do not know him 12. To shew mercy to the poor may be a lengthening of thy tranquility Dan. 4. 27. The mercifull man doth good to his owne soule Pro. 11. 17. 13. We should give because we may come to want our selves Give a portion to 7. and also to 8. for thou knowest not what evill shall come upon the earth Fire may come theeves oppressors sword famine overflowing waters c. may come therfore give for such measure as you meet to others shall be meeasured to you again Make frends by giving to the poor Lu. 16. 9 10. 14. If the clouds be full they empty themselves upon the earth Eccl. 11. 3. the very Indians Heathen wild Irish give freely such food as they have to all comers the very Lions Wolves c. will not devour the prey alone they call their fellows to what they get Will a Lion roare in the forrest when he hath no prey will a Lion cry out in his den if he have taken nothing at all Am. 3. 4. It appears when he hath taken something he cals by roaring and crying to his fellows to come and share in what he hath taken 15. If you omit this duty it will be a sin unto you Deut. 15. 7 8 9 10. Rom. 15. 26. 16. How do we love our neighbor as our selves if we take not care for them as we do for our selves 17. To give is a joy to the Saints We have had great joy and consolation in thy love because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee Phile 7. 18. To give is a means to cause others to do so also Your ministring to the Saints the forwardness of your mind hath provoked very many 2 Cor. 9. 1 2. 19. To give is pleasing to God and man God loveth a cheerfull giver 2 Cor. 9. 7. To do good to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13. 16. An odour of sweet smel a sacrifice acceptable well pleasing to God Phil. 4. 18. It pleased them to give Rom. 16. 26. It pleaseth them that receive it pleaseth all good people that heare of it 20. To give is an honor glory to God He that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor Pro. 14. 31. They glorifie God for their liberall distribution unto them and unto all men 2 Cor. 9. 13. They seeing your good workes glorifie your Father which is in heaven Mat. 5. 16. Mat. 15. 8. Consider the evils and miseries they bring upon themselves who have this worlds good and doe not supply the wants of others 1. They are guilty of all the sorrows sufferings which their not giving hath occasioned consider what account wilt thou be able to give of that estate God hath betrusted thee withal to supply the wants to others whom thou hast neglected and hast and dost consume it upon thy lusts and pleasures ere long it shall be said unto thee Give an account of thy stewardship for thou maist be no longer steward Lu. 16. 22. dost thou think that if some other had the estate thou hast that they could not and would not do more good with it then thou dost many in these our days have had great estates now they have them not one cause is they did not supply the want of others therefore they are taken from them and are in great want themselves 2. So long as we omit our duty herein we cannot enjoy the sweet peace of a good conscience 3. All your religion is vain impure and false Pure religion undefiled before God is to visite the fatherless widow in their affliction Jam. 1. 27. Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry and to bring the poor that are cast out to thy house Isa. 58. 7 8 9. To love mercy Mica 6. 8. 4. It was the sin of Sodome that she did not strengthen the hands of the poor and needy Ezek. 16. 49. And if we commit the same sins may wee not expect to meet with the same punishment fire and brimstone or that which is worse hardness of heart and everlasting punishment Mat. 24. 46. I fear this nation lieth under a curse for this sin though many see it not or consider it not 5. We hurt our selves by keeping that we should give A sore evill I have seen under the sun namely riches kept by the owners thereof to their hurt Eccles. 5. 13. 6. The cry of the poor is against you God heareth their cry and will take their part Ps. 104. 1. Ps. 72. 12. Ps. 69. 13. If the oppressed be silent their oppression doth cry Ps. 12. 5. 7. Ye have not the love of God in you 1 Cor. 3. 17. Pro. 29. 7. Whoso hath this worlds goods seeth his brother in need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Whatsoever you or any think or say it is not in you at all 1 Joh. 3. 17. If you did love you would supply the wants of your brethren He that loveth not his brother abideth in death vers. 14. 15. 8. What you have is unclean to you Luk. 11. 41. 9. The Lord will not hear your prayer Whoso steppeth his ears at the cry of the poor he shall cry himself but shall not be heard Pro. 12 13. He hath forsaken the poor Lev. 20. 19. 10. Ye are not subject to the Gospel of Jesus Christ but ye oppose and deny the same 2 Cor. 9. 