The Young Mans Guide, Chapter 28
CHAP. XXVIII. Of Mercy towards such as are in misery; which implieth both a compassionate heart, and an helping hand.
V. BE merciful towards such as are in misery, Luk. 6. 36. This mercifulness, or mercy, is such a compassion of the heart, whereby a man is moved to help and succour others in their misery. So that true mercy hath in it two things.
1. A compassion, or laying to heart the miseries of others.
2. An inclination and readiness to succour and relieve them, according to their misery. It comprehends affection, and action; the former being the Fountain and Foundation of the latter; and the latter the Stream and Demonstration of the former. So that in the compassion of the heart, and in the act of relief, consists the true nature of Mercy.
1. The former we find often pressed in Scripture; as Job 6. 14. To him that is afflicted, pity should be shewed to his friend. Put on therefore, saith the Apostle, Col. 3. 12. as the Elect of God, holy, and beloved, bowels of mercy. Which is a Metonymical form of speech, often used in holy Scripture, whereby is meant pity, and compassion towards them that are in any misery, or affliction; yea such a measure of pity and compassion, as affecteth the heart and bowels; and that with as true a touch and feeling, as if we our selves were in the same case with them.
If we consider the nearness of conjunction, and communion that one Christian hath with another, we may well be convinced of the equity of this duty. For we are all Sons of one Father, all Members of one Body: In respect thereof there should, nay there ought to be such a sympathy and compassion in the Members of the Mystical body, I mean among Christians, as there is in the Members of the Natural Body. Now we know that in the Natural Body, if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; as the Apostle expresseth, 1 Cor. 12. 26. which place S. Austin in his tenth Tractate on Iohn explaining, excellently sheweth the mutual compassion between the Members of a Natural Body; Behold, saith he, the foot treadeth on a thorn, and see how all the members condole it; The back bends it self, the head stoopeth, the tongue complaineth, as if it self were pricked, the eye searcheth it out, the hands do their best to pluck it out; yea, every member of the body is compassionately affected with it. And surely such a sympathy and compassion there ought to be amongst Christians, who are all Members of one Body, whereof Christ Jesus is the Head.
II. Thy compassionate heart must have a helping hand. For the nature of true mercy consisteth as well in the act of relief, as in the compassion of the heart. Thou hast not done thy duty in pitying the distressed, unless thou likewise relieve them. As that Faith, which is alone without works, doth not justifie us: so that pity, which is alone without works, doth not justifie our Faith. In vain therefore dost thou boast of thine inward compassion, unless thou likewise afford thine outward contribution: which we find joyned together, Deut. 15. 7. Thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand against thy Brother; but thou shalt open thine hand wide to him; that is, thou shalt give unto him freely and bountifully, contrary to the forenamed shutting the hand.
For thine incouragement unto this kind of Mercy.
1. Know that outward works of mercy are sweet smelling Sacrifices wherewith the Lord is well pleased. These are the Oblations which he now requireth. The Sacrifices of the Old Law are abolished, and done away, ever since our blessed Saviour gave himself an Offering, and a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour unto God. The Evangelical Sacrifices which the Lord requireth of us under the Gospel, are the Sacrifices of Prayer, Praise, and Charity. So that if we will be offering up Sacrifices acceptable and pleasing unto God, they must be either the Calves of our Lips, even the Sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, or else the Sacrifice of Charity, which the Apostle in Phil. 4. 18. termeth, An odour of a sweet smell, a Sacrifice acceptable and pleasing unto God. The Altar on which this Sacrifice is to be offered, is the Back of the Poor. What greater argument can there be to inforce this Duty of Charity, than to consider, it is acceptable and pleasing unto God? For what ingenuous Christian would not do that which is acceptable unto God.
2. We are not so much Lords of our Estates, as Stewards; and therefore ought not to appropriate all unto our selves, but to communicate some part thereof to the Poor, unto whom something out of our Estate doth belong.
3. All profession of Religion, without works of Charity, is but hypocritical. For this is pure Religion, and undefiled before God, to visit the Fatherless and Widows in their afflictions, 1 Jam. 1. 27. that is, the comforting and supporting such as are in want and misery, doth evidence the truth of our Religion.
4. Consider the benefits which follow and accompany our works of Charity. For thereby we bring glory to God, adorn our Christian Religion and Profession; and not only make glad the hearts of the poor, whom we relieve, but likewise refresh our own Souls, in that our works of Charity will evidence, as the truth of our Religion, so likewise of our Faith; for Faith without works is dead, it's not a living, but a dead Faith, which manifests not its life by working.
Therefore, O Young Man, be perswaded for the time to come to be more charitable, knowing it is not so much a mercy to have wherewithal to do good, as to do good with what we have. And let thy giving out be proportionable to what the Lord hath given unto thee. 1 Pet. 4. 11. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth. They who are rich in this worlds goods, ought to be rich in good works; the greater thy receits are, the greater ought to be their returns.