A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 202 (Question 74 cont.)
SERMON CCII.
(3) THERE ought to be one Standard to regulate the Prices of things by, I Men would oſerve Righteouſneſs in a way of Commerce. This is but little thought of, or practiſed among Men, which occaſions a great deal of Injuſtice in their Dealings one with another.
WE before obſerved, That there is a Righteouſneſs to be obſerved, in the ſetting of a … Value upon things: Now tho' this Value … alter-according to the Circumſtances of God's Governing Providence; yea, tho' the Prices of things may riſe and fall, ſtill the Price ought to be One in all Contracts, and …y thing be valued by one Standard, otherwiſe it is impoſſible that Honeſty ſhould be maintained in Pra…fick. It is true, a thing may be worth ſo much at one Time, and more …lſs at another Time; and it is Lawful for Men to ask moderate Gain for Credit, and givings a Day for Payment: But how ſhall theſe things be adjuſted, ſo as to bear a due Proportion, except the Value it ſelf be Stated? Now, becauſe Money hath gotten the Command in Merchandize, as being beſt accommodated to advance Traffick among Men, it is therefore become the Standard, and all other Wares are to be reduced to and Regulated by it; and every thing in Exchange is to be reckoned juſt ſo much Worth, as it may paſs for Money, and neither more or leſs. Not that Money is naturally ſo, more than any other thing; but becauſe there is no other thing, (according to the State of humane Affairs,) which is better ſitted to over-rule this Affairs. It is a frequent talk, which is of Two Prizes, according to which Men do order their Bargains one for Money, another for Pay, as it is uſually termed; but it is certain that this Diſtinction lays a foundation for Cheating and Oppreſſion, as woful Experience will confirm. It is true, Men may lawfully Contract for Payment to be made for ſuch a S…c…tes; but if it be not to be had, but they muſt indent for other things, they ought to take it at the Price Current, as it will paſs for Money; or at leaſt Proportion their Gains by it to this Standard, elſe they cannot be ſaid to give the Worth for it. The Wiſe Men tells us, Eccl. 10.19. Money anſwereth all things. By which we are not only to underſtand, that it is of ſuch Credit, … hath it may precure any other things …: but alſo it is a Standard for the Settlen out on the Value of every thing elſe, as to if …rency among Men: And tho' the Iniquity of the World, hath made no little Diſorder in the way of Trading by reaſon of this Difference; yet be that will keep a good Conſcience in his Dealings ought to have a ſtrick regard to That, that ſo he may not over reach his Brother in any matter.
(4.) JUSTICE is alſo to be of ſerved in Weights & Meaſures; for which the Word of God is very full and frequent; and that not only in the Law of Moſes, but elſewhere in the Holy Scriptures. Exactneſs therein is Commended, Prov. 16.11. A juſt weight & balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work. And Falſhood in it Condemned, Chap. 11.1. A falſe balance is abomination to the Lord: but a juſt weight is his delight. And this Law was not Judicial, but purely Moral & Natural; and Equity between Man and Man, cannot in all points be preſerved without it. It is true, all things that belong to Commerce, is not to be calculated by theſe; and the fore-going Rules are ſufficiently Directive about them. But the main part of the things which belongs to ſtated Merchandize, comes under this Rule. And by the ſame Rules, we are to take our Wares, at ſo much, in ſuch Weight or Meaſure; tho' there is a lawful Difference to be made between the Value of a ſma… Parcel, and of a greater, for good Reaſons; yet it is Honeſt that the Perſon ſhould have the full Quantity of what he agrees for; and to diminiſh him of it, is a Cheat put on him: for the Perſon agrees for ſo much, which he is Defrauded in, which muſt needs be a violation of Righteouſneſs. There muſt therefore be one Rule for theſe, and all are to be brought to that; which therefore well-Ordered Governments take a ſpecial Care of. And as Men ought to Buy and Sell by the ſame, (and therefore we are told, Prov. 20.10, 23. Divers weights, and divers meaſures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord. Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord: and a falſe balance is not good. For ſometimes there may be the ſame Weights, but a Cheat in the Ballance;) ſo they ought to be careful that they be Juſt and alike, elſe there may be Wrong done both to ourſelves and others: For every thing that is Bought and Sold, is not of the ſame Value; and I may Buy of one, and Sell to another. And this Rule is to be obſerved in Money, as well as in other Commodities; for as there is a different Conſideration between Bullion & Coins, the one whereof always paſſeth by Weight, whereas the other paſſeth upon the Credit of the Publick Authority, whoſe …uperſcription it bears; yet there is a Rule given by ſuch Authority, that all ſuch Coin ſhall be made of ſuch a Weight; and if by long uſe and wearing it comes to fall ſhort conſiderable of that, they righteouſly take Order for the new Minting of it: So, for Men to C… and diminiſh ſuch Coin, a ſtill to paſs it away as Coin, and upon the Credit of the Stamp, is notorious Theft, and introduceth unknown Miſchief to the Common wealth; and it is a Righteous thing, that ſevere Penalties be Enacted againſt it, and Rigorouſly Proſecuted. Such Moneys may be lawfully paſt away as Builion by Weight, but not on the Publick Credit.
