THE CAUSE OF THE POOR PLEADED.  Pro. 19 7. All the brethren of the poor hate him, how much more do his friends go far from him; he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. Prov. 31. 11. Open thy mouth, plead the cause of the poor and needy. Col. 3. 14. Above all things put on charity. Gal. 2. 9, 10. James, Cephas, and John would that we should remember the poor, the same also I was forward to do. Dan. 4. 27. Let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. Luk. 16. 31. And he said, if they will not hear Moses, and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rise from the dead. Job 30. 15. Was not my soul grieved for the poor? Job 12. 9 The hand of the Lord hath wrought this. 
By Samuel Richardson.  
LONDON, Printed by M. Simmons, for Livewell Chapman, at the crown in Popes-head Alley, 1653.   

The Cause of the poor pleaded.  AND the people asked him saying, what shall we do? and he answered and said unto them, he that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none, and he that hath meat, let him do likewise, Luk. 3. 10, 11. 
If two coats, impart one; I need one, and he needeth one that hath none: and he that hath meat, let him do so likewise.  
Obs. 1. We learn the cause why God hath given unto some more than unto others, is not because they need more than others, nor that they should keep it for themselves, but that they should supply the want of others, distributing to the necessities of the Saints, given to hospitality, Job 31. 15. Rom. 12. 13. Do good to all, Gal. 6. 10.  
If two coats, let him impart, and he that hath meat let him do so likewise.  
Obser. 2. We may not give both, nor keep both; it is the will of God, that what we can spare, or have more than our necessities require, is to be given to supply the wants and necessities of others.  
If two coats, impart to him that hath none, and he that hath meat, let him do so likewise.  
Obs. 3. The wants of others should be considered, & laid to heart, cared for, and supplied by us, as if they were our own, Job 30. 25. 2 Cor. 11. 29.  
Reasons why we should impart and give to supply the wants of others, are, because  
1. It is God's command that we do so: Thus saith the Lord, deal thy bread to the hungry, Isa. 58. 7. Leave for the poor, that the poor may eat, Lev. 19 10. & 23. 22. If thine enemy hunger, feed him, give him bread to eat; if he thirst, give him water to drink, Pro. 25. 21. Rom. 12. 20. When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, Deu. 15. 10. Give to him that asketh thee, Mat. 5. 42. Lu. 6. 34. If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen to decay with thee, thou shalt relieve him, and also a stranger, Lev. 27. 35. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, Rom. 13. 9  
2. Christ did so: Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich, 2 Cor. 8. 9 see Isa. 25. 4. He saith, learn of me, Mat. 11. 29. He that followeth not after me, is not worthy of me, Mat. 10. 38. Christ had compassion on the multitude, Mat. 15. 32. Mar. 8. 2. shouldst not thou also have had compassion, Luk. 18. 33, 34.  
3. Believers did so. Cornelius gave much alms to the people, Act. 10. 1, 2▪ I brought alms to my nation, Act. 24. 17. Dorcas was full of good works, & alms deeds which she did, Act. 19 36. 39 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor and needy, Pro. 31. 20. I was a father to the poor, Job 29. 16. The righteous showeth mercy, and giveth, Ps. 37. 21. Hath given his bread to the hungry, & hath covered the naked with a garment, Ezek. 18. 16. Zacheus was a miserable, wretched, covetous extortioner; but when he was converted, immediately he became liberal; Half my goods I give to the poor, &c. Luk. 19 7, 8, 9 So they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need, Acts 2. 44. 45. & 4. 32, 33, 34, 35. 37. Exo. 16. 18. 15. 2 Cor. 18. 14, 15. The righteous giveth, and spareth not, Pro. 21. 26. Beyond their power they were willing, 2 Cor. 8. 2, 3, 4. Let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, Phil. 2. 15. God grant you to be like minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus, Rom. 15. 5. Beliveers have the mind of Christ, 2 Cor. 2. 16. Phil. 2. 19, 20. They are merciful, Mat. 5. 7. Col. 3. 12. So much as we are like Christ, we love, are pitiful, and have bowels of mercy; so much as we believe, we love; love is full of labour, bountiful, and spareth for no cost, 2 Sam. 24. 24. How are we like Christ & his people, if we have not the same spirit, mind, & heart they have? If we walk not in their steps, and do as they did, if necessity so require?  
