Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A67603
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The rule of charity: or, The liberal mans guide design'd, for the use of all good Christians. Being the pious result of a lay-man's ordinary meditations. By H.W. Gent. Licensed according to order.
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H. W. (Henry Waring)
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1690
(1690)
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Wing W858; ESTC R219405
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35,835
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107
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be_v consider_v as_o a_o grievous_a sin_n because_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o direct_o contradict_v the_o meaning_n of_o divine_a precept_n that_o most_o eminent_a seer_n put_v the_o question_n 1_o job_n 3.17_o he_o that_o see_v his_o brother_n in_o want_n and_o shut_v up_o his_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n from_o he_o how_o dwell_v the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o he_o the_o querae_n there_o as_o in_o several_a other_o place_n in_o the_o bible_n be_v put_v for_o a_o vehement_a negative_a and_o import_v that_o in_o obdurate_a heart_n the_o love_n of_o god_n can_v be_v resident_n the_o prayer_n of_o uncharitable_a people_n be_v not_o answer_v for_o god_n give_v we_o because_o he_o percieve_v we_o free_a to_o give_v and_o forgive_v other_o he_o that_o stop_v his_o ear_n at_o the_o cry_n of_o the_o poor_a shall_v cry_v himself_o and_o not_o be_v hear_v be_v a_o proverb_n in_o jury_n and_o continue_v a_o great_a truth_n all_o the_o world_n over_o prov._n 21._o 13._o for_o so_o god_n delight_v to_o retalliate_v with_o his_o creature_n want_v of_o love_n in_o we_o occasion_n our_o want_n and_o bespeak_v unhappiness_n for_o we_o in_o this_o life_n and_o in_o the_o next_o everlasting_a perdition_n there_o be_v not_o another_o sin_n charge_v upon_o damn_a dives_n beside_o his_o want_n of_o charity_n and_o those_o wretch_n that_o be_v mention_v in_o st._n math._n 25._o be_v condemn_v only_o for_o their_o unkindness_n to_o the_o brethren_n and_o their_o gross_a defect_n in_o the_o visible_a part_n of_o this_o duty_n you_o will_v ask_v in_o what_o part_n of_o the_o decalogue_n the_o rule_n of_o charity_n be_v contain_v bellarmine_n follow_v aquinas_n refer_v it_o to_o the_o five_o commandment_n which_o include_v all_o right_n appertain_v to_o superior_n equal_n and_o inferior_n and_o of_o this_o last_o sort_n the_o poor_a be_v principal_n and_o of_o all_o duty_n belong_v to_o the_o poor_a alms_n be_v most_o considerable_a and_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o thing_n that_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v for_o they_o but_o come_v within_o the_o precinct_n of_o charity_n other_o author_n derive_v this_o duty_n from_o the_o eight_o commandment_n and_o will_v have_v robbery_n to_o be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o uncharitableness_n affirm_v that_o he_o that_o be_v able_a to_o give_v and_o withhold_v his_o alm_n from_o those_o that_o want_v and_o call_v for_o his_o relief_n rob_v his_o poor_a neighbour_n of_o his_o just_a comfort_n and_o god_n of_o his_o honour_n therefore_o the_o phrase_n be_v change_v st._n luk._n 16._o 9_o and_o solomon_n precept_n become_v a_o evangelical_n law_n where_o it_o be_v not_o leave_v at_o our_o choice_n to_o do_v good_a but_o we_o be_v charge_v to_o make_v we_o friend_n with_o the_o mammon_n of_o unrighteousness_n it_o be_v call_v unrighteous_a mammon_n say_v s._n austin_n not_o only_a when_o it_o be_v unjust_o acquire_v but_o also_o while_o it_o be_v uncharitably_o detain_v from_o those_o that_o be_v necessitate_v