13 14. Taking vengeance on them that know not God that obey not the Gospel who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord 2 Thes. 1. 8 9. This is your portion for he that is not merciful hath not the spirit of Christ he that hath not the spirit of Christ is none of his Rom. 8 9. 11. You bring the judgment of God upon your selves and upon your posterity Let his days be few his children fatherlesse and his wife a widow let their children be vagabonds and beg their bread let the extortioner catch all that he hath let the stranger spoile his labour let there he none to extend mercy to him neither let there be any to father his fatherlesse children let his posterity be cut off let their name be blotted out Because he remembred not to shew mercy but persecuted the poor Ps. 109 8. to 16. For the oppression of the poor sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord Ps. 12. 5. Because he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor sarely they shall not feele quietness in the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits Job 20. 19. to 25. If I have with-held the poor from his desire or have caused the eyes of the widow to faile or have eaten my morsel my self alone and the fatherless have not eaten thereof If I have seen any perish for want of cloathing if his loyns have not blessed me if he were not warmed with the fleece of my
THE CAUSE OF THE POOR PLEADED Pro. 19. 7. All the brethren of the poore hate him how much more do his friends go far from him he pursueth them with words yet they are wanting to him Prov. 31. 11. Open thy mouth plead the cause of the poore and needy Col. 3. 14. Above all things put on charity Gal. 2. 9 10. James Cephas and John would that wee should remember the poor the same also I was forward to doe Dan. 4. 27. Let my counsell be acceptable unto thee and breake off thy sins by righteousness and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility Luk. 16. 31. And he said if they will not heare Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded if one rise from the dead Job 30. 15. Was not my soule grieved for the poor Job 12. 9. The hand of the Lord hath wrought this By Samuel Richardson LONDON Printed by M. Simmons for Livewell Chapman at the Crowne in Popes-head Alley 1653. The Cause of the Poore pleaded AND the people asked him saying what shall we doe and hee answered and said unto them he that hath two coates let him impart to him that hath none and he that hath meat let him doe likewise Luk. 3. 10 11. If two coates impart one I need one and he needeth one that hath none and he that hath meat let him do so likewise Obs. 1. We learn the cause why God hath given unto some more then unto others is not because they need more then others nor that they should keep it for themselves but that they should supply the want of others distributing to the necessities of the Saints given to hospitality Job 31. 15. Rom. 12. 13. Do good to all Gal. 6. 10. If two coates let him impart and he that hath meate let him do so likewise Obser. 2. Wee may not give both nor keep both it is the will of God that what we can spare or have more then our necessities require is to be given to supply the wants and necessities of others If two coates impart to him that hath none and he that hath meate let him do so likewise Obs. 3. The wants of others should be considered laid to heart cared for and supplyed by us as if they were our owne Job 30. 25. 2 Cor. 11. 29. Reasons why we should impart and give to supply the wants of others are because 1. It is Gods command that we do so Thus saith the Lord deale thy bread to the hungry Isa. 58. 7. Leave for the poor that the poor may eate Lev. 19. 10. 23. 22. If thine enemie hunger feed him give him bread to eate if he thirst give him water to drink Pro. 25. 21. Rom. 12. 20. When thou seest the naked that thou cover him Deu. 15. 10. Give to him that asketh thee Mat. 5. 42. Lu. 6. 34. If thy brother be waxen poor and fallen to decay with thee thou shalt relieve him and also a stranger Lev. 27. 35. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Rom. 13. 9. 2. Christ did so Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ though hee was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be made rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. see Isa. 25. 4. He saith learn of me Mat. 11. 29. He that followeth not after me is not worthy of me Mat. 10. 38. Christ had compassion on the multitude Mat. 15. 32. Mar. 8. 2. shouldst not thou also have had compassion Luk. 18. 33 34. 3. Believers did so Cornelius gave much almes to the people Act. 10. 1 2 I brought alms to my nation Act. 24. 17. Dorcas was full of good works almes deeds which she did Act. 19. 36. 39. She stretcheth out her hand to the poore and needy Pro. 31. 20. I was a father to the poor Job 29. 16. The righteous sheweth mercy and giveth Ps. 37. 