240 Quefiions,and Ca,fes ofCottfcience Chap aF IX. 1, A Chrif}ian gives with aplain, andhone(}heart , as Rom. a a. 8. feeking therein only topleare God , as Matth. 6. ;. But the worldling hunts after his ownprofit , or praise, c_21 ith.a3.5. neither is it an a,t of mercy but of felf-love. 2. A Chiftiandoth works of mercy with great humility , remembring that whacfoever he thus gives to God,he hath firft received it fromGod:and foconfef- fes that he cloth far feffe thenhis duty, and that he is fufficiently rewarded, if his failings are pardoned : But the worldling is puffed upwith pride, thinking that herebyhe hash fatisfied for his fins, merited heaven,and madeGod his debtor: and hence he is fo fupercilious towards hispoor brother, that he makes his gift unacceptable. 3. A Chriflian doth all with cheerfulneffe , as knowing that God loves a cheerfulgiver,( Tim. 6.8. they proceed from an inward habit , and therefore flowfreely from him : This he fheweth by his pleafant countenance , fweet words, fpeedy giving, &c. But the wort . ling doth it churlifhly , Dum mans dat, volts negat : svhilett his hand tike~, his looks denies : He gives with re- proaches,taunts, harsh expoftulations, &c. not fo much comforting the poor with his l;ift,as afflicting his foul with his words. 1'%int hly, they differ in time : For a Chriflian givesall his life long : But the worldling for the moll part onely when death is approaching, whenhe can keep his goods no longer. `sett. Rowmany ways muff our charity be expreff'ed ? Anfr. Principally three wayes. 1. In giving. a. In forgiving. 3. In lending. Queft. when muff we forgivedebts? Anfw. When we fee our neighbours decayed in their ef}ates, whereby they aredif:nabledto pay what they borrowed ; we mull (hew mercy tobeafts when they lie under their burden, muchmore to men. Hence,Exod. 2 . 26, 27. Neh. 5.11.Luk.6.3g.1fa.58.6. Mar.18.28,34. Qeft. How mull we relieve byfree lending ? Anfw. When heiref}ates are decayed, andour lending may probably recover them again. Hence,Deut.a 5.8. Cî37-f at. 5.4a. Lak.6.3 5. Pfalj a2.5. (weft. whether are all,: f -deeds arbit ars, or an aGi' of rightcouf,effe Anfw. By righteoufnefswe underhandnot enerally all righteoufneffe which conff}eth in a total conformity to the whole Law, nor that part of legal riggh- teoufneffe which confitfeth in obedience Co the fccond Table ; but certain fpe- cial fruits of this righteoufnetle in works ofmercy which by the. Vebrews are calledby the name of righteoufnefs. as D41.4.27. which is a grace that refleth not only inan internal habit, o. bare affection of theheart, but alto in the.out- ward actionof relieving the poor. Which alto is called Tuftice, which is avirtue that gives toevery one thofe-thin;s which are due to him,Mat. 6.7. when thou doff thine alms, which the Syriackrenders, when thoudoeflthy juftice. Cal- led alto ri hteoefiieffe 2 Corinth. 9.9. Prov. t r. 18. Pfalm. r 13.3. Now that almef-deeds are not arbitrary, but abfolutely neceffary is proved : For that , 1. They are not only worksof mercy , but fruits of righteoufnefs , which aré firaitly injoyned 1n the Law, Reuter. 1'5. Is. Efay 53. .7. Ez.k. 18. j. Luke 3.11 and 1 a. 41. c$Warth. 4.42. Ephef, 4. 28. Luke 13. 33. Acts 4. 34. 2.0u, riches are not abfolutely-our own,but Gods talents committed to us , not for the fatisTyin 'ofour lids, butfor the honour of our Mailer,and goodof our fellow fervlírtts. Hence, Fléb.i 3.16: Such as negft'1lvorlrs ofdiercy eonit itthreehainous fins, Theft , Sacri- ledge, Murther : For they thathave received much , and communicate not,o the
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