The Art of Giving, Chapter 8 – Chapter 17
CHAP. VIII.
A fourth circumstance and condition of Beneficence, that it to be done in Faith:
That is,
1 THe person that performeth it; must beleeue in the sonne of God.Sect. 1. because whatsoeuer is not of faith is sin, Rom. 14▪ 2 Cor. 8. 5.
And this,
Reproueth the liberality & munificence of all Atheists, Papists and prophane persons whatsoeuer, yea, the hypocrites Almes is heere condemned. Math. 6.
2 It must be done according to the word,Sect. 2. Leuit. 19. 2 Deut. 24. 19. and so all voluntary and conceited charity is also reproued, as also that depends onelyonly on mans law.
3 We must giuegive with assurance that though man doe forget, yet God will recompence, and aboundantly repay both in this life, and the life to come.
4 To this end we are to ioyne prayer with our liberality.
And this condemneth.
The infidelity of beleeuers,Sect. 3. that doubt of this. As also the prophanes of the world, that expects it not.
Another note of faith in giuing, is, that we giuegive, looking for no recompence againe from man, yea, there cast our bread, where there is no likelihood, euen vponupon the waters. Eccles. 5. This we shall performe
If we giuegive,
1 To the poore, &c. that are not able to recompence vsus. Math. 5.
2 To our enemies, and such as insteed of good, vsually recompence euill vntounto vsus. Math. 5. Rom. 12. Pro. 25. &c.
And that because,
1 Herein we come neerest vntounto God, who loued vsus when we were his enemies. Rom. 5. 6. Math. 5. 45.
2 We obtayne a most glorious conquest ouer our owne corrupt nature mastering heereby the pride of ou… hearts; whose fruit is anger; and effec… reuenge. Rom. 12.
3 We attaine not onelyonly the spiritua… meaning, but the most difficult practis… of the law of God, and so hasten to perfection.
4 Heereby also we may winne them or make them inexcusable, or bridl… them at the least. Pro. 25. Pro. 16.
Now the louelove that we ought to shew to our enemie, Is,
1 In heart louingly and heartily to affect him, so far forth as that we desir… euen the saluation of his soule, and s… consequently of his body, &c.
2 Secondly in speech. Math. 5. 21 Blesse them that curse you. 1 Sam. 24. 7.
3 In action, &c. Doe good to them 1 Iohn. 3. 18. Exod. 23. 4. Prou. 25. 21 2 Reg. 6. 14. 19. 21.
4 Yea, in that action which may mos… benefit their soules, namely Prayer Luke 23. 34. Act. 7. 60.
Exception.
1 We must put a difference betweene the cause and the person, the person we must louelove, but hate the cause. Psal. 139. 21. 22.
2 Some enemies are publisht and profest against God and his truth: Others priuate to our selues and secret, these we must louelove, the other we may hate. 1 Cor. 16. 22.
3 Publike enemies are either curable, such as will receiue instruction, &c. these we must pray for, &c. or incurable, such as scorne instruction and prosecute the meanes; these to be prayed against: and so Dauid & Peter, Psal. 109. 10.&c. prayed against Gods enemies, as hauing a speciall insight into their finall estates,Act. 8. 19. by extraordinary illumination,2 Tim. 4. 14. and spirit of prophecy, which because wee hauehave not, therefore we are 1. not to pray peremptorily against them, as if we did iudge them finally, 2. but conditionally, & onelyonly respecting their present estate, where in they do desperately oppose the truth: 3. yea rather praying that by some temporall iudgement the LORD would crosse their purposes, and bring them to repentance, then that they might be left to finall vengeance. So these places are to be expounded. 1 Ioh. 5. 16. Deut. 7. 2.
And this reproueth
1 The Popish louelove,Vse. which hold, that we are bound not to hate, but not alwaies to louelove our enemies, saue in two cases: 1. When he is in necessity.Note. 2. In the case of scandall; we giuegive offence to others in not relieuing him.
2 The practise of the world, which rendreth what euill it may, and pretendeth cause.
3 Though it forgiue, yet it will not forget.
4 We must not professe enmity against any.
5 Nor speake euill of them, &c.
CHAP. IX.
