A Body of Practical Divinity

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.

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 rendred the True Religion more famous in the Primitive Times, and made more Proselytes to it, than the Bounty and Charity of the Christians.

Ninthly and Lastly, The Evil that doth accrue by not preserving the Lives of others, and helping them in their Necessities. God sends oft a secret Moth into their Estate. Prov. 11.24. There is that with-holdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to Poverty. Prov. 21.13. Whoso stoppeth his Ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Jam. 2.13. He shall have Judgment without Mercy, that showed no Mercy. Dives denied Lazarus a Crumb of Bread, and Dives was denied a Drop of Water. Mat. 25.41. Depart from me ye cursed, for I was an hungered and ye gave me no meat. Christ saith not, Ye took away my Meat: But, Ye gave me no Meat; ye did not feed my Members, therefore depart from me. By all this, be ready to distribute to the Necessities of others. This is included in the Commandment, Thou shalt not kill. Not only, Thou shalt not destroy his Life, but thou shalt preserve it by giving to his Necessities.