4. What we have is God's, Ezek. 16. 17. what we have to spare, if others need the same, God hath bidden us to give it them, Pro. 25. 21. If he hath ordered it for them, it is their due, it is injustice and theft to detain it. withhold not the goods from them to whom it is due, though there be power in thine hand to do it, Pro. 3. 27.  
5. The liberal soul shall be made fat, Pro. 11. 25.  
6. They in want are our own flesh: Hide not thyself from thy own flesh, 2 Tim. 2. 3. Prov. 17. 11. Not to supply their wants to our power, to be without natural affection, 2 Tim. 3. 3.  
7. Give and ye shall sin less. Break off thy iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, Dan. 4. 27. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, Pro. 16. 6.  
8. To give is a proof of the sincerity of your love to God and man, 2 Cor. 8. 9 24. Philem. 5.  
9 Not to give, or to give sparingly is a cause of poverty. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand, Pro. 10. 4. So to withhold more than is meet tendeth to poverty, Pro. 11. 24.  
10. To give is the way to have more. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth, Pro. 11. 24. Give, and it shall be given you, Lu. 6. 38.  
11. What you give is not lost, but lent, God hath promised to pay it again. He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord, and that which he hath given, will he pay him again, Pro. 19 17. Cast thy bread upon the waters, and after many days thou shalt find it, Ezek. 1. 3. 6. A good man showeth favour, and lendeth, Ps. 11●. 5. Many men will trust men with thousands, but not God, because they do not know him.  
12. To show mercy to the poor may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity, Dan. 4. 27. The merciful man doth good to his own soul, Pro. 11. 17.  
13. We should give, because we may come to want ourselves. Give a portion to 7. and also to 8. for thou knowest not what evil shall come upon the earth. Fire may come, thieves, oppressors, sword, famine, overflowing waters, &c. may come, therefore give; for such measure as you meet to others shall be meeasured to you again. Make friends by giving to the poor, Lu. 16. 9, 10.  
14. If the clouds be full they empty themselves upon the earth, Eccl. 11. 3. the very Indians, Heathen, wild Irish, give freely such food as they have to all comers; the very Lions, Wolves, &c. will not devour the prey alone, they call their fellows to what they get. Will a Lion roar in the forest when he hath no prey? will a Lion cry out in his den, if he have taken nothing at all? Am. 3. 4. It appears when he hath taken something, he calls by roaring and crying to his fellows, to come and share in what he hath taken.  
15. If you omit this duty, it will be a sin unto you, Deut. 15. 7, 8, 9, 10. Rom. 15. 26.  
16. How do we love our neighbour as ourselves, if we take not care for them as we do for ourselves.  
17. To give is a joy to the Saints. We have had great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee, Phile. 7.  
18. To give is a means to cause others to do so also. Your ministering to the Saints the forwardness of your mind hath provoked very many, 2 Cor. 9 1, 2.  
19 To give is pleasing to God and man. God loveth a cheerful giver, 2 Cor. 9 7. To do good, & to communicate, forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, Heb. 13. 16. An odour of sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God, Phil. 4. 18. It pleased them to give, Rom. 16. 26. It pleaseth them that receive, it pleaseth all good people that hear of it.  
20. To give is an honour & glory to God. He that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor, Pro. 14. 31. They glorify God for their liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men, 2 Cor. 9 13. They seeing your good works, glorify your Father which is in heaven, Mat. 5. 16. Mat. 15. 8.  Consider the evils and miseries they bring upon themselves, who have this world's good, and do not supply the wants of others. 
1. They are guilty of all the sorrows & sufferings which their not giving hath occasioned; consider what account wilt thou be able to give of that estate God hath betrusted thee withal to supply the wants to others whom thou hast neglected, and hast and dost consume it upon thy lusts and pleasures, ere long it shall be said unto thee, Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou Mayst be no longer steward, Lu. 16. 22. dost thou think that if some other had the estate thou hast, that they could not, and would not do more good with it than thou dost? many in these our days have had great estates, now they have them not; one cause is, they did not supply the want of others, therefore they are taken from them, and are in great want themselves.  
