A Christian Library, Chapter 51
CHAP. LI.
ANd so you have (in this, and the other two parts of the Poors Advocate) the necessity, the matter, the manner, the nature, the kinds, the quantity, the subject, the object, the time or continuance, the means, the motives, the ends, the impediments, & the remedies of this most excellent Grace; or Christian Duty, so oft pressed, patterned, and commended in the Word. It remains onelyonly that I should apply them; for I have more need to press the payment, then prove the Debt, though sure I am, it is from the foulness of mens stomacks, prevailing above the goodness of the food, if what hath been delivered, does not prove effectual. Wherefore in the first place, Hath God so strictly commanded it? And is there such a necessity of shewing mercy to the poor members of Iesus Christ? That there is no being saved without it, hath God therefore given us all, that we may impart some part thereof to others that want? Shall God have glory by it? Hath he promised to bless the merciful man in his temporal, civil, spiritual, and eternal estate? Is there no such way to grow rich, as by being bountiful to the poor? Is it the most certain and infallible way never to want? Is sparing in this case, the worst thrift? Wil with-holding from the poor, bring a man to poverty? Shal we have the benefit of their prayers, and their loins to bless us? Is this the Way to obtain God's blessing upon our persons, whereby we shall be kept in perpetual safety, & delivered from the malicious practises of all our enemies? Will God hear us, and send us succor in all times of need (as we hear and pity the poor) and even make our beds when we are sick. Wil what we have this way distributed, stand us in more stead at the hour of Death, and Day of Iudgement, then all the Wealth in the World? Shall the merciful be rewarded with illumination and conversion? W… these Works of Mercy bring such joy and peace, confirm our hope, and sweeten all our afflictions? Are they evident signs of saying Graces? And do they assure us of our future reward; and fruition of God's presence hereafter? Is it the onelyonly way to an honourable and honest repute and report, living and dead, procuring all love and respect from good and bad: Will God bless the merciful man with an happy match, & a godly off…spring? Shall what we give, be paid again unto our children, and posterity, with an addition of all other blessings, who otherwise shall not prosper, but be Vagabonds, and beg their bread. Is it a thing so pleasing to God, that he accounts what is given to them, as lent to him: And so acceptable to Christ (by reason of the near union that is between him, the poor and us, being but one mistical body, whereof he is the Head) that what we do to them, his members, he takes as done to himself; and will accordingly reward it, or plague the neglect thereof, both upon us & ours here, and our bodies and souls hereafter: Is it so, that what we disburse in this World, we shall receive again by Bill of Exchange in Heaven? And that it is not so much given, as laid up? insomuch that we may truly say, What we gave, that we have. If besides all this, God hath promised to reward a little mony, meat & clothes, with an infinite & Eternal Kingdom of glory, have the poor as true a right to it, as we have to the residue? Are we no less beholding to the poor, then they are to us? Would we (were it our case) think the contrary very unequal? (For if we look on the sufferings of others, as heavier then our own, this will beget thankfulness; if we look on the doings, gifts and graces of others, as better then our own, this wil beget humility.) Shall they thereby be the better able to serve God in their several stations? Shall they have cause to pray for, and praise God for us? Will it stop our enemies mouths, and make them think the better of our Religion, and happily win them to imbrace the truth; at least, seeing our good works, they will glorifie our Father which is in heaven? Whereas the Poore shall onelyonly have some outward relief and comfott thereby? Shall wee fare the better for it in our souls, bodyes, names, estates and posterities, with many the like which might be added for our e…couragement to this duty? Then they should serve (as one would think) as so many effectual and strong arguments to move every Christian to the diligent and frequent doing of them.
Yea, by this time (as I hope) I have made some way in the Worldlings heart, to rellish the relieving of the poor; at least it concerns men to urge and press these motives upon themselves, until they have compell'd their unwilling wils to resolve to interest themselves into so many promises and blessings, and to shun the danger of so many threats and judgements, as the neglect thereof will incur: As did we thus hide the Word of God in our hearts, and particularly apply these things to our Consciences, it would work this Grace in us all: Which otherwise will prove no other, then as a sweet harmony of Musick to … deaf man. It is not unknown to us, that Nathan wrought more upon David by a particular, private admonition, then all the Lectures of the Law could do for three quarters of a year together.
Yea, let but this be done, or indeed do but wel weigh what hath been said, and it will be sufficient to perswade any covetous Nabal alive (if he hath either heart or brain) or indeed any care of, or love to himself or his, to become as liberal as Zacheus himself. However I doubt not but some wil be so wise as to consider the premises, & thereupon to give as God in his Word injoins; And that others will do the same, if it be but meerly out of self-love; for there cannot possibly be more rational or strong inducements, more rare & remarkable Benefits and Promises to any duty, then is propounded to this particular Grace. Wherefore if there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy towards your selves or others, think of these things, accept of these blessings; rush not upon so many Curses, but break off your sins and former unmercifulness, by righteousness, and your iniquity by shewing mercy towards the poor, Dan. 42 Distribute to the necessities of the Saints, minister unto them of your Substance, like Mary Magdalen, Ioanna, the wife of Chuza, and Susanna; And give your selves to Hospitality, Rom. 12.13. Luke 8.2.3. Suffer not the naked to lodge without garment, and without covering in the cold, Job 24.7. Yea, if thou dost but wel weigh what benefit it will bring to thee, by being bountiful to them, thou wil… be glad to meet with, and invite such an object, or opportunity of doing good, and be thankful for it; even as Zerxes the Persian Monarch said, when Themistocles came to him, being banished his own Countrey; Let the Athenians send us more of such guests. And indeed, if men will not be moved, nor drawn to good with the threefold cord, inerrableness of Precepts, innumerableness of Examples, inestimableness of rewards, (and yet here is more then a sevenfold Cord) no hope that any means should prevail with them, as St. Austin speaks: If Othniel be told what preferment he shall get for taking Kiriath Sephar, he will undertake that difficult task, Iosh. 15, 16, 17. And if David does but hear what shall be done to the man that kills Goliah, he dares accept the challenge of that terrible Champion, 1 Sam. 17. If Moses hath once respect unto the recompence of the reward, he will be content to suffer affliction with the People of God, Heb. 6.11.25, 26. And if the Apostles expect to receive some great thing of Christ, they will soon forsake all, and follow him, Matth. 19.27, 28. We should therefore be forward to keep this Commandment of shewing mercy to the poor, since in the keeping of it, there is great reward, Psal. 19.11.