c í9fter wlsat.wanner ;.ufl ?d.give dilm `-' Serm. t t: is dead, its not a livingbut a dead faith, that manifests no its lit by working. If. As Meditation,fo Prayer is a fpecial means on our pare tobeper- formed, for attaining unto this grace of Charity. I fay, earner+ and fer- vent prayer unto God for the fame; for as he is the fountain and author of every good gift, fo he bath fandtitied Prayer, as the means of obtain- ing every good gifcfro:n him. Be earne(i therefore with Cod in Prayer, that he would be pleaCed to b ve thee as a compaflïonate heart cowards the needs and neceflì ies of the poor members of Jefus Chrif+; fo an open hand,that thou :nayef+ freely and liberally contribute unto them, according to their necel1ity, and thy ability' : Beg of God chat as he hash bletfed thee with force competent elate, fo he would add this mercy, to give thee an heart to give our proportionably to what he hath given thee ; and that in tef+i- .taony of thy love, and thankfulnefs unto him. But alas how few are therewho in their prayers unto God are mindful of thisgraceof Cha- rity?how few are there who ever begged of God,that he would be plea- fed to implant this noblegrace of Charity in their hearts ? If upon ex- amination thou findet+ thy felf ro, have been faulty therein : Go take up a new refolution tobe earnet+ with God in prayer for this graceefpel cially, and never togive over, till thou find it in force meafure wrought in thy foul, till thou find thy fell upon all good occaGons ready to di- fl ibute,and willing to communicate to the needs and n.ecdlities of thy poor Bre hren. III. Diligence in our Callings, is another means on our part to be performed, for the praising of charity. He that \would be charita- ble to the poor in their needs and necefficies ; mull bediligent and in- dulirious in his calling, fo that he mayhave wherewithal to exprefs his charity for mens diligence in their callings is ufually crowned Prov.te.4.. with a bieflïng, according to that of thewife man, the handof the di- Cliap.1 3.4. ligent maketh rich : And again, The fail of the diluent (hall be made Wye.,,,-,u7es fit, that is, fhall be inriched with outward ble(lïngs and the Greeks ó ch+ 7i1ç i771 fay, that plentifcalnefs follows painfulneß, and that all things are made E-OM:144 d A Servants to care and indaflry ? And therefore the Apofile Paul pre- '4 stob'74 )'"u/' fcribeth diligence and induf-'.ry in a l.wful calling as a means of cha= p1i.4.a8. rity ; Let him that flole, ¡leal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his own hands the thing r'hich is good, that he may have togive to him that needs. This is one end we fhould propound to our felves, in the works of ourcallings, ntri ely, that through Gods blef- L ng on our pains and endeavours, we moy have, not only fufficiènt for
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