A Treatise of Love, Chapter 11
CHAP. 11. Of releeuing the poore.
I Will adde but one thing more, and so make an end of what I purpose to say of this duty of LoueLove, in which I hauehave been longer than I thought of at first: And that is touching one branch, and duety of louelove, which is the relieuing the necessities of the poore; of which, because I hauehave spoken some thing in one of the Notes of LoueLove, namely, that its Bountifull, I will be so much the shorter; handling some things here, that were not there so conuenient to be spoken of.
The Scriptures, both of Old and New Testament, are plentifull about this Point, eyther Commandements touching it, and Promises of blessing thereto, or Threatnings against the neglect of it.
In the Old Law God commanded to leaue their Grounds vnsowen, and Trees vngathered the seuenth yeare, for the poore, Exod. 23. 10, 11. Leu. 25. 3. And the years that they sowed and gathered in, they were bidden to leaue gleanings, Deut. 24. 19. to the end.
How oft in the Prophets doth the Lord call for MercieMercy? yea, tryes the truth of their Religion, and performance of holy Duties by this, as St. Iames doth, chap. I. and the last verse, giuing such charge of the poore in generall, particularly, of the widow, stranger and fatherlesse.
It is commanded, Esay 58. 7. a very excellent place, plaine and plentifull; and in most of the Prophets its called for, as a thing that the Iewes much failed in, and were couetous and cruell. Heb. 13, To doe good, and to distribute, forget not, &c. Ephes. 4. 28. Mat. 5. 45. Hee commands it, whose we are, and all we hauehave at his appointment. I will adde a few Reasons to moue to this Duety:
1 To let passe to speake of theReas. example of God, who fils the whole world with his goodnesse, and feedes both man and beast; who hath also beene bountifull to eueryevery of vsus that are vnworthy (as Iacob said) of the least of his mercies; Let the examples of Gods seruants, who herein obeyed and imitated the Lord in all ages; let them moue vsus. Elisha tooke order for the poore widow, for the paiment of her debts, and for her owne maintenance, 2 Kings 4. Iob was notable in this duty, as appeares Chap. 31. from verse 16. to 21. Our Sauiour Christ of that little that hee receiued for his maintenance, yet gaue something to the poore: therefore (Iudas carrying the bagge) when our Sauiour Christ bade him, that he did doe quickly, the Disciples thought he had meant he should giuegive somewhat to the poore. Zacheus, beeing conuerted, gaue halfe his goods &c. Luke 19. So Acts 2. & 4. the rich sold, and relieued the poore. Dorcas a good Woman this way, Acts 9. towards the end. Cornelius also a notable example, Acts 10. 1. There was also a contribution made by the Christians for the poore Brethren in Iudea, because of a famine was among them, Acts 11. 29. Onesiphorus is commended, and Gaius for an host to the poor Saints of God.
2 Its a sacrifice very acceptable to God, Heb. 13. 16. Phil. 4. 18. as Cornelius his Almes came vp into remembrance before God, Acts 10. 4. Yea, so pleasing, as when his seruice and that cannot stand together, he preferres merciemercy before sacrifice, Hos. 6. 6. And so pleasing, as no duty of Religion, ordinary or extraordinary, is welcome to God, if this duty be wanting, as Esay 1. & 58. from verse 5. to 13. What stronger motiue can there bee than this, seeing its our happinesse that wee can doe any thing that GOD will bee well pleased with?
3 We are but Stewards in respect of God (though owners among men) who hath so deliuered these things out of his hand to vsus, as yet hee hath reserued a Royaltie in them, and the appointing how they shall bee disposed, and will call vsus to account of our stewardship, who hath appointed the poore a part: therefore without this, we can bring in no good bils of account.
Wee must not be like the Gyants den, that hauehave all the footings comming to vsus, and none from vsus. As that rich churle that comming ouer among his Tenants at the halfe yeare, a poore body askt him a penny, No hee told them, hee came to receiue money, and not to giuegive: the contrary had beene better sense and reason a great deale. Else how can we shew our selues thankfull to God, that hath made vsus able to giuegive, that might hauehave made vsus receiuers, the tayle as well as the head, it being in his hand to make poore or rich, and there being nothing in vsus to moue him to giuegive vsus the better part?
Its a great honour to bee the Almners of the King of Heauen and Earth, and that to those that bee not our owne flesh onelyonly, but may bee, such as belong to the Kingdome of God, as well as our selues. If wee should see an Oxe or Asse in misery, ready to famish, or lying vnderunder the burden, wee ought to pitie and helpe them: how much more our Christian Brother? Its honour enough that wee may bee giuers and lenders, though wee keepe not all to our selues. Its good manners for them that sit at the vpper end of the Table, when they hauehave cut well, to set downe some to them that sit below, that all may goe away satisfied, and praise the Master of the Feast.