21. Hath given his bread to the hungry hath covered the naked with a garment Ezek. 18. 16. Zacheus was a miserable wretched covetous extortioner but when he was converted immediatly he became liberall Half my goods I give to the poor c. Luk. 19. 7 8 9. So they sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need Acts 2. 44. 45. 4. 32 33 34 35. 37. Exo. 16. 18. 15. 2 Cor. 18. 14 15. The righteous giveth and spareth not Pro. 21. 26. Beyond their power they were willing 2 Cor. 8. 2 3 4. Let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus Phil. 2. 15. God grant you to be like minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus Rom. 15. 5. Beliveers have the minde of Christ 2 Cor. 2. 16. Phil. 2. 19 20. They are merciful Mat. 5. 7. Col. 3. 12. So much as we are like Christ we love are pittiful and have bowels of mercy so much as we believe we love love is full of labour bountiful and spareth for no cost 2 Sam. 24. 24. How are we like Christ his people if we have not the same spirit mind heart they have If we walk not in their steps and do as they did if necessity so require 4. What we have is Gods Ezek. 16. 17. what we have to spare if others need the same God hath bidden us to give it them Pro. 25. 21. If he hath ordered it for them it is their due it is injustice and theft to detain it With-hold not the goods from them to whom it is due though there be power in thine hand to do it Pro. 3. 27. 5. The liberall soule shall be made fat Pro. 11. 25. 6. They in want are our own flesh Hide not thy selfe from thy owne flesh 2 Tim. 2. 3. Prov. 17. 11. Not to supply their wants to our power to be without naturall affection 2 Tim. 3. 3. 7. Give and ye shall sin less Break off thy iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor Dan. 4. 27. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged Pro. 16. 6. 8. To give is a proof of the sincerity of your love to God and man 2 Cor. 8. 9. 24. Philem. 5. 9. Not to give or to give sparingly is a cause of poverty He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand Pro. 10. 4. So to with-hold more then is meet tendeth to poverty Pro. 11. 24. 10. To give is the way to have more There is that scattereth and yet encreaseth Pro. 11. 24. Give and it shall be given you Lu. 6. 38. 11. What you give is not lost but lent God hath promised to pay it again He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again Pro. 19. 17. Cast thy bread upon the waters and after many dayes thou shalt find it Ezek. 1. 3. 6. A good man sheweth favour and lendeth Ps. 11â— 5. Many men will trust men with thousands but not God because they
Love your enemie do good lend hoping for nothing again and your reward shall be great and ye shall be the children of the most highest Luk. 6. 34 35. This promise is not to any Usurer for if hee lends he looks for something again and not only for the principall but for more then he lent he hopes for use Whosoever shall give a cup of water to drinke in the name of a Disciple because he belongs to Christ verily I say unto you he shall in no wise loose his reward Mar. 9. 41. see Mat. 19. 20. Mar. 10. 10. Thine almes are come up for a memoriall they are had in remembrance in the sight of God Act. 10. 4. 31. 10. You shal have treasure in heaven Mat. 19. 21. Lu. 18 22. Come ye blessed of my father receive the kingdome prepared for you for I was an hungry and ye gave me meat naked and ye cloathed me sicke and in prison and yee came unto me Mat. 25. 34 35 36. There are Statutes as good as can be desired for the poor if executed the Statue 43. Eliz. 2. Provide to raise weekely or otherwise of every inhabitant such summs of money as they shall thinke fit for a stocke to set the poor on worke and to compell them to worke and towards the necessary reliefe of poor not able to worke to distresse and sale of goods or imprison without baile or mainprize till he have paid the same Yet for these many years the poor are neglected and suffered to beg contrary to the statutes Yea they suffer great misery and run to ruine and yet both Magistrate Minister and people are silent and content to have it so this is a sore evill Thear the Town of Maidstone and the City of Dorchester and a few other places the poore are set to worke and provided for without begging Oh that London c. would doe so also That there be no complaining in our streets Psal. 144. 