Serro. r r. that they may be Acceptable ,into God? w nom of right cloth belong ; for faith he, Prov.3.a7. With -hold not goodfrom there to whom it is due,when it is in the power of thy hand to do it. Wh:reupon faid an ancient Father, It is the bread of the hungry which rft paris fame- moulders m thy Cupboard ; It's the garment of the naked which hangs ufe- lict quern to te- ncs rtucli tr:erica dell in thy Chamber : It's thegoldofthe poor which lieth rafting in thy Che¡, . es,fl ttl it So that thy relieving the poor, is not only an ad+ of mercy, left co thy clavi confer- choice to do, or not to do but alto of juflice, to the performance vas,&c.Bafl> whereof thou f+andef+ bound. And therefore what Sc. Paul faith of himfelfconcerning the preachingof the Gofpel ; NecefJ?ty is laid upon i Cor.9.i 6, me,yea,woe is :agorae, if Ipreach not the Gojÿel. The like fhould all Rich men efpecially fay of themfelves, neceffity is laid capon to, to give out a part of our estate for the relief of the poor Saints and Servants of 3eftee ChriII., and woe be tents am, if we do it not. 4. It is a great miaake in Parents, that becaufe it is their Duty to make forceprovifion for their children, therefore they are bound to lay up all that poffibly they can (crape together for their tile, without giving any confiderablepart towards the relief of the poor ; for thereby they manifefily declare, that they prefer their childrens temporal good, be- fore their own fpiritual and eternal good, and hazard the falvationof their own fouls,for the advancement of their childrens elate. Oh how little comfort will it be to you in Hell-torments, CO chink that you have loft heavenly joyes, for the gainingof force earthly enjoyments for your Children ? Iftherefore you have little or no charity for others, yet have force for your own fouls, by a liberal contribution to the poor Saints and Servants of Jefus Chrift, and chat according to your own ability, and their neceffity. ObjeEt. 2. Some objecSt their poor and mean efface, pretending they have not wherewithal to fupply the wants, and relieve the neceffìcies of others. Anfw.i. Though thou pleadefi poverty to excufe thy not giving to- wards the fupply of the needy and neceffitous, yet it is to be feared, that thy plea is not real but feigned, a meer pretence, becaufe thou croft find money enough to buy rich and cofily apparel for thy feif, wife and children ; money enough to pamper thy belly, and to feaít thy richneighbours, friends, and acquaintance ; money enough for the gratifying thy finful luf+s and pleafures; when thou canft find little or nothing for the cloathing the naked backs of the poor mem- bers of Jefus Chrift, nothing for the fillingof their empty bellies, no- mm z thing
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