4 By our liberalitie and mercifull dealing wee shall bring much glory to God: for we shall cause many thanks to bee giuen him from the poore, 2 Cor. 8. and make them more to depend vponupon God, and to speake good of his dispensing of things; that though hee hath appointed some to bee poore, yet hath also commanded the rich to hauehave respect vntounto them.
5 Wee shall doe them a great deale of good whom we relieue: First to their bodies, feeding their hungry bellies, clothing their naked loynes, refreshing their bowels: Or by lending we set them to their worke, whereby they may get to liue of. Next to their soules, keeping them from murmuring, impatience, theft, discontent: if they hauehave no goodnesse in them its the way to breake their hearts, and to bring them to good, or else to conuince them at least: if they hauehave any good, wee shall comfort their hearts, strengthen their faith, and make them serue God much the more cheerfully.
But especially we shall doe our selues a great deale of good: First, wee shall procure many prayers▪ of the children of God for vsus. which is no small benefit, 2 Tim. 7. and the three last verses, the third Epistle of St. Iohn the first and second verses: St. Paul prayeth earnestly in the one place for Onesiphorus, and St. Iohn in the other for Gaius his host; and such prayers be not in vaine.
Besides, wee bring vponupon our selues a great many blessings, God hauing made such promises of blessing to this Duty rightly performed.
Wee prouide well for our outward estate: for he that soweth liberally, shall reape liberally, and with encrease. God hath giuen his Word for requitall, Pro. 19 17. So that we hauehave God in our Cupboard for it (as wee may say with holy reuerence) he is the Poores Suretie, whose word is better than any mans bond: Heauen and Earth must be empty ere hee will faile to pay. He that findes seede to the sower will supply to such, 2 Cor. 8. His righteousnesse shall endure for ouer, Psal. 112. God will not put him out of his Farme that payes his Rent so well, but blesse his stocke and store, his crop and increase, Deut. 15. 10. Eccles. 7. 1.
Yea, hee will blesse them, not in their goods onelyonly, but in their names, they shall hauehave louelove and a good report, which is better than a good ointment, and than much siluer and gold, Prou. 22. 1. How fresh and sweete is Maries name still, for her ointment poured out; and Gaius, whose name is vsed, when wee speake of a bountifull man to the people of God; he is a Gaius we say? Yea, God will blesse such in their soules, Prou. 11. 17. Isa. 58. from verse 8. on forward. Matth. 5. the mercifull shall obtaine mercy. As on the contrary, God will not heare the prayer of the vnmercifull man, Isa. 1. 15. Prou. 21. 13. Hee that stops his eare at the cry of the poore, &c. Nay, God will not blesse the mercifull man in this world onelyonly, but at the resurrection of the Iust, Luke 14. when they shall heare this comfortable and most sweet word, Come ye blessed, &c. because he counts it as done to himselfe; and will we not giuegive to God that giues all, nor to Iesus Christ, that spared not his life for vsus? If we say, Yes to God or Christ, wee will giuegive any thing, else God forbid; God takes it done to himselfe, that is done to any of his. Whereas the Lord will plague both here and hereafter the vnmercifull man: here, as Nabal, whom he strucke that he dyed; and the Foole, Luke 12. that had all for himselfe, neuer mentions any body else, was strucke with sodaine death; and hereafter, as the rich glutton, Luke 16. for no couetous or vnmercifull man shall euer come in the Kingdome of heauen: but there shall bee iudgement without mercy, to them that shew no mercy: they that will not giuegive crumbs of bread on earth, shall be denyed drops of water in hell.
Nay, God wil not only blesse the liberall and mercifull man himselfe, but his posterity after him, Psalme 37. 26. The sonne of a Tennant, that paid his rent duely, shall not be put out his of Farme. Whereas God will curse the posterity of vnmercifull men, and plucke from them the poores portion, which their wicked fathers vnconscionably hoarded vp among their owne; God will let the extortioner catch him, or giuegive him vp to a riotous wastefull course, that shall consume all: one way or other God will draw it out of his belly; and he oft dyes in misery, whose father had no mercy.
Therefore, howsoeuer they hauehave a Prouerbe, Happy is that son, whose father goes to the Deuill, yet its most wicked and false: for euen for outward happinesse they misse of it, except it be some odde one, that by Repentance breakes off, and heales his fathers sinne by mercifulnesse to the poore.
So that eueryevery way a mercifull man prouides well for himselfe, furthers his reckoning, and brings a great heape of blessings vponupon himselfe and his. But an vnmercifull cruell man is well called a miserable man; for of all men, a couetous man is most miserable, in goods, name, soule and posterity, here and hereafter.
