The Ready Way to Good Works, Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII. Of the various kindes of good workes, and wherein particularly they conſiſt, and heere a word or two of the works of Moralitie, and of the works of Pietie at large.
FOr the clearer inſight into the preſent point, we will reduce all vertuous actions and good workes (which in their individuals bee innumerable) unto theſe heads and ſpecies.
1. There are works of morality (as viz.) civill education, and religious training up of children humble ſubjection to theTim. 5. 10. Tit. 3. 1. Rom. 13. 1. 2. 3. Tit. 3. 14. Eph. 4. 12. Phil. 2. 30. authoritie of higher powers, the fruits and paſſages of a blameleſſe life, and unreproveable converſation, profeſſion of, and diligent labouring in an honeſt trade or calling, the Magiſtrates ſeaſonable execution of juſtice, reſtitution of ill gotten goods, paying of every one his owne, ſpeaking the truth, and ſuch other actions and works of equitie, honeſtie, and veritie. If we be deficient in theſe morall duties, there will bee no hope or poſſibilitie of acceptation for any of our other good workes: If herein we faile, there can neither bee any ſhew or forme, (much leſſe any power) of pietie, nor any life in our charitie and liberalitie.
2. There are works of Pietie, which directly tend to the worſhip of God, the advancement of Religion, the furtherance of the Miniſtery of the Word, the ſalvation of mens ſoules, and the edifying of the body of Chriſt, and theſe we are in the firſt place to embrace and practice.
1. Our bleſſed Saviour tooke this courſe and obſerv'd this method in his bountifulneſſe and tender compaſſions: Firſt, hee tooke pittie upon mens ſoules,Math. 4. 23 24. & 5. 36. before he medled with their bodies, hee firſt taught them, then he healed them, preached unto them, then fed them with the miraculous loaves, he entred into Zacheus his heart, before he went into his houſe, and opened the eyes of Bartimeus his underſtanding, before he touched the eyes of his bodie. Secondly, he commanded his Diſciples andMatth. 6. 33. followers to ſeek ſpirituall things before corporall, Heavenly treaſures before earthly toyes and trifles. Thirdly, hee rebuked the fleſhly hearers of the Word, who were carefull onelyonly of their lies, and charged them to hungerJohn 6. 26. 27. after the bread of life, to labour, not for the meat that periſheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlaſting life. Fourthly, the firſt prayer and petition he commanded his diſciplesMath. 9. 38 to preſent unto his father was this, that he would be pleaſed to ſend forth labourers into his Harveſt: ſo tenderly did he regard the welfare of the peoples ſoules. Fifthly, hee commendsLuk. 10. 40. 42. and highly prefers Maries choiſe for the ſoule, before Marthaes care for the body. Let us remember then to follow the example, practice, and advice of our bleſſed Saviour; let us bee ſure to watch over our owne, and others ſoules, and in a ſecond place over our and their bodies. The one is but the dutie of humanitie, the other the moſt excellent and noble worke of chriſtianitie.
For, 1. In theſe our ſpirituall Almes-deeds, the object of our compaſſion is moſt illuſtrious mans immortall ſoule. 2. The worke of mercy the more noble and tranſcendent by how much it is the more heavenly and ſupernaturall. 3. It ever proceeds from an illuminated underſtanding, and a ſpiritualized heart. that conſiders on, and is ſenſible of a mans ſpirituall miſery: Many covetous earth-wormes are ready to give to the diſtreſſed bodies of the poore, but they never entertaine ſuch a thought as to ſuccour and refreſh theirAmos. 8. 11. 12. languiſhing and hungerſtarved ſoules. 4. The famine of the ſoule is a farre more fearefull plague, then the famine of the body, and therefore it is a more *Melius eſt animam ſemper victur ā verbo vitae reſicere, quam ventrem moriturae carnis terreno pane ſatiare. Greg.noble and honourable action to feed the ſoule with the word, then the body with bread. Eleemoſyna cordis multo major, quàm Eleemoſyna corporis, the bounty of the heart is farre greater, then the liberality of the hand. A Turke may refreſh me with the one, but none but a good chriſtianLuke. 16. We confeſſe tis but a parable, yet it evidently denotes unto us the univerſall confuſion both of ſoule and body of every uncharitable glutton. can or will comfort mee with the other. 5. I muſt let thē know that though the body be never ſo well cared for and looked unto, yet if the ſoule pine away through ſpirituall hunger, the body though never ſo well fatted, is like alſo to periſh. * Dives was not in hell in his ſoule only, but as the whole man did ſin, ſo the whole man was tormented and confounded. The ruin of the ſoule doth ever bring an unavoidable confuſiō to the body: even as the fall of the towr oftentimes batters downe and defaces the body of the Church. If the ſoule fare well, the body is not like to doe amiſſe, but if that be neglected, and deprived of its food. the other cannot but periſh alſo. 6. All truely ſpirituall gifts tend to the endleſſe ſalvation of the ſoule, but the miniſtration of corporall and earthly things onelyonly to the preſervation of the body: and therefore to preferre the corporall almes, which tend only to the reparation and upholding of the mud walles of the fleſh, before ſpirituall liberality, and thoſe works of mercy which concerne the eternall ſafety of the ſoule, argueth (according to Chriſts owne words) flat Gentiliſme,Math. 6. 32 Jer. 44. 17. 18. Luk. 16. much prepoſterous madneſſe, and heatheniſh foolery. It hath beene the chefeſt care of abominable idolaters and gormandizing Epicures to provide plenty of victualls for the belly, and at this day it is the cuſtome and frequent practiſe of vaine and vicious men, to carke and care onelyonly for periſhable food and nutriment, as if they had ſenſitive and ſwiniſh ſoules only, which at their laſt diſſolution would be evacuated and vaniſh into ayre or nothing, who ſees not how theſe men degenerate into bruitiſhneſſe, and how they abaſe and vilifie their noble and Angellicall natures, wherein they were created by wallowing in the myre of ſenſualitie and luxury, and by captivating and ſtarving their immortall ſoules in the priſons of the fleſh.
