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.

The Contents.

• FIrst, it is declared what Giuing is, ge∣nerally. Chap. 1
• The kindes of Liberality described. Chap. 2
• Is discouered who is the true giuer. Chap. 3
• The true nature of Liberality is de∣clared. Chap. 4
• Together with the properties thereof, as that, first, it must be free. Chap. 5
• Secondly, we must giue of our owne. Chap. 6
• Thirdly, we must be wise in our boun∣tie. Chap. 7
• First prouiding for our selues. 2 Gi∣uing where there is most need. 3. Pro∣uiding that wee may be still able to giue. Yet, 4. Keeping within the com∣passe of our ability. 5. Not endam∣maging

• any by our bounty. 6. Wee must giue in faith, that is, 1. Beleeuing that our persons are accepted, and so are our endeauours. 2. Not looking for recompence againe. Where espe∣cially is taught that wee must loue our enemies, and how farre. Chap. 8
• We must giue out of a louing and affectionate heart. Chap. 9
• We must giue constantly. Chap. 10
• Wee must propose right ends in our giuing, which are: 1. Assurance of salua∣tion to our selues. 2. Benefit to others in soule and body. 3. The good of the Church. 4. Furtherance of Di∣uine worship. 5. The glory of God. Chap. 11
• The vices contrary to Beneficence are laid downe generally, both such as hinder altogether, as also such as corrupt the sinceritie thereof, both on the left hand, and on the right. Chap. 12
• Certaine motiues are laid downe to prouoke to bounty. Chap. 13
• And so are commended diuers helpes and preparatiues to Liberality. Chap. 14
• ...

• As also it is obserued what punishments are due, and haue beene inflicted vpon the breach of this duty, and exercise of cruelty and vnmercifulnesse. Chap. 15
• Together with the vse of these punish∣ments. Chap. 16
• The seuerall lets and rentations against beneficence are laid open in their places, As, 1. Because they are our owne. 2. All little enough for our selues. 3. We shall be soone emptied, and become beggers. These are vrged and answered. Cha. 17
• Other lets are proposed, as 1. Care of posterity. 2. Marriage of daughters, &c. Chap▪ 18
• A third sort of Tentations, arising from the vnworthinesse of such as neede, and little good redounds thereby. These are answered, and in speciall is declared how Witches may be relieued, & though the poore be vnthankfull, yet wee must re∣lieue them; yea, though dissemblers, yet must not be neglected. Chap. 19
• Other Tentations discouered, whereby liberality is excused, as charge for the common-wealth, layes for the Church, maintenance of the Ministery and such charges, for the Sacrament, assessings for

• the poore, &c. these are remoued. Chap. 20
• A fift sort of Tentations proposed for the hinderance of bounty, namely, Christmas-feasts: these are answered. Chap. 21
• Diuers speciall practises of Satan are further detected, whereby he hath and doth hinder Beneficence. As 1. Enclo∣sing of land, together with the remedy thereof. Chap. 22
• 2. Excesse in diet, with the remedie thereof. Chap. 23
• 3. Pride, and excesse in apparrell, with the remedy thereof. Chap. 24
• 4. That excessine hunting is an enemy to bounty, with the remedy thereof. Chap. 25
• Of feare to be accounted Papists, that it is an enemy to liberality, with the re∣medy thereof. Chap. 26
• The tentation, that we sinne in the best, and will doe no good least wee should sin, discouered and remoued. Chap. 27
• That idlenesse is an enemy to true bounty, and that it abounds in this age, with the remedy thereof. Chap. 28
• The last and maine enemy to liberality

• is vnthrifty and vnlawfull games. Here is first proued, that they are vnlawfull. As namely,
  • Dicing.
  • 2 Carding.
  • 3 Cock fighting and Bearebayting.
  • 4 Stage-Playes and Enterludes.
  • 5 Dancing. Chap. 29
• Certaine generall remedies are propo∣sed, and commended against these vn∣lawfull delights. Chap. 30
• Conclusion of the whole. Chap. 31