Vse 1. This rebuketh a number of cruell, and vnmercifull, and hard hearted men, of whom there are eueryevery where some seen. True, the Gospell (God bee thanked) hath preuailed with many, and they shew forth some good fruits of their Faith and LoueLove: But a number be vsurers, oppressors, grinders, rakers, all for themselues, and so couetous, as they will part from nothing by their good will: if any thing come from them, its so hardly, as one should wring water out of a stone, or pull away a peece of their flesh; as Nabal, that sent away Dauids seruants empty, and with a churlish answer.
Some others so prodigall and riotous, and giuen to their pleasures, and to all excesse, as they waste their state so fast, as they disable themselues to doe that good they might; its not to bee had: Luxury keeps them so bare, which if they had grace to measure their matters with iudgement, might liue a great deale better themselues, and doe much good where need is.
Or if some be so rich, as they hold their state, yet they lay it on so vponupon themselues and theirs, as no cost is spared vponupon braue apparrell, new fashions, costly and curious dyet, hawks, hounds, dice, cards, gamings, that yet when it comes to a matter of giuing, are as pinching, as they that hauehave not the tithe of their estate, can beteeme nothing, to the poore or good vses, very franke in idle expences to serue their owne lust, very sparing to those that hauehave need; like the Glutton, Luke 16. who spared nothing from himselfe, nor nothing for poore Lazarus. And those, Amos 6. that fed to the full of the fattest, and drunke of the sweetest, till they were fitter to stretch themselues, and tumble vponupon their costly beds, than to do any good, yet they had not so much as a thought of the poore that were in want. And as the Foole, Luke 12. that made account hee had much, and all for himselfe; Soule, eate, drinke, and take thine ease, thou hast goods laid vp for (thee) for many yeares.
Notwithstanding the commandement of God, which they cannot be ignorant of, and the Law of Nature, which would be holpen, if they were poore, Gods and good mens example, and the many promises of blessing made to this duety, yet are no whit moued by all these, but fast glued to the world, and can heare nothing that should pull any thing from them. This was one of Sodoms sinnes, Contempt of the poore.
Let these sorts of men know, they are not so ill for others, as they be for themselues: As they shew well, there is no louelove of God or men in them, as 1 Iohn 3. Who so hath this worlds good, and sees his brother hauehave neede, and shuts vp his compassion against him, how dwelleth the louelove of God in him? So they will pull some iudgement of God vponupon their owne heads, as their Predecessors, whom I hauehave named, hauehave done. And this is one reason, no doubt, that mens goods shift masters so oft; besides the ill account they will make of their stewardship, when they shall be called thereto, for which they must make their reckoning, to heare no better sentence than, O euill and vnfaithfull seruant, take him, bind him hand and foote, and cast him into vtter darknesse.
Let these better bethinke themselues in time, and breake off their sinnes by repentance, and their vnrighteousnesse by mercy to the poore, that there may be a healing of their error, and a preuenting the iudgements of God: Oh that my counsell from God may be acceptable to them.
2 But for those, that out of conscience of Gods commandement, and faith in Gods promises made to this duety, out of a zeale to bring glory to God, doe good to others, and to further their owne reckoning; make conscience to bee doing good with a mercifull heart, carry a liberall hand, as God giues ability in themselues, and occasion from others: let them take it to themselues, as a good marke of the truth of their Religion, and know they can no way prouide better for their comfort, or the continuance of Gods blessing vponupon them and their estate, than by continuance in this duety.
3 And thirdly, let this prouoke all sorts of men, to take knowledge of this duety of mercifulnesse to the poore, as one part of Gods will; and well weighing the reasons vsed to prouoke thereto, set themselues to make conscience of the performance thereof: which that they may do indeed, they must be perswaded to remoue out of the may certaine vices, that be deadly enemies thereto, and labour for the contrary vertues.
1. The first is Vnbeliefe, which, as it breeds many other vices, so that of Vnmercifulnesse; for that casts so many doubts and feares of what they may want themselues, and that it will hinder them in their estate, to giuegive here and there, as they withdraw: therefore labour for Faith to beleeue, that as God will performe all his promises, so those made to this duety; and therefore that its the high way to thriuing. and this will set vsus to it, and that with chearfulnesse.
2. Pride, which is seen in excesse of costly attire for our selues and ours, ayming at high pitches and great portions for our children, and such and such estates must be obtained; this must needs hinder liberality: therefore the Apostle, 1 Tim. 2. 9, 10. forbids women to be deckt with costly apparrell, but commands to aray themselues with good workes: Noting, they cannot doe both; for the backe is a theefe: the meaning is, when its superfluous, and beyond their ability, all duties discharged: Oh what an infinite deale of good might be done, if but the superfluities of folkes apparrell were taken away, which might very well be spared!
