The crucifying of the world

2. And it is not only the great ones that have need of this advice, but all in their places that are entrusted with Gods Mercies. Think not your selves excused from works of Charity, because you have but one talent: for one talent must be proportionably improved as well as ten, or else you will be condemned as unprofitable servants. People of the lower rank do commonly think that God requireth nothing of them, but to receive what others give them, and to labour for themselves: And when they have reviled sufficiently at Rich men for worldliness, they often show themselves as worldly, by denying their mites, and by unmercifulness ⟨p. 189⟩to those that are poorer then themselves, as the Richer do by denying their larger proportions.

2. And it is not only the great ones that have need of this advice, but all in their places that are entrusted with Gods Mercies. Think not your selves excused from works of Charity, because you have but one talent: for one talent must be proportionably improved as well as ten, or else you will be condemned as unprofitable servants. People of the lower rank do commonly think that God requireth nothing of them, but to receive what others give them, and to labour for themselves: And when they have reviled sufficiently at Rich men for worldliness, they often shew themselves as worldly, by denying their mites, and by unmercifulness ⟨p. 189⟩to those that are poorer then themselves, as the Richer do by denying their larger proportions.

The scarcity and defectiveness of charitable works, with all sorts of men from the highest to the lowest, even those that seem more forward in verbal devotions, do show us too evidently how common hypocrisy is, and how few are entirely devoted to God, and what a bewitching and blinding thing the world is. They that think a man utterly ungodly that doth not in the length and life of his duties go much beyond the common sort of men, do never judge themselves ungodly for not exceeding them in works of Charity. In acts of piety and worship, they (justly) think, that they should not only set apart one day in seven, to be wholly employed herein, but also a considerable part of every day in the week, besides their holy Meditations which they mix with their common works. But how few are they that will allow God such a Proportion of their estates? as besides their daily works of charity upon ordinary occasions, to devote also a seventh part entirely to his service? Though all cannot do this, yet many shall see when their eyes are opened, that they should have done more. For ought I see, the charitable works of the Richest, and of too many Professors of the greatest Piety, are too like the pious actions of the ungodly; even, seldom, and by the halves, and lifeless, and to little purpose. As the ungodly will drop morning and night a formal, seeming heartless prayer, upon the by, while their minds are another way; and if you urge them to any higher, and costlier devotion, instead of obeying, they will cavil against it, and put it off with vain excuses, and say, God doth not require this of us, because we are not learned, and because we have our necessary labours to look after. Even so many Rich men, and seemingly Religious, will drop now and then a penny or an alms to the poor, and give upon the by some inconsiderable pittance, which costeth them but little, and doth no great good: But if you urge them to any greater works, you shall have excuses enow, and reasonings against their duty, but little of performance. Then they have families to provide for, and their estates are but small, and God doth not require this at their hands. I wonder when God will speak so plain, for abounding in Good works, as that hypocrites and worldlings will be able to understand him? This voluntary deafness is not remedied by speaking loud;