The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

7. The seventh affliction of poverty is, that it draws a veil or Curtain over all humane excellencies. it taketh away the matter and means whereby he may excel in the world among men, he cannot do any great and honourabl• works in his Generation, he hath not wherewith to do them, as rich men have, Isai 3.6, 7. wh•n a man shall take hold of his brother, of the house of his Father, saying, thou hast clothing, be thou our Ruler, and let this ruin be under thine hand, in that day shall he swear saying, I will not be an healer, for in my house is neither bread nor clothing, make me not a Ruler of the people; What ever other virtues or wisdom he hath, if h• want wealth, he is disabled, darkened, and laid aside from a capacity of doing any great service among his people. Thus it was with Jesus Christ, his poverty did disable him from carrying any breadth among men. Yet Jesus Christ by his divine power did many wonderful and miraculous good works, in healing all manner of diseases, in feeding the hungry in a time of need, he entertained and fed many thousands at one time, and that in a wilderness, he filled all their bellies, and no doubt all their pockets, bags, or baskets, and when all had taken what they would, they still left many baskets full. No Prince on Earth did, or could make such a bountiful Feast, his poverty is no hindrance to his divine power from doing such acts of noble liberality; and so it was with the Apostles afterward, though they were poor, yet that hindered not them from doing great acts of beneficence to men, Act. 3.6. silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee, in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. 2 Cor. 6.10. as poor, yet making many rich, and that with the best, and most true riches in the world. rich in Faith, though poor in this world, Jam. 2.5.

7. The se•enth affliction of poverty is, that it draws a vail or Curtain over all humane excellencies. it taketh away the matter and means whereby he may excell in the world among men, he cannot do any great and honourabl works in his Generation, he hath not wherewith to do them, as rich men have, Isai 3.6, 7. whn a man shall take hold of his brother, of the house of his Father, saying, thou hast cloathing, be thou our Ruler, and let this ruine be under thine hand, in that day shall he swear saying, I will not be an healer, for in my house is neither bread nor cloathing, make me not a Ruler of the people; What ever other virtues or wisdome he hath, if h want wealth, he is disabled, darkened, and laid aside from a capacity of doing any great service among his people. Thus it was with Iesus Christ, his poverty did disable him from carrying any breadth among men. Yet Jesus Christ by his divine power did many wonderful and miraculous good works, in healing all manner of diseases, in feeding the hungry in a time of need, he entertained and fed many thousands at one time, and that in a wilderness, he filled all their bellies, and no doubt all their pockets, bags, or baskets, and when all had taken what they would, they still left many baskets full. No Prince on Earth did, or could make such a bountiful Feast, his poverty is no hindrance to his divine power from doing such acts of noble liberality; and so it was with the Apostles afterward, though they were poor, yet that hindred not them from doing great acts of beneficence to men,