z38 4 Queflíons, andCafes ofConfcience Chap. z6 Anfw. Theyare to be efteemed and cenfured according to the quality and conditionof theperfons by whom they are performed. For I. Either they are done by fuch as according to their abilities, have exercifed fuch charity in their whole lives after their Convertion, out of love, and obedi- ence to God, and mercy towardsmen. Or Secondly, out of felf-love, vain-glory, or fervile fear, by fuch as have utterfy negle&ed them in their life-time, and now think to make fatisfa&ion for their former neglee-t. Fo: the former we are to judge, that they proceed from their love to Cod and their neighbours,being not content with what they have done in their life- time, but alfo take care that they be continued even after their death. Neither arewe to take exceptions, though the quantity now given doth `exceed all that they have done in their lives, feeing herein they deal no otherwife with the poor then with their own children and friends, upon whom they betiowmore by ("Vili, then ever before they gave them ; and its juft that men should keep the largest part of their goods while they live for their own maintenance, giving to the poor what they can conveniently fpare, and they are very charitable, if theydefrn a great part of theirelate to religious uses, when as themfelves thall have no further ufe of it. But for thofew ho wholly negle& worksof mercy in their lives,and think it fuf- ficient ro give fomething at death, they are not abfolutely to be condemned,- left hereby they take occatton to negle&both : Befides, these may be after- fruits of their late repentance : They are allo good to the receivers, and for ' the givers, they are better then fuch as neither do good in life, nor death : neither can they be taxed for doing them now, but becaufe they did them no sooner. Which fault that we may avoid, Confider r. That its better, and more commendable to give liberally in our life-time, making our own handsour Ex-' ecutors, and our own eyes our Overfeers, then to leave it to the difcretion o fo-', thers. II. a. Its more acceptable to God, being a figue of a fironger faith, and more firme dependence upon him. III. 3. Its an evidence of greater love and obedience, if at Gods Command we are willing to part with our goods, even while(} we might retain them to our own ufe. 4. Its a morefeafonable feeds-time, and fo we may affuredly expe& a more fruitful harveft. V. 5. Ifwe negle& it our felves in our life, we can have no certainty that we fhall ever do it. For s. We may be (tripped of our goods before death, and fo have nothing to be- queath then. a. Death may furprize us fuddenly , and give us no time todifpofe of our goods. 3. Our fickneffe may be such as may deprive us ofour underftanding and me- mory, whereby we lhall be difinabled to do ir. 4. If we make our Will before-hand, it may be concealed or made void by force trick in Law, or unjust teflimony of false witnelhes, or not be per- formed through thedishonesty of Executors, thereforedo as Solomonadvifes, Prov. 3. 27. and Gal. 6.Io. 6. Its most comely for a Chriftian to give aimes in his life-time, fo living continually as he means todie ; therefore Chrift callethour good works,lights which we thould fee to go before us, and not to be held behinde our backs. 7. Such alines as are given at deatn,by thofe which gave none in theirlives, IV. VI. VIL
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