in this kinde, hee delivered the poore that cried, and the fatherleſſe, and him that hath none to helpe, the cauſe which he knew not, he ſearched out, hee brake the jawes of the wicked, and pluckt the ſpoile out of their teeth, (that is) he delivered the innocent and harmeleſſe from the abuſive and corrupt power of biting, ſnatching, devouring, injurious and oppreſſing great ones. So did valiant and couragious Nehemiah, rebuke theNeh. 5. 7. Nobles and Rulers (who like heavie Milſtones did almoſt grinde the poore to powder by their uſurious and unconſcionable dealings) boldly for the peoples ſake: and herein he did but his dutie: for Princes, Judges, and Magiſtrates (ſaith a *Sand. ſerm. ad Magiſt pag. 138.reverend Divine) were not ordained altogether, nor yet ſo much for their owne ſakes, that they might Hoc Reges habent magnificum & ingens, &c. prodeſſe miſcris, ſupplices fido lare protegere. Sen. m. Medea.have over whom to rule and domineere at pleaſure, as for the peoples ſake, that the people might have to whom to reſort, and upon whom to depend for helpe and ſuccor and reliefe in their neceſſities.
And they ought to remember, that for this end, God hath endued them with power which others want, that they might by their power helpe them to right, who have not power to right themſelves, &c.
2. In pleading for them: and this is the Lawyers dutie, they ſhould open their mouthes, andProv. 31. 8. 9. plead the poore mans cauſe, and theirs who are appointed and deſtinated to deſtruction, and not for lucres ſake praevaricate as many doe, collude, and improve their Sophiſtrie, wits, and faculties that way to pervert and deprave, and undermine their ſuits and honeſt cauſes. Thus we read did that noble Ahikam, and ſome of the Princes and Elders for the Prophet Jeremie, whenJer. 26. 17. 24. he was apprehended, arraigned, and condemned to death, for telling the Truth, and the Faithfull diſcharge of his Propheticall Office: the verdict was brought in by the bloody Jurie of Prieſts, and falſe Prophets, This man is guiltie and worthie of death: Now this ſentence ſhould have beene as unlawfully executed, as it was determined, had not the Princes and Elders ſtept in betweene, and procured a reprivall for the poore perſecuted Prophet.
3. By petitioning for them, as did Queene Eſter for Mordecai, Eſter. 7. 3.and the diſperſed and diſtreſſed Nation of the Jewes. So did the Germane Princes make requeſt unto the King of France for theAnno 1559. poore perſecuted Proteſtants.
4. By provoking and ſtirring up others to petition for them, as Mordecai did Ester, and as Pharaohs Butler ſhould haveEſter. 4. 13 1 p. done for Joſeph, Gen. 40. 14. had not hee proved a moſt ungratefull and forgetfull wretch.
5. By making complaint to ſupreme Authoritie, againſt even great ones, though of an high and an eminent place and ſtation when they offer undeſerved wrongs and injuries unto the ſervants of the Lord. Herein was Abedmelech the Ethiopian worthily to be commended for that hee interceeded and ſpake untoJer. 38. 7. 9. King Zedekiah, for the Prophet Jeremiah whereby hee helped him out of the mire, and ſtinking Dungeon whereinto hee was throwne.
6. By writing Apologies for them: as ſome of the Ancient Fathers did for poore and helpleſſe Chriſtians, who ſuffered perſecution, under cruell tyrants,Juſtin. Martyr Tertullian and others. and moſt mercileſſe and blood-thirſtie Emperours.
7. By abating and mitigating the Adverſaries rage and furie with grave advice, wiſe and ſober counſell: as did that prudent politike, and truely honourable Doctor Gamaliell in the behalfeAct. 5. 34. 39. of the Apoſtles. If men of brains and ſolid judgements would improve their beſt wits and faculties this way to dull the edge, and abate the acrimony of mallice and revenge, when ſometimes they may (if they were not too cowardly affraid to offend greatneſſe) with their loving, exhortary, and perſwaſive obſecrations, and entreaties they might doe a great deale of good in Church and Common-weale, pacifie, reſtraine, and for a time diſenfierce the enemies and perſecutors of Chriſt and his members, as the fore mentioned Gamaliel did the tumultuous, madded, and enraged Jewes.