3 The like may be said of intemperance excesse of cheere, variety & costliness of dishes at mens tables: God allowes to men according to their degrees, to some vsually, to others at festiuall times & daies of greater reioycing; yet to none excesse: or so as they thereby be disabled for such good workes as their place cals for at their hands. The excesse of this Land in these two forenamed things, would abundantly not only relieue the wants of our poore at home, but would make a blessed supply of the most wofull and crying necessities of our distressed brethren abroad.
And is it meet that some should be hungry, and others drunken? as the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 11. 21. Were it not much meeter, that they had our superfluities (which doe vsus but hurt) to supply their necessities, and so both should be better? The Lord giuegive vsus at last to make conscience of this Duety; its more than high time so to doe.
4 Idlenesse and vnthriftinesse, which vsually goe together, are great lets of liberalitie. For, if one goe euer to the heape, and by labour adde nothing thereto, in time it will consume, and so hee shall hauehave nothing for himselfe nor the poore: therefore the Apostle, Ephes. 4. 28. commands to worke with the hands, that so there may bee wherewith to giuegive to them that want.
But vsually idlenesse is ioyned with spending, gaming, drinking, and such vnthrifty courses, and this hastens beggery the faster, and so preuents liberalitie in a high degree. The prouident and thrifty are fittest to doe good: as the good Hous-wife in the last of the Prouerbs.
5 Couetousnesse is especially to be cast out, as the direct opposite to mercifulnesse to the poore, as contrary as fire and water: which is an vnsatiable desire of getting more, setting mens hearts on the world so eagerly, as it were heauen or happinesse, and making it their God, so as they cannot endure to part from it; not knowing that they are base and transitory things, and that the perfection of them is in their well employment.
Lets therefore be intreated to remoue these lets out of the way, that this duety may bee carefully performed.
But yet let vsus not content our selues to doe this Dutie of Mercifulnesse to the poore, but labour like Christians to doe it in a right manner: for that is all in all, that makes or marres. For wee may giuegive much, and yet not please God, nor profit our selues. Therefore diuers Rules to this purpose must be obserued:
1. We must giuegive or lend righteously,Rules f… right relieuing. that is, of our owne lawfully come by; not what we hauehave gotten by oppression or wrong, which is to rob one, to giuegive to another. We must not keepe the poore as the Lion or Foxe keepe their Whelpes or Cubs, with that we hauehave got by rapine, but with our owne: therefore giuing is called Righteousnesse, Psal. 112, not only to shew that its a duety that must be done, but it must be done in Righteousnesse. Therefore Micah 6. these two are ioyned together, to doe iustly, to louelove merciemercy. Zacheus first restored what he had got wrongfully, and then giues of his own iust gotten goods to the poore.
Contrary to this, is the practise of some vsurious, couetous, or sacrilegious persons, who when they hauehave got much by Church robbery, and selling Church liuings, or by oppressing and vndoing many families; to still the gnawing of their Consciences, giuegive somewhat to the poore at last. But its abomination to God, and their sinnes cry lowder for iudgement, than their liberalitie for any blessing.
Quest. But here it may be demanded, whether seruants may giuegive of their Masters goods?
Answ. No doubt, without Masters or Dames consent in one kinde or other, they may not, it shall bee theft to them, rather than any thing pleasing to God.
Quest. May children giuegive of their Parents goods?
Ans. No: not except they hauehave some consent.
Quest. May such as are behind hand, and owe more than they be worth, or able to pay; may these giuegive?
Answ. No: by no meanes. They boast of false liberalitie.
2 Wee must giuegive freely, without expecting a recompence. Not therefore with opinion of merit to earne heauen, as Papists mercenarily doe: Or to helpe themselues out of Purgatory; that is base: Nor doe it Pharisaically, with ostentation, and desire to be seene.
Wee may looke vponupon the Promises made by God to this Duty, to encourage vsus the more; yet to doe it freely, because its commanded vsus of God.
Not expecting any thing from man. What is freer than gift, as we say? So when we lend to our poore Neighbour, it must be free, not looking hee should earne it out, as it were, or doe as much for vsus some other way; fye vponupon it. Nay, we ought not so to looke for our own againe, as that be the chiefe thing wee ayme at, but to doe him a pleasure.
3 Cheerfully, as a free-will offering. God loues a cheerefull giuer: as Zacheus stood forth and gaue &c. The Macedonians 2 Cor. 8. counted and called it a grace and fauour, that they might hauehave their hand in so good, acceptable & gainfull a worke. Men sow cheerefully in good ground.