Let us then in the feare of God play a wiſer part, then theſe notorious fools do: if we have ſoules and thoſe immortall too, (according to the acknowledgment of a hethen man,Tullie in his Tuſcul. Quaeſt. let us labour, and take a ſpeciall care, that they may be chatechiſed, inſtructed, comforted, and refreſhed with the bread of life, and as we deale with our ſelves, ſo muſt wee doe alſo with our Chriſtian poore brethren, for we are commanded to love our neighbours, as our ſelves, and to doe to others, as wee would they ſhould doe unto us. If we neglect and paſſe by the ſafety and preſervation of our owne, or our brethrens ſoules, if wee were as full of almes-deeds, and liberality, as the ſea is of water, if we made giving our ordinary trade and vocation: yet all were juſt nothing, according to the forecited ſaying of that renowned *Fac prius Eleemoſynam ammae da illi panem, hanc ſi pretermittis da quantum vis, &c. Aug. Ench. ad Laur.Father, firſt give almes to thy ſoule, give that begger ſome bread, if thou neglecteſt this charity, give as much as thou wilt, the tenth, the halfe, and nine parts of thy ſubſtance, and reſerve but one to thy ſelfe, all is to no purpoſe, as long as thou art uncharitable and mercileſſe to thy owne ſoule.
Manifold are the waies, cauſes, and occaſions men may finde to expend, and lay out their monyes, livings, lands, or what goods they have for neceſſary uſes, and the benefit of mens ſoules, but above all caſes and opportunities accept and imbrace theſe principally, and in the firſt place.
1. Bee ready to give freely and liberally towards the maintenance and plantation of the miniſtry in thoſe places, where both men and meanes are otherwiſe wanting and inſufficient. We are taught by our Saviour Chriſt to pray unto God, that hee would be pleaſed to ſend forth able and worthy laborers into his harveſt:Mat. 9. 39. 13 or. 4. 15. Rom. 10. 14 C…os. 8. 11. 12. Pro. 29. 18. now we muſt helpe, not onelyonly with our words, but alſo with our works to further ſuch a bleſſed worke and heavenly buſineſſe. Gods miniſters we know are ſpirituall fathers, to beget us unto Chriſt, the inſtruments to implant faith by the preaching of the word, to build us up, to perfect and edifie the body of Chriſt, they are his ambaſſadours, and ſtand in his ſtead to reveale the myſteries of the kingdome, and diſpence the heavenly treaſures of Chriſts truth, in the Church, and where miniſters are wanting, there muſt needs be groſſe ignorance, incredulity, barbariſme, a ſpirituall famine, and a finall confuſion, for where there is no knowledge the people periſh. Therefore itPro. 29. 18. greatly concernes us to lay to heart the imminent miſeries of poore ignorant Proteſtants, who in the midſt of this glorious Sunſhine of the Goſpell, ſtill lie involued in the thicke clouds of ſpirituall darkeneſſe, ſuperſtition, and ignorance, by reaſon of the blockiſhneſſe, rudeneſſe, or els the ſupine negligence of idle Paſtors, whom it would farre better become to be keepers of ſheep than to be the Sheapherds of mens ſoules. It were a right noble enterprize and work worthy the higheſt commendation, if by our liberall contributions, and Chriſtian benevolences wee would labour to remove away the ſpirituall plague and deadly famine of the word, from our neighbouring, and adjacent Counties or Countries.
There have beene and ſtill are many renowned chriſtians, who are this way wonderfully mercifull, not onelyonly to the bodies, but to the ſoules of others, and of themſelves. 1. Some enlarge Worſop in Nottingham ſhire which was my firſt ſetled place of Reſidence, for their love and bountie towards me, is never to bee ſorgotten.: The Vicar as there is numeratis pecuniis onelyonly 121. per annum, and 31 yeerly paid out to the King.and augment the ſtipend of their owne ſetled teachers, becauſe their paines are great, and their livings ſmall, and meanes ſhort, and ſlender, by reaſon of ſacrilegious impropriations, and Church robberies, which are too frequently perpetrated in many places. The violent ſtomaches of impropriators (ſaith a *Heil. Gep. 504.Geographer) hath ſo farre devoured that which our Anceſtours conſecrated to religious uſes, to the glory of God, and the maintenance of the Miniſters that in the whole Province of Connough in Ireland, the ſtipend of the Jucumbent is not above fortie ſhillings per annum, in ſome places but fifteen ſhillings. And it were well ſaith a worthy * Divine, if there were not many Mr Reyn. in. Com. Pſa … 10. pag. 480.places to be found (I dare ſay in England) wherein dogges and horſes, hawkes and hounds grow fat with Gods portion, and the mercenary preacher, when hee growes leane with want, is accuſed of too much ſtudie. Now tell me, is it not a worke well worthy a religious Chriſtian to reach forth a helping hand, and to ſupport ſuch painefull Miniſters, whoſe unhappineſſe it is to bee caſt upon ſuch unrewarded places, and ungratefull perſons, who will receive their ſpirituall, and not afford them their carnal and temporall things?
