The temporal benefits which respect our own persons are either corporal or spiritual. For the Lord, to encourage us in these works of mercy, doth repay and reward us, not only with the true treasures of his spiritual graces; but stooping to our infirmity, he payeth us with our own money also, even with the coin of worldly blessings which is so current among us. According to that Pro. 3. 9. 10. Honour the Lord with thy 1substance, so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. And because by this liberal giving, men doubt lest they themselves should come unto poverty; he assureth us, that he who giveth to the poor shall not lack, Pro: 28. 27. So that if we sow the seed of our ⟨p. 213⟩2beneficence it will return unto us a double harvest; the crop of temporal benefits in this life, and of everlasting blessedness in the life to come. Yea but thou seest not this increase in thy worldly estate by giving alms. And if thou believest no more than thou seest, why dost thou take upon thee the name of a Christian, who liveth by faith rather than by sense? For by how many secret passages can God convey unto thee the reward of thy almsdeeds, though he writeth no superscription upon them, to certify thee for what it is sent? it is sufficient that thou hast it, and that thou knowest that he sent it, as for the reasons which moved him to give these benefits unto thee, he will acquaint thee with them more particularly, when as he shall call thee to make up thy 3reckoning. Thou growest in thy stature from a child unto a man, and thou seest not thy growing, though thou perceivest that thou art grown; neither knowest thou the particular time and means, when, or whereby thou camest to this height. And thou knowest and acknowledgest that thou art nourished by thy meat, though thou seest not the secret passages whereby it is carried from the stomach to the several parts, nor canst tell at what time or by what food thou hast been chiefly nourished. Why then hast thou not the like faith and much stronger in spiritual, which thou hast in respect of natural things, seeing they are much more secret and insensible? and when thou hast Gods promise of reward, and seest it performed by his blessings multiplied in ⟨p. 214⟩thy bosom, why doest thou doubt or call them into question;
The temporall benefits which respect our own persons are either corporall or spirituall. For the Lord, to incourage vs in these workes of mercy, doth repay and reward vs, not only with the true treasures of his spirituall graces; but stooping to our infirmitie, he payeth vs with our owne money also, euen with the coyne of worldly blessings which is so current among vs. According to that Pro. 3. 9. 10. Honour the Lord with thy 1substance, so shall thy barnes be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. And because by this liberall giuing, men doubt lest they themselues should come vnto pouertie; he assureth vs, that he who giueth to the poore shall not lack, Pro: 28. 27. So that if we sow the seede of our ⟨p. 213⟩2beneficence it will returne vnto vs a double haruest; the crop of temporall benefits in this life, and of euerlasting blessednes in the life to come. Yea but thou seest not this increase in thy worldly estate by giuing almes. And if thou beleeuest no more than thou seest, why dost thou take vpon thee the name of a Christian, who liueth by faith rather than by sense? For by how many secret passages can God conueigh vnto thee the reward of thy almesdeeds, though he writeth no superscription vpon them, to certifie thee for what it is sent? it is sufficient that thou hast it, and that thou knowest that he sent it, as for the reasons which moued him to giue these benefits vnto thee, he will acquaint thee with them more particularly, when as he shall call thee to make vp thy 3reckoning. Thou growest in thy stature from a childe vnto a man, and thou seest not thy growing, though thou perceiuest that thou art growne; neither knowest thou the particular time and meanes, when, or whereby thou camest to this height. And thou knowest and acknowledgest that thou art nourished by thy meate, though thou seest not the secret passages whereby it is caried from the stomacke to the seuerall parts, nor canst tell at what time or by what foode thou hast beene chiefly nourished. Why then hast thou not the like faith and much stronger in spirituall, which thou hast in respect of naturall things, seeing they are much more secret and insensible? and when thou hast Gods promise of reward, and seest it performed by his blessings multiplyed in ⟨p. 214⟩thy bosome, why doest thou doubt or call them into question;
- 1Pro: 3. 9. 10.
- 2Pro: 28. 27.
- 3Math. 25. 34.