Therefore its not to be done by force of Law, as some: Nor yet by such importunitie of Neighbours, faine to vse so many Arguments, and such a deale of doo to perswade and get them to it. Not grudgingly or of necessity.
4 Seasonably; not tomorrow, if they now need, and we hauehave it, Pro 3. 28. wee know not what may fall out by then, what temptation they may meet with. Also wee may bee dead, or they: Hee giues twice, that giues quickly.
Also helpe them ere it bee too late: shore them vp when they begin to reele, so they may stand a good while; not let them alone till they fall flat downe. A little in time may doe more good, than much more after. We must not tarry till they hauehave sold their cupbord, bed, their best coate; fye vponupon it. If one be lent to in time, he may be vpheld, that else must soone come to receiue Almes. So to giuegive to the poor in their sicknesse, before they be too farspent.
5 Wisely: not lashing it on too fast, but measuring it out as it may continue. Psal. 112. Measure our affaires by iudgement. Few erre on this hand; yet some hauehave been so lauish in house-keeping, entertainment and giuing, as they hauehave ouer gone themselues. This is to pull out the tap: We must draw as need is. A good house-keeper will not set the barrell on the greene, for eueryevery one to drinke that will, and more than neede; so hee should soone make an end, and hauehave no comfort when hee hath done.
Also wee must giuegive wisely, as we may doe most good with that we giuegive. Therefore we must take care, that they hauehave it that hauehave most neede: Not the lusty to hauehave it, and the old, lame, blinde, impotent, and yongue children to want. Its a great disorder in some great mens keeping open house at Christmas, that the rude, idle and prophane round about, they come thither to meate, but the very poore indeed, which cannot trauell in the dirt, and cold, and crowd, they sit at home and want.
No doubt, if it pleased them to send to their Neighbour-Townes in money what they thinke good to bestow, to bee distributed by the Officers and chiefe of the Towne that know how to giuegive it indifferently, and where most need is, it would bee much greater reliefe to the poore, and so a more charitable worke, and saue themselues a very great deale of trouble, and preuent a great deale of sinne committed by that rude company, in their vnseasonable returnings home, besides their rudenesse there.
6 Wee must giuegive to the good especially, Gal 6. True, we must giuegive to all; I meane, to such as follow their calling: but for those that can worke, and will not, let them starue. GiueGive euen the bad in their want, if they be diligent to doe what they can; yet giuegive them with instructions, admonitions to keepe their Church, hauehave a care of their soules, and to bring vp their children to worke, not to pilfering, idlenesse, or begging, rebuking them for these or any such faults; as they that be most poore are very gracelesse, and godlesse almost.
So may wee doe good both wayes But to the houshold of Faith, giuegive them with more chearfulnesse, and good encouragement of them in their good course, and behold Iesus Christ in them: when all bee alike to vsus, its no good signe, but when these be worst regarded, there can be no worser signe.
7 Orderly. To our owne kinred first▪ 1 Tim. 5. and so on to our owne Towne, and so further, as God giues occasion and abilitie.
8 According to eueryevery mans ability. To whom much is giuen, of them is much required. The Master called his seruant that had fiue Talents to account for fiue. 1 Tim. 6. 17. Rich men are charged to be rich in good workes: hee that hath but little, little is of him expected; if it be but a cup of cold water, a widowes mite, where is no more, it shall be as well accepted, as great things of the rich. For God requires not of2. Cor. 8. 12. a man according to that he hath not, but according to that hee hath: and that he will require.
Its therefore a great fault in most Parishes, that the meaner sort beare the chiefest burthen, and not the richest: but a man, not a quarter sometime, not halfe a quarter of their substance, shall bee halfe as much in charge as they. Fie vponupon such inequality: amongst men of good conscience, it ought not so to be.
Though it were but a foolish thing for one of vsus to say, If I were such a rich man, I would doe thus and thus much good more than such a man doth; because we were neuer in that state: and therefore know not the temptations belonging to that state: yet this wee may truely say, that such and such a rich man hath meanes in his hand to doe very much good: Oh what elbow roome he hath? he might reach out his hand two wayes, ten waies, and bee neuer the worse. Towards the Ministry of the Word, to helpe a poore body out of great trouble, &c. What is it for a richman to giuegive here twenty shillings, there forty shillings, fiue pound to this good vse or that? And when some charge is to be borne by a company of meane men, to exempt them, and beare it all himselfe; what good by lending poore young beginners, and such as want stocke?
But alas, how farre off is it from the most such? Some doe no good: others nothing answerable to their ability. They lose their honour that God hath put vponupon them.
Truely let them looke to it: for they hauehave great accounts to make: And if their receipts bee found great, and their layings out small, God will cast such bills in their faces, and themselues into hell.
