OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 115 circumstances, it maybe, there have not been more in- stances , of true evangelical charity, in any age or place, for these many years. For themwho have been but useful and helpful therein, the Lord remember them for good, and spare them according to the multitude of his mercies. It is true, they have not, many of them, founded colleges, built hospitals, or raised works of state and magnificence for very many of them are such, as whose ` deep poverty comparatively hath abounded unto the riches of their liberality.' The backs and bellies of multitudes of poor and needy ser- vants of Christ, have been warmed and refreshed by them, blessing God for them. Thanks be to God, saith the apostle in this case, for his unspeakable gift. 2 Cor. ix. 15. Blessed be God, who hath not left the gospel without this glory, nor the profession of it without this evidence of its power and efficacy. Yea, God hath exalted the glory of persecutions and afflic- tions; for many, since they have lost much of their enjoyments by them, and have their all endangered continually, have abounded in duties of charity beyond what they did in the days of their fulness and prosper- ity. So out of the eater there hath come forth meat. And if the world did but know what fruits, in a way of charity and bounty, unto the praise of God and glory of the gospel, have been occasioned by their making many poor, it would abate of their satisfaction in their successes. But with many it is not so: their minds are so full of earthly things, they so cleave to them in their affec- tions, that no sense of their duty, no example of others, no concernment of the glory of God or the gospel, can make any impression on them. If there be yet in them so much light and life of grace as to design a
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=