A57152:110
The rich mans charge delivered in a sermon at the Spittle upon Monday in…The rich mans charge delivered in a sermon at the Spittle vpon Monday in…
The rich mans charge delivered in a sermon at the Spittle upon Monday in Easter week, 12 April 1658, before the lord major, &c., by Edw. Reynolds.The rich mans charge delivered in a sermon at the Spittle vpon Monday in Easter week, 12 April 1658, before the lord major, &c., by Edw. Reynolds.
London: printed by Tho. Newcomb for George Thomason, 1658
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.
Not to trust in riches, not to let his gifts be used to his own degrading: Who would trust in an unstable thing, which he cannot keep! Riches are uncertain; in a false thing which he cannot credit? Riches are deceitful; in a nothing, which 1is not? He that trusts in riches, makes them an Idol, and an Idol is nothing in this world. Who would trust in a Dead Idol, that hath a Living God to trust in? who would trust in an useless nothing, who hath a Bountiful God, who gives all things to trust in?
You have another charge, To do good, to be rich in good works, to do them cheerfully, to do them diffusively: And though God might stop at the charge, his sovereignty and dominion would bear him out, to command you only; yet being full of love and mercy, he is pleased to encourage as well as command you. He encourageth you antecedenter, by that which goes before your duty, his own example; he encourageth you consequenter, by that which follows after your duty, his great reward, his example you have; he gives, you do ⟨p. 48⟩but lend; he gives, you do but render back to him of his own. He gives to you all things; the Earth empties into your Coffers her Silver and her Gold; the Pastures send you in Cattle, the Fields Corn, the Sea Fish, the Air Fowl; one Country sends you in Wine, and another Spices; one Silks, and another Furs; one Delicates, another Ornaments: He gives you the light of the Sun, the influences of the Stars, the protection of Angels, the Righteousness of his Son, the Graces of his Spirit, the Hope of his Glory: He gives you Himself, and his own All sufficiency for your portion. And now if Heaven and Earth be all, if Grace and Glory be all, if God and Christ be all; he hath given you all things richly to enjoy; for many of these gifts bring their joy and fruition with them. So the Example far exceeds the Imitation; you lend, you do not give; you lend some thing; you do not give all things; you lend to the necessities of your Brother; you do not give to his delights and replenishment; you clothe him, you do not adorn him; you feed him, you do not fill, much less pamper him. This is one encouragement, A great Example.