Chap. a6. about Charity. z33 of relief, in which cafe all becomes common through his irrefiflible necefíity, Mar. 1 z. 1, 3, 4. Deut. 23. 24, 25. Yet even then we muff refolve to our utmofl to ref}ore to the owner thole goods which we have thus em- ployed. (oft. Whatfhould be the quantity and n<eafure ofour alines ? ¡ Anf3v. This is not particularly determined in Scripture, becaufe there are fo many circutnftances which mayalter the cafe that no certain rule could be given; but its left to Chriflian prudence to give as occafion is offered, more or lefle as he thinks good : Hence, z Càr.8.7,8. and 9.7. Yet in general! this rule mull: be obferved : we mull give bountifully, not with a niggardly band, aCor. 9.6. Deut.j 5.11. Prow.3/.20. a Cor.9, 5. yet herein refpeét is to be had toour own ability , keeping, our cillernsfull that our felves may drink of them, and let- ting the overplus to run abroad, as Prov.s. s ç,i 6.45/.11.29. every one accord- inb to his ability fent , &c. zCor. 8I3,14. Yet in cafes ofextreatneneceflity we mull go beyond our ability, z Cor.8.3, So Chrill commands, Luk. 12. 33. and 3.11. A6Ì z.4 ç. and 4.34, 35. In othercafes wemay have two coats , job. 19.zá. a Ton. 4..13. Quell. what rule mull be obferved in the quality ofour alms? e 4nfiw. We muff give to the poor things wholfome , cleanly, conveni- ent, and comfortable for the fufcentation of their lives , avoiding two ex- treams. I. Offuch as give them filch bale, and flurrifh food, as a dog will fcarce ear. Remember therefore that thou relievefl not contemptible creatures , but thofe that are of the fame nature , &c. yea, in them we lend to the. Lord , who fcorns our refufe , Mal, i :Y3: the relieve Chill, and will we give him fwill , and fv inesmeat, whonourifheth our fouls with his precious body and blood. z. Of fuch as give them fupe_rfluous dainties : but we mull feed them, not pamper them with fuperfluities:'Chrilloyhenhe fed the multitude provided not dainties , bur multiplied the barley loaves and tithes, 7%:antun divires fu perfíuir, dent pauper ;bras neceffäria. Aug. Let tale' rich enjoy their fuperfluities, and let them relieve thepoor with neceffaries. Quell. what perfsns ought togive alms? GA'nfay. All ofany eg}ate, when they meet with poorer then themfelves; but principally its thedutyof richmen, Luk16.9. I:1 ím.6.17 t a. zCor.$ 4 I Job.3.17. yet not onely of them : Forhe that bath but a bare to?npetency is to give to them that want necefjaries : and fuch as have onely tytifficient for nature are bound to give to themwho are inpreferir extremity, unleffe the like necefíity'be imìnent to themfelves For we mid love our nethbour as,not abtwf'our felves : Charity beginsat home. Now that fuch mt.ft give may be provedb&Scripture, Lub.3.11.and 1 i.41.Eph,4.zx.gy cxample:The poor widow, Mark,i2.43. cMacedonians, zCór.S.z. Apoflles,e%fc1, 3.6. L k 8;3. with 7oh.ta 6,8. Its he way to leave ourlitle encreafed, Prov.11 24 [.,äk,6.38, Betiides, the alms of thepoor (though theygive little) areas acceptable to God, as ofche rich, Dext,15.1x. aCor. 8, r2 God meafures the deed 'by the will .Qur:mîru rm oblatioufa vtrtute of erenïf tm determin4vit. Chry f As the,poor widows/gift. Quell. whatperfons 647 laxr(ultygive'dlmew ? ,..e4nfiv_Nonebut fuck as areowners of the things given : Hencea :,'Its Unlawful fdt h wantstogive oftheir Mailers F,00ds, urgers' 'háth gi- veir¢ì1Elri leave,tith'er in 'particular, Òí' °enetal ©ruplefs in cafe of exrream ne- céilitY'iri'the abfence oftbeirgovertióirs , hiving 'apnrpofetomákë it known to them, refolving tp rellore out oftheir own what they havegiven,ih cái~e thdir G iernótlrs' mifiìice'it '' :' H h z. Its. r
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