AND let ſuch as are Guilty in this, know, that however they may hide their Villany from Civil Cognizance, it will one Day prove a ſting to their own Conſciences.
THUS we have Conſidered the more Neceſſary Duties to be obſerved for the Righteous Obtaining and Poſſeſſing our ſhare in the good things of this Life.
IT follows that we proceed to Conſider,
Secondly, THE Rules given for the Righteous Improvement of theſe things, which we have gained by Right. It is certain, that the good things of this Life are given to Men by God for Improvement, and that with a Next reſpect to the Concerns of this Life, becauſe they are Temporary things. Tho' it is ever to be remembred, that this muſt be with an Ultimate Deſign for the Glory of God, which is that which brings them under the Regulation of Divinity, with regard to which they have a proper Reference to this Command.
HERE let us obſerve, That tho' every Man hath a proper Right to ſuch an Eſtate as he comes to Poſſeſs in a Lawful and Honeſt way; yet he is not the abſolute Lord of it, to do with it what he ſees meet; but is put into it as a Steward under God, and to follow His Direction in the Improvement that he makes of it. GOD is the ſupream Lord of all; we Ourſelves are His, and then ſurely what we have muſt be ſo: And it is He who hath depoſited this Portion into our hands, be it more or leſs; ſo that by whatever Media we come by it, He Governed it, and ordered the Succeſs of it; and we muſt run it up thro' all Second Cauſes to Him, elſe we derogate from His Glory: Hence that, 1 Chron. 29.11, 13, 16. Pſal. 127.3. He hath to this End given us thoſe Rules in His Word, in which He expreſſeth His Pleaſure. what Uſe He would have us to make of them; and we cannot Tranſgreſs them without manifeſt Diſobedience. And it concerns us to Study and Practice theſe Rules with Care, becauſe all that we have is in His Diſpoſure, and He can either continue them to us, or take them from us, according to His holy Pleaſure; 1 Sam. 2.7. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich he bringeth low, and lifteth up. And it is certain that He will ore long call every one of us to give an Account of our Stewardſhip, as is intimated in, Luke 16. beg. And theſe things belong to the Talents, which our Lord hath betruſted us withal; and He will come, and ſtrictly enquire of us, how we have Occupied them. This Improvement therefore properly belongs to Commutative Juſtice, according to the received Notion of it, and ſo belongs to this Precept.
NOW before I proceed to the diſtinct Conſideration of this Head, give me leave to obſerve, That Divines do generally bring the Conſideration of Poverty and Riches under this Command; and ſo they may be here taken a brief Account of; tho' it might alſo have been obſerved under the former Head, as bearing a reſpect to both. The Providence of God beſtows on ſome Men a great Eſtate in this World, which they are either Born to, or they are … led upon in their Endeavours; others are other Born to Poverty, or their Prudence and … is frowned on, and they are brought very …. Now there is an Improvement of theſe to be made accordingly; and there are the Duties incumbent on the One, which are not exp…ſ…ed from the Other in their preſent Condition: But the moſt of theſe things will fall in, in the ſequel. I ſhall therefore here only Remark:
1. THAT it is the Duty of thoſe that are Rich, to acknowledge God in their Riches, and ſeek to Uſe them to His Honour. They ought not therefore to be lifted up with them, to truſt and rely on them, to nouriſh and gratify the… Luſts with them, to deſpiſe their Poor Neighbours becauſe they have not a like Portion of them; but to be Humble and Kind, and endeavour to lay up a better Portion for themſelves: Hence that Advice, Prov. 3.9. Honour the Lord with thy ſubſtance, and with the firſt fruits of all thine increaſe. 1 Tim 6.17, 18 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, not truſt in uncertain … but in the living God, who giveth as richly all things to enjoy: That they no good, that they be ready to diſtribute, willing to communicate.
