A Body of Practical Divinity

Seventhly, There is nothing lost by relieving the Necessitous. The Shunamite Woman was kind to the Prophet, she welcomed him to her House, and she received Kindness from him another way. He restored her Dead Child to Life. 2 Kings 4.35. Such as are helpful to others, shall find Mercy to help in time of need. Such as pour out the Golden Oil of Compassion to others, God will pour out the Golden Oil of Salvation to them. For a Cup of cold Water they shall have Rivers of Pleasure. Nay, God will make it up some way or other in this Life. Prov. 11.25. The Liberal Soul shall be made fa• : As the Loaves in breaking multiplied, or as the Widows Oil increased by pouring out, 1 Kings 17.16. An Estate may be imparted, yet not impaired.

Seventhly, There is nothing lost by relieving the Necessitous. The Shunamite Woman was kind to the Prophet, she welcomed him to her House, and she received Kindness from him another way. He restored her Dead Child to Life. 2 Kings 4.35. Such as are helpful to others, shall find Mercy to help in time of need. Such as pour out the Golden Oyl of Compassion to others, God will pour out the Golden Oyl of Salvation to them. For a Cup of cold Water they shall have Rivers of Pleasure. Nay, God will make it up some way or other in this Life. Prov. 11.25. The Liberal Soul shall be made fa• : As the Loaves in breaking multiplied, or as the Widows Oyl encreased by pouring out, 1 Kings 17.16. An Estate may be imparted, yet not impaired.

Eighthly, To do good to others in Necessity, keeps up the Credit of Religion. Works of Mercy adorn the Gospel as the Fruit Adorns the Tree. When our Light so shines that others see our Good Works, this glorifies God, Crowns Religion, silenceth the Lips of Gain-sayers. Basil saith, Nothing rendered the True Religion more famous in the Primitive Times, and made more Proselytes to it, than the Bounty and Charity of the Christians.