A Christian Library, Chapter 30 – Chapter 31
CHAP. XXX.
But if giving might not properly be called gaining, why is it compared to sowing? Experieence proves, that if we keep our seed by us, it will corrupt: but cast it in…o the earth we shall have it againe with manifold increase. A man treasures up no more of his riches, then what he contributes in almes: The …oole in the Gospel… filled his barnes, in fillin… the bellies of the poore, he had done more wisely. I confesse this is a point of Doctrine, which the world will not receive, let God say what he will: but godly Chrysostome both affirmes and proves, that the rich are more beholding to the poore, then the poore to the rich. The poor receive onelyonly a single almes, the rich have returned them an hundred-fold here, and everlasting happinesse hereafter, Mat. 5.7. & 25.35. Luke 16.9. wherein the prayers of their poore suppliants carry no small stroak: For which see 2 Cor. 9.11. to 16. The poore are but the ground, into which these seeds are cast: But we are the Husbandmen, who disperse and scatter them. Now as the seed is chiefly for his benefit who soweth it, and not for the benefit of the ground into which it is cast▪ so the poor have but the present use and possession of this leed of almes-deeds; but the benefit of the crop or harvest, belongeth to those good Husbandmen, who sow in these grounds the seeds of their beneficence.
Again, the poor receive onelyonly things transitory, and but of small value: but they that give, th…ngs spirituall and eternall, most inestimable and heavenly riches! Why say we then we give to the poor? when as it may more truly be said, that we give unto our selves, rather then unto them, Dan. 4.27. Prov. 11.24, Why then should we thinke the poor so mightily bound and beholding unto us for our scraps and superflu…us reliques; or that we do such a meritorious businesse, when we largely relieve them? And not rather thinke our selves beholding unto them and to God for them, seeing they are the occasions of such inestimable gaine, for such trifling disbursements; as Austine speaks.
And to speak rightly, giving is not more an act of Charity then▪ Christian policy: since we shall not onelyonly receive our own again, b… have a far greater return then can be expected, upon an adventure … the East Indies: Since we are more happy that there are poore upo… whom we may exercise our charity, then they are, that there are ric… who do relieve their wants though with never so great supply; for a… Austine speaks, if there were not some to receive thine alms, thou could…est not give Earth and receive Heaven: Wherefore give thanks unt… him who hath given thee means by such a small prise, to procure … thing so precious.
Besides, we may boldly aver, with Chrysostom; That without poverty riches would be unprofitable: As consider that if with Adam and Eve, w… had a whole world, but no body to make ready provision and to attend upon us, nor do any thing for us; what joy could great men take of their riches, if there were not poore men to do mean offices for them, what low imployments should the highest be forced to descend unto, if there were no inferiours to perform them? How then should not a considerate man love & be liberall to them, and exceedingly bless God for them, and not do as d… the most, scorne them, and not think them worthy a familiar word era courteous look.
CHAP. XXXI.
And certainly, he wants both grace and wit, who does not admire the bounty and goodness of God, in that he hath offered us the opportunity of such sowing, such reaping, yea, O Lord what are we? that thou shouldst give us plenty of all things here also, which unto them thou hast denied: so that every way it is (as our Saviour tells us) a more blessed thing to give then to receive, (which the Apostle would have us to remember, Acts 20.34, 35.) Yet no reason can we alleadge on our behalf, but O the depth! Rom. 11.33. Wherefore do thou O my God and Redeemer inlarge my heart with thankfulnesse, and implant this grace in my heart. O make me liberall of my mony, as thou wast of thy blood. O let me have an heart to give Food and Rayment to those, for whom thou gavest thy self a ransome. Yea, of all other graces, inlarge my heart with Christian Charity and compassion: since it is a grace so universally profitable, and withall so amiable. As O the loveliness and profitableness of this Christian grace! For to do good to the poore, is more then a treble good: it pleasures them, most of all pleasures the doer: for it brings blessings upon their Soules, Bodies, Estates, Names, Posterity, it increaseth their reward, cause the poore to pray for, and praise God for us, and also others to glorifie him; it is an odo…r that smelleth sweete, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasant to God; who will fulfill all our necessities, through his riches with glory in Iesus Christ, as the Apostle delivers it, Phil. 4.16. to 20. VVhence that great praise of it, 1 Cor. 13.13. Now abides Faith, Hope, and Charity, but the chiefest of these is Charity. Whence Sozomen calls it, … sure …oaken of a most vertuous mind; and La…t…tius a principall vertue; and Calvin the chiefest office of humanity amongst us; and Aretius, the most elegant ornament of a Christian life, and the holy Ghost, a never failing grace, 1 Cor. 13.8. whence also it is so highly commended in the Saints in all ages. As how is Abraham commended for his hospitality, and almes deeds? And Lot & Cornelius? (of whose almes there was in the presence of God, a memorandum made, Acts 10.31.) and Doxcas? (whose good works and almes-deeds were to be seen, and shewn, when she her selfe was not; and the poore could not tell how with patience to take her death, she had done so much good for them all the time of her life, Acts 9.36.39.) And those Christians, Acts 11.29, 30. for the care they had of the poor, in the Apostles time, Acts 2.45. Thus the Macedonians are highly commended, and much honoured for their freenesse and forwardnesse, in relieving of the poor brethren at Ierusalem, as is seen upon record, Rom. 15.26. And again, 2 Cor. 8.1, …, &c. And the like of the Philippians, and many more whom I must passe over in silence.