be_v it_o commendable_a that_o i_o live_v in_o superfluous_a manner_n while_o my_o poor_a brother_n want_v to_o suffice_v nature_n sure_o it_o be_v a_o wrong_a to_o withhold_v from_o the_o poor_a what_o i_o can_v easy_o spare_v in_o their_o affliction_n and_o extremity_n superflua_fw-la diviti_fw-la necessaria_fw-la sunt_fw-la pauperi_fw-la aliena_fw-la retinet_fw-la qui_fw-la ista_fw-la tenet_fw-la augustine_n say_v the_o rich_a man_n exceed_n be_v the_o poor_a man_n portion_n so_o as_o he_o unjust_o seem_v to_o defraud_v other_o that_o reserve_v to_o himself_o more_o than_o be_v sufficient_a st._n ambrose_n in_o a_o rough_a dialect_n affirm_v it_o be_v no_o less_o criminal_a for_o rich_a person_n to_o deny_v necessitate_v people_n relief_n than_o to_o take_v from_o they_o that_o they_o have_v and_o use_v violence_n to_o the_o law_n of_o property_n yes_o and_o some_o proceed_v further_o reduce_v these_o word_n of_o solomon_n to_o the_o six_o commandment_n make_v uncharitable_a man_n no_o better_o than_o thief_n and_o murderer_n agreeable_a to_o that_o of_o eccles_n 34._o 21._o the_o bread_n of_o the_o needy_a be_v their_o life_n he_o that_o defraud_v they_o thereof_o be_v a_o man_n of_o blood_n so_o that_o we_o see_v to_o detain_v necessary_a provision_n from_o they_o that_o want_v be_v to_o shorten_v the_o life_n of_o poor_a man_n and_o as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o deprive_v he_o of_o succession_n it_o be_v to_o famish_v our_o afflict_a neighbour_n the_o sharp_a of_o all_o death_n and_o in_o he_o to_o seek_v to_o murder_n his_o posterity_n you_o hear_v how_o this_o edict_n of_o alm_n have_v be_v refer_v to_o three_o of_o the_o ten_o commandment_n yet_o more_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o second_o table_n refer_v to_o the_o general_a law_n of_o our_o neighbour_n which_o law_n as_o st._n john_n expound_v it_o cap._n 3._o 18._o consist_v not_o in_o word_n alone_o but_o in_o truth_n and_o real_a testimony_n of_o affection_n who_o shall_v believe_v we_o love_v indeed_o without_o apparent_a work_n of_o love_n and_o charity_n the_o scripture_n teach_v we_o a_o method_n of_o do_v mercy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o talk_v of_o it_o only_o for_o then_o be_v act_n of_o charity_n best_o perform_v when_o few_o word_n be_v make_v of_o the_o benevolence_n give_v of_o alm_n be_v at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n to_o love_n god_n and_o honour_v he_o in_o his_o image_n to_o make_v a_o friend_n and_o to_o relieve_v a_o neighbour_n our_o bless_a saviour_n call_v it_o a_o evil_a generation_n who_o demand_v a_o sign_n of_o their_o redemption_n and_o we_o can_v repute_v it_o a_o better_a that_o ask_v where_o be_v the_o mandate_n for_o well_o do_v a_o small_a excuse_n man_n be_v willing_a to_o make_v use_n of_o to_o save_v their_o estate_n and_o where_o the_o commandment_n be_v positive_a they_o seek_v for_o their_o own_o sake_n more_o than_o their_o neighbour_n to_o dwindle_v the_o precept_n into_o a_o council_n yet_o be_v this_o more_o than_o a_o mere_a matter_n of_o advice_n for_o it_o be_v a_o breviate_v of_o what_o our_o dear_a master_n leave_v we_o in_o charge_n at_o his_o ascension_n viz._n that_o we_o love_v one_o another_o which_o love_n admit_v of_o no_o proof_n inferior_a to_o that_o of_o almsgiving_n holy_a writ_n and_o all_o the_o tome_n of_o the_o father_n abound_v with_o exhortation_n to_o this_o duty_n but_o this_o be_v add_v to_o poor_a man_n misery_n they_o now_o live_v in_o a_o cold_a age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o here_o in_o a_o very_a chill_a climate_n it_o be_v a_o wonder_n to_o hear_v man_n every_o where_o boast_v of_o faith_n without_o mercy_n and_o when_o they_o show_v no_o fruit_n of_o a_o live_a faith_n still_o do_v boast_v