2. So long as we omit our duty herein, we cannot enjoy the sweet peace of a good conscience.  
3. All your religion is vain, impure, and false. Pure religion, & undefiled before God, is to visit the fatherless & widow in their affliction, Jam. 1. 27. Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and to bring the poor that are cast out to thy house, Isa. 58. 7, 8, 9 To love mercy, Mica 6. 8.  
4. It was the sin of Sodom, that she did not strengthen the hands of the poor and needy, Ezek. 16. 49. And if we commit the same sins, may we not expect to meet with the same punishment, fire and brimstone? or that which is worse, hardness of heart, and everlasting punishment? Mat. 24. 46. I fear this nation lieth under a curse for this sin, though many see it not, or consider it not.  
5. We hurt ourselves by keeping that we should give. A sore evil I have seen under the sun, namely riches kept by the owners thereof to their hurt, Eccles. 5. 13.  
6. The cry of the poor is against you; God heareth their cry, and will take their part, Ps. 104. 1. Ps. 72. 12. Ps. 69. 13. If the oppressed be silent, their oppression doth cry, Ps. 12. 5.  
7. Ye have not the love of God in you, 1 Cor. 3. 17. Pro. 29. 7. Whoso hath this world's goods, & seeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Whatsoever you or any think or say, it is not in you at all, 1 Joh. 3. 17. If you did love, you would supply the wants of your brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death, vers. 14. 15.  
8. What you have is unclean to you, Luk. 11. 41.  
9 The Lord will not hear your prayer. Whoso steppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall cry himself, but shall not be heard, Pro. 12 13. He hath forsaken the poor, Lev. 20. 19  
10. Ye are not subject to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but ye oppose and deny the same, 2 Cor. 9 13, 14. Taking vengeance on them that know not God, & that obey not the Gospel, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, 2 Thes. 1. 8, 9 This is your portion; for he that is not merciful, hath not the spirit of Christ, & he that hath not the spirit of Christ is none of his, Rom. 8 9  
11. You bring the judgement of God upon yourselves, and upon your posterity. Let his days be few, his children fatherless, and his wife a widow; let their children be vagabonds, and beg their bread; let the extortioner catch all that he hath, let the stranger spoil his labour, let there he none to extend mercy to him, neither let there be any to father his fatherless children; let his posterity be cut off, let their name be blotted out, Because he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor, Ps. 109 8. to 16. For the oppression of the poor, & sighing of the needy, now will I arise saith the Lord, Ps. 12. 5. Because he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor, sarely they shall not feel quietness in the fullness of his sufficiency, he shall be in straits, Job 20. 19 to 25. If I have withheld the poor from his desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless have not, eaten thereof: If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, if his loins have not blessed me, if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, let my arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone, Job. 31. 16. 23. Go too now ye rich, weep & howl for the misery that is coming upon you, your riches are corrupt, your garments motheaten, your gold & your silver, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire, Jsa. 5. 1, 2, 3. We to them that are at ease, and drink wine in bowls, and are not grieved for the afflictions of Joseph, therefore they shall go into captivity, Am. 6. 1. 7, 8. They are waxen fat, they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper, and the right of the needy do they not judge; shall not I visit for these things saith the Lord? shall not my soul be avenged on such a Nation as this? Jer. 5. 28, 29. I am sore displeased with the Gentiles that are at ease, for I was a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction, Zech. 1. 15. He shall have judgement without mercy that showed not mercy, Iam. 2. 13.  
12. You are they against whom shall be pronounced that most terrible and dreadful sentence of Go ye cursed. He shall say to them, depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels; for I was a hungry, and ye gave me no meat, thirsty, and ye gave me no drink, a stranger, and ye took me not in, naked and ye clothed me not, sick & in prison, and ye visited me not, these shall go into everlasting punishment, Mat. 25. 41 46.  
