Be liberal and bountiful to the Lord, whosoever ye be that have any thing to give to the Lord. And who is it that hath not something, yea that hath not much to give, if he be no niggard of what he hath? The poorest that be, have as many calves, as Solomon had, to offer to the Lord: calves of their lips, (Hos. 14. 2.) These are sacrifices which may be offered up to God, (Heb. 13. 15.) The poorest that be, have a body, which they may present ⟨p. 246⟩as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, (Rom. 12. 1.) The poorest that be may every day morning and evening and at other times also direct their prayer to God as incense, (Psal. 141. 2.) Yea they may mix therewith the sweetest incense of the intercession of Christ, and offer all up upon the golden altar which is before the throne, (Rev. 8. 3.) The poorest that be may bring to God a broken heart and a contrite spirit, which is a sacrifice that God will not despise, (Psal. 51. 17.) The poorest that be may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God, which the Lord preferreth before burnt offerings, and calves of a year old: yea before thousands of rams, or ten thousand rivers of oil, (Mic. 6. 8.) These and other like offerings have all of all sorts (not the poorest excepted) now under the Gospel to bring and give unto the 1Lord. These sacrifices Saints offer to God. These sacrifices they solemnize without intermission day and night, especially that of giving themselves to God. All good works are sacrifices fit for God, and acceptable to him. There are also several talents given to several persons, though not to all alike, (for to one are given five, to another two, to another but one) yet to him that hath the least so much is given, as by a good improvement thereof, he may bring some increase and advantage to the Lord, and that so acceptably, as the Lord thereby will be moved to say, Well done thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, &c. (Mat. 25. 21.) As for rich men, they may yet further honour God with their substance, (Prov. 3. 9.) They may do good and distribute: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, (Heb. 13. 16.)
Be liberall and bountifull to the Lord, whosoever ye be that have any thing to give to the Lord. And who is it that hath not something, yea that hath not much to give, if hee be no niggard of what he hath? The poorest that be, have as many calves, as Salomon had, to offer to the Lord: calves of their lips, (Hos. 14. 2.) These are sacrifices which may bee offered up to God, (Heb. 13. 15.) The poorest that be, have a body, which they may present ⟨p. 246⟩as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, (Rom. 12. 1.) The poorest that be may every day morning and evening and at other times also direct their prayer to God as incense, (Psal. 141. 2.) Yea they may mixe therewith the sweetest incense of the intercession of Christ, and offer all up upon the golden altar which is before the throne, (Rev. 8. 3.) The poorest that be may bring to God a broken heart and a contrite spirit, which is a sacrifice that God will not despise, (Psal. 51. 17.) The poorest that be may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God, which the Lord preferreth before burnt offerings, and calves of a yeare old: yea before thousands of rammes, or ten thousand rivers of oile, (Mic. 6. 8.) These and other like offerings have all of all sorts (not the poorest excepted) now under the Gospell to bring and give unto the 1Lord. These sacrifices Saints offer to God. These sacrifices they solemnize without intermission day and night, especially that of giving themselves to God. All good workes are sacrifices fit for God, and acceptable to him. There are also severall talents given to severall persons, though not to all alike, (for to one are given five, to another two, to another but one) yet to him that hath the least so much is given, as by a good improvement thereof, hee may bring some increase and advantage to the Lord, and that so acceptably, as the Lord thereby wilbe moved to say, Well done thou good and faithfull servant, thou hast been faithfull over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, &c. (
- 1Hoc vos sacrificium Deo offertis: hoc sacrificium sine intermission die ac nocte celebratis: hostiae facti, &c. Cypr. Epist. l. 3. Ep. 23. Apta Deo sacrificit sunt opera virtutis. Amb. de Cam. & Abel c. 6. What rich men may give to God. Oblations & il. lie: oblations & hic. Sacrificia in populo: sacrificia & in ecclesia•sed est specie. immutata tantum. Iren. advers. Haer. l. 4. c. 34.Hoc vos sacrificium Deo offertis: hoc sacrificium sine intermissione die ac nocte celebratis: hostiae facti, &c. Cypr. Epist. l. 3. Ep. 23. Apta Deo sacrificit sunt opera virtutis. Amb. de Cam. & Abel c. 6. What rich men may give to God. Oblationes & il. lie: oblationes & hic. Sacrificia in populo: sacrificia & in ecclesia•sed est specie. immutata tantum. Iren. advers. Haer. l. 4. c. 34.
