550 HOW TO DO GOOD TO MANY. and their own flesh often payeth dear for its ease and pleasure, by those pains and diseases which God bath suited to their sins ; and which usually shorten the lives, which theyho ketter use, or snatch them away from that time and wealth whieh they spent in prepar- ing fuel for hell, and food for the worm that never dieth. V. But what is it that aman, should do that would do good to all or many ? There are some good works which are of far great- er tendency than others, to the good of many : some of them I will name to you. i. Do as much good as you are able to "men's bodies, in' order to the greater good of souls. If nature be not supported, men are not capable of other good. We pray for our daily bread before pardon and spiritual blessings, not as if it were better, but that nature is supposedbefore grace ;. and we cannot be Christians ifwe be not men. God bath so placed the soul in the body, that good or evil shall make its entrance by the bodily senses to the soul. This way God himself conveyeth many of his blessings, and this way he inflicteth his corrections: ministers that are able and will- ing to be liberal, find, by great experience, that kindness and boun- ty to merf's bodies openeth the ear to counsel, and maketh them willing to hear instruction : those in France, that are now trying men's religion in the market, and, are at work with money in one band, and asword in the other, do understand this to be true. All men are sensible of pain or pleasure, good or evil, to the flesh, be- fore they are sensible what is necessary for their souls. You must therefore speak on that side which can hear, and work upon the feeling part, if you will do gdod. Besides this, your charity may remove many great impediments and temptations. It is no easy thing to keep heavenly thoughts upon your mind, and especially to delight in God, and keep the' relish of his law upon your hearts, while pinching wants are calling sway your mind, and disturbing it with troublesome passions. To suffer some hunger, and go in vile apparel, is not very difficult but when there is a family to provide for, a discontented wife and children to satisfy, rents, and debts and demands unpaid, it must be an excellent Christian than can live contentedly,.and cast all his useless care on. God, and keep up the sense of his love, and a delight in all his service. Do your best to save the poor from such temptations, as you' would yourselves be saved from them. And when you give to the poor that are ignorant and ungodly, give them after it some counsel for their souls, or some good book which is suited to their eases. ii. Ifyou -would do good to many, set yourselves to promote the practical knowledge of the great truths necessary to salvation. 1. Goodness will never be enjoyed or practiced without knowl-
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