A fift point in Beneficence,Sect. 1. is, that it be done in louelove:
That is,
THat my bounty proceede from a tender heart, in true compassion of my neighbours estate,Mat. 15. 3…. and hearty desire, to giuegive him sound comfort hereby:
This shall appeare,
1 If I principally respect his soule, and in all my bounty labour the good thereof.
2 When together with my outward reliefe I ioyne louing speech, and sweete behauiour, and make my selfe equall with him of low degree. Esay. 58. 7. Hide not thy selfe, &c.
3 When together with my well-doing I preuent such euils as are inward: by reproofe, exhortation, &c.
4 And doe it, also to that end, that God may enlarge his bounty ouer him, not to hinder him from further comforts, eyther from God or man.
5 And be not weary hereof, but rather prouoke to aske, then denie being asked.
6 To this end ioyne we prayer to our bounty, that God may blesse it; else it may proue a curse to our selues, and to the receiuer. Pro. 12. 10.
7 And be wee not driuen off from well-doing, eyther by the malice of the world, or vnthankfulnesse of receiuers, or hardnesse of the times, or example of oppressors, but know we that true louelove respects none of these.
8 And to testifie our louelove herein, we are bound not onelyonly to giuegive when it is demanded, but euen priuately to enquire and seeke out the poore among vsus, (because the most honest poore will hardly discouer their wants) and so accordingly minister vntounto them.
9 To this end it is not amisse, euen with our owne hands to distribute what God hath enlarged vsus to, to the greater comfort of the poore, and better securitie of our Almes: not to reserue it to the end of our liues, when wee must part with it, whether we will or no, &c.
10 Yea hitherto appertayneth, that we receiue such small tokens as the poore offer vsus, to testifie their thankfulnesse, &c.
11 Then also doe I giuegive in louelove when I so prouide that my charity may doe good.
To this purpose is required.Sect. 3. Charitie when it doth good.
1 That I giuegive not niggardly, to linger them in misery, but plentifully, that so I may recouer them out of the estate of pinching famine, and so enable them to strength, and labouring for themselues.
2 As I relieue them thus farre; so here I must not cease, least health not imployed make way for idlenesse, and so for all manner of sinne. And therefore now I must prouide that idlenesse be preuented, by seeing them imployed in some handie-craft, or such like, wherevnto they are fittest, and if they will not labour not to relieue them.
3 I am bound to testifie this louelove by reprouing them for their idlenesse, and furthering them by the helpe of the Magistrate to punishment, if neede be, for the same; yea, I am to supply them with some stocke as their trustinesse shall be, and to watch ouer them brotherly, that they may follow their callings, taking some account of them, and withall aduising them as occasion shall serue.
CHAP. X.
A sixt Circumstance in Beneficence is, that it be constant, and vnchangeable:
As Pro. 5. 15.
HErein, best resembling the mercy of God, which is continuall.
2 Best trying our faith: And,
3 Seruiug most for the comfort, and occasions of the poore, who if they shall be alwaies with vsus, then we must not omit to relieue them.
This is seene,
1 In relieuing him so often as his occasion shall require, if wee be able; not putting him off with this; that he must now seeke elsewhere, but reioycing that we hauehave still this meanes to sanctifie our estate; and being glad herein to preuent others. Math. 26. 11. Pro. 22. 2. Rom. 12. 13. Gal. 6.
Because,
1 Our God deales so with vsus, as often as we seeke, he supplies; and we must be mercifull as our heauenly Father is mercifull.
2 Hereby we preuent much distraction and endlesse labour, which otherwise we put him to, in putting him ouer to others.
3 The Church is freed from inordinate and idle persons, by this constant contribution. 2 Thess. 3. 6. 7. 8. 9.
4 To this end serues that common treasury, to be leauied and stored vp for the poore, of which before.
CHAP. XI.
A seauenth thing to be considered in Beneficence is the ends thereof,
Which are,
1 THe assurance of saluation to the giuer, who testifieth hereby the truth of his faith. 1 Iam. 23. And layeth vp a good foundation against the day of Christ 1 Tim. 6.