8. By a ſeaſonable diſcovery of the helliſh powderplots, machinations, and ſecret miſchiefes, which are intended by Satan and his inſtruments againſt Chriſts harmeleſſe and innocent Lambs. Thus did Pauls ſiſters ſon happily reveale unto him and to the Governour Claudius Lyſias the diabolicall conſpiracie of thoſe ſonnes of Belial, who had boundAct. 23. 16. 20. themſelues under a curſe, that they would neither eate nor drinke, till they had killed the innoxious and guiltleſſe Apoſtle.
9 By a a ſecret conveyance of Gods meſſengers out of theAct. 23. 23. 24. 35. & 9. 25. reach of danger, and deſtruction which … plotted and contrived, by the treacherous ambuſhments, and lying await of cruell and deadly enemies. Thus was the Apoſtle once ſecured, and freed by the noble Roman captaine, and ſet at liberty another time by the Diſciples of Damaſcus, when they did let him down by the wall in a basket.
10. By ardent prayer and fervent ſupplication unto God for their deliverance, when all humane helpes faile, and no ordinarie lawfull meanes will ſerve the turne, Thus did the ChurchAct. 12. 5. by their hearty invocation onPſa. 79. 11. the Lord, free Peter out of priſon, and thus did the Prophet David pray for the priſoners, who were appointed to die, and thus ſhould wee with a concurrent importunitie wraſtle with our Lord and maſter by earneſt and piercing prayer, for his diſtreſſed, and afflicted people, as ſome were in this land, in Queene Maries dayes, and as many are now beyond the ſeas, and againſt all the incureable, ſtubborne, and implacable perſecutors and rebells of Chriſt and his kingdome whereſoever. The prayers of the Saints, for ought I know, have beene the meanes to conquer ſtrong cities, and to knock down the enemies of the Goſpell as well as cannons and other warlike engines, they have been the keyes to open the doores to let out his Priſoners,Preces ſunt arma Eccleſiae. & they are the beſt weapons the Church can uſe (for they be both defenſive and offenſive againſt either corporall or ſpirituall, mortall or immortall enemies.
11. And laſtly, by helping them with all our power and ſtrength, as farre forth as wee have warrant ſo to do. Thus Abraham reſcued Lot from the heathen Kings, and of late the moſt famous incomparable conquering Alexander, the everlaſtingly renowned king of Sweden, quickly ſnatched the German Princes from the yoke & ſlavery of their imperious enemies. I could wiſh my pen were made of yron, my paper braſſe, marble, or Diamond, that I might ſet down in an everlaſting Character, thoſe moſt memorable, Heroycall, pious, religious, charitable, renowned actions of this moſt glorious King, a King, a conqueour in whoſe honour and commendation, envy, malice, and malignitie it ſelfe cannot but write a deſerved Panegyricke.
13. In a frequent viſitation of thoſe that bee diſtreſſed and helpeleſſe, which religion doth binde us, and the promiſed reward at the day of judgement ſhould move and induce us to do. Now the poore perſons, which are principally viſitable are theſe. Firſt, Such as be ſicke, a great Empereſſe Valentinians wife was wont to viſit hoſpitalls and to miniſter with her owne hands, to the peoples infirmities and neceſſities. Secondly, ſuch as bee made poore, and caſt downe by the hand of God, by the violence and injuſtice of injurious and lawleſſe robbers, or by any other unavoideable and contingent misfortunes. Job was reduced to ſuch a forlorne ſtate and condition, and in this his miſery, as hee had ſome overſuſpitious, cenſorious, and condemnatory reprovers, to vexe his vexations, augment, and aggravate his ſorrowes, ſo hee hadJob. 2. 11. 12, 13. & 42. 11. likewiſe ſome true-hearted and fellow-feeling friends to viſit, comfort and relieve him, and to condole with him in his grievances and afflictions. Thirdly, ſuch as be poore and helpeleſſe neighbours, viz. the fatherleſſe,Jam. 1. 27. and widdowes, & ſuch as have a great charge of children, whom they are not able to maintaine, and traine up by their own hard labours and endeavours. Fourthly, ſuch as in other parts, lie in priſon for righteouſneſſeHeb. 13. ſake: we muſt remember thoſe which are in bonds, as if we were in trouble and affliction with them, an excellent example hereof we have in bleſſed Oneſiphorus for whom in particular the2 Tim. 1. 16, 17, 18. Apoſtle made a moſt hearty and fervent prayer unto God.
