spirituall and corporall mercy. The former (which teacheth a man to warn the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men, &c. The School-men thus, Consule, castiga, solare, remitte, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ora, usually excels and exceeds the later (which stirs a man up to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, &c.
Vifito, poto, cibo, redimo, tego, colligo, condo.)
1. In the nature of the gift, which is more noble, 2. In the object (the soul) which is more illustrious. 3. In the manner, which is
〈◊〉〈◊〉, as being spirituall. 4. In the kinde, which is more heavenly, as that which aimes at our brothers
〈◊〉〈◊〉 salva∣tion. And
〈◊〉〈◊〉 way the poorest may be plentifull, and enrich the
〈◊〉〈◊〉 with spirituall alms. As also the other way, something must be done, by all the Candidates of true
〈◊〉〈◊〉. They that labour with their hands, must have something
〈◊〉〈◊〉 give to him that needeth; be it but two mites, nay a cup of cold water, it shall be graciously accepted from a sincere heart, and certainly re∣warded. And here the poor
Macedonians may shame (and ma∣ny times doe) the rich
Corinthians, that have a price in their hands, but not a heart to use it. For it is the love, and
〈◊〉〈◊〉 the lack of money, that makes men churls and misers. And hence it is, that the richer men are, many times, the harder, as
Dives: being herein like children, who when they have their mouths
〈◊〉〈◊〉, and both hands full, yet will rather spoil
〈◊〉〈◊〉, then give any away. But doe men give to Gods poor? Or, doe they not rather lend it to the Lord, who turns pay-master to such? Doe
〈◊〉〈◊〉 not lay it out for him, or rather lay it up for themselves? The safest chest is the poor mans box. Make you friends with
the Mammon of unrighteousnesse (God hath purposely branded riches with
〈◊〉〈◊〉 infamous adjunct, that we might not over-love them)
that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ye fail, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 receive you into everlasting 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that is, either the Angels, or the poor, or thy well-emploied wealth, shall let thee into heaven. Only thou must draw forth not thy sheaf alone, but
thy soul also to the hungry: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bowels of mercy, as our Saviour did,
Matth. 15. 32. to bleed in
〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 wounds, and be deeply and tenderly affected in
〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. This is better then alms. For when one gives an alms,
〈◊〉〈◊〉 gives something without himself; but by compassion we
〈◊〉〈◊〉 another by somewhat
〈◊〉〈◊〉, and from
〈◊〉〈◊〉 selves. And
〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 properly the mercy, to which mercy is here
〈◊〉〈◊〉,
〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 to boot.