The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

6. That they have no assurance of the true performance of their will, that the poor shall be the better for what is thereby given them. For how many Executors have proved most unfaithful to their trusts, whereby many charitable gifts have been clean perverted. And if friends be so unfaithful, to us in our life time; how can we but ⟨p. 283⟩question their fidelity after our deaths? Oh therefore that all, whom the Lord hath blessed with an estate, would in their life time become their own administrators, making (as one saith) their own hands their Executors, and their own eyes their Overseers. For questionless that charity which is exercised in a mans life time is the best, and most acceptable unto God.

6. That they have no assurance of the true performance of their will, that the poor shall bee the better for what is thereby given them. For how many Exeoutours have proved most unfaithful to their trusts, whereby many charitable gifts have been clean perverted. And if friends bee so unfaithful, to us in our life time; how can wee but ⟨p. 283⟩question their fidelity after our deaths? Oh therefore that all, whom the Lord hath blessed with an estate, would in their life time become their own administrators, making (as one saith) their own hands their Executors, and their own eyes their Overseers. For questionless that charity which is exercised in a mans life time is the best, and most acceptable unto God.

VII. Our Alms must be bountiful, and liberal, giving out proportionably to what the Lord hath given unto us. This is implied in that command of God to his people,¹ Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy Brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in the Land; that is, thou shalt give unto him bountifully and liberally. And our Apostle here in the Text, would have rich men charged to be rich in good work,