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

7. They of whose piety, poverty, and necessity, credible testimony is brought unto us, though we see them not our selves. Thus many of the Christian Gentiles, ¹sent relief to the Churches at Jerusalem upon the Apostles making known their wants.

7. They of whose piety, poverty, and necessity, credible testimony is brought unto us, though wee see them not our selves. Thus many of the Christian Gentiles, ¹sent relief to the Churches at Jerusalem upon the Apostles making known their wants.

1. 1Act. 24.17. Rom. 15.25, 26

In these and other like cases we ought to extend our charity according to the necessity of those whom we relieve, and our own ability. And not think it enough to give a few scraps of bread and meat, or some half-pennies or pence to common beggars at our doors, or in the streets. This kind of Alms savoureth more of vain outward ostentation, than of true inward compassion: And it more beseems proud Pharisees, than humble Christians. A charitable Christian ordinarily giveth more to one whose distressed case he knows, or is credibly made known unto him, than these Pharisees do to many beggars at many times.

In these and other like cases we ought to extend our charity according to the necessity of those whom wee relieve, and our own ability. And not think it enough to give a few scraps of bread and meat, or some half-pennies or pence to common beggars at our doors, or in the streets. This kinde of Alms savoureth more of vain outward oftentation, than of true inward compassion: And it more beseems proud Pharisees, than humble Christians. A charitable Christian ordinarily giveth more to one whose distressed case hee knows, or is credibly made known unto him, than these Pharisees do to many beggars at many times.