Oh that men would hear, and be persuaded to their duty herein, Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men, 2 Cor. 5. 11. To whom shall I speak & give warning, that they may hear. Behold their ear is uncircumcised, they cannot harken, behold the word of the Lord is to them a reproach, they have no delight in it, Jer. 6. 10. But whoso is wise will consider these things. They that regard the word of the Lord will be persuaded, if they have but two coats, to impart, and he that hath meat to do likewise to those that have none; as you desire not to have the omission thereof brought against you at the last day, let it be your care to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, take them into your houses, or provide dwelling for them. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, Lev. 19 18. Mat. 19 19 (a hard lesson for those in these last days, wherein the love of many waxeth cold to God and man) if he need, and cannot help himself, I am to care for him, and provide for him, as I would do for myself, else how do I love him as myself; love is liberal in giving, for he that loveth, is wholly drawn to the service of him whom he loveth: we are willing to share in all that Jesus Christ hath, though we deserve it not; it is but equal that he in his and others should share in all we have, if they deserve it not; we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren, 1 Joh. 3. 16, 17. Aquila & Precilla, who for my life laid down their own necks, Rom. 16. 3. 4. If so then we are to lay down our estates for them, for that is less, Pro. 21. 26. Praying us with much entreaty to receive the gift, 2 Cor. 8. 2, 3, 4. It is not so now, many need to be prayed with much entreaty [to give] to supply the wants of others, it cannot but be a great grief to all good men, that the poor should want bread, yea & some of our brethren and sisters, if we belong to Christ, should be so neglected (that many a dog is better provided for then they are) and that contrary to the word of the Lord. I wonder at that seeming comfort & peace of conscience some have that so abound in great plenty, who fare like Dives, deliciously every day, and have all things in excess, while others are in great extremity and want, the destruction of the poor their poverty, Pro. 10. 15. Two or 3 l. lent to an industrious man, might preserve a family from sinking; I have heard sad stories of the great extremities of some who beg not. We ought to part with our superfluities, to supply others conveniences, and with our conveniences, to supply others necessities, yea and to part with some part of that which is necessary for us, to supply others in their extremities; those that will not do so, will not sell their possessions (much less die for their brethren) to feed the hungry belly, and clothe the naked body of Jesus Christ, who is hungry & naked, Mat. 24. 42, 43. Christ and his people are one, Heb. 2. 11. 1 Cor. 12. 12. If ye neglect them, ye neglect him, if ye grieve them, ye grieve him; if ye refuse to help them, ye refuse to help him; if ye afflict them, ye afflict him. In all their afflictions he was afflicted, Isa. 63. 9 In as much as ye did it to one of these, ye did it to me, Mat. 24. 44. He that receiveth you, receiveth me, Mat. 10. 40. How canst thou say thou lovest Jesus Christ whilst thou hast clothes, and food enough and to spare, and givest Christ none, or the worst; the Jews give to the poor the best of what they have, because God is to have the best; what is given to the poor for God's sake, is given to God.  
Surely many would give much, and enough to supply the wants of others; but until things be put into some good way & order; if some who have great estates should sell them, and give all away, it would soon come to nothing. If the poor were set to work, &c. and the rich jointly help, the poor might be comfortably provided for without burdening any; it were better to wear less costly apparel, to fare harder, cut off needless expenses, than not to supply the wants of others.  
