no lack If we have it we will not suffer nor can we endure they should want whom we love We desire again the Ordinance of God of the Gospel of relieving the poor and that we might be much and often touched with a compassion and fellow feeling of the sufferings of others Do you not think that it is the will of God that the poor distressed and miserable should be relieved if you believe it why then do you not do it It seems some think they provide well enough for the poor when they allow some that are destitute 3 d. a week to keep them some have 4 d. a week I knew one of 80. years old wholy destitute had 8 d. a week for a sufficient allowance * but it is not sufficient to give something unless they have sufficient for their need Thou shalt not harden thy heart nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth Deut. 15. 7 8. So they parted their goods to all men as every man had need Acts 2. 44 45. Neither was there any among them that lacked distribution was made according as he had need Act. 4. 34 35. 37. If ye give not those things that are needfull to the body what doth it profit Jam. 2. 16. 1 Joh. 3. 17. That their abundance might be a supply of their want that there might be an equality 2 Cor. 8. 13 14. I say not such an equality for every one to 〈◊〉 and wear and fare alike but that the necessities of every one may 〈◊〉 supplyed yet it may be observed that when God sed his people in â—â—e wilderness there were among them Princes and Rulers God â—…ould but would not provide more nor better for them then others â—â—…e meat for all one Manna also God prescribed a like measure a homer for each man the poorest in the wilderness could and did eat as good Manna and as much as others what else doth it signifie to us besides his bounty but this that it is the will of God that there should not be any inequality of living among his people Ex. 16. 16 17 18. Also that we should not think any thing too much nor too good for the meanest of the Saints for Manna is called Angels food and meat from heaven It is not enough to do some good or much good unles we do all the good we can we should render according to what we have received 2 Chr. 32. 35. To whom much is given much is required Luk. 12. 48. We need to provoke one another to love good works especially in these days wherein the love of many waxeth cold to God and man that although there be many places where there is a famine of the word yet how few are there that wil break unto them the bread of the Gospel it is great mercy to do it yea the greatest mercy that men can shew For where no vision the people perish Pro. 29. 28. Many give so little because they think the having abundance of riches will make their lives more sweet and comfortabl This is a great mistake because riches pierce them through with many sorrows 1 Tim. 5. 9 10. They are vexation of spirit Eccl. 14. 16 17. 2. 11. The more sorrows and vexation of spirit the lesse comfortable life also The abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep Eccl. 5. 12. His life cannot be comfortable that wants sleep his heart taketh not rest in the night Eccles. 2. 23. When riches encrease they are encreased that eate them what good to the owner save only the beholding with their eyes Eccles. 5 11. What is one the better for that others eat so men vex themselves with a sore travell to get riches that they shall not spend Eccl. 1. 13. 2. 17. But a stranger eateth it Eccl. 6. 2. and who that stranger is he knoweth not They heape up riches but know not who shall gather them Ps. 39. 6. Eccl. 1. 3 4. Surely they are disquieted in vain I shall leave it to the man that shall come after me and who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool Eccl. 2. 18 19. What hath man of all his labour wherein he hath laboured under the sun vers. 22. Neither saith he for whom do I labour and bereave my soule of good Eccl. 4. 8. To the sinner he giveth travell to gather and to heap up that he may give to him that is good before God this also is vanity and vexation of spirit Eccl. 2. 26. A man may have riches and not have power to eate thereof Eccl. 6. 2. Riches cause envy Isaac waxed great the Philistims envied him Gen. 26. 12 13 14. Riches cannot satisfie he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver nor he that loveth abundance with encrease Eccl. 5. 10. 4. 8. These riches are called filthy lucre T 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11. They are the portion of the wicked Psal. 37. 16 Eccl. 5. 11. Psa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12. A man may have them and yet be miserable poor blind and â—â—…ked if not rich towards God Luk. 12. 21. If not rich in faith Jamâ—â—â—… 6. and good works Worldly riches are vanity Eccl. 5. 10. They 〈◊〉 not durable Pro. 8. 18. They are not for ever Pro. 28. 24. They have wings and they often flye away Pro. 25. 5. Vncertaine riches 1 Tim. 6. 17. They profit not in the day of wrath Pro. 11. 4. Zeph. 1. 8. They perish Eccl. 5. 14. A good name is rather to be chosen then riches Prov. 22. 1. The reproaches of Christ are greater riches Heb. 11. 26. Take heed and beware of covetausness for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of riches which he possesseth Lu. 12. 15. Also if men did see the evill and sin that riches cause and doe us wee should not be so unwilling to part with them as we are Riches are called the mammon of unrighteousnesse Lu. 6. 9. because they cause much sin and unrighteousness they cause pride Thy heart was lifted up because of thy riches Eccl. 28. 5. Pride and high-minded Pro. 18. 23. They boast themselves in the multitude of their riches Psal. 49. 6. They cause covetousnesse for the more men have the more they desire Heb. 13. 5. Hee hath swallowed downe riches Job 20. 15. 18. Riches fill men with cares to get to keep to improve them with fears of losing them Lu. 8. 14. 33. 21. 34. It is harder for them that have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God then others It is easier for a camell to goe through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of heaven Mat. 19. 21. to 26. Mar. 10. 24 25. They cause to oppress Do not the rich men oppresse you Jam. 2. 6. They cause the h 〈◊〉 art to be set on them Psal.
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
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—