244 ` Queflionf,and Cafes ofConscience Çhapa6 Thirdly,werewe Pure that the citates we leave them fhould profper with them, yet we shouldnot love our children better th:.n our felves, not prefer their wealth before our own fouls, and their flourifhing elate which is but momen- tany, and mutable, before our fruition of thofe joyes which are infinite and e- ternall. Objedt. But trading is bad, and our burdens many, and wehave not wherewithal togive aimes. Anfw. Firft, Ufe your hands : fuch as are able muff labour , and take pains to relieve thofe that can do neither, Eph. 4.x8. Secondly, ufe your heads, cart about how the wants of others may be fup- plied. Thirdly, do fomething by way of abatement : abridge your [elves a little that you may be helpful to ofhers , abate fomething from you[ backs, from your bel- lies, from your recreations, &c. Obje& But we mull not only maintain nature,but oer honour and credit in the world ? e/Infw. Its true : yet we mutt abate from our fuperfluities. Chri(t difrobed himfelf for a time, for our fakes, of his glory : and we for his fake mutt lay afide ofour overplus : abate fomething from a dog , from a bird , from a beaft, &c. Quell:. But what may movefuch 41 are able to be willing alfo to works of mercy ? cf;nfw. Fir(t, look to God, he is our friend, nay, our Father. If a friend fay to you, fucha friend or kinfmsn of mine is in want , pray you do fomething for my fake, you will do it: how much more fhouldyou do it when God faith fo to you. Secondly , confider that Chrift comes toyou in his flefh when poor Chrifti- ans come toyou : he prefents a pale face, a hungry belly, a naked body , will you not do fomething to fupport Chrift, and cloathChrilt,&c. in hismembers and fervants. Thirdly, Chriflians rhat come to you for reliefare your own flefb : and Iball the headdo nothing for the foot ? Fourthly, confider your felves ; for hereby you (hall place your wealth fafcl), and fecure it. Fifthly, its the beft way to improve it : Its a Cowing feed in a fruitful Toile , z Corinth. 9.6. It's your gift, but its sods debt , and he will repay it , Prov. 59.17. Objedt. But whenfhall I have it again ? Anfw. Take Gods Word, he will pay fully , and certainly : He hath pawned his honour, and credit upon it that hewill do it at fiat or laft. Put your chil- drens portions into Gods hand , make himyour Executor : He never dies : he never breaks : he ever lives toprovide for them. Obje&. A manmay give indeed till hegive all away, and what then ¡hall be- comeof himandhis ? Anfw. Ecclef.r r.r. Solomon anfwers there all obje &ions and cavils; fome may fay, what I give is call away and loft : No, Cafl thy breadupon the waters, and thou fhalt finde it again. But there are fo many poor that there is no end of giving ? Give a portion tofeven, and alfo to eight : to this mana little , and to thata little : toevery one fomething. But Iknow not what rimes may come, what I may be put to ? Therefore give whileft thou haft fomething to give ; thou knoweft not how little a while thou mayeft en.ioyit, nor what thy felf mayeft come to want : Thou mayeft need mercy, therefore [owe merry , that thou mayelt reap the like. I pity them with all myfoul, but Icannot re- lieve them. Anfiv.
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