to relieve their Wants, you refused my Order.

SERM.

VIII.

Our Master has indeed no where described every particular Object of our Charity, nor limited the precise Quantity of it. These are left to every Man's Discretion and Conscience, who muft judge for himself, both in regard to these, and to his own Circumstances, and fo far Charity may be called a free Gift. But to give, or not to give at all is left to no Man's Difcretion who has wherewith all to do it. Every Man accord-2 Cor. 9. 6. ing as he purpofeth in his Heart Jo let him give, not grudgingly or of Neceffity, for God loveth a chearful Giver. But left this should be taken for a Difpenfation from the Duty, where the Purpose or Inclination of Heart was wanting, he premises those Words, But this I fay, he that foweth sparingly shall reap allo sparingly, and he that foweth bountifully fhall reap also bountifully. That every one would fow his Charity, he no more doubted, than that Every one will fow his Land; but he makes ufe of the Allufion of fowing, in order to excite them to be liberal, for to pinch their Charity, would be just such foolish Husbandry, as for a Farmer to fpare his feed, and starve his Crop.

But

ER M. But however, it is better to give grudgingly, VIII. than not to give at all, for the good Work

is done, and the Poor have the fame Benefit in receiving, tho' the Giver has not the fame Pleasure in giving: And the ill Grace of doing the Action, will take off Part of the Beauty and Value of it in the Sight of God, who loveth a chearful Giver.

But still a Debt it is, in Proportion to the Subftance which God hath committed to every Man's keeping in fpecial Trust for this among other Ufes; and tho' it be not recoverable by Bill or Action before earthly Courts, yet there lies a dreadful Action before the fupreme Judge at the great Tribunal, who will vindicate the Caufe of Paupers, and caft the unprofitable and hard-hearted Stewards of his Goods into outer Darkness,

These are the chief Branches of Righteousness with regard to our Neighbour, which are included under that general Head in my Text, of living Righteously in this prefent World, namely,

To pay to every Man whatever we owe him in Juftice and Equity, and to do it chearfully and without Compulfion.

To

VIII.

To be tender of the Credit and good SER M. Name of our Neighbour, avoiding all Slander, and even Infinuations and Whifpers that may hurt his Reputation, and to defend and justify him as far as Truth will permit.

To refrain our Paffions from committing Acts of Violence upon his Perfon, and to protect his Life, Health and Limbs, as far as may confift with Prudence and Safety to our felves.

And lastly, To relieve his Wants by our Alms, according to our Abilities.

And left in any Cafes that may happen, a Chriftian fhould be in doubt what may be Righteousness, and what not, our bleffed Saviour has prescribed a never-failing Rule for directing our Consciences, tho' it may not split the Hair of Justice in critical Cafes. Therefore all Mat.7.12. Things whatsoever ye would that Men Should do unto you, do ye even fo to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. This will answer the End of them all in Matters of Right and Wrong. Let a Man therefore but once fet up this Court of Chancery in his own Breast, and ask his own

Con

SER M. Confcience what he would do, if he ftood in
VIII. the Place of the Man he has to do with,

and he need go to no other Oracle to teach
him how to be righteous
to be righteous in every
Cafe.

SERMON

SERMON IX.

TITUS 2. II, 12.

For the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation, bath appeared to all Men;

Teaching us, that denying all Ungodliness and worldly Lufts, we fhould live foberly, righteously and godly in this prefent World.

H

SERM

AVING in my former Dif course on these Words, fhewn IX. what is meant by living foberly' and righteously, I come now to the Third and most important Article of Chriftian Duty, and that is to live godly.

This