Chonoyterion he Sion. The refinement of Zion: or, The old orthodox Protestant doctrine justified, and defended against several exceptions of the Antinomians, methodically digested into questions, wherein many weighty and important cases of conscience are handled, concerning the nature of faith and repentance, or conversion to God: of his eternal love, and beholding of sin in his dearest children: of justification from eternity, of of [sic] preparations to the acceptance of Christ, of prayer for pardon of sin, and turning to God: of the gospel covenant, aud [sic] tenders of salvation, on the termes of faith and repentance. For the establishment of the scrupulous, conviction of the erroneous, and consolation of distressed consciences. By Anthony Warton, minister of the word at Breamore in Hampshire.

SECT. III. That Charity doth not bind a man universally to give half his Goods to the poor, as Zacheus did.

HE granteth also,* 1.1 that where unfained love to the Brethren is found, it may be a testimony of grace re∣ceived (but addeth) that a man cannot love them, unless he do sell, either the whole, or half of his possessions, and divide them among such of his Brethren, as he knoweth to be poor.

But if this be an inseparable note of true charity, as he teacheth, I dare boldly say, he by this Doctrine of his, will much more trouble mens Consciences, then we do by ours, and give them lesse assurance of Salvation:* 1.2 For he that loveth not his Brother abideth in death.

Now how many can he find in this Kingdom, that with Zacheus do give half their goods to the poor, or that having Lands and possessions, do with those primitive Christians sell them, and lay down at their Ministers,* 1.3 or

Pastors feet, the price of them, that it may be distributed amongst their Brethren, as their necessity shall require? doubtless he will find but a few, if any, that will do this. Now what, shall we exclude all the rest from the state of grace, and consequently, from all hope of salvation? I dare not do so; and yet I must needs say, seeing the faith that is available to salvation, worketh by love, Gal. 5.6. the great want of love, in many forward professors of the Gospel, may give them just cause to doubt of their salva∣tion.* 1.4 But that I may come nearer to Mr. D. although Zacheus at his conversion, gave half his goods to the poor, and those that were possessors of Lands, sold them, and laid down the money at the Apostles feet: yet the Lord no where bindeth us by any precept to do the like; neither do their examples bind all to imitate and follow them in this their practice. For God distributeth his gra∣ces diversly, to some he giveth very large hearts, and stir∣reth them up to do more, then others can ordinarily at∣tain unto, who have received an inferior portion of the spirit,* 1.5 or gift of grace. And hereupon it is, that St. Peter exhorteth, As every man hath received the gift, so mini∣ster the same one to another, as good Stewards of the ma∣nifold grace of God.

And St. Paul exhorting the Corinthians to be liberal in their contributions to the poor Saints at Jerusalem, doth not call upon them to give half, or any certain and de∣terminate part of their goods unto them, although they were in great necessity; but (saith he) Every man as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity,* 1.6 for God loveth a chearful giver. There are sometimes more, & sometimes fewer poor to be relieved by us, and sometimes their necessity is greater, and some∣times lesse. Now according hereunto, are we to propor∣tion our giving of Alms, as the Casuists do teach very well, unto whom I refer Mr. D. for the rectifying of his judgement; only this I will say, that unless it be in case of extream necessity, when the poor cannot other∣wise be maintained, but will perish for want of necessa∣ries,

a man is not bound to sell his possessions, and to give the price unto them: in doing whereof, he should ex∣haust the Fountain of his liberality, and be disabled from doing good in time to come. Yea should this be gene∣rally practised, it would be the overthrow of the Com∣mon-wealth: but as St. Paul saith, He is for to give,* 1.7 not that other men may be eased, and he burthened; but what his abundance may be a supply for their wants, that is, that he may supply their necessities, by giving them that he may spare, without wasting and overthrowing of his Estate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  That Love to the Brethren is a sure and certain note of a true Child of God, and of Sal∣vation, is plainly taught, 1 Joh. 3.4. which place is vindicated from the false glosse which Mr. D. hath set upon it, Pag. 234. Confer. Pag. 7, 8.
• * 1.2

  1 Joh. 3.14.
• * 1.3

  Act. 4.
• * 1.4

  Luk. 19. Act. 2.45. & 4.34, 35.
• * 1.5

  1 Pet. 4.10.
• * 1.6

  2 Cor. 9.7.
• * 1.7

  2 Cor. 8.13.