2 Is the benefit of the party, both in soule and body, to whom he giueth.
3 The good of the Church of God which is hereby both honoured by the maintenance of her members.Leuit. 25. 2. And prouoked to the like by such examples.Deut. 15. 2.
3 And 3. hereby enabled and outwardly preserued, when the word and meanes thereof are maintained.
Hence followeth the
1 Necessity of the maintenance for Ministers, 1 Cor. 94. Gal. 6. 6.
2 The equity of Tithes to this purpose. Deut. 16. 16. 12. 19. Act. 21. 24. not as a matter of Almes, but due, Luke 10. 7. 1 Tim. 5. 3.
4 This Beneficence hath good place in the solemne duties of Gods worship, as a part and inseparable companion thereof, So
1 It is a part of the sanctifying of the Sabbath in generall. 1 Cor. 16. 1.
2 A necessary companion of publike Thankesgiuings. Hest. 9. Nehem. 8.
3 As also publike fasts are not well solemnized without it. Leuit. 25.
4 It doth accompany the Ministerie of the word. Nehem. 8.
5 Hitherto also belongeth those reuenewes which hauehave beene giuen to the maintenance, and repayre of the house of God. Which howsoeuer in some part to superstitious vses, yet by the godly hauehave beene well conuerted, and established to such good ends.
And so are to be continued and increased,
1 So that we remember we are in the time of the Gospell, where lesse outward pompe is required▪ then vnderunder the law. Exod. 36. 5. 6. Hagg. 1. Mala. 1. &c.
2 Where the Lord is to be worshipped in spirit and truth, and not in outward ceremonies & vnnecessary vanity.
3 Where we are sometimes to remit of our right, rather then to stand vponupon vnnecessary and superfluous maintenance. Ezra. 8. 22. Act. 20. 33. 34▪ 1 Cor. 4. 12. 2 Cor. 12. 13. 1 Thessa. 2. 3. 4. 5. 17. 9. 2 Thess. 3. 8.
1 As when the Church is in some extraordinary persecution and difficulty.
2 To stoppe the mouth of false Prophets and accusers, that condemne the Ministery as mercenary, and that they doe all for what will you giuegive.
And this
1 Condemneth the vnsatiable ambition and couetousnesse of the Church of Rome.
2 And generally all such as would bring religion from the heart to the eye, and set vp a pompous and carnall worship.
3 It teacheth all faithfull Pastors to be content with a sober maintenance, and to beare a part of the burthen of the Church in all the difficulties & streights thereof.
5 And lastly and especially, as aboue all, the maine end is, The glory of God. 1 Cor. 10. 31.
Which we wholy respect by,
1 Priuate & secret liberality, not blowing a trumpet, &c. but so that our right hand may not know what our left hand doth, Math. 6.
2 This principally reports the humility of the heart, which if it be free from hypocrisie and vaine-glory, it skills not though the gift be open.
3 By thankefulnesse vntounto God that hath made vsus, not onelyonly able, but wiling to part with our owne, and that in such good order and measure as that we may be perswaded of the acceptance thereof. 2 Chron. 29. 14.
CHAP. XII.
Now because things will better appeare by comparison of their contraries, therefore hauing shewed, the good properties belonging to Beneficence; let vsus now in the second place consider of such Vices as are contrary to godly and Christian Beneficence.
These are of two sorts.
1 SVch as hinder the same altogether.Of the Vices contrary to Beneficence.
2 Such as corrupt and peruert the power and sincerity thereof.
Those which hinder altogether are,Sect. 1.
1 Couetousnesse, whereby we thinke we neuer hauehave enough for our selues. Haba. 2. 2. And so in steed of giuing, rake what we can from others.
2 Churlishnesse, whereby we cannot endure to doe good to others, as neglecting society, &c.
3 Pride, as thinking our selues worthy of all things, and therefore wee will not part with any thing.
4 Enuy, as not enduring the good of another, and therefore wee will rather choake our selues then others shall hauehave good by vsus, nay we will hurt our selues, that we may hurt others.