2. IT is the Duty of the Poor to adore God's Providence in it, and ſtudy how they may ſ…d… to Him Patiently under it. They ought not to Murmur at God's Providence, as if He Injured them, nor ſeek by any Indirect Means to caſe themſelves of it; but to Truſt in God who cares for ſuch; and be the more ſollicitous to ſecure for themſelves, the Riches which cannot be taken away; remembring, that as Riches are not Evidences of God's Love, ſo neither is Poverty of His Anger or Hatred; being ſuch things as in themſelves make Men neither better nor worſe; and are equally improvable for Eternal Salvation.
BUT we may paſs to the Conſideration of the Rules, according to which we ought to Improve the outward good things of this Life, ſo as to ſerve God therewithal. Now the right and lawful Uſing of theſe things may be referred to Two Heads, viz. the Preſervation of them, and the Expence of them; both of which the Word of God gives us Direction about.
I. THE Preſervation of an Eſtate. It is a favour of God that He beſtows upon us a comfortable Subſiſtence in this World; and tho' it be a common Kindneſs, yet it is not to be deſpiſed or neglected: And the Vertue which is here required to be exerciſed, is commonly called Frugality; which conſiſts in a Prudent Management of our outward Affairs; and ſo that which is Commended in the Word of God, and that which belongs to one that Fears God, Pſal. 112.5. And there are two things to which this may be reduced;
1. A diligent looking after our Eſtate, to keep it together, that is be not, thro' …r neglect, expoſed to Waſte. The things of this Life are liable to Corruption and Decay, there is …th, Ruſt and Thief that are ready to ſieze them: And tho' except God Preſerve them for …, all our Watchfulneſs and Induſtry cannot ſome them; yet He requires of us to look afters …, which is the ordinary way to enjoy His wording upon them. It is therefore the… Wiſe …u's Counſel, Prov. 27.23. B… thou diligent …en the ſtate of thy ſtocks, and look well to … buds. We ought not to Waſte them our ſelves unprofitably, nor ſuffer them to be ſtroyed by our Negligence. Tho' Chriſt could work … Miracle to feed the Multitude, yet He gave that Command to His Diſciples on this Account, Joh. 6.12. Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be loſt. And it is certain, that there will be a continual going Out, and he that doth not take care to preſerve his Income, his Expend will in a little time bring himſelf to …overty; and if he be not Careful to uphold his Eſtate, he will not be long before he will have nothing to Expend, neither upon himſelf, his Family, or the Publick Arrears, or the due Charity to the Needy. Whereas this is the way to live Honeſtly, Honourably and Comfortably.
2. PRUDENT Endeavour to Advance our …. It is not ſufficient to take heed that nothing be Waſted, but we muſt huſband our Eſtates to Advantage: It is not enough to get … Eſtate, but there is a Duty to endeavour that it may proſper by good Huſbandry of it, in the beſt way. Proſperity is a Bleſſing to be deſired, (tho' not inſatiably to be graſped after, which is a Temptation to Sin;) this Proſperity is one of the Promiſes of the Covenant, and we may Pray for it; ſo did he, 1 Chron. 4.10. And Jabe… called on the God of Iſrael, ſaying, Oh that thou wouldeſt bleſs, me indeed, and enlarge my coaſt, and that thine band might be with me, and that thou wouldeſt keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me. And God granted him that which be requested. We may then lawfully Endeavour it. Riches are conſiſtent with Godlineſs; and the more a Man hath, the more Advantage he hath to do Good with it, if God give him an Heart to it: Pſal 112.3. Wealth and riches ſhall be in his houſe, and his right couſneſs endureth for ever. Prov. 31.16. She conſidereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands ſhe planteth a vineyard.
II. THERE is a Righteouſneſs to be followed in the Expence of theſe things. And here there are two Vertues, Parſimony and Liberality.