of_o godliness_n for_o charitate_fw-la ipsa_fw-la nihil_fw-la charius_n love_v and_o its_o effect_n be_v some_o of_o our_o great_a rarity_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o christian_n none_o can_v be_v mistake_v where_o we_o find_v charity_n but_o the_o giver_n and_o he_o not_o easy_o but_o admit_v he_o may_v loose_v part_n of_o his_o reward_n by_o value_v his_o gift_n at_o too_o great_a a_o rate_n or_o by_o wrong_v himself_o by_o the_o manner_n of_o give_v we_o have_v a_o great_a assurance_n that_o he_o that_o pretend_v to_o faith_n without_o work_n deceive_v himself_o and_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o offer_v to_o put_v a_o cheat_n upon_o his_o master_n for_o he_o do_v undervalue_v at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n his_o afflict_a brethren_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o divine_a promise_n some_o tell_v of_o three_o sort_n of_o commandmandment_n that_o occur_v in_o scripture_n affirmative_a negative_a and_o mix_v the_o decalogue_n consist_v of_o such_o as_o be_v most_o negative_a though_o some_o of_o they_o be_v affirmative_a as_o keep_v holy_a the_o sabbath_n honour_n thy_o parent_n etc._n etc._n and_o more_o of_o that_o sort_n we_o have_v in_o the_o bible_n as_o mourn_v for_o thy_o sin_n show_v mercy_n do_v penance_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v also_o commandment_n of_o a_o mix_v nature_n as_o of_o restoration_n and_o forgiveness_n etc._n etc._n a_o negative_a commandment_n do_v oblige_v all_o person_n at_o all_o time_n every_o where_o and_o eternal_o affirmative_a precept_n be_v bind_v for_o ever_o but_o not_o in_o all_o time_n nor_o in_o all_o place_n mix_v commandment_n oblige_v we_o at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n but_o not_o always_o i_o shall_v not_o determine_v to_o which_o of_o these_o sort_v the_o word_n of_o solomon_n may_v best_o be_v reduce_v but_o be_o certain_a they_o oblige_v all_o person_n of_o ability_n to_o confer_v benefit_n and_o pay_v good_a office_n according_a to_o their_o power_n to_o all_o person_n without_o excuse_n or_o exemption_n that_o entreat_v their_o assistance_n cast_v thy_o bread_n upon_o the_o
to_o show_v what_o the_o lord_n be_v able_a to_o do_v but_o also_o what_o flesh_n and_o blood_n deserve_v to_o suffer_v and_o more_o than_o that_o to_o make_v experiment_n of_o what_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o do_v for_o god_n our_o great_a benefactor_n be_v send_v hither_o to_o be_v receiver_n of_o our_o charity_n you_o may_v read_v their_o errand_n in_o their_o face_n and_o their_o commission_n in_o scripture_n where_o god_n pass_v his_o word_n for_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o charitable_a man_n merit_n and_o give_v his_o justice_n and_o honour_n to_o be_v security_n for_o your_o repayment_n it_o be_v this_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n upon_o which_o you_o put_v the_o adventure_n these_o water_n will_v deceive_v you_o without_o that_o word_n assurance_n for_o what_o recompense_n can_v you_o expect_v from_o the_o mean_a abject_a from_o such_o as_o be_v load_v with_o this_o world_n injury_n with_o loss_n or_o with_o nature_n imperfection_n it_o be_v the_o way_n of_o many_o of_o those_o that_o stand_v upon_o good_a bottom_n as_o to_o this_o life_n to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o time_n and_o of_o all_o expedient_n to_o advance_v or_o secure_v their_o fortune_n to_o court_v those_o that_o be_v in_o high_a place_n and_o flatter_v such_o as_o be_v in_o authority_n whereas_o god_n give_v we_o a_o original_a of_o another_o nature_n exalt_v the_o humble_a and_o fill_v the_o hungry_a while_o the_o rich_a be_v send_v away_o empty_a not_o out_o of_o hatred_n to_o their_o person_n but_o because_o