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. XXX. (Book 30)

But if giving might not properly be called gaining, why is it compa∣ted to sowing? Experieence proves, that if we keep our seed by us, it will corrupt: but cast it into the earth we shall have it againe with manifold increase. A man treasures up no more of his riches, thou what he contributes in almes: The foole in the Gospell filled his barnes, in filling the bellies of the poore, he had done more wisely. I confesse this is a point of Doctrine, which the world will not receive, let God say what he will: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 godly Chrysostome both affirmes and proves, that the rich are more behol∣ding to the poore, then the poore to the rich. The poor receive onely a single almes, the rich have returned them an hundred-fold here, and everlasting happinesse hereafter, Mat. 5. 7. & 25. 35. Luke 16. 9. where∣in the prayers of their poore suppliants carry no small stroak▪ For which see Cor. 9. 11. to 16. The poore are but the ground, into which these seeds are cast: But we are the Husbandmen, who disperse and scatter them. Now as the seed is chiefly for his benefit who soweth it, and not for the benefit of the ground into which it is cast: so the poor have but the present use and possession of this seed of almes-deed; but the benefit of the crop or harvest, belongeth to those good Husband∣men, who sow in these grounds the seeds of their beneficence.

Again, the poor receive onely things transitory, and but of small 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but they that give, things spirituall and eternall, most inestimable and heavenly riches! Why say we then we give to the poor? when as it may more truly be said, that we give unto our selves, rather then unto them, Dan. 4. 27. Prov. 11. 24. Why then should we thinke the poor so mightily bound and beholding unto us for our scrape and superfluius re∣liques; or that we do such a meritorious businesse, whenwe largely relieve them? And not rather thinke our selves beholding unto them and to God for them, seeing they are the occasions of such inestima∣ble gaine, for such trifling disbursements; as Austine speaks.

And to speak rightly, giving is not more an act of Charity then of Christian policy: since we shall not onely receive our own again, but have a far greater return then can be expected, upon an adventure to the East Indies: Since we are more happy that there are poore upon whom we may exercise our charity, then they are, that there are rich who do relieve their wants though with never so great supply; for as Austine speaks, if there were not some to receive thine alms, thou could∣est not give Earth and receive Heaven: Wherefore give thanks unto him who hath given thee means by such a small prise, to procure a thing so precious.

Besides, we may boldly aver, with Chrysostom; that without poverty riches would be unprofitable: As consider that if with Adam and Eve, we had a whole world, but no body to make ready provision and to attend upon us, nor do any thing for us; what joy could great men take of their riches, if there were not poore men to do mean offices for them, what low imployments should the highest be forced to descend unto, if there were no inferious to perform them▪ How then should not a conside∣rate man love & be liberall to them, and exceedingly bless God for them, and not do as do the most, scorne them, and not think them worthy a famili∣ar-word••r•• courteous look.