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.

TO THE RIGHT VVorshipfull, Sir Iohn Rothe∣ram, and Sir Gilbert Wakering, Knights, and their vertuous La∣dies, especiall Patrons of my studies, T. C. wisheth all en∣crease of the blessings of Heauen and Earth.

Right Worshipfull:

THe occasions that hath moued mee to treate of this subiect of true Be∣neficence in these latter dayes are First, to propose it as a liuely Touchstone for the triall of our holy entertainment of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ: Secondly, to confound hereby the vaine confidence of this deceitfull generation, which seeme to be somewhat herein, when indeed they are no∣thing; deceiuing themselues, euen as clouds

without water, in their false liberality. And so to conuince the Atheist, that saith, where is the promise of his comming? seeing this very decay of true loue, is among other, one of those pregnant signes, that the day of the Lord Iesus is neere at hand, that so the wise in heart may see the plague, and hide himselfe. And seeing he that is comming will come quickly, with his reward with him, to giue vnto euery one according to his work, yea, will come sodainly in an houre, that no man knowes of, ought we not alwaies to haue Oyle ready in our Lamps, that so we may enter in vnto our masters ioy?

Surely were there nothing else to moue vs hereunto, but the commandement of our hea∣uenly Master, this should prouoke vs to loue one another, this should adiure vs to abound in Charity, that so we might auoid eternall vengeance, seeing all the commandements are fulfilled in this, that we loue each other, & to faile in one duty is guilty of the breach of all. But behold what loue the Father hath shew∣ed vs, that, what was impossible to the com∣mandement in regard of the transgression, whereby sin reuiued & became 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of mea∣sure sinfull: and so the hatred increasing, we had no hope, but were as water spilt vpon the ground, that we could not be gathered vp

againe: Our God which is rich in mercy through his great loue, wherewith he loued vs, supplied by a most gracious and wonder∣full remedy, namely, the pretious bloud of his deere sonne, as of a Lambe vndefiled & with∣out spot. This is that bloud that hath spoken better things for vs then the bloud of Abel, not only stopping that loud crie of Vengeance which our sinnes called for, but opening vnto vs the gates of righteousnesse, and enabling vs to walke in the similitude of the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ, that so we might be partakers with him of eternall glo∣ry. And this is that blessed Lord Iesus, who hath not beene a stranger vnto vs, or soiour∣nour with vs for a season, but hath beene liuely described in our sight, and euen cruci∣fied among vs, in the glorious and constant publishing of the Gospell of Peace. And could greater loue be shewed to vs by any then that the sonne of God should lay downe his life for his? And if the Lord so loued vs, ought we not to loue one another? Is not this our euidence that we loue God whom we haue not seene, in that we loue our brethren whom we see daily? Is not this our warrant that we are translated from death to life, because we loue the brethren?

Behold then our triall of the right enter∣tainment of the Gospell. And haue wee brought forth this fruit to repentance and amendment of life?

Surely we must needs acknowledge that our glorious God can truly iustifie him against vs: What could he haue done vnto vs which he hath not done? Enquire we, in the name of God, of the dayes that are past, which were before vs, since the day that God created man vpon the earth, and aske from one end of heauen to the other; if there came to passe such a great thing as this, or whither any such like thing hath beene heard: What nation is so great vnto whom the Gods come so neere as the Lord our God is neere vnto vs in all that we call vnto him for?

Had euer nation the Gospell of Iesus Christ so long continued with such constant outward peace and prosperity for the better entertainment thereof? Was euer nation de∣liuered out of so horrible a pit, as was the Gunpowder treason? Thus may the Lord iustifie himselfe against vs, but how haue we iustified our God in a conscionable embra∣cing of so great saluation, bringing forth fruit answerable thereunto?

That we haue a name to be aliue, who

may deny vs? Is not yet the Gospell preached in our streets? Doe we not draw forth with ioy out of these fountaines of saluation? How is it then that we bring forth wilde grapes? are we not for all this euen now dead, and pluckt vp by the rootes? Yea, if we may be beleeued our selues, we say that we are rich, and encreased with goods, and haue neede of nothing? But is not this because wee know not that we are poore, and lame, and blinde, and miserable? Are we not willingly ignorāt of the truth of our estates, iudging of the same by false rules, as Opinion, Custome, Estimation, Multitude, and such like: and so are deceiued in our imagination, esteeming our selues to be somewhat, when we are no∣thing, at leastwise nothing to what we should be? Haue we brought forth fruit answerable to the time of our visitation?

