256 11fter what milliner mull wegive Alms, Selina'. i This Duty belongech efpecially to Rich men, becaufe the occafions of him that would borrow, dually require more than meaner perforas can well fpare,they can better give a penny than lend a pound ; though in many cafes the lending our Brother a confìderable fum together, would be more beneficial to him, than it may be có give him half as much ; there is therefore a noble and very generous a& of Charity, to beexercifed this way,and it is peculiar to rich men, who have it by them wherewithal) to do ir. IV. Rich men may and ought toexprefs their Ch arity, byforgiving 4 debt, in cafe the borrower be not able to repay it. There be many who by the help of chat which is lent them, God bleffing their pains in theimployment thereof, are able to repay what is lent. If there were not hope thereof, men would rather give than lend to fuch. But there are others, who, notwithflanding their care and pains in their Calling, thrive not ; or by force accident fuffer fuch lofs and da- mage, as they are not able to repay what they have borrowed. In fuch cafes Creditors are bound to forgive ( at leali to forbear ) their debtors. t uk>6.3 S, This is the intendment of that charge, Lend hoping for nothingagain. To take this phrafe (imply, is toalter the nature of lending, and to turn it intogiving. Herein Iyeth the difference betwixt Lending, and Giving. Lending is on condition to have again that which is lent,or at leafs the worth of it force other way : Giving is free, without any fuch condition. That advice of Chrif}, to lend hopingfor nothing again; hath refpe& to the mind of the Lender, that he fhould not have his mind wholly and only upon the repaying of what he lendeth ; but on the need of his brother. He is not (imply to lend, becaufe he is perfwaded he (hall lofe nothing, but have his own again. He is to lend,becaufehe Both therein great kindnefs to his Brother, who (lands in much need thereof. W ra1Ls The Grcek word properly fignifieth to defpair, and fo it may here be smrHV a_ tiken; as if he had Paid, when your Brother hath need to borrow, lend, re ; ¿ eiv though his cafe be fuch that you even clef-pair of receiving it again,though drfpera)e. you run force hazard of lofing the principal. If therefore it fo fall our, that the debtor be not able to repay what he borrowed, forgive it him. He lends hoping for nothing again, who is willing to forgive, in cafe the neceffity of the borrower require ir. Nch.1.11. This was it which Nehemiah enjoyned t he rich Jews. Excellently doth our Lord rrefs this Duty in the parable of the two Creditors, where we have a commendable pattern of a certain King, that in fuch a cafe forgave
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