Serm.rt, that they may be Acceptahle HntoGod ? 265 for our own livelihood, andof them that belonguntous, but alfo fotne- what for the relief of others ; Solomon defcribing the vertuous woman, faith in.the firtl place, thatfhefeels wool and fax, andwork! willingly with Prov.31,13, her hands ; And then, that fhe flretches out her hands to the Poor, yea, fhe reacheth forthher bands to theneedy. I V. Be careful toprevent alfuperflwitiesinyour expences. As diligence in your Callings, fo frugality in your fpending, is a fpecial means for thepra6lifeof Charity ; Frugality, faith 7aaflin, id themother o fvertane ; Genetyix virtum I am fure it is the foundation and fupporrer of Charity ; For let a rc n fir{gatitay, mans elatebe never fogreat, yet if there be not frugality ufed in the Juit.t.9o, management thereof, there will be but little found for works of chari- ty. And on theocher fide, though a manselate be but mean and low in the world, yet if there be frugality ufed in the management ofit, there will be ever fornewhat for charitable ufes. As therefore thou de- (gel to becharitable, be careful to prevent all unneceifary expences; I mean, let not thy apparel be too cofily, for how can it be expelled, that they (hould becharitable, ready to di(}ribute to the nece(iùies of others, who lay out the greatc(}part of their elates upon their backs. Neither let thy fea(}ings be too frequent, nor too chargeable ; which is noted forone of the fins of theold World, who weregiven to eating, as grli>1174s: the word in the Original properly fignifiech. Neither let thy Recreati- MatX4.3 s tins be too expenfive,in playingmorefor money than for refreshment: Oh that fuch ofyou who fpend fo much time and money on your Re- creations ; u ifGod had fent you into the world, and given you the good things of the world, for no other end than to follow your plea- fures ; would confider what a fearful reckoning you are to makeat the day of Judgement, not onlyofyour precious time lavifhly mifpent,but alfoof your elate wickedly loft, or wailed; when in thy account there ¡hall be found fo much wailed in gaming and pleafures, and fo little gi- ven to the poor. V. Set apartfomething out of thine income.; and receipts, a afacredflock, for charitableHfes. For, i Hereby thou wilt be fitted and prepared with matter for fuch ufes, having alwaies fomewhat by thee, to giveupon any good occa lion. 2. By this means thou wilt more readily and willingly, more freely and liberally contribute to the needs and neccflitics of others, ha- M to ving
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