Chap. 26, about Charity. 24 thewants of others , Thall be arraigned and condemned for thieves againft Godand their brethren : Betides what we are commanded to give to the poor is confecrated toGods fervice, called therefore facrifices. So that its Sacri- ledge to rob them of it : and laftly , if we fuller the poor to perifh in their wants weare guiltyof murther againft the fixrh Commandment. Si non pa- vtfit, occidifi , Ambrofe. Thou haft killd the poor, if thou haft not fed them. Hoc ell occidere hominem vita fua ei fub/dta denegare. Arrbr. This is to kill a man when we denie to him the means of preferving his life. 4. The Lord who is the chief owner of our goods, having appointed all that we can (pare to this ufe, its no longer our own but the poors portion , which they have as good right to as we have to the ref}, therefore its injuftice .to detain it Only here is the difference ; God hath given us our richesim- mediately himfelf, but CO the poor mediately by us. E ponis famelici quern tutenes, nudi tunica quarto to in conclsys confrvas. Bafil. Its the. bread of the hungry which moulds in thy cupbord : the coat of the naked which hang ufelefs in thychamber, &c. Hence, fam.5.1. `Prov.3.27. z Cor. 8.4. and 9.a. Heb.6.1oIFet,4.1o. 5. We are but Stewards, and a day ofaccount will come , Luke 16. a. and therefore if we would give it up with joy,wemiuft Chewmercy, Mat.25.1, and 24. 4 S, 46. 6. Confider that communion that is between thepoor, and uswithour Head Chrifl ; and its reafon that fuch as areunited in communion of perons,fhould alfo communicate in the ufe of their goods for their mutual comfort , x,m.t 5. 8. z Cor. 8.4. and 9. r 3. We partake ofthe fame nature , are redeemed by the fame blood ; are partakers of the fame heavenly calling, r 1,9, I Per. z, 9. and 3.9. and 5.1o. partakers of the fame precious promifes, tp; . 4. 5. areof one Church, have one religion , &c. Jam. 2. 5. Chciit tak.s that that is done to them as done to himfelf, and will richly reward it, c *Latth. 25. 40. 7. What we give to the poor, we give to God himfelf, `Prow. 19.17. Da milli de eo quad dedi tibi : De meo qu ero , non donas ? Da O redda. Habuifli me largitorem, facito debitorern. (Lug. God thus befpeaks thee: Give me fomething of that which I have given unto thee : I askbut mine own and wilt not thou give it ? Give, and I will ,ref#ore it : Thou haft found me a freegiver, and now make me thy debtor. Queft, y/hatfurther arguments may provoke su tocharity ? Anfw. Firft, we refemble God in !Hewing mercy and that in fuck an attribute as he delights in above all others, Exod. 34. 6. Hence , Luke 6. 36. Secondly, loch works pleafe God, and make us accepted with him , Hof. 6.6. Eleemofyna non tantumpro facr:ficio , fed profaerifcio,Mic. 6. 6, 8. Heb. 13. 16. Ifa. f 8.6,7. Jam. r.z7. ! 11.4.18. L4.11,41 Thirdly, hereby we make our calling and election lure, z Pet. 1. 7, 8,1o. Col. 3. 1 z. Alms fhew lavingknowle¡le, and fpiriwal wifdom, Jam.3.17. unfeign- ed repentance, Luc .1 9.8. A lively faith, Jam.z.r8. True love to God , 1 John 3. 17. Love to our ncirhbours, 2 t'or.8.8,z4. contrary, fam.z.s 5. they are no- table lignes ofthe ren iTionof our fins, Lul. 7. 27. and that weare citizens of heaven, Prov.54. z1 and therefore bleffed. Fourthly, hereby weare allured of our interelt,in Gods promifes : As, Eccl. 11.1..4tat.6.4, and 10.42. /14.6.ro. It !hall not be loft, but reflored , it may be when we have forgotten, NMat.z 5.44. Lek,6,3 8. Prov.19.17. 7: reena amnia foxuandoamittio mo, largiendo fervaume. Ifiodor. Earthly things are loft bykeeping,and kept by beftowing,folas qua clederis femperbdbebia oiler. Hence, Luk, 16, 9' I' 1 Fifthly,
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