Finally by these works of mercy we are furthered notably in the way to salvation, the which our Saviour implieth, whenas he persuadeth us to make us friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness that when we fail they may receive us into everlasting 1habitations. Luk. 16. 9. For in these earthly riches which are of small value the Lord trieth our fidelity and obedience, and if in the trial we be found faulty, these talents are taken from us, and we cast into the prison of outer darkness; but if by our honest, faithful and charitable disposing of them we are approved, the Lord will commend us for good stewards, and commit to our ⟨p. 218⟩keeping those heavenly riches and everlasting treasures. According to that which followeth in the next words, he that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much: If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous Mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? and if ye have not been faithful in that which is another mans, who shall give you that which is your own? So the Apostle would have rich men charged to do good, to be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, that they might lay up store for themselves, a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1. Tim. 6. 18. 19. 2Yea in truth by exercising our selves in these works of mercy, everlasting happiness is begun in this life; not only, as thereby we have an entrance into it by assurance of faith; but also have the earnest and fruits of this happiness and blessedness. In both which regards they are in the Scriptures pronounced blessed, who taking compassion on the poor do liberally relieve them. As Pro. 14. 21. He that hath mercy on the poor happy is he. And Pro. 22. 9. He that hath a bountiful 3eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor. And thus are they blessed of God, according to that. Deut. 15. 10. Thou shalt surely 4give to thy poor brother and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because for this thing the Lord thy God, shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand to; which blessing in these temporal things ⟨p. 219⟩is unto the faithful an earnest and pledge of their everlasting blessedness.
Finally by these workes of mercy wee are furthered notably in the way to saluation, the which our Sauiour implieth, whenas hee perswadeth vs to make vs friends of the Mammon of vnrighteousnes that when wee faile they may receiue vs into euerlasting 1habitations. Luk. 16. 9. For in these earthly riches which are of small value the Lord trieth our fidelity and obedience, and if in the triall we be found faultie, these talents are taken from vs, and we cast into the prison of outer darknes; but if by our honest, faithfull and charitable disposing of them wee are approoued, the Lord will commend vs for good stewards, and commit to our ⟨p. 218⟩keeping those heauenly riches and euerlasting treasures. According to that which followeth in the next words, hee that is faithfull in that which is least, is faithfull also in much: and he that is vniust in the least, is vniust also in much: If therefore yee haue not been faithfull in the vnrighteous Mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? and if yee haue not beene faithfull in that which is another mans, who shall giue you that which is your owne? So the Apostle would haue rich men charged to do good, to be rich in good workes, readie to distribute, willing to communicate, that they might lay vp store for themselues, a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternall life. 1. Tim. 6. 18. 19. 2Yea in truth by exercising our selues in these workes of mercie, euerlasting happinesse is begun in this life; not onely, as thereby we haue an entrance into it by assurance of faith; but also haue the earnest and fruits of this happinesse and blessednesse. In both which regards they are in the Scriptures pronounced blessed, who taking compassion on the poore doe liberally relieue them. As Pro. 14. 21. He that hath mercie on the poore happie is he. And Pro. 22. 9. Hee that hath a bountifull 3eye shall be blessed, for hee giueth of his bread to the poore. And thus are they blessed of God, according to that. Deut. 15. 10
- 1Luk. 16. 9.
- 21. Tim. 6. 18. 19
- 3Pro. 14. 21. and 22. 9.
- 4Deut. 15. 10.
