Chap.a6, about Charity. 24 5 Anfw. Solomonanfwers, If the clouds befull ofrain, they will drop dean water; that is certain , it will impart it to the hungry and thirlly ground : So if wehave mercy and charity in our hearts , there will be 'fomeching in our hand too. Obje&. But ifIwere wellfeated andaccommodated, then 1 could(pare some- thing, but alas ! I live in acorner , out oftheway , I have but little trading, and its not withme as withmanyothers, I cannotgive ? Anfw. Solomon anfwers, whetherthe treeflands North or whether it (lands South, ina more fruitful, or in amorebarren place , yet its the Lords tr_e cadit Domino , it falls to him, and it bears fruit to him, and fo it will be with us too , If we be good trees , let us live in the North , or in the South, in a better, or in a worfe habitation , we will yet yeeld fouie fruit. Objet. Tea, this is true if wekmw how it would Abe accepted : Poore men sire captious , and they will not take a little , and rich men will take exccp- teens, and fay that 1 do it out of pride , and thereupon will tax me the higher, &c. Anf.Sslomonagain anfwers,He that obferves the wind and rain,(hallneither plea nor fowe : If a man will ái11 be objeeling, he thall nevergo on with any work or fervice whatfoever. Objedl. Tea, but I know not theparties to whom Igive, thereare many diffem- biers that pretend tomuch want,when it is not fo? . Anfw. Solomon anfwers, neither do. fl thou know how the childe grows in the womb; yet thou muff not flame the childe : we mull do what is fit for us to do, and ufe our bell wifdome, and then leave the tell to God , whofe providence works forus . (as it were) under the ground , as it loth for the childe. Objt&. But 'find by experience that I have beenoften cheated withfellows here- tofereandthat difcourages menow ? Anfw. Solomon anfwers, fowe thy feed in the morning,and flack not thy hand in theevening, for thouknowefl not which (hall profiler,rhu, or that, or ;1tether both jsnll be alike r therefore call not perils, but venture it fometimes , thou knoweft not but it may facetedvery well : However, what thou doeft with an uprightheart,and ufeft thy belldifcretion in, Godwill accept and takeit ingood part : See r)r. Harris SpittleSermon. Quell. But dothGod take noticeofour works ofcharity ? Anfa. Yea: Firfl, he takes notice ofthe perfon thatdoth them, as of Cor- aelitua, A&s ro.31. Secondly, ofevery a&ofmercy. Thirdly , how much mercy every one fheweth. Do'cae made many cuates. Fourthly, ofthe timewhen : Obadiah in a hard time, bid the Prophets and fed them, King.IS.5. Fifthly, with what heart and enlargement of alfeLionwe do them : as of thofe Macedouianr, 2Cor.g.3. Sixthly, yea, of the leaft degree ofmercy :Of,little cake, r King, 17. 3o. Of a cup of coldwater, Mat.ro42. Idem. Quell. what rnaj m,ve its to be eoniant, and continue in oar cha- rity? Anf,,. Pita, in regard ofourbrethren:: need ; they may long continue to be in want : He that hangers and thirfls, mayhunger and thirfl again , Yoh. 4. 13. Othtrs tiromaystandinneed ofourcha , try : For, Mat. a6. Ton have the poor always wThyou : we muffnot tie our fclves to relieve one man,ònce onely, nor one alrne. Secondly, in regard dourfelves,for the reward ispromifed to frith as conti- nue inwell-doing,Rotri.t.7. Dr. gougeon lieb. Quell.
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