14. But in stead of helping the poor there be that rob the poor One Justice of Peace gave in his account of the poors money 500. pound short this can be pâ—oved If men fearing God and hating covetousnesse were appointed to receive that which would be voluntary given to effect this good worke there would be stock enough to set the poor on work and to supply all wants The people of this Nation have been so bountifull that a Law was made to restrain them fearing that all the whole Lâ—â—d would be given to the poor the Papist may rise up against many of this generation It is a sad thing that they should be more forward upon a bad principle then a Christian upon a good one I hope it will not be long till those in Authority will consider the cause of the poor and help it It is possible we may see some as willing to help oâ—hers as to help themselves and to provoke others to do so the poor daily increase and multiply in time if you prevent it not they will be able and willing to order you and your estates as they think fit Take care and provide work and things necessary for the poor Surely there is no worke in the world that men will give more freely unto then this Worthy Oliver Cormwel deserves great honour and imitation he gives more mony to the poor then any I have heard of in our days thousands a year I would the Rich would follow his steps it is expected the Lord will use him with some others who have the same spirit and mercifull heart to do great things for the good of this Nation especially to ease the oppressed and to help them that cannot help themselves and that all honest and wel-minded people shall blesse God for them and for what they have done the benefit and good thereof will more more appear to the glory of God and the welfare of this Nation He hath put down the mighty from their seate and exalted them of low degree Lu. 1. 52. Let every soule be subject to the higher Powers there is no power but of God Rom. 13. 1. Those against whom none are able to prevail are the greatest and highest power Those who have the greatest power are the fittest and most able to protect and govern honour obedience is due to them that protect God hath by this Army protected saved our estates and lives Such Rulers are to be desired who feare God and have power and good principles In reason we may expect a continued safety from them who have been a meanes to procure the liberty we enjoy rather then from others who under the title of Authority would undo us Did not the late Parliament order treble damages for not paying of tithes and erect a tribunall to punish all that did preach without ordination of the said Hierarchy and their Priests which themselves have declared to be Antichristian There doth not appear more love to God to his people and to this Nation then in the Officers of the Army They deserve the greatest honour and trust among men that have suffered been wounded and shed their blood for this Nation have freely offered for Gods sake and for our sakes their lives and estates to save ours I pray you give us leave to owne and speak well of them who have saved our estates and liveâ— God doth not put the power into the hands of any so much for their sakes as for others the honour safety welfare peace comfort happinesse and glory of this poore Nation they ought to seek and prefer before their own I trust the Lord hath put it into the hearts of those who have the power over us to say we will doe this and see this done we will not seeke our own things but every one anothers welfare as 1 Cor. 10. 24. and each one to say as Gideon I will not rule over you the Lord shall rule over you Judg 8. 23. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every one according as his worke shall be Rev. 22. 21. FINIS * That is 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a weeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 elling but â—…ere shal it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had so in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ndon a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my a week 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apparel a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any a week 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 washing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 penny a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ek firing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enny a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eke for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ate and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inke â—f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 selves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 re confi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d to thi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 owance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 w soone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ould we be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 e poor not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to work 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ed sicke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 London 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at least 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a weekâ—