Surely, if there were nothing else to con∣uince our barrennesse & vnprofitablenes in the entertainment of so great saluation, the very bleating of the Sheep, and lowing of the Oxen; the cries and complaints of the poore, ringing daily, and piercing the heauens for their contempt, and des••lations: the diuisions of Ruben, should cause great sorrow of heart; this might iustly challenge a great decay of

vnfained loue. Is not Ephraim against Ma∣nasses, and Manasses against Ephraim, and both against Iuda? Hath not the abun∣dance of selfe-loue eaten out all hearty and true affection to each other, while euery one seekes his owne, and not that which may concerne the common good: nay, with the generall wracke of the publike weale? And if wee thus bite and teare one another, shall we not be deuoured of each other?

Learne we hence, in the name of God, to see the plague, and hide our selues. Is it not already begunne; shall I say in the vtter∣most part of the hoast, or not rather in the hoast and eyes thereof? And is not the Kite ready to seaze vpon both? The Lord giue vs vnderstanding in all things. Is not this the day of Iacobs trauaile? Doth not the Iudge stand at the doore? Will not the Master come in an houre which that ser∣uant dreameth not of, and giue him his por∣tion with Hypocrites, where shall be wee∣ping and wayling, and gnashing of teeth? Surely, were it not that the Lord had re∣serued a remnant of the holy seed among vs, we had long since beene as Sodome and Gomorrha: And is not the righte∣ous daily taken from the euill to come? Is

not Ezekiell daily made a signe to the house of Israell? And is not the hand of the Lord stretched out still? Who so is wise let him vnderstand these things, and to whom the Lord shall reueale them; for the wayes of God are holy and righteous, and the iust shall walke therein, but the w••••∣ked shall fall in the same. Must not the Gospell be a stumbling-blocke to the Iew, and foolish to the Graecians? Doe any of the Rulers beleeue in him? nay, is it not an of∣fence that the poore receiue the Gospell? And shall not the Lord stay his hand till Lot be remoued out of Sodome? shall not the Gospell be continued till the remnant be ga∣thered in? And may we not daily obserue a great Haruest abroad, euen the barraine and desolate corners of the Land, hun∣gring after the Word, and catching the Kingdome, with all holy violence? And why then stand wee idle in the Mar∣ket-place? Why helpe wee not the Lord against the mighty? Is not the Canaa∣nite yet in the Land? Hath hee not en∣creased by our contentions and securi∣tie? Why ioyne wee not together against the common enemy? Doth he not beast

of false liberality? Doth not the harlot begin to encroach vpon vs by her offerings of Peace and pretences of reconciliation, by her glori∣ous shewes, and sugred greetings, entending more desperately to kill, when she kisseth and croucheth, that heapes of men may fall by her might? Can we euer forget that hidden Mine? Shall we not euer suspect such faw∣ning Absalons, and deepe Achitophels?

Is not this the age of complements, and formalities, vanishing meerely in shewes and bodily worships? Was euer deadly hatred car∣ried more cunningly vnder sugred words, and fayned deuotions? Is not our friendship turned into flattery, our hospitality to stately houses, and gay cloathes, our Beneficence to vaine boastings, and cold words: Nay, to euill deeds? Witnesse our enclosures and turning out of our brethren from their ancient habi∣tations, and placing in their roomes heards of beasts: Were it not better to be such Gen∣tlemens sheepe then their Tenants? Were it not better that such great ones had not a foot of the earth, then that hereby they should en∣danger the losse of heauen? What shall wee thinke of that innaturall encroaching and vndermining of each other in their callings and liuelihoods? Tradesman eating out

Tradesman, Merchant supplanting Mer∣chant, one Brother vndermining another, the common wisedome and misery of the times? Doe not they argue that both conscience and charity is dead among vs? And ought we not then to strengthen the things that are ready to die, that so wee may recouer our first loue? Surely what these poore labours shall come short of herein, that shall I not fayle to make vp with my best desires: All which I doe here, with whatsoeuer I humbly com∣mend vnto your Worships good acceptance in Iesus Christ, as acknowledging hereby my selfe, and all mine deepely indebted vnto your Worships for your fatherly loue vnto vs in our afflictions, and binding my selfe hereby in all hearty affections and endeauours, at least to take away iust imputation of vn∣thankefulnesse. And thus commending your Worships to the grace of God in Iesus Christ, I euer rest:

Your Worships poore kinsman, euer bounden in Iesus Christ THOMAS COOPER.