he_o have_v already_o confer_v upon_o they_o extraordinary_a favour_n and_o render_v they_o before_o remarkable_a object_n of_o his_o bounty_n those_o water_n be_v fluxive_a and_o inconstant_a court_n the_o wave_n and_o they_o will_v drown_v you_o for_o your_o kindness_n yes_o and_o much_o like_o that_o be_v the_o temper_n of_o the_o poor_a sort_n of_o people_n give_v they_o and_o they_o will_v throw_v themselves_o upon_o you_o and_o throw_v dirt_n in_o your_o face_n yet_o their_o aspersion_n shall_v but_o add_v weight_n to_o their_o own_o sorrow_n and_o imperfect_a comfort_n the_o water_n you_o feed_v shall_v threaten_v your_o ruin_n with_o their_o rage_a motion_n and_o inconstancy_n yet_o the_o command_n run_v you_o must_v feed_v these_o water_n though_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o they_o to_o let_v the_o benefit_n sink_v and_o disappear_v fear_v not_o it_o be_v in_o their_o will_n but_o not_o in_o their_o power_n either_o to_o hide_v or_o to_o drown_v your_o work_n of_o mercy_n and_o for_o your_o encouragement_n remember_v these_o water_n even_o the_o poor_a vassal_n be_v make_v for_o your_o ease_n your_o honour_n and_o your_o advantage_n make_v it_o your_o business_n to_o employ_v they_o in_o the_o best_a manner_n these_o water_n will_v do_v you_o good_a if_o you_o understand_v their_o uses_n there_o be_v a_o way_n for_o you_o to_o be_v charitable_a to_o the_o poor_a and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n receive_v profit_n by_o their_o service_n it_o be_v a_o element_n that_o be_v a_o useful_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o without_o the_o poor_a the_o rich_a know_v not_o how_o to_o subsist_v livy_n long_o ago_o make_v three_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o his_o division_n be_v thus_o far_o verify_v there_o have_v always_o be_v a_o govern_n part_n and_o a_o teach_v part_n among_o man_n and_o there_o be_v a_o three_o sort_n that_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v mere_o for_o labour_n and_o obedience_n he_o that_o have_v his_o talon_n in_o his_o head_n or_o in_o his_o coffer_n must_v employ_v such_o as_o have_v it_o in_o their_o hand_n and_o foot_n by_o which_o they_o may_v serve_v themselves_o with_o the_o just_a and_o necessary_a comfort_n of_o this_o life_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n prove_v benefactor_n cast_v thy_o bread_n upon_o the_o water_n intimate_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v good_a without_o grudge_a as_o if_o what_o thou_o give_v be_v to_o perish_v not_o look_v to_o perpetuate_v thy_o name_n or_o obtain_v a_o present_a applause_n not_o expect_v so_o much_o as_o a_o verbal_a recompense_n from_o the_o receiver_n write_v upon_o the_o sea_n with_o the_o best_a of_o pencil_n and_o a_o man_n of_o exquisite_a sight_n shall_v not_o find_v there_o one_o legible_a character_n no_o more_o shall_v we_o perform_v act_n of_o charity_n for_o sight_n or_o ostentation_n because_o the_o good_a work_n that_o be_v most_o secret_o carry_v shall_v be_v most_o and_o most_o open_o reward_v yet_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o good_a work_n ought_v to_o be_v visible_a and_o so_o to_o be_v transact_v that_o they_o may_v be_v discern_v 1._o for_o distinction_n that_o a_o good_a christian_a may_v be_v signalise_v by_o his_o charity_n 2._o for_o the_o example_n and_o encouragement_n of_o other_o such_o light_n be_v now_o a_o day_n want_v to_o those_o that_o be_v mislead_v in_o the_o way_n of_o darkness_n god_n have_v so_o order_v his_o blessing_n that_o many_o time_n visible_a good_a work_n and_o public_a reward_n meet_v and_o be_v as_o the_o noise_n of_o so_o many_o water_n the_o flux_n reflux_n and_o freedom_n of_o motion_n in_o that_o element_n teach_v we_o to_o multiply_v good_a