5 A base account of God and his worship, and his seruants. 2 Sam. 25. Who is Dauid?
6 Distrust in Gods prouidence, as if we should want our selues if we should distribute to others.
7 Confidence in riches which hath so possessed and forestalled our hearts, as that they hauehave no corner to admit compassion to others.
8 Selfe-louelove, as if all were too little for vsus, & we could not bestow too much cost on our selues, being onelyonly borne for our selues.
9 Voluptuousnes which so imployeth our state, and drowneth vsus in pleasure, as that wee regard not the afflictions of Ioseph.
10 Atheisme, thinking this life to be onelyonly our happinesse, and therefore wee will take our fill, & wholy possesse it our selues, & none shall share with vsus therein.
11 Vnnaturalnesse, as hauing broken the bands of nature, and so neglecting all duties thereto. 1 Rom. 27. 2 Tim. 3. 5. 6.
Those which seeke to corrupt our Beneficence are,Sect. 2.
1. On the left hand.
1 Hypocrisie, whereby we make shew of what we meane not to doe.
2 Vaine-glory, doing it to be magnified of men.
3 Conceit of merit, as if God were beholding to vsus, and we did a worke of supererogation.
4 Iniustice, giuing of ill gotten goods.
5 Superstition, when we doe good to maintayne Idolatry, &c.
6 Pollicy, when we do good for a greater hurt, or to procure vntounto our selues some greater benefit of men.
2 On the right hand,
7 Prodigality, giuing beyond our ability.
8 Presumption of Gods prouidence hence.
9 Neglect of spirituall and ciuill meanes to vphold our estates.
10 Vnthankefulnesse vntounto God for enabling vsus hereto.
CHAP. XIII.
Further consider we such Motiues as may stirre vsus vp to the performance thereof:
These are,
1 THe commandement of God, expresly enioyning the same. Galat. 10. Math. 6.
2 The examples of the Saints that hauehave beene plentifull herein. Our Sauiour himselfe though he liued of Almes, yet he gaue bountifully. Math. 15. 32. so Abraham, Lot, Iacob, Ioseph, &c. Gen. 18. Gen. 19. Gen. 47. Exod. 2. Exod. 18. Moses, &c.
3 The benefits that doe redound to Gods children hereby, which are manifolde.
1 What we doe here inconscionably, it is accepted as done to God, and Christ themselues. Math. 10. 40. 41. Math. 25.
2 The Lord will recompence it, according to the excellency of the occasion which he vouchsafeth to giuegive, whether greater or lesser, and according to the greater, or lesser measure of saith and louelove, wherein the same duties are performed: yet so as the least kindnesse done in truth, shall be requited with manifolde aduantage. Gal. 6. 6. 1 Tim. 6. 1. Hagg. 8.
3 This will be a great comfort vntounto vsus in the time of trouble. Iob. 30. As also a pledge of our recouery out of the same.Esay. 58. 2 Chron. 31. 1 King. 18. 13. Psal. 37. 25. 26. Pro. 13. 22.
4 Yea, hereby the Saints are prouoked and emboldned to pray for mercy for others: and so cannot be denied it. 2 Tim. 1. 16. 17. 18. Phil. 4. 17. 18. 19. 10. 1 Reg. 17. 15. 2 Reg. 48.
