A20559:622
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…
The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandments gathered from the mouth of a faithful pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholar in Cambridge.The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A familiar and learned exposition on the ten commandements gathered from the mouth of a faithfull pastor by a gracious young man, sometime scholler in Cambridge.
London: printed by John Harison for Thomas Man, 1603London: printed by Iohn Harison for Thomas Man, 1603
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
yet they shall find it is Gods, and to be used and disposed according to his will, and when such an inquiry comes, this will bring most unspeakable comfort to a mans soul, when upon his death-bed and when he is now to leave his wealth, he can with a good conscience repeat to God how he used his wealth, and can hold up his head before God and say, Lord, thine it was, and I did know I was but a steward, and therefore I disposed of it according to my masters will, I spent it not in serving my lusts and mad desires, but in the service, and to the glory of God, I was more willing & ready to lay out twelve pence to Gods glory, and the relieving of a pot member of Christ that stood in need, then one penny in setting up my flesh, and pleasing the vain and foolish affections of my flesh: when one can thus speak to God, and make such a reckoning, he shall then well perceive and feel, to the exceeding joy of his heart, what reward he gets to himself, that gives an alms, and shows mercy liberally to an other.
yet they shall finde it is Gods, and to be vsed and disposed according to his will, and when such an inquirie comes, this will bring most vnspeakable comfort to a mans soule, when vpon his death-bed and when he is now to leaue his wealth, he can with a good conscience repeat to God how he vsed his wealth, and can hold vp his head before God and say, Lord, thine it was, and I did know I was but a steward, and therefore I disposed of it according to my masters will, I spent it not in seruing my lustes and mad desires, but in the seruice, and to the glorie of God, I was more willing & readie to lay out twelue pence to Gods glorie, and the releeuing of a poote member of Christ that stood in need, then one pennie in setting vp my flesh, and pleasing the vaine and foolish affections of my flesh: when one can thus speake to God, and make such a reckoning, he shall then well perceiue and feele, to the exceeding ioy of his heart, what reward he gets to himselfe, that giues an almes, and shewes mercie liberally to an other.
And the Apostle Paul saith, that he that soweth plentifully ⟨image 173⟩shall reap plentifully, comparing liberality in works of mercy to sowing, and so it is indeed and shall yield a better and more plentiful crop, by how much the seed it self, and the ground on which it is sowed is better then any other. So Ose. 37. The righteous is merciful and lendeth, and his seed enjoyeth the blessing: meeting with an objection that seems to arise indeed, I would fain be merciful and do good, I know it is a good thing, but alas I have charge, I must provide for my children, the father must lay up for the children, and he is worse then an infidel that provides not something for his family But God will have one lay up and provide, and store something for his posterity, and therefore he bids him be merciful, for he will never bequeath a better portion, and a richer legacy to his seed, then when he doth many works of mercy, even for their sakes, for God promiseth they shall enjoy the blessing of their goodness.