Berta. I. ¡bat they mayhe Acceptable unto God ? 263 07en and friends only were their Neighbours, whom by the Law they were bound to love. That this was their opinion, is evident by this their glofs on the Law ; ?bola fhalt love thy neighbourn and hate thine ere- Mat.5.43'. my. And by the Parable which Christ producechtto demon(}rare to the Lawyer who was his Neighbour. In oppolition to that falfe do&rine, Chriil commandstogive, not to friends only, but to every man.So as the Luke 1O.19, fcope of that precept is,to take away refpeel of perlons in Alms-giving: 3°''S`=" that we should not refrain this duty of Charity wCountry-men, kin- dred, and friends ; but extend it alto to orangers, enemies, and to eve- ry one, that being in need crate it of us. 2 A fecond Allegation is, That many beggars may perifh if they be not relieved. Anfw. In cafe of neceilrty they may and mull be relieved, either at doors,in Ireets,or other like places, where their necefìty is manifefed. Necefity ( as we fpeak) bath no Law. It difpences with ordinary Rules. Inoance that which Chrift produced concerning David. He Niatr:,.á. entred into the Houfe of God, and did eat the thew-bread, whichwa4 not larful. I have done with theQziefüon allotted.to me, give me leave to add a few words, for the more profitable preffing this moft neccffary, but much neglected Duty of Charity ; I (hail difpatch my intendmen herein. z. By (hewing you by what means you may obtain this Grace. 2. Give you force Motives to quicken you up to a confcionable per- formance of the works of ir. The means are thefe, i. Medit.ttion: Serionfly meditate I. Of the Necegity of it, which arifeth from the Lords exlareff charge and command, unto which we are bound to yield obedience. It isoften commanded both in the Old and New Tettament. That I may not be tedious, I (hill give you but two or three proofs, Dent. t 5. t I. Aplace I often mentioned for the excellency, and exceeding per- tinencyof it to this purpofe. Saith the Lord to his people there; The poor fhall-never ceare ont of the Land ; Therefore I command thee, laying, thou (halt open thy band wide unto thybrother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in the Land; that is, thou Ihalt give unto him freely and bountifully. And faith our Saviour in the New Tefament ; Give to him that akcth Luke thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not than away, And faith the Apofle, To do good, and to communicate forget not, f o r with ,3rd. i 3 .I 6, finchfacri/ices God is well pleated ; in which words he praeth the Duty with t
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