The Art of Giving, Table of contents
The Contents.
FIrst, it is declared what Giuing is, generally. Chap. 1
The kindes of Liberality described. Chap. 2
Is discouered who is the true giuer. Chap. 3
The true nature of Liberality is declared. Chap. 4
Together with the properties thereof, as that, first, it must be free. Chap. 5
Secondly, we must giuegive of our owne. Chap. 6
Thirdly, we must be wise in our bountie. Chap. 7
First prouiding for our selues. 2 Giuing where there is most need. 3. Prouiding that wee may be still able to giuegive. Yet, 4. Keeping within the compasse of our ability. 5. Not endammaging any by our bounty. 6. Wee must giuegive in faith, that is, 1. Beleeuing that our persons are accepted, and so are our endeauours. 2. Not looking for recompence againe. Where especially is taught that wee must louelove our enemies, and how farre. Chap. 8
We must giuegive out of a louing and affectionate heart. Chap. 9
We must giuegive constantly. Chap. 10
Wee must propose right ends in our giuing, which are: 1. Assurance of saluation to our selues. 2. Benefit to others in soule and body. 3. The good of the Church. 4. Furtherance of Diuine worship. 5. The glory of God. Chap. 11
The vices contrary to Beneficence are laid downe generally, both such as hinder altogether, as also such as corrupt the sinceritie thereof, both on the left hand, and on the right. Chap. 12
Certaine motiues are laid downe to prouoke to bounty. Chap. 13
And so are commended diuers helpes and preparatiues to Liberality. Chap. 14
As also it is obserued what punishments are due, and hauehave beene inflicted vponupon the breach of this duty, and exercise of cruelty and vnmercifulnesse. Chap. 15
Together with the vse of these punishments. Chap. 16
The seuerall lets and rentations against beneficence are laid open in their places, As, 1. Because they are our owne. 2. All little enough for our selues. 3. We shall be soone emptied, and become beggers. These are vrged and answered. Cha. 17
Other lets are proposed, as 1. Care of posterity. 2. Marriage of daughters, &c. Chap▪ 18
A third sort of Tentations, arising from the vnworthinesse of such as neede, and little good redounds thereby. These are answered, and in speciall is declared how Witches may be relieued, & though the poore be vnthankfull, yet wee must relieue them; yea, though dissemblers, yet must not be neglected. Chap. 19
Other Tentations discouered, whereby liberality is excused, as charge for the common-wealth, layes for the Church, maintenance of the Ministery and such charges, for the Sacrament, assessings for the poore, &c. these are remoued. Chap. 20
A fift sort of Tentations proposed for the hinderance of bounty, namely, Christmas-feasts: these are answered. Chap. 21
Diuers speciall practises of Satan are further detected, whereby he hath and doth hinder Beneficence. As 1. Enclosing of land, together with the remedy thereof. Chap. 22
2. Excesse in diet, with the remedie thereof. Chap. 23
3. Pride, and excesse in apparrell, with the remedy thereof. Chap. 24
4. That excessine hunting is an enemy to bounty, with the remedy thereof. Chap. 25
Of feare to be accounted Papists, that it is an enemy to liberality, with the remedy thereof. Chap. 26
The tentation, that we sinne in the best, and will doe no good least wee should sin, discouered and remoued. Chap. 27
That idlenesse is an enemy to true bounty, and that it abounds in this age, with the remedy thereof. Chap. 28
The last and maine enemy to liberality is vnthrifty and vnlawfull games. Here is first proued, that they are vnlawfull. As namely,
Dicing.
2 Carding.
3 Cock fighting and Bearebayting.
4 Stage-Playes and Enterludes.
5 Dancing. Chap. 29
Certaine generall remedies are proposed, and commended against these vnlawfull delights. Chap. 30
Conclusion of the whole. Chap. 31
THE ART OF Giuing.
CHAP. I.
What Giuing is in generall, namely:
AN imparting of what the Lord hath giuen vsus, as eyther cast vponupon vsus extraordinarily by his prouidence, or obtayned by ordinary meanes of our labour and industry.
2 To the necessitie of our poore brother, as he is neerest vntounto vsus in the Lord: And that both willingly, and bountifully, to his sound comfort▪ And wisely also, prouiding especially and principally for our selues. And that, in all holinesse and humility vntounto God.
Giuing him the glory of what hee hath enabled vsus to giuegive vntounto others, and laying vp thereby a good foundation, by making vsus friends of this vnrighteous Mammon, against the day of Christ Iesus, that we may be receiued into euerlasting habitations. 1 Tim. 6. 19. Luke 16 11. 12. &c.