Sean, 258 fter what manner nouf ` we give Alms, lote by ir. Some hereby have entertained Angels, as the Apoltle fpaak Heb.13. z. Be notforgetful to entertain f rangers,for thereby force have entertainedAn- gels unaware. In fetting down this recompence the Apoltle hath an Gen.i 8.z. efpecial refpea unto two inflánces, one of Abraham, the other of Chap.19.i. Lot. Angels carne to both thefe, in the appearance of men, whom they knew not, which (heweth Gods high account ofthis Duty, in that once and again he Cent Angels, to fuch as were ready to entertain (gran- gers. Yea, we may entertain Chrifl himfelf, and indeed in every enter- tainment of a poor godly firanger, Chriff himfelf is entertained. And therefore in the great day of Judgment, we read that Chrill puts in this Mar..; 5.3-5. good work by nitric ; Iwar aftranger andye took me in ; Jefus Cñrift is a firanger in his members. In facred Scriptures we find leverai others rewarded for their Hofpi tality; as, Ge11.7.4.3: X49 Rebekah for her courtefie to Abrahams fervant, a meer firanger to her, was rewarded with precious gifts and a good Husband. The Shel- 1 Kings 4. namites Hofpitality to the Prophet, was recompenced with giving her a Son, and refloring him to life. The Widowof Sareptahs hofpitality tta the Prophet Elijah, in receiving him into her houle in a great famine, was rewarded withpreferving and increaing her Meal and Oyl, for it K1nb.17a6. is exprefly laid, that her barrel of meal wafted not, neither did her crufeof oil fail, until the Lordgent plenty offood. Gauss his hofpitality towards St.Paul in receiving him intohis houle, Rom 6 z3: was recompenced wich an honourableTefiimony, which bothSt. Paul .3 Joh.5.6 and St. iohn gave of him Object. Some may objeá and fay, Inftead of a Godly man I may happily entertain Come diffembling Hypocrite, and fo lofe both my gift and reward ? e/fn fTV. I. Our charity ought to hope the heft of every one of whom we have no evident proof, or prefumption, to thecon- trary. a. If we receive a diflrcffed Minifier, in the Name of a Mini(ierof Chrifl, or Private difireffed Chri(gian,in the name of a Righteous man; fuppoGng him to belong co Chrifi ; let him be what he will, we (hall neither lofe gift, nor reward, Chrifi bath undertaken the paimene' thereof. V. Rich men may and ought in force cafes to exprefs their Charity, even by felling what they have, for the relief of others, ac- cording a Cara 3.7=
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=