2. Some are ſo liberall handed, and charitably minded, as that they will not onelyonly helpe to ſupport their owne Paſtors, but alſo voluntarily erect and raiſe up Preachers at their owne private coſt and charges: This is practiſed in London, and in many other places, where yet due Tithes by ſome are payed, as many of our countrie ruſtickes, and covetous ruſſet cotes, and ſome up ſtart gentlemen doe pay which is with much adoe, as if they were either not due, or undeſerved of their painefull Parſons or Vicars which is a fault in them, albeit they can be contented otherwiſe to contribute out of their other wealth and ſubſtance to the maintenance of the Miniſterie either at home, or abroad.
3. Some nobly minded this way have given large ſtipends to ſettle Preachers over great, but poore congregations heere and there. That worthily honorable Lady, the Ladie Darcy, while ſhee lived was moſt mercifully diſpoſed and liberall this way, my knowledge, is experimentall, for ſhee was very bountifull to me, and many other Miniſters in her yeerely penſions in many free and unconſtrained contributions.
4. Some have given to poor preachers great ſummes of mony for their preſent reliefe and ſupportation: one Miſtris Smith of London gave three hundred pounds, and one Maſter Rogers of the company of Leather-ſellers one hundred pounds, Miſtris. Venable five thouſand pounds, and one *See Mr. Shute his Chorona Charitatis.Maſter Fiſhburne a London Merchant gave to twentie beneficed Miniſters, whoſe livings were ſmall, foure hundred pounds, to twentie unbeneficed Miniſters foure hundred pounds more, twentie pounds a peece; He gave to hoſpitals to the poore and other good uſes, in the whole the ſumme of tenne thouſand ſeven hundred twentie ſixe pounds, thirteene ſhillings foure pence, beſides other Legacies beſtowed one his kindred, friends, and ſerſervants.
As alſo Sir, John Fenner of Iſleworth knight, by his laſt will gave to the tenne out Pariſhes of London, Lands of the value of fortie pounds per annum to buy in each pariſh yeerely twentie ſmall Bibles to be diſtributed to poore yong people for ever, and lands of the value of fiftie pounds per annum for reliefe of poore ſicke perſons in thoſe pariſhes, and to foure of thoſe pariſhes hee gave fiftie pound a peece in monies, and to other foure of them hee gave fortie pound a peece in money for ſtocks for coles, for the uſe of the poore in thoſe pariſhes.
Alſo he gave lands of the value of twentie pounds per annum to the Maior and Communaltie of London for releaſing poore priſoners.
Alſo hee gave to the pariſh of Iſleworth, lands of the value of five pounds per annum for reliefe of poore and ſicke perſons there.
Alſo hee gave to Dame Lucy Fenner his wife tenne pounds por an during her life to be diſtributed to poore ſick perſons, and to Miſtris Marie Tayler, xl. …. per an. during her life for the like uſe.
Alſo hee, gave ten pounds towards the repaire of the Cathedrall Church of ſaint Pauls in London: and a hundreth pounds towards the Library in the Temple Church London (if it proceed) and 100.l. for buying plate and Carpets for the Communion Table and uſe of the Sacrament in that Church for ever.
Alſo hee gave 100.l. toward the finiſhing of a worke-houſe for the poore at Aye in Suffolke, and gave many other both charitable and liberall Legacies to his poore kindred: as by his Will proved in the Prerogative Court in anno 1633. appeareth.
And here I cannot but withallSee Docter Willet Ca tal. fol. 1215 gratefull remembrance commemorate the much admired bountie and liberalitie of my famous benefactor and predeceſſour Philip Biſſa, Doctor in Divinitie, Archdeacon of Taunton, who was a painefull labourer in Gods Harveſt, a faithfull Preacher of the Word, inſtant in ſeaſon2 Tim. 4. 2. and out of ſeaſon: for when by reaſon of the faintneſſe and debilitie of his body hee could not goe, hee cauſed himſelfe to be carried to Church in a chaire as one very deſirous to ſpend every inch of life in his Maſters Service, and willing (if God had ſo pleaſed) to expire even in the Pulpit. This reverend Paſtor bought the advowſon of Batcombe, to preſent once only and no more, and paid for it two hundreth pounds; hee had a ſon of his owne, who was both a Miniſter and a Maſter of Arts, afterwards a Prebendarie in Briſtoll, hee had his two hundred pounds offered him againe, was ſeriouſly ſolicited by the reſtleſſe importunities of his deareſt friends, to diſpoſe of it where they ſhould deſire him, yet for all this ſtill reſiſting, and conquering himſelfe by ſetled denying their requeſts and petitions, hee conſtantly reſolved to beſtow it where God ſhould direct him: Grace being more predominant in him, than nathrall affection, and the cries of his peoples ſouls being far more prevolent, than the ſollicitations of his friends, hee freely made choice of, and deſtinated the ſucceeding incumbent in his life time, and when he ſealed the advouſon, he ſpake unto his ſucceſſour and others then preſent, in theſe words, I doe this day lay aſide Nature, reſpect of profit, fleſh and blood in thus beſtowing as I doe my living, onelyonly in hope of profitting and edifying my peoples ſoul's. After which moſt memorable and glorious worke of Pietie, he lived not above three weekes: This his laſt act hee called his packing pennie betweene God and him. Stand ſtill reader a little while, and conſider ſeriouſly with thy ſelfe, is not this noble worke of pietie, bountie, charitie, (for it is either of them, or rather all the three) worthy to bee proclaymed to poſteritie by ſome Seraphicall tongue, and to be imprinted with the point of a Diamond in the cleereſt chriſtall wall, that all ſucceeding generations may ſee, behold, admire, and imitate this religious, gratious, glorious, and everlaſtingly renowned good worke. To theſe mirrours of Charitie, wee will adde a few more, that both ſexes may have their due praiſe and deſerved glory: Miſtris Philip Pitt of Creket in Sommerſetſhire, a gratious, vertuous, and a religious Maiden, was much addicted to workes of merciemercy to her owne painefull Paſtor, ſhee gave fiftie pounds, and an hundred pounds more to bee imployed by two reverend and faithfull Miniſters of Chriſt to pious uſes, five pounds to tenne poore people, and forty ſhillings to bee diſtributed at the doore, in toto one hundreth fiftie ſeaven pounds. And one Miſtris Elizabeth Jurdane, as I am informed a late widdow in Exceter, gave much to pious uſes.
