Zacheus converted: or The rich publicans repentance. Restitution In which, the mysteries of the doctrine of conversion, are sweetly laid open and applyed for the establishing of the weakest. Also of riches in their getting, keeping, expending; with divers things about almes and restitution, and many other materiall points and cases insisted upon. By Iohn Wilson, late preacher of Gods word in Guilford.

A Second rule.

Ordinate discretion, when a man by true discre∣tion proceeds in a right or∣der

of giving. Psal. 112, 5, A good man will order his affaires by discretion. Some there is that is destroyed for lacke of judgement, though hee have a good stocke and fruitfull ground, yet wasts all and comes behind hand by indiscretion, not ordering things aright.

Herein a man is to con∣sider his abilitie to give, not to ease others and burthen himselfe, 2 Cor. 8, 12. Hee must keepe his cisterne and his well to drinke of him∣selfe, and disperse his foun∣taines abroad, Prov. 5, 15, 16. The Disciples every man according to his ability determined to send releefe to the brethren that dwelt in Iudea, Act. 11, 29.

He must consider what is

fit for him his familie and so provide, 1 Tim. 5, 8, not onely for necessitie of na∣ture, but decencie of state: and thinke of time to come, what charge in just probabi∣litie hee may have, and lay up for them, so covetous∣nesse determine not the measure.

A man may possesse a∣bundance, if God give it, and lay up for occasionall uses, for Church and com∣mon wealth. Prov. 21, 20. There is a treasure to bee desired, and oyle in the dwelling or storehouse of the wise, but a foolish man devoureth it. Prov. 24, 3, 4. By wisedome an house is builded, and by understanding it is established: and by know∣ledge the chambers, or inward

roomes shall bee filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Prov. 13, 22. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his Childrens Children.

Hee must measure his gift as according to his abi∣litie, so according to their need to whom hee gives: as it is common. Then hee may give according to the dignitie of his proper state, and not give so much as to hinder it, laying apart something as God hath blessed him for the use of the poore, 1 Cor. 16, 2. In extraordinary want, then give more than ordinary, even so farre liberalitie is to bee extended as to the dimi∣nishing of the patrimonie: as our Saviour saith, Sell that which yee have, and give

almes, Luke 12, 33. Mea∣ning of their abundance, as they practised, Act. 2, 45, and 4, 39. Among whom there is speciall mention made of Ioses who by the Apostles was surnamed Bar∣nabas, the sonne of Conso∣lation, because hee so com∣forted the Saints bowels, Act. 4, 36. Or it may, being a Levite, that hee was indued with a speciall facultie.

There is common neede or want, great want when though they live and draw breath yet are in grievous want of necessaries: And there is extreame want when a man hath not to preserve his life; here specially must we if wee cannot otherwise, give of the stocke it selfe. They that are before spo∣ken

of, are not supposed to sell all their lands and houses, but as there was need.

A man must begin with his owne: if the parents bee in povertie, or the Grand∣father or Grandmother, and the children and nephewes bee of abilitie, they must learne first to shew pietie at home and to requite their parents, which is good and acceptable before God, 1 Tim. 5, 4. Our Saviour blames the Pharisees much, that by their tradition they had rejected the Com∣maundement of God, of honouring father and mo∣ther, which hee drawes to the releeving of them in their wants, Marke 7, 9, 10, 12. Ye suffer him no more

to doe ought for his father or his mother.

And this is to bee exten∣ded to all of his blood, though there bee others that bee better than they, yet are wee to preferre them in observation and preser∣vation: if the abilitie will ex∣tend to more, then exer∣cise▪ beneficence towards neighbours, such are of us. The Saints are to bee pre∣ferred besore sinners: as wee can wee must doe good un∣to all, but specially to the household of faith, ••al 6, 10. Though every man that needs our helpe bee our neighbour whom God of∣fers to▪ us by his providence, Luke 10, 36, 37, yet spe∣cially to the fa〈…〉〈…〉ily of God, the faithfull, Saints by cal∣ling,

Psal. 16, 2, 3. Because of the spirituall nativitie, they are begotten of God, 1 Iohn 5, 1. They are the members and brethren of Christ, Math. 25, 44. God loves them above other men, Deut. 33, 3. Yea hee loved the people; all his Saints are in thy hand. Psal. 73, 1. He is good to them that are of a pure heart.

Prophets that bring the doctrine of faith (other things being alike,) are to have the specialtie of our * 1.1 benevolence and benefi∣cence for their worke sake, their place in Gods house so neere to him; and to bee pre∣ferred before ordinarie Di∣sciples; thus for the order of charitie: to which we must adde this, wee are to pre∣ferre

in our giving such as have beene in our need be∣neficiall unto us. The A∣postle, saith that our abun∣dance should supply the present wants of the faith∣full, that their abundance (things chaunging) may supply our wants: as Solo∣mon saith, thou knowest not what evill shall be upon the earth; it may bee thy case to want, and his whom thou hast relieved to bee of abili∣litie to releive thee, Eccles. 11, 2.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1▪ Thess. 5. 13.