The art of giuing Describing the true nature, and right vse of liberality: and prouing that these dayes of the gospell haue farre exceeded the former times of superstition in true charitie and magnificence. By Thomas Cooper.

CHAP. VIII. (Book 8)

A fourth circumstance and condition of Beneficence, that it to be done in Faith:

That is,

1 THe person that performeth it; must beleeue in the sonne of God.* 1.1 because whatsoeuer is not of faith is sin, Rom. 14▪ 2 Cor. 8. 5.

And this,

Reproueth the liberality & munificence of all Atheists, Papists and prophane persons whatsoeuer, yea, the hypocrites Almes is heere condemned. Math. 6.

2 It must be done according to the word,* 1.2 and so all voluntary and conceited charity is also reproued, as also that de∣pends onely on mans law.

3 We must giue with assurance that though man doe forget, yet God will re∣compence, and aboundantly repay both in this life, and the life to come.

4 To this end we are to ioyne prayer with our liberality.

And this condemneth.

The infidelity of beleeuers,* 1.3 that doubt of this. As also the prophanes of the world, that expects it not.

Another note of faith in giuing, is, that we giue, looking for no recompence againe from man, yea, there cast our bread, where there is no likelihood, e∣uen vpon the waters. Eccles. 5. This we shall performe

If we giue,

1 To the poore, &c. that are not able to recompence vs. Math. 5.

2 To our enemies, and such as in∣steed of good, vsually recompence euill vnto vs. Math. 5. Rom. 12. Pro. 25. &c.

And that because,

1 Herein we come neerest vnto God, who loued vs when we were his enemies. Rom. 5. 6. Math. 5. 45.

2 We obtayne a most glorious con∣quest ouer our owne corrupt nature mastering heereby the pride of ou•• hearts; whose fruit is anger; and effec•• reuenge. Rom. 12.

3 We attaine not onely the spiritua•• meaning, but the most difficult practis•• of the law of God, and so hasten to per∣fection.

4 Heereby also we may winne them or make them inexcusable, or bridl•• them at the least. Pro. 25. Pro. 16.

Now the loue that we ought to shew to our enemie, Is,

1 In heart louingly and heartily to affect him, so far forth as that we desir•• euen the saluation of his soule, and s•• consequently of his body, &c.

2 Secondly in speech. Math. 5. 21 Blesse them that curse you. 1 Sam. 24. 7.

3 In action, &c. Doe good to them 1 Iohn. 3. 18. Exod. 23. 4. Prou. 25. 21 2 Reg. 6. 14. 19. 21.

4 Yea, in that action which may mos•• benefit their soules, namely Prayer Luke 23. 34. Act. 7. 60.

Exception.

1 We must put a difference betweene the cause and the person, the person we must loue, but hate the cause. Psal. 139. 21. 22.

2 Some enemies are publisht and pro∣fest against God and his truth: Others priuate to our selues and secret, these we must loue, the other we may hate. 1 Cor. 16. 22.

3 Publike enemies are either cura∣ble, such as will receiue instruction, &c. these we must pray for, &c. or incurable, such as scorne instruction and prosecute the meanes; these to be prayed against: and so Dauid & Peter,* 1.4 &c. prayed against Gods enemies, as hauing a speciall in∣sight into their finall estates,* 1.5 by extraor∣dinary illumination,* 1.6 and spirit of pro∣phecy, which because wee haue not, therefore we are 1. not to pray peremp∣torily against them, as if we did iudge them finally, 2. but conditionally, & one∣ly respecting their present estate, where in they do desperately oppose the truth: 3. yea rather praying that by some tem∣porall iudgement the LORD would

crosse their purposes, and bring them to repentance, then that they might be left to finall vengeance. So these places are to be expounded. 1 Ioh. 5. 16. Deut. 7. 2.

And this reproueth

1 The Popish loue,* 1.7 which hold, that we are bound not to hate, but not alwaies to loue our enemies, saue in two cases: 1. When he is in necessity.* 1.8 2. In the case of scandall; we giue offence to others in not relieuing him.

2 The practise of the world, which rendreth what euill it may, and preten∣deth cause.

3 Though it forgiue, yet it will not forget.

4 We must not professe enmity a∣gainst any.

5 Nor speake euill of them, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sect. 1.
• * 1.2

  Sect. 2. Leuit. 19. 2 Deut. 24. 19.
• * 1.3

  Sect. 3.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 109. 10.
• * 1.5

  Act. 8. 19.
• * 1.6

  2 Tim. 4. 14.
• * 1.7

  Vse.
• * 1.8

  Note.