IV. VI. VII. Quefions, andCafes ofConfcience Chap. 16f cannot be rich if Ldo , that I will not do : as if Gods commandsmull, not be obeyed if they keep us from riches : God faith, be not laity to be rich : and he rs not worthy of me that will not lofe all for my fake : what hurt is it if thou beeft not rich ? thoumayeft be faved without riches , but ifwe do not our duty; we cannot be faved. Again, if thou beeft not rich in this world, thou íhalt be rich in good works, and thats the belt riches. Objeì. why fho: ld Igive that to another, which I have get by my hard la- bour ? Anfw. Not thy labour , -bur Gods bleffng bath given thee this abun- dance , and becaufe he that bleff:s thee bids thee,ive, therefore thou lhouldit give.. Queft. what mayfurther move us to be charitable? Anfw. Firft, God gives us all things richly to enjoy, therefore ive fhould imi- tate our father, and be bountiful like him. ÿeconcly, thou art a Steward, and therefore muff beflow thy Mailers wealth as he commands thee : Thou mayeft need, and in thyneed wouldft be relieved, and its reafon that thou fhouldft do to others, as thou wouldit theythoulddo to thee. Thirdly, they towhom thougivefl are thybrethren , tied to thee by many bonds,they havethe faineFather,Faith, Baptifine, &c. and is not this reafon e- 1 nou,h tomove thee CO give. them ? I Fourthly, thywealth is uncertain and fickle, thereforedo good with it whileft thou haft it : for when its gone, nothing will comfort theebut the remembrance of the good thoudidit with it as in `obs cafe. Fifthly, it doth good to the foul for the prefent , alluring it of our upright- neffe, fe can no other expending : Itdoth good toour name,making it like a pre- cious ointment : To our Religion, adorning it : Toour Eftate, for like a plen- tiful (owing, it btin sin a plentiful harveft, tt fecures from want, which no riches can do. To our pofiericy,who (hall enjoy the bleffing : and all thefe in the greateft quantity : for no other giving bath half fo many promifes , and our goodfballbeaccording to Gods prcmifes. It doth good for the.longeft continuance,for it dothgood after death : yea, at the refurreelron , forihen (hall thefe gifts be remembred, praifed, and rewarded. It doth good withmoil cafe : Hereneeds no toiling, nor fweating as in other things : for God will bring. the fruit to our hand by afecret blefling, and if we will liveby faith , here is no hazard at all : he that hathGods Nordcannot lofe his reward. whatlies poor mans advocate. Sixthly, confider that Chrift, thou_h hewas rich, yet for our fakes he became poor, that throughhis poverty wemi ht be rich , 2 Cor.g.9. yea, he became fo poor, thatwhereas the foxes have holes, and the birds of the aire have nits , yet he hadnot whereon to lay his head , Mar.g.ao. and this he did,that through, his poverty , andpouring out his hearts blood,he might crown uswith the . in- eflimable riches of heavenly glory, and that for ever and ever : and (ballnot we wormsand wretches, moft unworthyof the leafs bit of bread weput into our mouths, part with our fuperfluities to relieve the fainting foul of him for whom Chrift died,and which he takesas done to himfelf,Mat.a5.40.were it but a cup of cold water only, Mar.9.4r. Seventhly , remember that the !aft, and.everlafting doomat that great , and dreadful day mull paffe uponus according to our carriage in this . kinde : ,Then (hall there a fevere, and fincere fearch be made after works as Ggns, and evi- dences of faith in the-heart or of unbelief and rottenneile there , Matth. x5. 34, &c. . OfSpiritual Mmes. . ueft. what arefpiritsial aimes? Anfw. -r
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