For thus by a conſcionable viſitation of the diſtreſſed, wee ſhall the better diſcover the truely poore, who are pinched with extreameſt penury, from others, who live in want, but are leſſe miſerable: we ſhall ſee what paines they take to live, what burthenſome families they have, how their children are brought up, whether religiouſly, or no, we ſhall hereby the better know, how to fit and proportionate our almes, and charity, whether it be bedding, raiment, food, or what elſe, by the due obſervation of their wants, further you may know that there is a great deale of attractivenes, ſometime in the very viſible object to draw men to pittie and compaſſion: the outward ſeeing of the eye many times kindles a ſecret feeling in the heart. When our Saviour Chriſt ſaw the multitudes, he was moved with compaſſion on them, and induced to feed, to heale, to teach them: ſo likewiſe when theMat. 9. 36. & 14. 14. & 15. 32. Luk. 10. 33. Samaritane ſaw the wounded man, preſently he had compaſſion on him: yea, by viſiting the poore in our owne perſons, wee ſhall learne (if wee have any grace within us) to be the more thankefull to God for thoſe favours and outward bleſſings, which hee hath with a more liberall hand collated on us, then on others: and wee cannot but learne a leſſon of temperance, and ſobriety, and reſolve for future times to be very moderate and abſteyneous in the uſe of Gods good creatures, when we ſoe that nature is contented with a little, that poore people, through Gods providence and bleſſing, can preſerve & ſuſteine themſelves in good health, and ſtrength by bread and water, courſe fare, meane clothing, and hard lodging. There be more reaſons then theſe yet to move us to this duty. In viſiting the poore, the widow, and the fatherleſſe, for Chriſts ſake, wee are ſaid to viſit Chriſt himſelfe: and according to his promiſe weMat. 25. 36. may expect a reward for our labour, a reward of mercy, not of debt and obligation: and finally hereby our love unto God is eaſily demonſtrable, for if wee ſee our brother to need, and then1 Joh. 3. 17. ſhut up our compaſſions from him, we may infallibly conclude that the love of God dwelleth not in us.
14. In redeeming captives, freeing poore priſoners, and delivering the ſpoiled out of theJere. 22. 3. Nehe. 5. 8. hand of the oppreſſor, herein was good Nehemiah deepely charitable, hee redeemed his brethren the captivated Jewes, according to his ability, cut off the bondage of the heathen, to2 Chron. 28. 12. 15. whom they were ſold. So likewiſe were the heads of Ephraim this way very mercifull, in that they, according to the advice and counſell of the Prophet Obed, freed thoſe that they had in bondage and captivity, clothed the naked, fed the hungry, and brought home the feeble upon aſſes unto their owne city Jericho. We may not conceive this to be a needeleſſe and ſuperfluous practiſe, for it is Gods owne ordinance, which he eſtabliſhed among the people of Iſrael, itLevīt 25. 47. 48. See Doctor Willet on Levit. 25. 47. 48. hath beene approved and ratified by the cannons of Councells, which have beene made to this purpoſe. Ancient fathers as Lactantius, and Saint Ambroſe have preſſed men hereunto, as a high point of liberality. And indeed is there not great reaſon, that we ſhould redeeme our brethren out of a corporall, externall, temporall ſlavery, ſince our bleſſed Saviour ſo freely redeemed us out of a ſpirituall, internall, and (without his mercy) eternall, and inextricable thraldome and miſery? The omiſſion of this duty was the cauſe of the ruine and deſtruction of Mauritius the Emperour, his wife, children and family, a condigne puniſhment, for ſo covetous, and mercileſſe a man. *The inhabitants of the Iland Majorica, not far from the continēt of Spain, being by their ſcituation unavoydably expoſed to the injurious outrages & incurſions of Moores and Saracens, are often carried away, as priſoners and captives by them to be redeemed for money of their friends, for whoſe ranſome, there are continually on all Sundaies & holy daies publike collections in their Churches. Sam. Lukenor. diſc. of forraigne Citties.Heathen men have commended this mercifull practice, and Seneca ſaith, that it was wont to be rewarded with ſome publike honours and offices in the Roman commonweale. And for the fuller clearing of this point, I will relate a notable example of one Pirrhias a Marchant, who moſt fortunately, once above the reſt, traverſing the ſeas, redeem'd a grave aged, old man from Pyrates and ſome of his goods, viz. a few barrells of