2. We ſhould be cheerefully willing and ready to contribute towards the procurement of a competent, certaine, ſetled and liberall maintenance for the laborious Clergie. Firſt, becauſe the affections of men are inconſtant, variable, and ſubject to mutation, and it is not ſafe to build upon the Sand, to depend upon the benevolences of the irreſolute chriſtians, and the arbitrary, and pinching allowances of covetous and cruell men. Secondly, becauſe the more independant the preacher is, the more reſolute and couragious will bee bee in Gods cauſe: It is of all the miſeries under the heavens, one and not the leaſt, in ſome reſpects, for Gods miniſters, which are his immediate Officers, to be inthralled unto vaine and ſenſuall men for their temporall maintainance and ſuſtentation, to preach for a dinner, a ſute of apparel, for victuals and a ſmal ſtipend as the yong Levite ſerved wicked Michae Judg. 17. 10.for here by it comes to paſſe, that they flatter the people in their wicked wayes, connive at their impieties, and moſt baſely captivate the Word of God unto the humors and fancies of men. God, wee know, hath appointedMat. 10. 10. them maintenance, and this ought, firſt, to bee competent1 Cor. 9. 7. 11. and liberall befitting the honour and dignity of that PerſonGal. 6. 6. whom they repreſent: The1 Tim. 5. 17, 18. Apoſtle ſaith that they are worthy of double honour, that is (as a learned *Reyn in explic. Pſal. 110.Divine expounds the words, an Honour of Reverence and an honour of Maintainance▪ ſecondly, it ought to be conſtant and certaine, as long as there is a Church militant, there muſt and will be Paſtors and Teachers to goe in and out before the people: Therefore it is fit and requiſite, that their maintainance ſhould bee immutable and perpetuall.
To effect this our forefathers gave, *Now the liberall allowances and large ſtipends of theſe famous Benefactors have been minced and pared and moſt unlawfully detained by their degenerating and covetous poſteritie, yet ſome againe have been ſo well-affected and piouſly diſpoſed as to make reſtitution. I will give you one inſtance in this kinde, and that ſhall be Sr John Drake of Musbury in Devon who out of his noble liberall and Chriſtian diſpoſition hath reſtored againe unto his owne Paſtour all that which in former times hath been moſt unlawfully detained.Tithes and Glebeland, and appointed houſes for the Miniſters to dwell in: All which were firſt allowed and ordained by God, and are now eſtabliſhed and ratified by our owne Statute Lawes. And if wee reflect, and caſt backe our eyes, but upon very late times, wee ſhall finde many renowned and religious Chriſtians, who have bin very forward to conferre and ſettle conſtant ſtipends and liberall allowances upon the Glergy. Some have given very largely to this purpoſe out of their impropriations, as did that Noble knight Sr Maurice Berkly (whoſe memorable and pious fact I cannot paſſe by in ungratefull ſilence) the ſame ſtipend is continued and enlarged by his right heire and moſt worthy ſonne Sr Charles Berkly who contributes to a Preacher and Curates about eightie pounds per annum, if not fully a hundred one way or other. Some have lately given in wholly their impropriate Parſonages, as hath that worthy knight Sr William Dodington, he hath reſtored many Parſonages worth hundreds per annum. So one Mr Alderſey an Haberdaſher in London gave an hundred Marks out of an impropriation to a Preacher, and twenty pounds to a Miniſter. Others have given vaſt ſummes of mony to be laid out for the buying of Land and ſetling of competent meanes and and revenues and faithfull Paſtours in ſome great Pariſhes and ignorant congregations. The God of Mercy and all conſolation bleſſe and ſave their ſoules, that are thus ſpiritually merciful; and thus ſeeke the Salvation of other mens ſoules, Amen, Amen.
