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

2. By consecrating unto God a certain portion of thy yearly incomes and revenues for Charitable uses; what this portion should be I dare not determine, the scripture being silent therein, only in the general we are commanded to give out proportionably to what God hath given unto us, that they who are rich in this worlds goods, be rich in good works; But this I can say, that the most that I have heard or read of, who have taken this course to consecrate unto God a certain portion of their estate to charitable uses, have followed the example of Jacob, ¹in giving a tenth part unto God. And as God did exceedingly bless Jacob after his vow; so likewise hath he blessed divers others after their vow unto God.

2. By consecrating unto God a certain portion of thy yearly incomes and revenues for Charitable uses; what this portion should bee I dare not determine, the scripture being silent therein, only in the general wee are commanded to give out proportionably to what God hath given unto us, that they who are rich in this worlds goods, bee rich in good works; But this I can say, that the most that I have heard or read of, who have taken this course to consecrate unto God a certain portion of their estate to charitable uses, have followed the example of Jacob, ¹in giving a tenth part unto God. And as God did exceedingly bless Jocob after his vow; so likewise hath hee blessed divers others after their vow unto God.

1. 1Gen. 28.22.

An^* eminent Divine of this City, now with God, in his funeral sermon, at the Burial of a Merchant, speaking of his Charity, saith, that at his first effectual call, among other things he then resolved upon, this was one, to set apart every year a tenth of his gain for the relief of the poor; and that God from that time forward abundantly advanced his estate. And withal he adds a passage very remarkable, and therefore I shall give it you in his own words, True it is, that for some space of time, some three or four years after that his resolution of setting a tenth apart for such purposes, he thrived not, he found no increase, nor came forward in the world, as formerly he had done, yet was he not thereby discouraged, nor did he forbear to be bountiful, as opportunity was offered, and the necessity of poor people required it: But he gave still with cheerfulness, and comfort out of love to God, conceiving that God in wisdom and goodness prospered him not, thereby to try his sincerity to him, and