work_n and_o give_v alm_n liberal_o the_o lord_n love_v the_o cheerful_a giver_n who_o act_n of_o charity_n resemble_v the_o wave_n roll_v one_o upon_o another_o whoever_o communicate_v his_o bread_n unwilling_o more_o to_o deliver_v himself_o from_o the_o petitioner_n importunity_n than_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n or_o in_o obedience_n to_o his_o command_n that_o man_n sure_o either_o distrust_v god_n knowledge_n or_o his_o promise_n imagine_v his_o master_n be_v ignorant_a of_o his_o estate_n or_o his_o mean_v or_o he_o dare_v not_o trust_v he_o to_o requite_v his_o kindness_n will_v you_o hear_v another_o reason_n that_o may_v prevail_v with_o we_o to_o cast_v our_o bread_n upon_o the_o water_n it_o be_v because_o those_o water_n by_o their_o several_a channel_n return_v to_o their_o head_n and_o fountain_n christ_n be_v that_o head_n source_n or_o spring_n of_o those_o water_n on_o which_o our_o bread_n be_v to_o be_v scatter_v christ_n be_v style_v shiloh_n in_o our_o english_a bibles_n signify_v a_o fountain_n of_o live_a water_n the_o poor_a stream_n from_o he_o and_o by_o they_o our_o charity_n shall_v sudden_o be_v return_v into_o christ_n bosom_n for_o this_o among_o other_o reason_n our_o shiloh_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n do_v appear_v poor_a and_o destitute_a of_o friend_n and_o temperal_n comfort_n to_o promote_v and_o to_o make_v trial_n of_o the_o world_n charity_n care_n be_v to_o be_v take_v that_o the_o frown_n of_o the_o alms-giver_n may_v not_o sour_a the_o bread_n he_o bestow_v but_o let_v a_o liberal_a hand_n and_o a_o cheerful_a heart_n accompany_v with_o affability_n render_v the_o gift_n more_o oblige_v and_o the_o gratuity_n more_o valuable_a so_o will_v your_o kindness_n every_o where_o be_v welcome_a so_o will_v it_o be_v manifest_a you_o give_v for_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n and_o not_o mere_o in_o hope_n of_o a_o requital_n he_o that_o show_v mercy_n let_v he_o do_v it_o with_o cheerfulness_n say_v the_o great_a doctor_n of_o the_o gentile_n rom._n 12._o 2_o cor._n 9_o 7._o from_o such_o a_o generous_a mind_n proceed_v the_o name_n of_o liberality_n say_v seneca_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o benefit_n who_o sentence_n more_o than_o moral_a seem_v abstract_n of_o that_o evangelical_n doctrine_n which_o st._n paul_n teach_v the_o roman_n to_o who_o seneca_n be_v a_o friend_n and_o some_o think_v a_o disciple_n those_o gift_n be_v less_o acceptable_a that_o casual_o fall_v or_o have_v be_v extort_a by_o vehement_a entreaty_n but_o of_o the_o two_o the_o first_o be_v most_o grateful_a that_o be_v where_o a_o kindness_n that_o be_v design_v for_o one_o party_n happen_v against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o donor_n to_o be_v the_o lot_n of_o another_o which_o sometime_o come_v to_o pass_v through_o a_o mistake_n by_o our_o particular_a providence_n a_o good_a christian_a will_v approve_v himself_o habitual_o kind_a and_o he_o will_v in_o preparation_n of_o mind_n always_o remain_v charitable_a this_o readiness_n to_o give_v be_v please_v to_o heaven_n as_o much_o as_o to_o the_o long_a receiver_n who_o desire_n be_v not_o prevent_v although_o his_o demand_n be_v by_o the_o great_a expedition_n that_o can_v be_v use_v in_o dispense_n your_o bounty_n it_o be_v in_o these_o case_n that_o speedy_a help_n be_v double_a assistance_n multaque_fw-la gratius_fw-la venit_fw-la quod_fw-la facili_fw-la quam_fw-la quod_fw-la plena_fw-la manu_fw-la datur_fw-la it_o matter_n not_o whether_o the_o hand_n be_v full_a so_o as_o it_o be_v ready_a to_o communicate_v the_o person_n that_o doubt_n or_o delay_n to_o relieve_v the_o poor_a show_v some_o unwillingness_n and_o while_o he_o take_v time_n to_o consult_v the_o case_n