9 We must giuegive according to eueryevery ones need: for their neede should be the whetstone to our liberality: As in deere times, or in time of sicknesse and distresse, to reach out our hand more than ordinarily; not to giuegive hand ouer head, as much to those that hauehave lesse need, as to those that hauehave more. The wicked will be most clamorous, and if we goe by that, oft times the better minded poore, which be more bashfull & slow to speak for themselues, shall hauehave wrong; therefore we ought to informe our selues, as well as wee can, of eueryevery ones wants, especially, in our owne Parish, and to carry our hand accordingly: we must not be bountifull to our wealthier neighbours, and pinching to the poore. If we cannot do both, let our feasting the wealthier alone, and do good to the poore; for that will be the truer & more certain testimony of our louelove, because they cannot requite vsus againe. But you shall hauehave some, that will spare no cost, to make a feast to them that hauehave no need, (which, with the other too, hath his place) that yet are very miserable to the poore, and will the same day of such feast, shake vp a poore body like a dish-clout, that comes but for some of the scraps. Let not these boast of their LoueLove.
And then to shew our selues most kind & helpfull, when their need is greatest: for a brother orPro. 17. 17. neighbour is borne for aduersity, and that is the triall of louelove. God is neuer so neare his seruants with his comforts, as in their greatest afflictions: And therefore, while a man is in prosperity and good case, to salute him, vse him kindly, be glad of his company; and when the world frowns on him, and God casts him behinde, then not to know him, to shake him off, goe on the other side of the way, or if we must needs take notice of them, then to speake sleightly to them, houerly, and be strange and far off, this is no true louelove: and yet this is that that manie a one finds in the world, as Pro. 14. 20. & 19. 4. 7. These bee like winter-plashes, that be very broad when there is no need of them; but in summer are dry, when they should do most good.
Thus many a worthy Minister, while they hauehave enioyed their health and Ministry, hauehave had countenance of all sorts, both Gentlemen and Yeomen, that after, by some occasion, hauing had the case altered with them, hauehave gone vp and downe moping, and no body, especially of the wealthier sort, take notice of them, but shun them, as if they had the Plague about them. So the wiues of many painfull Ministers, while their husbands liued, were made account of, and inuited, that when God hath taken their husbands from them (when they had most need of comfort) hauehave found cold friendship, not of strangers onelyonly, but euen of those that professed greater louelove to the parties deceased. This is but carnall, or at least but cold louelove, that is then farthest off when there is most need of it; whereas true LoueLove reioyceth to bee shewing it selfe, where is most good to be done.
10 We must giuegive with compassion, and out of a pitifull heart and feeling of others miseries; as we are bidden, Col. 3. 23. to put on tender mercies, and bowels of compassion, &c. and 1 Pet. 3. 8. Be pitifull, &c. and Isa. 58. 10. Poure out our soule to the hungry: that is, hauehave compassion of their miseries. Thus did the Lord to vsus, when we had plunged our selues into irrecouerable misery, he took pity on vsus, and gaue vsus his blessed Son, &c.
So had hee compassion on the gronings of Israel vnderunder Pharaohs bondage. So in the book of Iudges diuers times, Iudg. 10. 16. so also, Neh. 9. 17. This will proue vsus to be liuing members, not dead stockes. A little giuen with compassion, is more acceptable to God, than neuer so much without, 1 Cor. 13. yea, compassion alone is much accepted with God and men, where there is nothing else to be had.
Which condemnes the great Almes-deeds of Papists, that proceed from no compassion towards the poor, but out of louelove to themselues, to saue their owne skins. That giuegive to be seen of men, that giuegive by constraint of authority, or for shame, and to auoide reproach, or to satisfie the requests of friends: Or those that giuegive with twits and taunts, and proud insultings, checkes and vpbraidings, especially towards those that bee any thing well minded: all these hauehave their reward they are like to hauehave, except their worke had come from a better root: Whereas many a poore body cōming to their poore sick neighbour, with pitiful moanings, out of a grieued heart, & water in their eyes, beat vp their pillow, watch with them all night, or tend them a day or two (which can very hardly spare the time from their owne bellies) or of their little giuegive them a little, this is a very rich gift, and pleasing to God, and shall not goe vnrewarded. Let not the poore therefore be discouraged, and say, I liue like an vnprofitable person, & can do no body any good; but consider what our Sauiour Christ said of the Widows two mites cast into the treasury, and be of good comfort.
Now seeing compassion is so necessary, & giues such commendation to our liberality, it shall be good for vsus to vse the best means we can, to stirre it vp, or procure it in vsus.