(1) PARSIMONT; which conſiſts in a prudent reſtraining our Expences to a due meaſure. God doth not ſee it meet to meaſure a like Portion of theſe things to every one in this Would, but ſome enjoy Mare, others L…f… of them, which is alſo included, Pſa. 1125. And here the Providence of God is to be eyed, and the Caſes to be consp…ed, and we are to reg… late our ſelves accordingly; and great Pruden… is here to be uſed. It is true, that God give us theſe, things for our Uſe and Comfort; and we ought to Uſe them and take the Comfort of them: Hence that, …l. 2.24. There is … thing because for a man, than that he ſhould …t and drink, and th… be ſhould make his ſoul enjoy god in his labour. …is alſo I…m, that is was from the hand of God. Rut ſtill it ſhould be our Own, elſe we do not ſerve God's. Providence as this Command requires. Now there are two Caſes in which this is to be Conſidered, and accordingly Improved; the one is Ordinary, the other Extraordinary
1. IN Ordinary … the laying out …ght hear a due Proportion is our coming in, & …her to come ſhort, than is extraed that. And right Reaſon as well as Reagency requires that there be a Difference here made between, one Man, and another, according as God hath ordered his Eſtate, and his Charge. Hence that may be Covetouſneſs in one Man, which would be Prodigality in another: And therefore for all Men to maintain the ſame Port in Dies, Apparel and Entertainments, is countrary to the Perfumery that is required of us; and whatſoever Commendation they may have from Men, they will neither pleaſe God, the keep a good Conſcience: We ought therefore to acquaint our ſelves with our Affains, and way of ſupply; and conſider then, how many ways there are to Expend, and Compare them together, and ſo Proportion our Port in the World; otherwiſe, we ſhall miſs in our Arithmetick. Theſe things are indeed for our Uſe and Comfort, and ought to be ſo uſed, but God diſtributes to ſome only for Neceſſary, to others for Convenience, and to others for Delight. And tho' thoſe that have more of the World's Goods, ought to be very Sober in their Expence, and take heed that they nouriſh not their. Luſts with it; yet they that have more, may lawfully Uſe it for they Comfort more Liberaly: Whereas yet, they who have Leſs, muſt live more ſparingly, and Cut their Coat according to their Cloth; and to do according to what we have, and not what we have not, 2. Cor. 8.12. And tho' Perſons of Publick Station ſhould Live in a more Noble Faſhion, yet the Publick which they ſerve ought to maintain it; and Men are not called to Ruin themſelves and Families for this.
2. IN Extraordinary Caſes, Men are to take other meaſares. If God ſees meet to … ny His Ordinary Ble…ing upon Men's lawful Endeavours, and bring them to …eart; and Straits, they ought to make Uſe of what ta… have at Preſent, and trait God's Providence …: the Future and not to …, themſelf is to Day, for fear leaſt they ſhould have nothing for to Morrow. And here o… Sa… … take Place, Matth. 6.34. Take … thought for the morrow: … the morrow ſhad take thought for the things of aſ…f: … the … the day it the evel thereof. Only Care in to be had, that we comply with God's Providence in this regard, ſo far as may be, and nor p…ſeſely pleaſe our ſelves with the Vulgar Proverb. Soul, … God … ſend. There are alſo the Times, when God beings Publick Diſtreſſes upon a People, and all … at Stake, Times of …r or F…er; and He may now call for a Man's All, and he ought to Co…ort with the preſent Diſtreſs; and not by his forded P…fi…ry, think to ſave his own Cabbin, and Let the Veſſel …ok. Time was when Chriſtians Sold their Poſſeſſions, and devo…ed them to the Relief of others; and they loo…ed upon themſelves as called by God to do it; and God accepted it, and they are Commended for it, Acts 4.34, 35. Which would at another that have been folly and diſtraction.
(2.) LIBERALITY. which in a Vertue to be exerciſed in a cheerful D… … of the good thing we have, according to God's Command. And this is to govern and moderate our P…fi…. that it degenerate not into …ſe and ig… G…ſs, which is … by God. It is our Duty to do Good with, and Di…tri…te of our Good things, as there is occaſion offered to us, as there ever will be. Here we are to obſerve, that the Benefit of thoſe things in for this Life, we will do us …o Kindneſs in …ther, and farther than as we have uſed them to God's Glory in this; for we are ſold, 1 Tim. 6.7. For we bringht nothing into this world, and it is certe… we can carry … our. This Benefit is actually enjoyed by …, in the laying of them out ſo, as may ſerve to the Ends of them, for the outward Man; ſo that as we cannot preſerve them without Frag…ſ…ry, nor long enjoy them without Fraſi…ry, ſo neither can we have the Comfort of them without Liberality. The Wiſe Man therefore complaint of that as a great Vanity, Eccl. 1.3. What proſe hath a man of all his labour which he ta… under the ſa… Now the Word of God hath here alſo given us plentiful Direction, how we are to Order our ſelves in this regard. And we are not here to diſtinguiſh Liberality from Juſtice. and reduce it to meet Charity; but it contains in it a willing Diſtribution, to all the Uſes for which it is to be employed. And here two things may come under our Conſideration.