5 The very wicked hauehave beene blessed for their beneficence to the Saints. Act. 28. Gen. 42. 43. 44. &c.
6 It is a meanes to establish and continue our estates for euer. Psal. 122. 6. 9. 10. to our posterity. &c. Pro. 13. 22.
7 Yea, an vndoubted pledge of our right, and enioying of euerlasting happinesse. Math. 25. 40. Pro. 11. 17.
8 The more we scatter, the more we encrease our estate in this life. Pro. 11. 24. 25. Pro. 28. 27.
9 We make the Lord hereby a debtor vntounto vsus. Pro. 19. 17.
10 Hereby ill gotten goods are sanctified. Ezech. 18. 7. 8. Luke. 19.
11 It is the meanes to make our prayers accepted of God. Esay. 58. 7. 8. 9.
12 Yea, hereby we hauehave receiued Angels into our houses. Hebr. 13.
13 Obserue we how Iob, Ezechiah and others, were abundantly recompenced. Iob. 42.
14 Hereby wee gather much assurance that we are in the fauour of God 1 Iohn. 3. 14.
15 We approue our selues to be liuing and true members of Iesus Christ. 1 Cor. 12. Iohn. 15.
16 And manifest our selues to be like vntounto our heauenly Father. Iam. 1. 5. 6. Math. 5.
17 And doe witnesse that we are pertakers of the holy Ghost.
18 We adorne and beautifie our profession.
19 And make our calling sure. 2 Pet. 1. 9
Motiues hereto,
4 Weigh we the vncertainty & danger of riches, and thinke we how by liberality we make them durable and eternall.
5 By liberality to the poore all superfluous expences are cut off in Diet, and Apparrell, and the like, Buildings, Plate, and so, much sinne preuented.
6 Hereby we shew our selves faithfull Stewards vntounto God in a right bestowing of the blessings hee hath put vsus in trust withall. Math. 25.
7 VVe make the liues of the Saints comfortable, and ease them of many grieuous burthens.
CHAP. XIIII.
Consider we wisely some helpes and preparatiues to Beneficence:
And for our better encouragement herein.
1 VVE must consider wisely of the poore and needy, that is, Iudge charitably of them. Psal. 41. 1. 2.
2 Hereupon will follow: a taking to heart of their estate, and true compassion thereof.
3 This will be furthered by considering that it may be our case, and so as we would be comforted our selues, we are moued to comfort them.
4 Hereupou yet to moue compassion more, we proceed to take notice of their misery, to reason with them of it, to enter into the house of mourning; and discerne the particulers thereof.
5 Hereupon we con…ue the necessitie, and equity of doing good, and so are conuinced in conscience, that it must be done.
6 And so as we are perswaded in our hearts, we proceede to seasonable bounty, and so cause the loynes of the poore to blesse vsus. Iob. 30.
7 To this purpose consider we, that the poore in their neede are true owners of what God hath made vsus Stewards of. Pro. 3. 27.
8 And that wee may be willing to powre out to others, set wee not our hearts vponupon these things. Psal. 62.
9 Consider that these blessings are burthens vntounto vsus, and therefore by giuing to the poore, we ease our selues of this burthen, and goe lightlier to heauen.
10 Yea, wee ease them of their burthen of pouerty, that they may also be more cheerefull companions in our heauenly iourney with vsus.
CHAP. XV.
Obserue we the punishments that are due and hauehave beene inflicted vponupon such as hauehave fayled in this duty of Beneficence, and exercised the contrary sinne of Cruelty and Vnmercifulnesse.
1 THe neglect of this duety hath been punished with famine. Hag. 2. Esr. 7. 23. Mal, 3. 8. 9. 11. Pro. 20. 25.
2 The vnmercifull man is vtterly depriued of all comfort in his soule, from God, of all his riches. Eccl. 6. 1. & 59.
3 God esteemeth these as vsurpers of such blessings which they doe not sanctifie through liberality.
4 God takes away riches when they are not thus imployed. Pro. 11. 24.
5 Yea, when they are in need he refuseth to succour them. Pro. 13. 21. Zac. 7. 8. Mich. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4.
6 If we doe not hinder what we may the cruelty of others, there is grieuous punishment threatned. Pro. 24. 10. 11. 12. 1 Sam. 14. 45.
7 This want of bounty is a meanes to shorten the dayes of men, as Pro. 55. 23. Psal. 140. 11. 12. Psal. 11. 26.
8 Heereby men doe expose themselues to the curses of the poore. Pro. 11. 26. Exod. 22. 23. 24. which God will take notice of and auenge.
9 Yea, this is the meanes to bring a curse, not onelyonly on themselues, but on their posteritie. Psalm. 109. 6. Nehem. 5.
10 Sodaine death is likewise a fruit of this sinne. 1 Sam 25. 9. Psal. 73. 19. 20.
11 Yea, it is the cause of a most shamefull and dishonourable death. Ierem. 22. 13. Esay. 14. 3. 4. 5. 6. and that such shall become a prouerbe, and by-word to all posterity. Abac▪ 2. 6.
