A26905:615
The crucifying of the world
The crucifying of the world by the cross of Christ with a preface to the nobles, gentlemen, and all the rich, directing them how they may be richer / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R. W. for Nevill Simmons, 1658
The Crucifying of the world, BY The Cross of CHRIST. › Part 1 › Section 21 › Subsection
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Quest. 5. Moreover I would know of you, when you accuse men for not being more bountiful in your eyes, Do you know of all their works of charity? Are you acquainted with their bestowings? Sure you are not: For God hath commanded them, Matth. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4. [Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven: therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do, &c. But when thou dost thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth; that thy alms may be in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.] This command they make conscience of: and how then can you be meet judges of their alms?
Quest. 6. Also I would know, Are you certainly acquainted with their particular estates? and do you know how able they are to give? If you do not, you are no competent Judges. How oft ⟨p. 197⟩have I known men reproached for unmercifulness, and for not being more liberal, when they have been so low in their estates, that they were not able to maintain their families, or to pay every man his own: and yet they that knew not this did back-bite them as covetous.
Quest. 6. Also I would know, Are you certainly acquainted with their particular estates? and do you know how able they are to give? If you do not, you are no competent Judges. How oft ⟨p. 197⟩have I known men reproached for unmercifulness, and for not being more liberall, when they have been so low in their estates, that they were not able to maintain their families, or to pay every man his own: and yet they that knew not this did back-bite them as covetous.