Serin. i z. that they may be 4cceptable 'into God 269 VVith-holding is there oppofed co fcattering, which word hath refe- rence to calling or fowing feed on the earth to bring forth a crop ; and thereby is meant Alms - giving. On the contrary,with-holding more than is rneet,implies a denial of Alms, when there is juif caufe togive.juffice and equity require this Duty (as we have before (hewed ) fo as that phrafe dock much aggravate this kind of unmercifulnefs : and as a jut} punithmenc thereof, that which covetous men by refuting to give, feek toprevent, (hall fall upon them, evenpoverty. And if in any difirefs they (hall be forced to Peek help of others, even they Gall be negledfed as they negle6 edothers. The Wife- man telfifieth as much in chete words, whofo /ioppeth his ears at the cry j, rov 2.1 t of the peor, he alto (hall cry hinsfelf, andnot be heard. Nor onlyother men,but alto God himfelf will refufe co hear his cry.Dives,who refufed Luk.16 to relieve Lazarus, could not obtainany to afford him a drop of water to cool his tongue, when he was tormented in Hell flames.It is expref- ly faid,that hefhallhave /o dgment without mercy, that hathfhewed no mer- cy, James 2.13. For God deals with men according co their dealing Mat.18.33. with others. Finally, as ble(fings are promifed to merciful men, fo curies are de- nounced again{{ unmerciful men. As under bieffings, all manner of Prov.18.17. good things arecomprized, fo under curies, all manner of evils. Un- merciful men (hall have thecurfes of men, and people(hall curie them. Prov.11.z6. And at the great Day of judgement, they Ball be pronounced curfed by the Great Judge.For then (hall hefay unto them on the left hand, Depart Matz ç.4r, fromme, ye curfed, into everlaffingfire, preparedfor the Devil andhis An- 42,, &C. gels : Fer 1 was an hungred aidyegaveme no meat ; Iwas thir/ry, andye gaveme no drink,,&c. Having thus done with the Motives,' (hail clofe this Difcourfe with anfwering fome Objeflions, which keep back many from a confcionable difchargeof this Duty. Objctl. 1. Some objeft their great charge, having awife and many children to provide for ; and are ready to fay with the ApoIfle, That Parents ought to lay topfor their Children. And if any provide not for his' z Cor.az:t4: own, ez]ecta/ly for thofe ofhisown houfe, he bathdented the faith,and is werfe t Tlm.s.s. than an Infidel ; How then can we be liberal to the poor ? Anfw.1.I deny not but Parents ought to provide for their Children, m m
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