3. It highly concernes us liliberally to contribute towards the maintainance of Gods publike worſhip and ſervice it ſelfe: Now this could not bee ſupported under the Law without great and extraordinary expences; their Sacrifices, high Prieſts,1 Cron. ornaments, Altars, Lavers, Candleſticks, Baſins, and other golden Inſtruments were ſo chargeable; yet the Jewes were not ſo ſacrilegiouſly-covetous as to ſuffer it to bee contemned or neglected through their illiberalitie, and worldly-mindedneſſe. In the Hiſtory of the old Teſtament wee finde all ſorts of men good and bad in the Church, and ſome Gentiles alſo out of the Church willing contributaries hereunto, Saul, Joab, and Abner 2 Sam. 6. 17.dedicated ſomething unto God. David and his ſonne Salomon 1 Kin. 8. 63.were more liberall this way then any beſides: Artaxerxes hisEzra 7. 15, 16. Counſailers and people offered much ſilver and gold freely unto the God of Iſrael. And Darius Ezra 6. 9, 10.likewiſe made a decree for the advancement of the building of the Temple and for the ſacrificesLevit. 22. 21. and other neceſſaries which were requiſite unto the houſe of God, The Iſraelites willingly offeredEzra 3. 5. free will offerings for the maintenance of Gods worſhip, beſides thoſe they were ſtrictly tyed unto by the Law.
In popery there was, and ſtill is required great coſt and charges to uphold and maintaine their Idolatrous, and fantaſticall ſervices, which hath no other ground and foundation, than the erroneous conceits, opinions, and inventions of men, and theſe their ſuperſtitions are they moſt zealouſly carefull to uphold and maintaine, though with infinite and ſometime intollerable expences. Now our Religion, and that pure worſhip and ſervice of God, which wee embrace and maintaine in our reformed Churches, is not ſo chargeable by farre, as either that of the Jewes, or this of the Papiſts: Our chiefeſt expence conſiſts in the proviſion, reparation and preſervation of theſe few things, our Church and Chancell, a Bible, Commonprayer-bookes, Fontſtone, Communion Table, Table cloath, Surpleſſe, Pulpit, Pulpitcloth, cuſhion and bels; the greateſt coſt of all is the Prieſt and the clarke, and theſe though they be but two perſons, are accounted a heauy charge and intollerable burthen in many places. The tribe of Levi was a very numerous tribe for thereNum. 3. 43. were in Iſrael 22273 Levites, and of the Prieſt 8580 and ſo in the whole 30853, yet they never complained of the multitude, or of the charges they were at in their ſupport and maintainance. In the Popiſh Church, beſides the Prieſt and Clarke, there be innumerable ſwarmes of *Ʋt aluce lucus dictus et eſt homo homo pictus, ſic a Jeſu Jeſuita, quem ſi ſapis, ſemper vita.Jeſuites, (ſo named per Antiphraſin) Munckes, Fryers, Nunnes, Hermites, Anchorites, and I know not how many of ſeverall orders. The author of the Bee-hive of the Romiſh Church reckons up almoſt three ſcore, in which were many thouſands maintained. In our reformed Church, we have ordinarily but one in a pariſh (leſſe there cannot be) and yet for the moſt part men grudge and grieve to maintaine that one, and to allow him thoſe tithes, which do belong and are due unto him (jure divin… ) not onelyonly by a humane right & conceſſion, but by divine authority. The Egyptian Prieſts found better entertainement in the old Pagan, then ſome of Gods owne miniſters do now in the Chriſtian world: they had a portion aſſigned them of Pharaoh, and when by reaſon of theGen. 47. 22 extremitie of the famine which bad over-ſpread the land, the Egytians were compelled to ſell their livings and lands, and all that they had, the Prieſts land onelyonly was not meded with, they were carefully ſuſteined, and looked unto in thoſe miſerable and lamentable times. The Pagan Roman Prieſts, the veſtal-Virgins and thoſe diabolicall votaries, were not onelyonly highly honoured and eſteemed, but alſo liberally rewarded and maintained, and will not theſe heathens, doe you thinke riſe up in judgement againſt thoſe Chriſtians, who will not attribute one part of that double honour unto Gods miniſters, which is duo unto them, neither an honour of maintenance, nor an honour of reuerence.
