By theCrefs of Chrif . 189. cifulnefs to thole that are poorer then themfelves, as the Richer do by denying their larger proportions. The fcarcity and defeCtivenefs of charitable works , with all fortsof men from the highefi to the lowefi, even thofe that feem more forward in verbal devotions, do thew us too evidently how commonhypocrite is, and how few are entirely devoted to God, and what a bewitching and blinding thing the world is. They that think a man utterly ungodly that doch not in the length and life of his duties go much beyond the common fort of men do never judge themfelves ungodly for not exceeding them in works of Charity. In asof piety and worthip, they ( juflly ) think, that they thould not only let apart one day in feven, to be whol- ly imployed herein, but all() a confiderablepart of every day in the week, betides their holy Meditations which they mixwith their common works. But how few are they that will allowGod fuch a Proportionof their eflates ? as betides their daily works of charity upon ordinary occafions, to devotealto afeventh part entirely to his fervice ? Though all cannot do this, yet many (hall fee when their eyesare opened, that they fhould have donemore. For ought I fee, the charitable worksof the Riche-, andof too many Profeffors of the greateft Piety, are too like the pious a&i- ons of the ungodly ; even, feldom, and by the halves , and life- lefs, and to little purpole. As the ungodly will drop morning and night a formal, feeming heartlefsprayer, upon the by, while their minds are another way ; and if you urge them to any higher,and coftlyer devotion, inftead ofobeying, they will cavil againft it, and put it off with vain excufes, and fay, Goddohnot requirerbis of us, becaaafe we sere not learned, andbecanfe we have our nece] ary labours to lookafter. Even fo many Rich men, and feecningly Re- ligious, will dropnow and then a penny or.analms to the poor, and giveupon the by fome inconfiderablepittance, which cofteth them but little, and doth nogreat good : But if yimi urge them o any greater works, you (hall have excufesenow and reafon- ings againfi their duty but little of performance. Then they have families toprovide for, and their eftates are but (mall and God doth not require this at their hands. I wonder whenGod will (peak foplain, for abounding in Good works, as that hypo crites and worldlings will beable to underftand him ? This vo- luntary,deafnefs is notremedyed by (peaking lowd ; nor will the 13 b 3 : common
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