1. THE Subjects of our Liberality; and they are all ſuch to whom we are by Precept required to impart of our Subſtances; and theſe have thier Order. In the firſt place it belongs to Our ſelves and Fa…ther; we muſt provide for out particular Charge, and allow them ſuitably for Meat, Drink, Raiment and Education, and a Portion, as we are told, 1 Tim. 5.8. If any pe…e not for his own, and ſpecially for thoſe of his own houſe, he hath denned the faith, and is worſe than an inſide! And it is the Commendation of the Vertu…s Woman, Prov. 31.15, 20. She riſeth alſo while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her houſhold, and a portion ro her maidens. She ſtretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, ſhe reacheth forth her hands to the needy. And not to do this, arguer the want of Natural Action. Our Fa… alſo claim this of us when Aged and … hence that, Matth. 15.4, 5, 6. For … …, joying, H…r thy … …e that … ſe… … the … ye ſay, whoſoever ſhall ſay …, or his morther. It is a … by … over thou … he … by me, And … his father, or his …, he ſhall …e … Thus have ye made the … of God … effect by your wo…tion. … Compenſate their tender Care of us. T… … alſo is to be ſepp…ted in the … ſ…ry Changes of it, by ſuch as are Mr. … it, and have their Pra…ection from it; … to that, Rom. 13 6.7. …, for … pay you tri…e alſo, for they are God's … accoding … this very thing. … dor therefore to al their dues: tr… … is due, … to whom …, for a whom ſ…r, … to whom …. The … …ce of the Manſtry alſo … Bengeth a … in our Expence, who ſpend their Time and Strength for the Service of the S… of … Flock, whereof they have the Change, God 6.6. Let him that as tought in the word, … him that …, in all good things. 1 Cor. 9.13, 14. Do ye not know that they which … about holy things, Lord the things of the temple? and they which wait at the …, are pur…rs with the …? Even … hath the Lord …, that they which … the goſpel, … …ve of the goſpel. The … alſo have an Intereſt in car Expences, and ought to ſhare of it, and to be taken … of by us, as we are God's Depoſitanres. How that Encouragement, Pſal. 41. …eg. … is … conſideret… the poor; the Lord … proſerve him, and keep him …, and he ſhall … bleſſed upon the …rth; and th… … not … him into the well of his enemies. The Lord … ſtrengthen him upon the bed of leng…ing; … w…lt make all his … in his ſickneſs. And …. the G…dly P…or, or Chriſtians, are f…tly to be conſidered by us, Gal. 6.10. As we have therefore oppor…niry, let is … good unto all men, elſpecially unto them who are of the …hold of faith. But yet ſo, as other that are Men, and in Ne…e…ly, (tho'… gody, nay tho' our Perſonal F…nemies.) …e o… ſidered; and Humanity caſts for it; and Chriſt hath taught us the Leſſon of it, Matth. 5.44. I ſay unto you, Love your enemies, bleſs … that curſe you, do good to them that bate you, and pray for them which …d ſpiteſally uſe you, and perſecute you. Rom. 12.20. If thine enemy hunger, feed him: if be …irſt, give … drink. Hitherto belong alſo Strengert and Tr… veilers, for whom we ought to have a Referve that we may be Hoſpitable to them, and give them ſuitable Entertainment; Rom. 12.13. Diſtributing to the neceſſity of ſaints: given to hoſpitality. 1 Pet. 4.9. uſe …ſpata…ly one to another without grudging. Heb. 13.2. Be not jorgerful to entertian ſtrangers for thereby ſome have enter…ined angels unawares.
