CHAP. XIX.
Nor can there be a better signe of true love, and ••ound amendment, then that we can be content to be loosers by our repentance. Many formall penitents have yielded to part with so much of their sinne, as may abate nothing of their profit. It is an easie matter to say, (yea and think what they say to be true) that they love God and Christ. There is no Dives among us, but he thinks scorne to be charged with the want of love. What, not love God? But aske his conscience the next question; What good hast thou done for his sake? No he can remember none of that, no good∣nesse, no workes of mercy or charity hath come from him all his life long But know this thou wretched rich miserly muckworme, that tho•• artbound to performe these works of mercy to the poore, both ou•• of duty, and thankefulnesse to him, who hath given thee thy selfe, and all that thou hast. Yea, if thou beest not a meere beast, or blocke: When thou beholdest them (the poor I meane) behold how thou art behol∣ding to Him, that suffered thee not to be like them. Hath God given thee all things, and dost thou then thinke it a great matter to give him back something? especially seeing thou givest him but of his owne, as David gladly acknowledged, 1 Chr. 29.14. For shame consider of it, and let thy conscience make answer to what I shall aske thee, what can be more equall and just then to give a little unto him, who hath given all unto us? especially seeing he hath granted unto us the use onely of what we possesse, reserving still the chief propriety unto himselfe, and to spare something unto the poor, out of our abundance at his request, who hath not spared to give unto us his onely begotten, and dearly beloved sonne; that by a shamefull death he might free us from everlasting death and condemnation, and purchase for us eternall hap∣piness. Yea in truth, what madnesse is it to deny, being requested, to give at his appointment some small portion of our goods? who by his owne right and authority may take all. And what senselesse folly were it to turne away our face from him, when he asketh in the be∣halfe of the poor, some earthly and momenta••y trifles, from whom we expect as his free gift, Heavens felicity, and everlasting glory.