A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

4. There are Opera Charitatis & Misericordia, Works of Charity and Mercy; as to relieve the Poor, to do good to all, to help others by their Purse, Estate, Counsel, Admonition; but especially, to do good to them that are good. Gal. 6.10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all Men, especially unto them who are of the Household of Faith. These are usually, and by a proper term, called Good Works: Therefore Dorcas is said to be full of good Works, and Alms-deeds, Acts 9.36. And, 1 Tim. 6.18. Charge them, that they do good, that they be rich in good Works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. It is not a thing left Arbitrary to you, but laid upon you as a part of your Charge and Duty. It is a due Debt you owe to God, if not to the Poor; and we are Thieves, not only in robbing and taking from others, but in not giving to others: And therefore the Holy Ghost useth that Expression, Prov. 3.27. Withhold not Good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. It is due by the Law of God to those that are in distress. When God casts us upon Objects of Pity and Christian Commiseration, there is something due. By virtue of God's Command, the Poor are a kind of Owners; and Charity is a part of Righteousness. Christians, you are Stewards, and to dispense the Estate you have according to the Master's Command. An unfaithful Steward, that keeps all to himself, is a Thief. A Noble Man hath need of Money, and sendeth to his Steward; Go to my Steward, and demand such a Sum: Will he deny him his own when his Lord hath need of it? God hath commanded to give when he sendeth to you. How doth God send to us, but in the course of his Providence? We are one day to give an Account; And what a sorry Account shall we make? So much for Pomp, so much for Pleasure, so much for gorgeous Apparel, so much for Riot and Luxury, and so little for the Master's Use. If a Man to whom the Care of Children is committed, should feed Dogs and Whelps, and neglect the Children, what a sorry Account would he give of his Trust? God hath demanded his Right by our poor Brethren, he hath made them his Proxies: Our Bounty reacheth not to God himself, therefore he offereth them to our Pity; what we do for them, he accounteth as done to himself. Acts of Mercy are required, that we may acknowledge God's Property;