4. Wee ſhould be ever propen ſo and ready to contribute towards the building, repairing, inlarging, and be autifying of Churches, thoſe ſacred places and habitacles of the Lord, which are dedicated unto, and ſet apart for the publike worſhip and adoration of his holy name. The Iſraelites when they were in the wilderneſſe, and had no livings and lands to poſſeſſe, no houſes, or cities to dwell in, no ſooner underſtood of the preparing andExod. 35. 21. 29. & 36 5. 6. building of a Tabernacle, but preſently they were ſo willinghearted, and ſo bountifull in bringing gifts and gold offerings unto the Lord, that a proclamation was made to reſtraine and inhibite them. Oh how do our exulcerate age, degenerate from the piety of thoſe ancient times, in which a Proclamation can1 Chron. 29. hardly wring and extort any liberall gifts from mens already1 King. 6. 38. & 5. 14. 18. too retentive fingers. It is almoſt incredible, but that the word of truth doth witneſſe it, what abundant and infinite treaſures David (and his princes and officers by his example and intreatie) did lay up, and prepare with all his might for the houſe of his God, the Temple at Jeruſalem, the which how great and glorious it was, you may gueſſe and conjecture by the time it was a building (which was ſeven yeeres) and the number of Architects, and workemen, which were nine-ſcore and three thouſand and three hundred perſons, when this Temple was firſt burnt and ruinated by their enemies, the poore Jewes returning from the Babylonian captivity, began to reedifie it again, &c by the help & aſſiſtance of thoſe 2 mighty Perſian potentates, Cyrus, and Darius, did after ſome long time compleatly finiſh. NeitherEſra. 3. & 6. were they onelyonly carefull to erect and maintaine this gloriousEſra. 1, 2, 3. & 6. 8. habitation and Sanctuary of thePſal. 74. 8. Lord, but wee ſhall read in theMat. 6. 2. & 23. 34. Scriptures alſo of multitude of Synagogues which they built forActs. 9. 2. divine worſhip. Of theſe thereLuk. 7. 5. were in Jeruſalem (as a judiciousGod. Moſ. & Aaron, lib. 2. cap. 2. pa. 87. Antiquary reporteth out of Sigonius) foure hundred and eighty. The Temple of Jeruſalem was as the Cathedrall Church, the Synagogues as petty pariſh Churches belonging thereunto. Thus we ſee how bountifully liberall the ancient people of God were under the Law towards the reparation and building of theſe places which were deſtinated to divine Worſhip, and not to reverſe ſo farre out of ſight, let us look neerer home, and wee ſhall clearely ſee, that our forefathers in this our kingdome long ſince the firſt Plantation of the Goſpell here, have beene very prodigall of their labour and there money too is ſuch kinde of works: As the great Cathedrals, and the thouſands of parochiall Churches in this little Iland doe abundantly teſtifie: And even in theſe our daies, many among us, have been very free and wonderfully bountifull this way, We will point at but a few: Maſter Kendrica a merchant gave a thouſand pound: and Raph Freeman, who died Lord Maior of London, gave a thouſand pound towards the repaire of Saint Pauls: and Sir Paul Pindar is an honourable and a daily benefactor thereunto. At Witham here by us, Robert Hopton Eſquire a religious Gentleman, hath built a faire Chappell adjoyning to his houſe for Gods holy worſhip. Sir William Cravon that noble Lord Cra…nu father built a Church at Burnſall in Yorkeſhire: So did Sir Th…m…n Freak another in Dorcetſhire, Maſter Packer a private Gentleman built a third: Some have erected faire chappels, for Gods Service, all of them are too many to bee particularized. Some Churches have beene repaired, as that beautifull Church at Bathe, others augmented and enlarged, as Saint Clements in London, and Saint Martins in the fields, other ſome have beene very much rectified and beautified, as ſome in the forenamed famous cittie, ſome in Briſtoll, for which the citizens are worthy greateſt commendations: Many in our countrie market townes, among the loſt in theſe principally, Ilmister, S…merton, Brewton, Shepton, M…lla…; and here lot mee commend our owne Inhabitants in Batcomb, Croſcotthe an adjacent village, the charge performed by one private man for adding three bels to two before, for new leading in part, for very fairely beautifying the Church, well neere at three hundreth pound coſt, I may not here omit. Sir John Stowel beſtowed three hundreth pound in reedifying and building a Chappell at his owne proper charge in Cutherſton neere Taunton. Sir John Worstinholme built a Church at his owne charges at Stanmore in Middleſexe. Wee will not bee ſo envious and injurious to theſe benefactors, or to thoſe that have had but a finger in theſe pious good works, as to rob them of that praiſe and commendations which they truely merit: I am not able to extoll them ſufficiently, for indeed they deſerve a Panegyricke: But as for thoſe that are able to enlarge and adorne their Churches, and yet ſuffer them to remaine like Hogſties, or not to uſe a more diſgracefull phraſe) like old rotten and ruinous barnes. I could wiſh I were furniſhed with the wit and facultie of the ſharpeſt Satyriſt, that I might with fit words exagitate and ſcourge this their impietie and indevotion, and blaze abroad in the world, the earthlineſſe, covetouſneſſe, and ſacrilege of ſuch careleſſe and unzealous Chriſtians: Marvell not that I dare call them ſacrilegious perſons, he that is acceſſarie to any villanie, and doth not reveale it, or labour to prevent it, is by the Law accounted as a guiltie Malefactor, and as obnoxious to puniſhment, as the perſonall delinquent. So though impartiall time (who will faſten his devouring teeth aſſoone on the Sacred Temple, as on undedicated and prophane habitations) be the chiefe delinquent and commits the ſacrilege, yet the inhabitants are in the fault and moſt to be blamed, becauſe they ſee Gods Houſe thus diſhonored and defaced by an incorrigible and unavoydable Church-robber, and yet never take any care to prevent or repaire the ruines. Among all thoſe that are faultie this way, thoſe rich farmers and Gentlemen are moſt culpable, who can erect ſtately … edifices for themſelves to dwell in, and let Gods Houſe remaine ſcarce ſo decent and beautifull as their kitchins, Stables: or more contemptible out-houſes.