2 FOR the Morn…r of it, a few R…ks may leg…r…s;
1. IT muſt be with a ready … End. Wit…t this it …a… I be …. God regards the Heart, and if it be let T… M…es it a … of call Water, it is a…peal ſo that it be Right, 2 C…. 8.1…. For … be firſt a…iſſing equal, it is accepted … it that a man …, and on according to …. On this … a Liberal … i… compared to the …ls, which freely … themſelves for the Relief of the Earth, … 11.3. We are therefore told, 2 Cor, 9.7. … not …ording to be p…poſeth in his heart, … him give; not gr…l…iry's … of …e…eſ… for God de…th a cheerful giver. And, … 11.2…. The H…ral … ſhall be made ſ…t: … that watereth, ſhall be watered alſo himſelf.
2. IT muſt be of that which is our Own, and according to ou… A…y…, 2 Cor. 8.12. There … theſe whom God makes the Objects of Ch… …i…, who have nothing to give, but we Sabj… ready to receive an Alms of another. And tho' thoſe …ght to have an heart ready diſpoſed, yet it is not required of them that they ſhould give away that which is not their upon …per Goods, but another's; And this is …i…y for Parot Offering, which God will not accept but Charge to them as Sin. Not but … Man may lawfully S…rrow of another …, when he is able to make it Good …: And it muſt be according to his Ab… … and another's Neceſſa…y: Hence that, Acts …. 35. I have …e…ed you all things, how that …bboring ye …ght to ſupport the weak; and i… …e…her the words of the Lord Jeſus, how is ſ…d, It is more bleſſel to give than to receive.
3. We ought to ſtudy and …ſerve the …ce of …, which calls us to Diſtribute. We ought not to ſhut … Eyes, and hide our ſelves … the Kn…wledge of our Duty on this Account, but watch for the Opportunity, and not ſame Excuſes to avoid it. We are therefore acquainted with that as the Character of a L… …l Man, Iſai. 32.8. The liberal deviſeth … things, and by liberal things ſhall be ſt…d. Te… old inſtead of being ſorry that we know of … a Duty, enquire after it; and not do it ſ…gly, but with regular Freedom, and open…dedneſs.
4. WE ſhould do it Frequently & Un…a…ly, We ought not to be Tired with it, or Reſ…in it: We ſhould do it … there is Opportunity, Gal. 6.10. We ſhould do it to many, when t…t is need of it: Eccl. 11.3. Grave a prot…m to ſ…ven, … alſo to …ght; …rth a … not what evil ſhall be upon the earth. And we ſhould not be weary of it, Gal. 6.9. And let us not … …e…y it well doing: for in … ſeaſon we ſhall reaf, if …ſ…iet not. We ſhould indeed Commiſerate, and be ſorry for ſuch as are reda…ed to Diſtreſs; … this Commoſeration is to ſtir up out …wels for them, and not to Quarrel with God's Providence, which provides from Objects for us, thereby to prove out Sincerity, Jam. 2.15, 16. If a brother …, ſiſter be … and deſtante of inly ſ…d; And … of you ſay unto them, Depart in peace, … you … and … not: notwithſtanding ye give them not thoſe things which are …e… to the …ly; what doth it … ſit?
5. We ſhould do it in the pr…per Seaſon of it, and not uſe Delays. …es … Ci… d…t. A Liberal Spirit will pr…mpt as to uſe no Delays, but take the hint of Providence, and do the thing when it will be muſt f…table, Prov. 3.18. Say not unto thy neighbour, G…ant … again, and to morrow I will give; where thou …aſt it by them.
6. WE muſt do it for God: We are therefore commanded, Prov. 3.9. Honour the Lord with thy ſulſta…, end with the firſt fraits of all thine in…eſe. And David calls it the Ki… neſs of God, 1 Sam. 9.3. And we are aſſured, in Prov. 19.17. He that hath pity upon the poor, k…deth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given, will be pay him again. And this is that which p…ts a Ther…gical Ti…cture upon ou…. Acts of Liberality.
LET us then be excited tot he Exerciſe of this Vertue, conſidering that we ow… it to God, who is our Lend-lord; and it is part of the Quit Rent which he expects of us; and that in this way we ſhall be under the Pleſſing. Prov. 3.9, 10. Honour the Lord with thy ſubſtance, and with the firſt fruits of all thine increaſe, So ſhall thy …ns be …lled with plenty, and thy preſſes ſhall b…ſt our with new mean. We hereby engage God to be our Pay-Maſter; and have good Security that we ſhall not be Loſers, but great Gainers in the foot of the Account; Eccl. 11.2. C…t thy wead upon the waters: for thou ſhalt find it after many days.
[JULY 24. 1785.]