All which testimonies clearly prove that we are bound by Gods commandment to give alms; and therefore it is not left at our own choice, but to be performed, not only as an act of mercy, but also of righteousness, as it may more plainly appear by these reasons. First, because our riches are not absolutely our own but Gods talents, which he hath committed unto us not to mis-spend them in the satisfying of our worldly and carnal lusts, but to employ them to the best advantage, for the honour of our master and the good of our fellow-servants. Now God is honoured when as we bestow the wealth which he hath committed unto us according to his appointment and commandment; and when as by them (as much as in us lieth) we advance the means of his worship and service, whereof one principal part is the relieving of the poor, for these as the Apostle telleth us, are such christian sacrifices, wherewith he is well pleased. And finally, 1when as by our christian carriage in this behalf, we manifest his wisdom, goodness, love and providence in the government of his Church, which is his house and family. For it is the honour of a good Master, when by his care and providence ⟨p. 167⟩the house is so well governed, that every officer performeth his duty in his place, and all in the family have food convenient with all other necessaries belonging to them. To which purpose our great Lord and Master hath preferred some to be his stewards, unto whom he hath committed his goods, not that they should appropriate them to their own use, but that they should wisely, justly, and charitably, dispense and dispose of them for the good of all the household; and howsoever by virtue of their high place and office they may take unto themselves (as it were) a double portion, and that which is sufficient not only for nature, but for the due maintenance of their person; and not for necessity alone, but also for their honest delight (unless it be that this their allowance be necessarily to be shortened to supply the extreme necessity of others who need their help) yet their Lord and Master requireth of them, that they communicate so much of their goods as they can well spare from these uses, to relieve and sustain others of their fellow-servants, who want such things as are needful for their relief and maintenance;
All which testimonies clearely proue that we are bound by Gods commandement to giue almes; and therefore it is not left at our owne choice, but to be performed, not only as an act of mercy, but also of righteousnesse, as it may more plainly appeare by these reasons. First, because our riches are not absolutely our owne but Gods talents, which he hath committed vnto vs not to mis-spend them in the satisfying of our worldly and carnall lusts, but to imploy them to the best aduantage, for the honour of our master and the good of our fellow-seruants. Now God is honoured when as we bestow the wealth which he hath committed vnto vs according to his appointment and commandement; and when as by them (as much as in vs lyeth) wee aduance the meanes of his worship and seruice, whereof one principall part is the relieuing of the poore, for these as the Apostle telleth vs, are such christian sacrifices, wherewith he is well pleased. And finally, 1when as by our christian cariage in this behalfe, we manifest his wisdome, goodnes, loue and prouidence in the gouernment of his Church, which is his house and familie. For it is the honour of a good Master, when by his care and prouidence ⟨p. 167⟩the house is so well gouerned, that euery officer performeth his dutie in his place, and all in the familie haue foode conuenient with all other necessaries belonging to them. To which purpose our great Lord and Master hath preferred some to be his stewards, vnto whom he hath committed his goods, not that they should appropriate them to their owne vse, but that they should wisely, iustly, and charitably, dispense and dispose of them for the good of all the houshold; and howsoeuer by vertue of their high place and office they may take vnto themselues (as it were) a double portion, and that which is sufficient not only for nature, but for the due maintenance of their person; and not for necessitie alone, but also for their honest delight (vnles it be that this their allowance be necessarily to be shortned to supply the extreame necessitie of others who need their helpe) yet their Lord and Master requireth of them, that they communicate so much of their goods as they can well spare from these vses, to relieue and sustaine others of their fellow-seruants, who want such things as are needfull for their releife and maintenance;
- 1Heb. 13. 16.