pitch, in which afterwards he found great and much precious treaſure: ſo aMoſt memo rable likewiſe is the liberality of Acacius Biſhop of Amida, who when he underſtood that 7000 ſouldiers of the King of Perſia were taken captive by the Romanes and like to ſtarve for want of food, laid their calamity to heart, and calling his Clergy together, ſaid thus unto them, our God hath no need either of diſhes, or cups, for he neither eateth, nor drinketh theſe be not his neceſſaries, wherefore ſince the Church hath many precious jewels both of gold and ſilver, &c. It is requiſite that the captives ſhould therewith be redeemed and delivered out of priſon and bondage, having thus acquainted the Clergy with this his liberall intention, he commanded the treaſure to be tranſlated into money, & therewith redeemed the poore Perſian heathen captives. This renowned act of bountifull Acacius ſtrooke the King of Perſia into admiration, ſo that he greatly deſired the ſight of Acacius. Soc. Scholaſt. lib 7. hiſt. Eccles. cap. 21.ſtrangely did God reward his worke of mercy beyond his expectation. Many of our Chriſtian brethren are too often taken both by ſea-pyrates, and land robbers by Turks abroad, and Dunkerks at home: my meaning is, that many poore men are often purſued with the malitious cruelties of mercileſſe men, and caſt into priſon for improper debts, or for ſmall ſummes of money perhaps 50, 40, 30, 20, 10. pounds or leſſe, which they owe themſelves, and would, but are not able to diſcharge, now if theſe debts be involuntary and unavoydable (as ſometimes they may be) if the poore men have lived honeſtly by their labours, and induſtrious courſes, and do promiſe a reformation of their wayes, wherein they have been defective, and a circumſpection and diligence in their calling for time to come, is it not great pitty that theſe wretched Chriſtians ſhould lye & ſtarve, & periſh in priſon? and is it not great charity to pay their debts, knock off their bolts, and ſet them at liberty againe? Such certainely as have beene liberall this way, in redeeming captives from heatheniſh bondage beyond the ſeas, or in delivering the oppreſſed from the tyranny and cruelty of barbarous and Paganiſh Chriſtians here at home, may worthily be reputed, and recorded for moſt charitable perſons. Of ſome ſuch doth Doctor Willet make mention in his Catalogue of good workes.
15. In burying decently the dead corps of our poore deceaſed friends and brethren: this is undoubtedly a good and charitable work, for our Saviour Chriſt commended it in the penitent woman, which annoynted himMat. 26. 10 Mar. 14. 6. Mark. 15. 43. 46. againſt his buriall. This honour did Joſeph of Arimathea performe unto Chriſt, and this favour and love did thoſe devout men ſhew unto Saint Stephen that bleſſed Proto-martyr, they buried his body, and made great Act. 8. 3lamentation over it.
Thus wee ſee, wherein we are to exerciſe our liberalitie and how many wayes we may expreſſe our charity. And for the better reliefe and ſuſtentation of the poore, let me preſcribe one way more, whereby many men may bemore charitable then they are, and the needy more frequently comforted and refreſhed. To effect and bring this to paſſe, all Magiſtrates, and inferiour Officers ſhould (as it greatly behoves them) with care and conſcience put in ſeaſonable execution all ſuch penall ſtatutes as are eſtabliſhed and authorized for the curbing and reſtraining of offenders, and alſo conſequently for the relieving of the poore by the mulets and forfeitures of delinquents Politicall and wholeſome conſtitutions there are many in this kind, as for inſtance for aThe penalties and forfeitures are theſe. 3 s. 4d, a man.unlawfull gaming on the Lords day, b12 d an oath.for ſwearing or curſing, d3 s. 4 d.for tipling and carouſing contrary to the ſtatute, e20 s.for keeping an Ale-houſe without a licence, or for not f20 s.ſelling due meaſure, for being foundg5 s. drunk and ſwiniſhly diſtempered, for h40 s.Conſtables or Church-wardens neglect to levy the forfeitures of offendors: now if Magiſtrates, and Officers would breath freſh life into theſe languiſhing Lawes, by ſevere execution, and diſcharge their duties more faithfully, and conſcionably then ſome of them do, the mouthes of blaſphemous ſwearers would be ſtopt, diſorders and outrages would be prevented, much ſwiniſhneſſe and beaſtly intemperance would be ſuppreſſed, the poore would be oftner relieved, the commonweale would be bettered and rectified, the King would be honoured and obeyed, and God would in all be glorified.