1 It shall be therefore good, to take a true report from such, as can relate the miseries of any that we are to giuegive vntounto, and so well weigh and marke it, as it may moue vsus. Thus did Nehemia, Cap. 1. so weigh the misery of Gods people that was told him, as hee was very deeply affected therewith.
2 To put our selues into their person, & think (as it might hauehave bin our case, as well as theirs, so) what we would be glad to finde from others, if it were. Consider, they be not bruit beasts, but euen our owne flesh; and therefore to pity them.
3 So by our owne afflictions that God sends vsus at any time, to be moued to pity others; and from the comforts that we finde in them, from God or Men, be prouoked to the like compassion towards others, 2. Cor. 1. 4.
4 Especially, its of very great force to this purpose, to goe and see the miseries of our poore brethren, their ruinous & cold houses, poore fire to make amends with, empty cupbords, thin clothing, and so neare the wind, cold lodging, slender couering; and to see what exceeding paines some take early and late, to see others in how great paine and affliction they lye, and how little to comfort them, &c.
5. If our heart be not made of an Adamant, this will moue vsus, & a great deale more than all that we can heare. The sight of the eie moues much, either to good or euill; which the Deuill wel knew, when he tempted Eue to look vponupon the Apple, and when hee set Bathsheba naked and bathing before Dauids eye, which did more hurt than if he had heard of such a thing: So is it powerfull to moue to good. Therefore Saint Iames bids vsus, visit the fatherlesse and widowes in their aduersity, &c. Our Sauiour Christ seeing the people scattered, &c. Mat. 9. had compassion on them: So the Samarit an saw the wounded man, and had compassion of him.
It were therefore a comely thing sometimes for wealthy women to looke into the poores houses, and see a sight that might moue them, and that they might report of to their husbands. Their coat would sit neuer the worse on their backes, if they did so: neyther need they thinke scorne, seeing the glorious Angels attend about them, if they bee good, and God himselfe is with them.
This also is comely for Ministers and their Wiues.
Especially it is requisite for them to doe so, that are in office, and hauehave taken for the time the speciall charge of the poore. …o shall they answer their name of Ouerseers, which few doe, but goe by heare-say, which is oft vncertaine, or that which is worse, by the words of the poore themselues; the worst most-what beeing most bold and importunate, when others▪ that hauehave more neede, and are better to bee regarded, cannot so well speak for themselues.
These Rules beeing carefully obserued in our Relieuing the poore, it will not only be profitable to them, but it shall bee wellpleasing to God, and bring much comfort and blessing to our owne selues here and hereafter: Without which, howsoeuer others may hauehave benefit, yet our selues shall certainely lose our labour.
But now I draw to an end of this duty of mercy to the poore, Doe you thinke that the carnall and vnbeleeuing heart of man will willingly yeeld hereto, without any further questioning or opposing against it? Oh no: for though those that are of God will heare Gods Word, and his Commandement, and Reasons that he vseth to moue to the obedience thereof, will ouercome and preuaile with them, yet to the vnregenerate, nothing can be so spoken, but they hauehave many carnall reasonings and obiections to make against the same. Some whereof I wil here make known, and briefly answer them, and so winde vp with a word or two of the duties of the poore.
Obiect. 1. My goods are mine owne, Ile doe with them what I list, and nobody shall make mee giuegive, but where and when I see good my selfe.
Answ. Though thy goods bee thine owne among men, yet God hath but committed them to thee of trust, and reserued a right in them, commanding thee to dispose of part of them to the poor, to whom hee hath giuen none, and will accordingly call thee to account for the same: therefore thou art not such an absolute owner of them as thou imaginest, but an accountant and steward.
Obiect. 3. If I giuegive to eueryevery one that will aske, and say they hauehave neede, I may giuegive away all, and make my selfe a beggar.
Answ. Thats not required of thee, but to giuegive with discretion. As for the yongue man that was bidden by our Sauiour Christ to sell▪all, and giuegive to the poore, and follow Christ; it was a commandement of tryall peculiar to him, not binding all: and yet we see it not plainely required of him, that he should giuegive away all.
Againe, they feare a false feare: for when some of them hinder themselues much by running into vsury, of a couetous minde to purchase withall, some others by riotous expences in apparrell, by suretiship, or other blinde courses that they take; then eueryevery little thing that they giuegive to the poore, or any good vse; oh this will begger them. No, no, looke well about thee, and thou shalt finde its not thy liberalitie beggers thee, but somwhat else; leaue that, and thou mayst doe well to thy selfe, and much good to others.
Obiect. 3. Though I hauehave enough now, yet I cannot tell what I may want hereafter; Ile bee sure to prouide for my selfe, and if I leaue any thing when I dye, I will giuegive them somewhat then: As one that lying vponupon his death bed, put a peece of Gold in his mouth, and kept it there, and being askt his reason, hee answered, Some wiser than some, I meane to keep this till I am dead.
