The last objection which worldlings make against the exercise of the works of mercy is, that they have a great charge and many children, and therefore they must not give away their goods to ⟨p. 246⟩strangers, for the Apostle teacheth us, that Parents must lay up for their children, and that he who neglecteth this duty, hath denied the faith, and is worse than an Infidel. Unto whom I might 1answer with Basil, Ne transferant culpam in insontes, let them not lay the blame upon those who are innocent; for they who are miserable having wife and children, would not be liberal if they were without them. Again, was not the Gospel written as well to the married as unmarried, to Parents, as well as those who have no children? and are not therefore both alike to yield obedience, and equally bound to perform these works of mercy? Did they desire of God children to this end, that they might plead by them a privilege to neglect his commandments? or may they not justly fear if they thus abuse the blessing of posterity, that God will lessen their number, lighten them of this charge, and so take away their excuse, by depriving them of their chiefest comfort? the which should be just with God thus to punish them, seeing they make idols of them, loving them better than they do God that gave them. But thy children are dear unto thee and must be provided for. And good reason; yet let thy God be dearer, and let them not make thee to neglect him, who gave thee to thy self, and them unto thee, and hath provided all that thou enjoyest, both for thee and them. Provide for them competency and sufficiency, but deny not unto God of thy abundance and superfluity. 2Christ (saith Austin) asketh, yet doth not receive, ⟨p. 247⟩and thou scandalizest thy profession of piety with words of cruelty, saying, what shall I reserve for my children? I oppose Christ unto thee, and thou re-objectest thy children unto me. But this no doubt is great justice, that thy son should be left enough to maintain his riotous expenses, and that thy God should want necessaries? For hast thou not read, hast thou not observed, when ye have not done it to one of these little ones, ye have not done it unto me? hast thou not read? hast thou not feared? Behold who it is that wanteth and asketh, and doest thou begin to number thy children?
The last obiection which worldlings make against the exercise of the workes of mercy is, that they haue a great charge and many children, and therefore they must not giue away their goods to ⟨p. 246⟩strangers, for the Apostle teacheth vs, that Parents must lay vp for their children, and that he who neglecteth this dutie, hath denyed the faith, and is worse than an Infidell. Unto whom I might 1answer with Basill, Ne transferant culpam in insontes, let them not lay the blame vpon those who are innocent; for they who are miserable hauing wife and children, would not be liberall if they were without them. Againe, was not the Gospell written as well to the marryed as vnmarryed, to Parents, as well as those who haue no children? and are not therefore both alike to yeeld obedience, and equally bound to performe these works of mercy? Did they desire of God children to this end, that they might pleade by them a priuiledge to neglect his commandements? or may they not iustly feare if they thus abuse the blessing of posteritie, that God will lessen their number, lighten them of this charge, and so take away their excuse, by depriuing them of their chiefest comfort? the which should be iust with God thus to punish them, seeing they make idolls of them, louing them better than they do God that gaue them. But thy children are deare vnto thee and must be prouided for. And good reason; yet let thy God be dearer, and let them not make thee to neglect him, who gaue thee to thy selfe, and them vnto thee, and hath prouided all that thou injoyest, both for thee and them. Prouide for them competencie and sufficiencie, but deny not vnto God of thy abundance and superfluitie. 2Christ (saith Austin) asketh, yet doth not receiue, ⟨p. 247⟩and thou scandalizest thy profession of piety with words of crueltie, saying, what shall I reserue for my children? I oppose Christ vnto thee, and thou re-objectest thy children vnto me. But this no doubt is great iustice, that thy sonne should be left enough to maintaine his riotous expences, and that thy God should want necessaries? For hast thou not read, hast thou not obserued, when yee haue not done it to one of these little ones, yee haue not done it vnto me? hast thou not read? hast thou not feared? Behold who it is that wanteth and asketh, and doest thou begin to number thy children?
- 11 Tim: 5. 8. Basil. de divitijs & paupertato. orat. 14.1 Tim: 5. 8. Basil. de diuitijs & paupertato. orat. 14.
- 2De Disciplina Christ. cap. 1. Tom. 9. col. 914.
