Fourthly, if we would rightly use our prosperity and Gods temporal blessings, we must therein, not only respect our own particular, but also the common good of the Church and Common wealth, and the private good of all our neighbours. The former, by paying cheerfully all seasements and tributes, which are lawfully imposed, all rights and duties which belong to all superiors in either of them, and by offering also our free-will oblation, and voluntary contributions towards any public service, out of our great plenty, either for the better effecting of it, or for the easing of those, who by reason of their weak estates are not so able as we to bear the burden. The latter, by exercising our bounty and Christian charity in alms-deeds, and in doing the works of mercy, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting and relieving the poor that are sick and imprisoned. To which end, let us consider that God hath given unto us our plenty and greater store, not as unto absolute Lords, to spend it how we list, but as unto Stewards, for the good also of our fellow servants, who shall be called unto account, if we have been faithful in thus employing them, and have given to every one in the household their due portion; that where God hath given much, there he will also require much, and that they who by his bounty have much goods and exceed in riches, do also much good (and as the Apostle speaketh) Be rich in good works, ready to 1distribute, and willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. Finally, let us consider that they are not so much to be valued in their own excellency, or the present profit which they bring unto us, seeing these commodities have so many discommodities, that it is hard to say whether exceed; but as they are the great instruments of well-doing, and (as it were) spacious fields, in which our bounty and charity are not confined in narrow limits, but may take large liberty to walk abroad, and to exercise themselves unto full contentment. Whereby as we are enabled to do good unto many, so most of all to our selves; seeing for the present we purchase of them their best jewels at low rates, even their love, hearts, and fervent prayers, for some poor pittance of earthly trifles;
Fourthly, if we would rightly vse our prosperity and Gods temporall blessings, we must therein, not onely respect our owne particular, but also the common good of the Church and Common wealth, and the priuate good of all our neighbours. The former, by paying cheerefully all seasements and tributes, which are lawfully imposed, all rights and duties which belong to all superiours in either of them, and by offering also our free-will oblation, and voluntary contributions towards any publike seruice, out of our great plenty, either for the better effecting of it, or for the easing of those, who by reason of their weake estates are not so able as wee to beare the burthen. The latter, by exercising our bounty and Christian charity in almes-deeds, and in doing the works of mercy, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting and relieuing the poore that are sicke and imprisoned. To which end, let vs consider that God hath giuen vnto vs our plenty and greater store, not as vnto absolute Lords, to spend it how we list, but as vnto Stewards, for the good also of our fellow seruants, who shall be called vnto account, if we haue beene faithfull in thus imploying them, and haue giuen to euery one in the houshold their due portion; that where God hath giuen much, there hee will also require much, and that they who by his bounty haue much goods and exceede in riches, doe also much good (and as the Apostle speaketh) Be rich in good workes, ready to 1distribute, and willing to communicate, laying vp in store for themselues a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternall life. Finally, let vs consider that they are not so much to bee valued in their owne excellency, or the present profit which they bring vnto vs, seeing these commodities haue so many discommodities, that it is hard to say whether exceede; but as they are the great instruments of well-doing, and (as it were) spacious fields, in which our bounty and charity are not confined in narrow limits, but may take large liberty to walke abroad, and to exercise themselues vnto full contentment. Whereby as wee are inabled to doe good vnto many, so most of all to our selues; seeing for the present wee purchase of them their best iewels at low rates, euen their loue, hearts, and feruent prayers, for some poore pittance of earthly trifles;
- 11. Tim. 6. 17, 18, 19.