12 This was one of the sinnes, for which Sodom was so destroyed. Ezec. 16. 49. & the old world drowned. Gen. 6. 13.
13 The vnmercifull person is no better then a rotten braunch cut off from the true Communion of Christ, howsoeuer hee be in the Church, and in shew a member thereof. 1 Cor. 11. 1 Tim. 6. 5
14 The couetous person shall not inherit the Kingdome of heauen. 1 Cor. 6. 10. Ephes. 5. 5. Psal. 17. 14. 1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. Psal. 69. 22. Iam. 2. 13. iudgement mercilesse. Math. 25. 41. 42.
15 Hereby a wicked man doth most resemble his father the diuell; Iohn 8. and so hath his condemnation already.
16 It transformes men into bruite beasts: so the holy Ghost calls oppressors. Amos 4. Psal. 10. to a Lion, &c.
CHAP. XVI.
Heere then is a Glasse for diuers sorts of men to looke their faces in.
1 FOr those that rob their Ministers in tithes and offerings.The vse to be made of these punishments. Mal. 1.
2 That deny contributions to the poore, and enlarge not towards them.
3 For Officers in corporations, who are put in trust with Legacies giuen to the poore, that they imploy them to the best aduantage.
4 For such ouerseers of Testaments, that they licke not their owne fingers, but faithfully distribute.
5 For masters of Hospitals, that they make not their places matter of preferment, but indeed, as they were first intended, places of bounty, &c.
6 For Almoners, &c. that they beare not the bagge as Iudas did, and thinke the cost ill bestowed that is imployed on Christs poore members.
7 For eueryevery priuate Christian to make him friends of his Mammon, &c.
CHAP. XVII.
Lastly obserue we such Lets and Tentations, as Satan vseth to hinder this duety,Sect. 1. and how we are to ouercome the same.
Of Tentations.
1 COncerning their owne estate:Tent. Satan alledgeth, that they are our owne, and therefore we may dispose them as we list: and why not wholly for our pleasure and profit?
2 They are no otherwise our owne,Reply. then that wee are Gods Stewards to dispence them according to his word, which seeing it commandeth vsus to imploy them on the poore, therefore we may not lay them all on our owne backes and bellies, least they proue nothing lesse then goods vntounto vsus.
But all is little enough for my selfe,Sect. 1. (may the miser reply,)Tent. charges are so great, and gettings so rare: and therefore though I hauehave more then many thousands, yet I hauehave enough to doe for my selfe.
1 If thou which hast such abundance,Conquest. hast tittle enough for thy selfe, how little then hauehave they, that hauehave nothing to take to?
2 If God then will prouide for these, doest thou doubt, by obeying Gods commandement in relieuiug these, to be scanted?
3 Who hast already experience of Gods mercy aboue these, and if thou beleeuest shalt see greater things then these.
4 And hast this abundance giuen thee, to impart vntounto these, that by this means thy store may be increased. Feare not thou want where God commands to distribute, and beleeue the promise, that thou shalt hauehave plenty.
5 And as God restrayneth his hand in such scarce and miserable times, so restraine thou thy vnnecessary expence in apparrell and diet, and so thou shalt hauehave yet to spare, for thy needfull brother.
6 And liue here by faith, and not by sence, so shalt thou be encreased, though thou mayest feare the contrary.
If I should giuegive to eueryevery one,Sect. 1. I may soone giuegive all away, and so I shall make my selfe a beggar.
1 God would hauehave thee in giuing first to prouide for thy selfe, and therefore thou maist not giuegive to all. Neither
2 God hath so enlarged thee, as that thou canst giuegive vntounto all, and therefore he requires no more then for what he giues.
3 Thou art to giuegive onelyonly to such, concerning whom present occasion is offred, in discouering their present necessity, and so much onelyonly as in good discretion is meete, vponupon such speciall occasion.
4 Thy rule here must be thy ability, and from thy louelove to thy selfe must proceed thy louelove to thy neighbour.