And so I come from the causes moving us to give our alms, to speak of the work it self, where we will consider the subject matter about which it is exercised, the persons to whom it belongeth, the right manner how they are to be bestowed, the time when we are bound to do them, the properties of Christian alms, wherein they differ from the alms of hypocrites and worldlings, and lastly, the divers sorts and kinds of them. In respect of the first, we must give only that which is our own, by just and lawful means derived unto us: as by inheritance, free gift or honest getting, by our own painful labours and endeavours. For alms-deeds are liberal gifts, whereby we alienate the property of the thing given from our selves, and not from other men, to the relief of those who stand in need. And to be liberal of that which is not our own, but of right belongeth unto others, is to take goods from the right owners, to whom God hath given them, and to bestow them on others at our own pleasure, wch is (as we say in the proverb) to cut a large shive out of another mans loaf, to rob Peter, that we may pay Paul, and in ⟨p. 64⟩truth no better then plain theft in the sight of God. Now in our Christian sacrifice of alms-deeds, we must take heed we offer not unto God strange fire nor stolen oblations; for if the hire of an harlot, or price of a dog, might not 1be consecrated unto God, because they were an abomination unto him, then neither may we offer that which we have gotten by stealth and robbery, fraud and deceit, oppression and cruelty, which are no less abominable and odious. Isaiah 261. 8. And therefore justice and mercy must be matched together, according to that Micah. 6. 38. deal justly and love mercy, and as mercy must lay out that which is given to the poor, so justice must first bring it in. The which is signified by those phrases which the Scriptures use in enjoining unto us this duty of giving alms; as, Cast thy bread upon the face of the waters. And honour the 4Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruit of all thine increase. And deal thy bread to the hungry. implying that it must be our own and not other mens. And the Apostle requireth every one to lay by him in store for this use, as God hath prospered 5him;
ANd so I come from the causes moouing vs to giue our almes, to speake of the worke it selfe, where wee will consider the subiect matter about which it is exercised, the persons to whom it belongeth, the right manner how they are to bee bestowed, the time when wee are bound to doe them, the properties of Christian almes, wherein they differ from the almes of hypocrites and wordlings, and lastly, the diuers sorts and kindes of them. In respect of the first, wee must giue onely that which is our owne, by iust and lawfull means deriued vnto vs: as by inheritance, free gift or honest getting, by our owne painefull labours and endeauours. For almes-deedes are liberall gifts, whereby wee alienate the propertie of the thing giuen from our selues, and not from other men, to the releefe of those who stand in neede. And to be liberall of that which is not our owne, but of right belongeth vnto others, is to take goods from the right owners, to whom God hath giuen them, and to bestow them on others at our owne pleasure, wch is (as we say in the prouerb) to cut a large shiue out of another mans loafe, to rob Peter, that we may pay Paul, and in ⟨p. 64⟩truth no better then plaine theft in the sight of God. Now in our Christian sacrifice of almes-deedes, wee must take heede wee offer not vnto God strange fire nor stolne oblations; for if the hire of an harlot, or price of a dogge, might not 1be consecrated vnto God, because they were an abomination vnto him, then neither may we offer that which we haue gotten by stealth and robberie, fraud and deceipt, oppression and cruelty, which are no lesse abominable and odious. Esay 261. 8. And therefore iustice and mercy must bee matched together, according to that Micha. 6. 38. deale iustly and loue mercie, and as mercie must lay out that which is giuen to the poore, so iustice must first bring it in. The which is signified by those phrases which the Scriptures vse in enioyning vnto vs this dutie of giuing almes; as, Cast thy bread vpon the face of the waters. And honour the 4Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruit of all thine encrease. And deale thy bread to the hungrie. implying that it must be our owne and not other mens. And the Apostle requireth euerie one to lay by him in store for this vse, as God hath prospered
- 1Deut. 23. 18.
- 2Esa. 61. 8.
- 3Micah. 6. 8.Micha. 6. 8.
- 4Eccles. 11. 1. Prou. 3. 9. Isaiah 58. 7.Eccles. 11. 1. Prou. 3. 9. Esay 58. 7.
- 51. Cor. 16. 2.
