An infallible vvay to farewell in our bodies, names, estates, precious souls, posterities : together with, mens great losse of happinesse, for not paying, the small quitrent of thankfulness : whereunto is added remaines of the P.A., a subject also of great concernment for such as would enjoy the blessed promises of this life, and of that ot come / by R. Younge ...

CHAP. XXII. (Book 22)

Secondly, we shall not onely receive our own again, but it shall be with great increase. Yea, if the Word of God be true, there is not a more compendious way to thrive and grow rich, then by being boun∣tifull to the poore: But that bounty is the best and surest way to ple••∣ty, and that it is so far from weakning a mans estate, or bringing him to want and poverty, that it is the onely meanes to keep us from it, and to bring plenty and abundance. I have largely and plentifully proved (if you remember) in Chapter the 30. of The best and surest way to become rich: And I heartily wish, that the Reader would peruse the same: For it is the most piercing and patheticall Chapter of all the parts, and should methinks exceedingly wheron those that are greedy of gaine, to put the same into practice, and make them bountifull in doing these workes of mercy, and not think themselves loosers there∣by; but rather to conclude as a mercifull man once did; The more I give, the more I have. As what Husbandman does not reckon more of his seed in the ground, then of that in his Barn or Garner? And shall we be such Atheists, as to trust the ground, and not God?

Yea, let us be so far from grudging these Almes to the poor, when we have fit occasion, that we do them with joy and thankfulnesse un∣to God, that he hath given us so fit an opportunity of sowing our seed, that so we may reap a fruitfull harvest. For what husbandman would not readily and cheerfully hearken to one, who should offer him fer∣tile

and fruitfull land, ready prepared, and ma••ured, to sow his seed in, with a faithful promise, that he should reape the whole crop for his own use, and benefit? But thus God dealeth with us, when he giveth us op∣portunity of relieving the poor: Yea, in truth much better and more ability, for he gives us even the seed also we sow with; and whereas, if a man should freely receive of another, Land to sow his seed in, yet he were not sure of a fruitfull harvest: For many accidents usually hap∣pen, which cut off the hopes of the most skilfull Husbandman, as Frosts, and Mildewes, wormes and locusts, tares and weeds, too much wet, or too much drought may destroy the corn, though the seed were never so good: or when it is ready for the sickle, the enemy may come and reap it; but if we sow these seeds of our beneficence, believing Gods promises, and hoping for a happy harvest: we shall never sail of our expectation, because God who is infinite in power and truth, having promised a fruitfull crop, no outward accident is able to hinder it.

But lest what hath been said should not be sufficient to prevail with men to be mercifull to the poore, let them hearken to, and mind well the many other reasons and inducements that propound themselves, and then I doubt not, but they will if wise, do good to others, if it be but to do a greater good to themselves. For of all other graces, the grace of charity and bounty, hath the most and primest promises of reward, to us and ours, both here and hereafter, of which I will mention some.