A Christian library, or, A pleasant and plentiful paradise of practical divinity in 37 treatises of sundry and select subjects ... / by R. Younge ...

CHAP. LXII.

BUt thou seest not this increase in thy worldly estate by giving Alms, nor dost thou perceive, that it brings thee any such blessedness as hath been talked of.

Answer, This Objection makes me conclude, that thou art a Miser, and deservest not the name of an Alms-giver: or if so, let me add, that if thou believest no more then thou seest, why dost thou take upon thee the name of a Christian? who liv∣eth by Faith, rather then by Sence: For by how many secret passages can God conveigh unto thee the reward of thy Alms-deeds? though he writeth no Superscription upon them, to certifie thee for what it is sent; it is sufficient that thou hast it, and that thou knowest that he sent it: As for the reasons which moved him to give these benefits unto thee, he wil acquaint thee with them more particularly when he shal cal thee to make up thy recknoning. Thou growest in thy stature from a Child unto a Man, and thou seest not thy grow∣ing, though thou perceivest that thou art grown: neither knowest thou the particular time, and means when, or whereby thou comest to this height: And thou knowest and acknowledgest, that thou art nourished by thy meat, though thou seest not the secret passages whereby it is carried from the stomach to the several parts; nor canst

tell at what time, or by what food thou hast been chiefly nourished. Why then hast thou not the like faith? and much stronger in spiritual, then thou hast in respect of natural things? seeing they are much more secret and insensible; and when thou hast God's promise of reward, and seest it performed by his blessings multiplied upon thee, why dost thou doubt? or call them into question▪ or ascribe them to thy self, or other helps? seeing whatsoever the means are, they are of God's send∣ing. Finally, if thou sayest, that thou seest no possibility of increasing thy wealth, by giving a∣way a great part of it unto the poor; I answer, And what more reason hast thou by the collecti∣on of Sence? that thy seed which thou sowest should be multiplied, which thou castest away, and lettest to rot in the earth, unless thou hast learned it by experience: And is not God's Word a more infallible Teacher, and surer ground for thy faith to rest on: especially when thou art not without experience of the like increase, springing from the sowing of the seeds of thy benefi∣cence.

To conclude this point, if thou doubtest of these promises of God, made unto those who re∣lieve the poor; because thou seest not how, or when they are performed; why dost thou believe the Remission of thy sins? Salvation by Christ? and everlasting life? when as thou seest none of these, nor hast any other ground but God's pro∣mise, even as thou hast for the reward of thine Alms-deeds: And therefore it thou doubtest of the one, thou doubtest of the other: and were not the profession of thy faith, concerning those

spiritual things good cheap; but that it should cost thee as dear, as the giving of Alms: thou wouldst doubtless discover and proclaim thy in∣fidelity there, as well as here; and plainly shew, that it was in meer formality and hypocrisie. Me∣thinks our mistrust, or at least the smal confidence we have in what God speaks in his Word; especially touching temporals, is the greatest wonder in the world. And certainly if we cannot trust him for our bodies; how do we, or how can we trust him with our souls? which is the greater trust. But beloved, what I speak I speak not to all; for we have per∣swaded our selves better things of you, and such as accompany salvation, though we thus speak, Heb. 6.9.

And so I have finished, what at first I promised; with an overplus in behalf of the Poor: But as Iohn could onely Baptize with water; so I can but teach you with Words; and when God withholds his contemned Grace, Paul himself cannot move a soul.

If the Holy Ghost shall set it home to your hearts, that you may so meditate on what hath been spoken, and so practise what hath been prescri∣bed; that God in Christ may be pacified, your sins by free grace pardoned, and your souls eternally saved: That while you are here, you may enjoy the peace of God which passeth all understanding, Philip. 4▪7. and when you depart hence, you may arrive at the Haven of all happiness in Heaven; where is fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore, blessed and happy are yee, Psal. 16.11. Which being my prai∣er and hope, I shall not onely take my work off the Loom, or turn my Pinnace into the Harbor; by

making a conclusion of this subject (as well con∣sidering, that those who are most insatiable in o∣ther things, will soonest be cloied with Mannah) but likewise take leave of the Press; and that for these Reasons:

• First, according to my scantling I have said something (if not sufficient) in one or other of my Six and thirty Pieces, to each soul seduced, or af∣flicted.
• Secondly, (which would by the Reader be con∣sidered:) As he gathers that reads; so he spends that writes: and who so spends ere he gathers, shal soon prove Bankrupt:
• Thirdly, because the Bow that is alwaies bent; will soon grow weak, and sluggish.
• Fourthly I have bestowed so many years, and taken so much pains in gleaning ears of corn with Ruth, grinding at the Mill with Samson; in binding Sheaves, carrying to the Mill, Barn & Garner; in threshing, Winnowing, Garbling, Kneading it into Paste, making it into Loaves, and baking it into Bread, that so I might have fine Manchet to set before you, (my most welcome Guests) that (with Martha, in en∣tertaining her Saviour) I have wearied my self. And the truth is, no mony could have hired me to have taken the pains; had not an earnest de∣sire and hope of the common good continually spurred me to go on. Onely for this cause, and the great pleasure I have taken in the work or im∣ploiment: I would not for a world have been de∣barred from it. This may seem a Paradox; but it is the immediate gift of God, (to those that he im∣ploies

• in such his service) thus to counterpoise their labour with more then answerable delight.

Now unto the King Everlasting, Immortal, Invi∣sible; unto God onely Wise: be Honour and glory, for ever and ever, Amen, 1 Tim. 1.17.

If you cannot remember all that I have said; yet at least remember what the Holy Ghost says in these ensuing places: Godliness is profitable for all things; and hath the promises both of this life, and of the life to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. The Lyons do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord, shall want nothing that is good▪ Psalm 34.9, 10. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mer∣cy shall compass him about on every side. Psalm 32.10. He that giveth to the poor, shall not lack. Prov. 28.27. All things shall work together for the best, unto those that love God. Rom. 8.28.