5. It is a right honourable and religious worke to give liberally towards the erecting of new, or the reparation and inlargement of old. Colleges and Seminaries of learning. The Jewes that ancient and peculiar people of God were well diſpoſed this way, as wee ſhall finde in the Sacred Hiſtory of the old Teſtament.2 Kin. 6. 1. 2 Numb. 35. Joſua. 21. There was a Colledge in Jeruſalem, 2 Cron. 34. 22. and they had many ſchooles for the children of the Prophets. All thoſe eight and fortie Citties which were ſeparated by the command of God for the Levit's to dwell in, were as ſo many Academies, and receptacles for Schollers where they were educated and brought up in learning and religion: For their Sinagogues did not onelyonly ſerve for the Scribes to preach in, but alſo for others to bee taught and inſtructed in. To deſcend from former ages to our owne preſent times: Hath not God raiſed up many noble and renowned *Among the reſt I will inſtance but in one moſt noble Preſident, whoſe not able good works have both ſwift wings and loud: ongu's to carrie and publiſh abrod in the world his well deſerved praiſes; and that is the right Reverend father in God, the liberall, learned, pious, religious, and unparalleld preſent Lord B. of Lincolne, who, out of his ſincere and true love to pietie, Learning, and Religion, erected a beautifull Chappell in Lincoln Colledge in Oxford, and two famous Libraries; the one in Weſtminſter, the other in S, Johns Colledge in Cambridge; beſides Scholle ſhips, and Fellowſhips.benefactors in this little Corner and Angle of the world, who have beene very carefull to erect and maintaine all Nurceries of pietie and good learning? Within the compaſſe and ſpace of threeſcore yeeres (which is not the compleat age of a man) there have beene given towards the building and augmenting of Colledges, Schooles, Libraries, and the maintenance of Fellowes, Schollers, and other Students therein, innumerable ſummes of money. To Cambridge above eightie eight thouſand pounds: To Oxford above ninetie thouſand pounds, to both, the ſumme of one hundred threeſcore and eight thouſand pounds. If this Relation doth tranſcend the Spheare of any mans credulitie and beliefe, let him but viſite our now moſt flouriſhing, unparrelleld, and incomparable Univerſities, and the very ſtones and wals will tell him, that it is a moſt unqueſtionable Truth. So forward have our Anceſtours bene to advance learning, and to promote the honour of the Goſpell.
6. It is a worke no leſſe honourable, than charitable, to contribute towards the ſetting up of countrie ſchooles for the civill education of illitered youth, and more ſpecially for the training up of poore mens children, who are not of abilitie to maintaine them at Schoole. It is a point of civilitie for rich men to traine up their owne children in knowledge and good literature, (andRes nulla minoris conſta bit patri quam filius. Juven. ſat. 7. yet herein many worldlings are deficient, who will be at greater coſt and charges for the breaking of a colt, then for the education of their ſonnes; but it is a moſt excellent act of charitie to provide for the inſtruction and education of ingenuous and Docill poore children: For firſt, it keepes them from idleneſſe that mother-ſinne and originall iniquitie, which doth altogether unqualifie a man for any good Action or Vocation. Secondly, it prevents much miſchiefe and vanitie, which moſt commonly is the iſſue and conſequence of looſeneſſe and carnall libertie. A child left unto himſelfe, like anProv. 29. 15. & 12. 6. untamed Colt, that hath gotten the reines on his necke, with much fiercenes and head ſtrongneſſe ruſheth into all manner of ungodlineſſe and enormous exorbitances, and in the end bringeth himſelfe and his parents to ſhame: Therefore a needfull thing it is to traine up a childe in the wayes he ſhould goe, for when he is old, he will not depart from it, Prov. 22. 6. 3. *That learning and knowledge might bee maintain'd, it was ordained in King Edward the ſixth his reigne, that every beneficed Perſon who could dispend a hundreth pounds per annum, ſhould give a competent exhibition to ſome poore Schooler, living in one of the Ʋniverſities of Oxford or Cambridge, or elſe in ſome Grammer Schooles of the Realme. Foxe Act. & Mon. volum, 2. 656.The children of poore men are hereby ſome what civilized, who otherwiſe for the moſt part are too rudely if not brutiſhly brought up. Fourthly, by this their education they are diſpoſed and made the more fit for any Trade, Art, Occupation or honeſt Profeſſion. Fifthly, they may the ſooner and eaſier bee Catechiſed and informed in the fundamentall points and grounds of Religion: They are hereby the better enabled to read the Scriptures, and to conceive and underſtand what they privately read, or is publikely taught them. Sixthly, among poore mens children (for nature is as propitious and liberall to them ſometimes, as to the nobleſt heires) ſome may be pickt out of excellent good parts, rare wits, and deepe underſtandings, the which naturall faculties, being well poliſhed by Art and education, may qualifie a man for great and neceſſary imployments, either in Church or Common-weale. Laſtly, this bringing up of Children at Schoole in countrie Pariſhes is a great furtherance to the Miniſtry of the Word, for hereby they are made the more capable of Divine inſtruction, and there is the greater poſſibilitie for the Miniſter to benefit them. Experience it ſelfe teacheth how ineffectuall the moſt powerfull Miniſtery is upon an ignorant and unlearned congregation. Though the Sun ſhine bright, yet it nothing helps the blinde man in his way: So though a Miniſter bee never ſo laborious and conſcionably carefull to divulge and ſcatter abroad the *Verbum Dei eſt inſtar Solis omnibus affulgentis, ſed nullo cum fructu inter