Answ. A right obiection of a couetous distrustfull man, that will trust God no further than he sees him; no, though he hath promised to reward liberalitie with plentie. What a wretched minde is this, to thinke that God will faile men euer the more that obey him? And whereas they thinke to make sure of enough for themselues, its not all, nor ten times so much that could keepe them from beggery and misery, if God should set himselfe against them. And to giuegive when they dye, its little thankes; for they cannot carry it with them.
Obiect. 4. All is little enough for my selfe and my children: for I meane to leaue my eldest sonne a good estate, and I hauehave diuers daughters that I purpose to match well; and therfore must get them good portions, as its expected in these daies, and then they must hauehave education accordingly.
Answ. But who bids you flye such high pitches, and set downe such portions, and in the meane time neglect Gods commandement, and your duty to the poor? This is the high way to pull downe your children. Do as you may, all duties discharged, and there an end: for if you hoard vp the poores part in your childrens great portions, God will draw it out of your, or your childrens bellies.
Obiect. 5. They bee neuer the better for all that is giuen them, they draw all through their throat.
Answ. If some bee not, yet some be thrifty, and its well seene and well bestowed of them: If any abuse your liberalitie, you may cut them the shorter, but let not others fare the worse for them.
Ob. 6. They be ill tongued, one may giuegive them neuer so much, & they will not giuegive one a good word.
Answ. It may be we spoyle our gift in the manner of bestowing it, and so it loseth its grace and credit. 2. Though some bee vnthankefull and ill tongued, yet all are not so: they that be, yet giuegive them, and ouercome them.
Ob. 7. They be so bad and so wicked, as its pity to giuegive them.
Answ. We giuegive it not to their badnesse, but to their pouertie: and may be our goodness to them with good counsell, may make them better. But some blame not their badnesse for hatred of their sin, but as an excuse to saue their purses: but that is not a sufficient plea.
Ob. 8. They be so theeuish one can keepe nothing for them almost, abroade especially: They break my hedges, carry away my barres, pluck vp my stiles; Ile giuegive them nothing, not I.
Answ. This is most what rich mens faults: for if they would take order that eueryevery family should doe what worke they are able (according to the Law of God, and the good Statutes of the Land) and then what they cannot reach to by their labour, to supply to them for necessaries, eueryevery one beeing held to worke, most part of this would bee preuented. And then if any were taken in such offence, and were well punisht, either by the whip, or else their collection that week kept backe, you should heare few such complaints. But if they bee not as well looked to, to follow their worke, as to giuegive them a little collection, a great many will begge or steale, rather than get it by working.
Ob. 9. Some of them that make a great shew of Religion, yet if they get money into their fingers that one hath lent them, one cannot tel how to get it again, for all their great precisenesse, and running to sermons.
Ans. True; some such offences there be, more is the pity: but this must not wholly take our minde from the duty of lending, nor let all fare the worse for the fault of some few: Or if wee should doe well for any that we thought wel of for soundnesse, and after they proued but Hypocrites; yet if our minds were vpright in that wee did, we shall not lose our reward
Ob. 10. There be such a number of charges eueryevery way, to the King, and for Souldiers, to the Ministers, to the repairing the Church, to Bread and Wine for the Communion, and Briefes, and one Collection or other, that I can neuer a Sunday be quiet: and now you come for the poore; I think you will hauehave all; I see no reason to be at all these charges.
Answ. For those that be to the King, its our bounden duty, and they be abundantly recompensed in the peace and quietnesse that we enioy vnderunder his Gouernment. And for the Church, small cause to grudge at that, seeing it is a trifle towards his seruice that giues all. And that we giuegive for the good of our soules, is the best bestowed mony that can be, if the fault bee not in our selues. For any thing we do in compassion to them that be in want, God hath giuen his word himselfe to see that requited. So that if it be well considered, there is no such cause of this grumbling at any one, or all of these charges.
Ob. 11. If you will not be quiet, but follow mee thus with GiueGive, giuegive, and Pay, pay, I will make a shortcut of it, Ile break vp house and goe liue in a great Town, and eat and drink, and be merry with my friends, and put out my mony to vsurie.
Answ. If you do, you shall carry many curses with you, and a guilty conscience, and the hand of God will follow you, and it may be you may hauehave as smal ioy of it, as your Predecessor in the twelfth of Luke, when he had thought to hauehave nestled himselfe in his wealth for many yeares, and liued at ease, he was suddenly arrested, with O foole, this night they shall fetch away thy soule, and then whose shall these things be? There is no flying from the duties that God requires: therefore listen and learn, obey and be blessed.