Defend the poor and fatherless, Ps. 82. 3. Deliver them, & oppress not the poor, for he that is higher than the highest regardeth it, Eccl. 5. 8. The Lord maketh poor, Iam. 2. 17. The poor are despised, Lam. 2. 6. Eccl. 9 19 ha●ed, Pro. 14. 20. & 19 7. taxed, Ezek. 22. 29. Oppressed, Am. 4. 1. They buy the poor, Am. 8. 6. tread upon them, Am. 5. 11. grind their faces, Jer. 3. 15. & 10. 2. vex them, Ezek. 22. 29. devour them, Hab. 2. 14. As it was then, so it is now, but know for all these things God shall bring thee to judgement, Eccl. 11. 2. The wants, necessities, and miseries of others have not been enough considered, & laid to heart, and helped; the poor able to work, are suffered to beg, the impotent, aged, and sick, are not sufficiently provided for, but almost starved with the allowance of 3 d. and 4 d. a piece a week; why cannot this Nation set their poor on work, and provide necessaries for those poor not able to work as well as Holland? that there may be no begging in England, nor just complaint by reason of want; this were a good work, a blessed work, very comfortable, of great necessity, attainable & honourable to this Nation, very acceptable to God, and to those in want, and to all good men. The Lord preserve those precious and blessed men who have power and hearts to do so, great good for those who cannot help themselves, God shall give them a full reward, 2 John 8. Surely God will greatly bless them that further so blessed a work; God delights in mercy more than in sacrifice. A merciful man is strucken to the heart with the miseries of others, and is compelled to help them if he can. Let no man seek his own things, but every man another's wealth, 1 Cor. 10. 24. Mordecai seeking the wealth of his people, Est. 10. 3. When this Nation shall seek the wealth thereof, that each may enjoy the same mercies and comforts which they desire for themselves, England shall be indeed a commonwealth. Many say they have little enough for themselves, wives and children, all seek their own thing●, Phil. 1. 2. They are lovers of themselves, 2 Tim. 3. 2. The wicked rich man was all for himself; Soul take [thou] thine ease [thou] baste goods laid up for many years, Luk. 12. 19 he laid up all for self; they leave their substance to their babes, Ps. 17. 14. They put wife and children into their wills, but leave out Christ and his children, because they love wife and babes more than Christ; but know, He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me, Lu. 10. 37, 38. If any man come to me, & hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple, Lu. 14. 26. Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee, Mat. 19 27. 29. Knowing in ourselves that we have in heaven a better, and an enduring substance, Heb. 10. 34. 2 Cor. 4. 18.  
He that provideth not for his family is worse than an infidel. If thou art a believer, Christ's family is thy family, Eph. 3. 15. Heb. 2. 6. They are thy brethren and sisters; brethren and sisters are ever counted of one stock, kindred, and family, and brethren are to provide for their brethren, Lev. 25. 25. Num. 27. 11. Lev. 27. 35. If we be all members of one body, we should think the discomodities of our brethren pertain to ourselves: men do well to provide for wife and babes, but not then when the present necessities of others cannot be supplied without the same; how did they in the 2. and 4th of the Acts provide for their families, wives, and babes, when they sold their houses and lands, and gave away all the money: Were they worse than Infidels because they were more careful to supply the present wants of the Saints, then to provide for themselves, wives and children? 2 Cor. 8. 14. The leaving great estates to children, makes them so much the greater sinners, to spend their days in pride, pleasure, idleness, uncleanness, tyranny and oppression, and in all excess of wickedness, but this the rich father will not believe. If men be not able to give, it is excepted according to that a man hath, 2 Cor. 8. 12. We should labour, working with our hands to have to give to him that needeth, Eph. 4. 28. Many spend so much on their lusts, that they are not able to supply the wants of others; The lusts of the flesh, the lust of the ey●, and the pride of life are chargeable, they devour all, and make poor, they are able to spend thousands a year. One said I have 12000. a year, yet I want money as much as another man; One sinner destroyeth much good, Eccl. 11. 18. Rom. 18. 18. They have sought out many inventions, Eccl. 7. 29. to consume their estates.  
Obj. None do their duty herein.  
Answ. That will not excuse any; we are to follow the word of the Lord, and not men that walk contrary to it; if none obey God, the greater is thy sin not to do it.  
Obj. I would give, but I fear I shall want myself.  
Ans. If you keep what you have, you may want the comfort of it, and the blessing of it, and the peace of conscience. You had better give and want it, then keep it and sin, but the Lord saith, He that giveth to the poor shall not lack, Pro. 28 27. In the days of famine they shall have enough, Job 5. 20. If you cannot trust him for your body, how do you, or how can you trust God with your soul, which is the greater trust; It's only the unbelieving heart which saith, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Can he give bread also? Ps. 78. 19, 20. Take no thought, saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed. Your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of these things, all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for to morrow shall take thought for itself, sufficient to the day is the evil thereof, Mat. 6 31.  
