A Christian Library, Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
And as our Almesdeeds are a sign of our love to God and our Neighbour…: so the quantity of our almes, (respect being had to the proportion of our estate) is a signe of the quantity of our love, for he loveth but little, that having much, giveth but a little; and contrariwise, his heart is in…lamed with fervent love, who hath it inflamed with bounty towards his poore brethren: the extension of our love towards them, being the true touchstone of the intention of our love towards God. And as a great tree with many and large branches is an undoubted sign of a root proportionable in greatness: and a small shrub above the ground, plainly sheweth that the root also is small wch is under it: so is it with our Almesdeeds which spring from it. For if we be bountiful in Almes, we are plentifull in love; if we be slack in giving, we are cold in loving: but if we be utterly defective, in bringing forth these excellent fruits, then it is a manifest sign that this grace of love is not rooted in us, 1 Iohn 3.17.
Ninthly, It is an evident demonstration that we have saving knowledge and spiritual wisdom: for the wisdom that is from above, is full of mercy and good fruits, Iames 3.17. Otherwise we are not wise, our wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensuall, and devillish, Verse 15.
Tenthly, By these works of mercy, we make our calling and election sure, for if we do these things we shall never fall as St. Peter speaks, 2 Pet. 1.7, 8, 10. And St. Paul infers, Col. 3. Put on as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy and kindness, Verse 12. Which makes him in another place call charity a never failing grace, 1 Cor. 1.8. And a little af…er, he useth these words; Now abideth, Faith, Hope, and Charity, these three, but the greatest of these is Charity, Verse 13.
Eleventhly, This is a duty which undoubtedly must justifie the truth of our religion, or else condemn us as hollow hearted, and swayed by hypocrisie, Iames 1. This is pure religion, and undefiled before God, to visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction, Verse 27. O that this lesson would enter home into every one of our hearts, before we go out of our houses. For men may cry up this side, and cry down that; but of all the three, the Priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan; none but the Samaritan (that shewed mercy to him that was fallen into the hands of theeves, was wounded, and stript of his rayment,) was justified and approved of by our Saviour, Luke 10.36, 37.
And indeed God so highly prizeth, and esteemeth mercy and the works wherein it is exercised towards the poore: that he preferreth them before the outward acts of religious duties. Hosea 6.6. I desired mercy and not sacrifice: that is rather then sacrifice; This is the oblation which he chiefly requireth, yea, if we but look Micha 6. we shall fi…d that God esteemeth it more, or above all sacrifices and burnt offerings, were it thousands of rams, and ten thousand rivers of oyle, Verse 6.7. He hath shewed thee O man, what is good, and what the Lord requireth of thee: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God, Verse 8 Finally these works of mercy, are not onelyonly an odor of a sweet smell, and a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God: (as the Apostle speaks, Phil. 4.18.) But also such an oblation, as if we offer unto God with a lively faith, the use of all the creatures shall be clean unto us: according to that of our Saviour, Luke 11.4…. See more Heb. 13.16. Isa. 58.6, 7, 8. Iames 1.27. And this is a Twelfth benefit.