A Christian Library, Chapter 20
CHAP. XX.
But to drive home this duty to mens consciences, see further what cause we have to extend our liberality to the relief of Christs poore members; For here I shall take occasion to slide into a discourse, which in the Title page 1 durst not once mention, as well knowing how averse most men are, and how desperately most rich mens hearts are hardned against the poore; whereof ile onelyonly give you an instance.
Some six years since, having taken no small paynes in composing the Poores Advocate in eight parts, I printed the first two of them with these words in the front; That it is an incomparable favour to the rich, that there are poore to accept of their Charity, had they the Wit to know it. This they no sooner read but their bloods would rise, saying; We must be beholding to the poore to accept of our charity, wee'l see them hanged first. An expression more sit for a Caniball, then a Christian: And certainly such men had need to look to it in time: for of all men in the world, they shall have judgement without mercy, that are so miserably unmercifull. And I would wish them, to take heed of turning the deaf ear to Christ, when in his members he cryes to them for mercy: lest Christ turnes the deaf ear to them, when they (being in far greater need) shall cry to him for mercy.
Again, (which is worth the observing) when the said two parts took so with the good, that provision was made, & a way thought upon that to every rich man in the Nation, there should be one of them, freely given for the poores good, by the Clarkes of every Parish, they (I mean some of them) so abused their trust, that the donor was forced to withdraw his hand: whereby both Rich and Poore, might sustain no little loss, the one in their souls, the other in their purses. For it is well known that a person of quality upon the reading of it, sent in many hundred pounds to the our parishes, to be be bestowed by the Church-Wardens upon their poore. If any shall think I wrong Parish Clarkes, let them but ask the Clark of Lawrence Church, whether the then Reverend Pastour, did not deliver him five and fifty of those Bookes, with the names of five and fifty rich men in that parish, together with a great charge to deliver them into every of their hands. And whether he did not most perfidiously and sacrilegiously barter them away to the Booke Women for other Bookes, instead of giving them to the parties. And this (for ile mention no more) I acquaint the wo…ld with, as tendring the good of his soul, more then that of his honour, for I have done in private what lies in me, to make him sensible of the crime, but he is the more obstinate.
Now that I have taken occasion to shrowd the Remaines of the poores Advocate, under the notion of how to become happy here and hereafter, these are my reasons.
First, Bounty to the poore, is the most proper meanes, tending to happiness. And secondly, it is very probable, that many will read or hear thus far, under this notion (whether out of curiosity or self ends) and having heard hitherto, will be willing also to hear me a few words in behalf of the poore, (which is of no less concernment) when otherwise they would have heard neither of both. Now such as have read the two first parts of The Poores Advocate, may remember, that I have dispatched these six heads. 1. The necessity of the duty. 2. The persons of whom it is required. 3. They to whom it must be performed. 4. VVhat. 5. How. 6. How much we are to give.
In the other six parts, I intended to have treated, 1. Of the time when we a…e to give. 2. Of the meanes inabling to it. 3. Of the ends to be propounded in it. 4. Of the impediments that hinder it. 5. Of the remedies or incouragements. And 6. Of the Vses. But finding that it would have been as welcome to the parties concerned therein, as water into a ship, I will onelyonly give you a few gleanings out of them: In which also I will more respect the weight and benefit of the matter, then the order of handling: that so I may couch all, within a little compass.