coecos quibus non ſunt oculi ad vid endum Calv. inſlit.beames and light of the Goſpell, yet hee is like to profit but little thoſe hearers that are involved in the darkneſſe of ignorance and ſtarke blind in their underſtandings. Would to God men of wealth and worldly abilitie would lay to heart the miſeries of poore infants, who as long as they are brought up in ignorance, are brought up in ſin and ſo are like to bee led away hood-winckt by the Diveil, into all manner of uncleanneſſe, and ſinfull abominations. This is a generall neglected dutie, ſeldom practiſed, and never almoſt thought on in the world. I know in theſe parts but one onelyonly Preſident in this kinde, which I cannot but mention, and that is a *Mr. Edward Biſſe.Gentleman in our Pariſh well diſpoſed this way, who beſides a liberall ſtipend hee contributes towards the plantation of a preaching Miniſter in an ignorant Congregation, traines up ſixe poor children at the School, payes for their teaching, and cloathes them once a yeere, not with ordinary old and abject induments, but with new, ſubſtantiall, and very commendable garments. For the better education and inſtruction of illiterate and ignorant youth, many in our latter times have laid out great ſummes of mony towards the erection of free Schools both in the City and in the Countrie, and the ſetling of Lands and a competent maintenance thereupon: Now theſe Seminaries of learning are ſo rare and thinne, that they are not capable Receptacles for all ſorts of children which might repaire thither: And beſides many men who would willingly have their ſons to bee trained up in knowledge, either are ſo poore, that they cannot maintaine them there, or ſo remote from thence, that they cannot ſend them thither: Therefore it were to bee wiſhed that publike Schools might be more frequently erected in every great Countrie parriſh, though no Market Towne, where the inhabitants are of ſufficient wealth and abilitie. This were indeede a noble worke, farre more worthie mens coſt and expences, than the foundation of ſome kinde of Hoſpitalls and Almes-houſes, who are filled too often with ſwarmes of idle, lazie, unworthy Drones, and perhaps with ſome truely poore, aged, impotent Creeples among them, the one whereof might bee better imployed, and the other otherwiſe, as well, if not better relieved. Let both theſe (ſuppoſe both pious and charitable) workes be well weighed in an equall ballance, (laying aſide that common and ſometimes undeſerved glory and eſtimation which is attributed unto the one) and you ſhall finde that erection of Grammer Schooles is a worke as farre tranſcending and ſurpaſſing the foundation and building of Almeſ houſes, as the *Docere ſimpliciter eſt melius quam paſcere. Aquin. 2 2ae. que. 32. Art. 3.inſtruction of the minde doth excell the outward releeving and ſuſtentation of the bodie. Revolve Chriſtian Reader, and conſider on theſe things ſeriouſly, and if thou art able to bring ſuch a buſineſſeDurand. in 4. Sent. 9. 7. &c. Affirme that Spirituall Almes-giving (caeteris paribus) are more excellent and acceptable than corporall. ſee Mr. Boltons gen. directions, pag. 258. to paſſe, be liberall this way and deſtinate ſome portion of thy wealth to ſo gratious and glorious a worke, make choiſe of a pious, painefull, learned, and laborious Schoole-maſter; allow him a large and liberall ſtipend for his encouragement: For it is a thankeleſſe, tedious, and Herculean labour, which few either will or can undertake, a calling which is able to tire even a Tyrannicall *Perimit ſavos claſſis numeroſa tyrannos Juvenal. ſat. 7. ſome underſtand the place of Dionyſius.Dionyſius. Hee muſt thou knoweſt, feede on deadly crambe, volve and revolve * Siſyphus his ever backſliding ſtone, teach and inculcate the ſame things into the ſame braines againe and againe, Hic labor, hoc opus eſt, ſo great and tedious muſt his paines be, and his labor reiterated, and therefore requiſite it is, that he ſhould receive a proportionable and correſpondent reward. Thus much concerningforeign Spirituall Mercy, and works of Pietie, tending to the advancement of Learning and Religion, and ſafetie of ſoules.Saxum ſenis perennis Aeolii labor Seneca. Unto all theſe give mee leave to adde one thing more worthie of our preſent practice and obſervation.
For as much as thoſe that are moſt ſicke, ſtand moſt in neede of the Phyſitian; therefore ſince priſoners are for the moſt part a company of poore, diſtreſſed, naked, and moſt miſerable ſoul's; it greatly concernes us out of the bowels of our Spirituall mercy, and compaſſion, to tender unto them a Spirituall remedy, the Miniſtry of the Word. The priſon it ſelfe is a ſchoole of affliction, and affliction by Gods grace may be a good preparative unto converſion, ſo that Gods Ordinance may hereby bee the more effectuall upon them: and therefore it cannot but bee a famous worke of Spirituall Charitie, to bring the Light of the Wotd, and bleſſed meanes of Salvation unto poore priſoners who lie under chaines, and walke in darkeneſſe, and in the ſhaddow of death. The right honourable and noble Ladie, the now Counteſſe of Warwicke Dowager, hath ſhewed herſelfe moſt mercifull this way in providing in the Cittie of Lincolne meanes for the inſtruction of poore priſoners in the Caſtle there, and hath given a yeerly and certaine ſtipend for ever to this purpoſe. The Countie of Dorcet likewiſe hath made it ſelfe famous and remarkable by the like rare and almoſt unparalleld practice, for in their priſon there is both a conſtant and conſcionable diſpenſation of the Word. Theſe be two notable preſidents and examples, which I could not but nominate partly for others charitable imitation, and partly for the high commendation and due deſerved praiſe of the beginners of ſo Pious a worke, worthie of fame, in all thoſe parts.