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A seauenth thing to be considered in Beneficence is the ends thereof,
Which are,
1 THe assurance of saluation to the giuer, who testifieth hereby the truth of his faith. 1 Iam. 23. And layeth vp a good foundation against the day of Christ 1 Tim. 6.
2 Is the benefit of the party, both in soule and body, to whom he giueth.
3 The good of the Church of God which is hereby both honoured by the
maintenance of her members.* 1.1 2. And prouoked to the like by such examples.* 1.2
3 And 3. hereby enabled and out∣wardly preserued, when the word and meanes thereof are maintained.
Hence followeth the
1 Necessity of the maintenance for Ministers, 1 Cor. 94. Gal. 6. 6.
2 The equity of Tithes to this pur∣pose. Deut. 16. 16. 12. 19. Act. 21. 24. not as a matter of Almes, but due, Luke 10. 7. 1 Tim. 5. 3.
4 This Beneficence hath good place in the solemne duties of Gods worship, as a part and inseparable companion thereof, So
1 It is a part of the sanctifying of the Sabbath in generall. 1 Cor. 16. 1.
2 A necessary companion of pub∣like Thankesgiuings. Hest. 9. Nehem. 8.
3 As also publike fasts are not well solemnized without it. Leuit. 25.
4 It doth accompany the Ministerie of the word. Nehem. 8.
5 Hitherto also belongeth those re∣uenewes which haue beene giuen to the
maintenance, and repayre of the house of God. Which howsoeuer in some part to superstitious vses, yet by the godly haue beene well conuerted, and esta∣blished to such good ends.
And so are to be continued and increased,
1 So that we remember we are in the time of the Gospell, where lesse outward pompe is required▪ then vnder the law. Exod. 36. 5. 6. Hagg. 1. Mala. 1. &c.
2 Where the Lord is to be worship∣ped in spirit and truth, and not in out∣ward ceremonies & vnnecessary vanity.
3 Where we are sometimes to remit of our right, rather then to stand vpon vn∣necessary and superfluous maintenance. Ezra. 8. 22. Act. 20. 33. 34▪ 1 Cor. 4. 12. 2 Cor. 12. 13. 1 Thessa. 2. 3. 4. 5. 17. 9. 2 Thess. 3. 8.
1 As when the Church is in some ex∣traordinary persecution and difficulty.
2 To stoppe the mouth of false Pro∣phets and accusers, that condemne the Ministery as mercenary, and that they doe all for what will you giue.
And this
1 Condemneth the vnsatiable ambi∣tion and couetousnesse of the Church of Rome.
2 And generally all such as would bring religion from the heart to the eye, and set vp a pompous and carnall wor∣ship.
3 It teacheth all faithfull Pastors to be content with a sober maintenance, and to beare a part of the burthen of the Church in all the difficulties & streights thereof.
5 And lastly and especially, as aboue all, the maine end is, The glory of God. 1 Cor. 10. 31.
Which we wholy respect by,
1 Priuate & secret liberality, not blow∣ing a trumpet, &c. but so that our right hand may not know what our left hand doth, Math. 6.
2 This principally reports the hu∣mility of the heart, which if it be free from hypocrisie and vaine-glory, it skills not though the gift be open.
3 By thankefulnesse vnto God that hath made vs, not onely able, but wil∣ing to part with our owne, and that in such good order and measure as that we may be perswaded of the acceptance thereof. 2 Chron. 29. 14.
Leuit. 25.
Deut. 15. 2.