A Christian Library, Chapter 55
CHAP. LV.
FIfthly, if we be but Stewards of what we have, and that our superfluities are really the Poors due: then let none object, (when told of their unmercifulness) What I have is mine own: Or, May I not do as I list with mine own; for it is neither their own, nor at their own disposing; their wealth is their Makers, and they must do with it as he in his Word injoins them.
Nor does this argument always hold good in civil matters: 'Tis a rule in Law, No man may use his own right to the Common-wealths wrong, or damage. The Law provides, that a man shall not burn his own corn, nor his own house: That he shall not drown his own Land; nay, a man may not bind himself from marriage, or the manuring or tillage of his own Land, because it is against the good of the Common-wealth.
Wherefore flatter thy self no longer, but look to it: thou hast not two souls, that thou mightst hazard one of them. Lose not thy soul, to save thy purse; but shew mercy, if ever thou lookest to find any. And hear the poor, if ever thou wilt have God to hear thee: For he hath said it, (that will one day Audit the poor man's complaints, and thy Stewardships account) that no sin but unkindness to thy Saviour in his suffering members, shall bee cast into thy dish; to the feeding of the never-dying worm of conscience.
Sixthly art thou but a Steward put in trust? and art thou to give an account unto God, how thou hast husbanded thy Master's Goods; and wil this be the bill of particulars thou hast to give up? Item, so much spent in pride, so much in lust, so much spent upon revenge, so much upon dice, drunkenness, drabs, and the like great sums all laid out upon thy self, in the pursuance of thy lust: But when it comes to a work of mercy, as▪ What have you done for God? What for Christ? What …or the members of Christ? What for the advancement of Religion, or any pious work, or service. Item, nothing, or as good as nothing. Or thus; Item received strength, and laid out oppression: Item received riches, and laid out covetousness: received health, and laid out riot and drunkenness. Item received speech, and laid out swearing, cursing, lying: received sight, and laid out lusting; or perhaps, Item so many score pounds laid out in malice and suits of Law: so many hundreds in lusts and vanities, in feasting and foppery. So many thousands in building great houses: Item to the Poor in my Will to be paid at my death, forty shillings; to the Preacher for a funeral Oration to commend me, ten or twenty shillings: Item to beggars when they came to my door; or when I walked abroad, a few scraps that I knew not what else to do with, and sometimes a few Farthings: Item so much spent in excess and superfluitie, and so little in performing the works of mercy: so much laid out upon worldly vanities, & sinful pleasures; and so little for good uses, especially for relieving Christ's poore members.
Will this Bill pass current, when God comes to cast it up? When thou hast laid out all for thy self, either in Apparel, or in Feasting, Drinking, &c. for thy self, self-credit, self-delight and content, even amounting to scores, hundreds, thousands; while for pious and charitable uses, there comes in here and there onelyonly two-pences, three-pences, & such poor short reckonings, not worthy to be summed up. Oh miserable man! how wilt thou answer this before the Great, Just and Terrible Judge of all the World? And how wilt thou fare? If these accounts bee not mended in this life, thou wilt never have thy Quietus est in the life to come. Methinks I could pity these men whom the World so adores, even with teares of blood, when I seriously consider their latter ends.