For the manner how, the Apostle directeth us. First, To do good works richly: They who are Divites opibus, must be Divites operibus too; their fruit must be plentiful, as well as their estate. There may be a narrow Heart, a starved Charity, where there is a large estate, as in Nabal: And there may be a large and bountiful heart, where there is but a poor and narrow estate, as in the poor widow, who as our Saviour tells us, Cast in more then all others into the Treasury; more in proportion, quia nemo sibi minus reliqui•; more in affection, she cast in her bowels, she cast in her prayers with her two Mites, Mark 12. 43. So the Apostle testifieth of the Macedonians, That their poverty was deep, and yet their liberality was rich and abundant, 2 Cor. 8. 2. Though they could not draw much out of their Purse, yet they drew out their very Soul to their Brethren, Isai. 58. 10. As the Apostle saith, That he imparted his own Soul to the Thessalonians, 1 Thes. 2. 1. But you that are rich in estate, may be rich in good works, as well as in good affections, may be exercised to all bountifulness, 2 Cor. 9. 11. As there is a decentia status ⟨p. 36⟩for a mans expenses on himself; so is there for his bounty to the poor. The Widows two Mites had been a mock and not an alms, if a rich man had cast them in.
For the manner how, the Apostle directeth us. First, To do good works richly: They who are Divites opibus, must be Divites operibus too; their fruit must be plentiful, as well as their estate. There may be a narrow Heart, a starved Charity, where there is a large estate, as in Nabal: And there may be a large and bountiful heart, where there is but a poor and narrow estate, as in the poor widow, who as our Saviour tells us, Cast in more then all others into the Treasury; more in proportion, quia nemo sibi minus reliqui•; more in affection, she cast in her bowels, she cast in her prayers with her two Mites, Mark 12. 43. So the Apostle testifieth of the Macedonians, That their poverty was deep, and yet their liberality was rich and abundant, 2 Cor. 8. 2. Though they could not draw much out of their Purse, yet they drew out their very Soul to their Brethren, Isai. 58. 10. As the Apostle saith, That he imparted his own Soul to the Thessalonians, 1 Thes. 2. 1. But you that are rich in estate, may be rich in good works, as well as in good affections, may be exercised to all bountifulness, 2 Cor. 9. 11. As there is a decentia status ⟨p. 36⟩for a mans expences on himself; so is there for his bounty to the poor. The Widows two Mites had been a mock and not an alms, if a rich man had cast them in.