Some say they know none in want, but it will not be sufficient to say so; so they will say, Lord, when saw we thee hungry and naked, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 25. They knew no such thing, nor did they inquire, nor come wh●re they might have seen it. Luk. 9 23. They were willingly ignorant. The righteous considereth the cause of the poor, but the wicked regardeth not to know it, Pro. 29. 7.  
Many say professors of Religion are as covetous and miserable as others; some have two or three great places of profit besides their own estates, but little good they do: Alas, what answer shall we give to this, save only that there are many professors of Religion that are not possessors of it; they have not heard Christ, and so not learned of him as the truth is in Jesus, therefore they have not known God, nor the power or Religion: If indeed they were converted, and had the spirit of Christ, they could not but be merciful and liberal, witness Zacheus, and they in the 2d and 4th of Acts.  
These are the last times indeed men generally are all for themselves, and some would set up such: Having a form of Religion without the power of it, deceiving themselves and others, whose end is destruction, who mind earthly things, Phil. 3. 19 They pant after the dust of the earth, Amos 2. 7. After these things seek the Gentiles, Mat. 6. 23. Those who are risen with Christ, set their afections on things above, and not on things on the earth, Col. 1, 2. The power of religion and godliness lieth in the practice of it, Jam. 1. 22. By this shall all men know ye are my Disciples if ye love one another, Joh. 13. 25. Every one that loveth is borne of God, 1 Joh. 4. 7. Where love is, there is no lack. If we have it, we will not suffer, nor can we endure they should want whom we love.  
We desire again the Ordinance of God & of the Gospel, of relieving the poor, and that we might be much and often touched with a compassion and fellow feeling of the sufferings of others. Do you not think that it is the will of God that the poor, distressed, and miserable should be relieved; if you believe it, why then do you not do it.  
It seems some think they provide well enough for the poor, when they allow some that are destitute 3 d. a week to keep them; some have 4 d. a week; I knew one of 80. years old wholly destitute, had 8 d. a week for a sufficient allowance; 
* That is 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a week 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 elling (but ●…ere shall it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had so in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) ndon) a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my a week 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apparel, a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any a week 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, washing, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 penny a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eke firing, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enny a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eke for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ate and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ink. ●f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 selves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 re confi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d to thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 owance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 w soone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 old we be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of it; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 e poor not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to work, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉ed & sick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 London, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at least 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a week●.  but it is not sufficient to give something, unless they have sufficient for their need. Thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother, but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth, Deut. 15. 7, 8. So they parted their goods to all men as every man had need, Acts 2. 44, 45. Neither was there any among them that lacked, distribution was made according as he had need, Act. 4. 34, 35. 37. If ye give not those things that are needful to the body, what doth it profit, Jam. 2. 16. 1 Joh. 3. 17. That their abundance might be a supply of their want, that there might be an equality, 2 Cor. 8. 13, 14. I say not such an equality for every one to 〈◊〉, and wear, and fare alike, but that the necessities of every one may 〈◊〉 supplied; yet it may be observed, that when God said his people in ●●e wilderness, there were among them Princes and Rulers; God ●…ould, but would not provide more, nor better for them then others, ●●…e meat for all, one Manna; also God prescribed a like measure, a homer for each man; the poorest in the wilderness could, and did eat as good Manna, and as much as others; what else doth it signify to us besides his bounty, but this, that it is the will of God that there should not be any inequality of living among his people, Ex. 16. 16, 17, 18. Also that we should not think any thing too much nor too good for the meanest of the Saints; for Manna is called Angels food, and meat from heaven.  
It is not enough to do some good, or much good, unless we do all the good we can; we should render according to what we have received, 2 Chr. 32. 35. To whom much is given, much is required, Luk. 12. 48. We need to provoke one another to love & good works, especially in these days, wherein the love of many waxeth cold to God and man; that although there be many places where there is a famine of the word, yet how few are there that will break unto them the bread of the Gospel; it is great mercy to do it, yea the greatest mercy that men can show. For where no vision the people perish, Pro. 29. 28.  
Many give so little, because they think the having abundance of riches will make their lives more sweet and comfortabl. This is a great mistake, because riches pierce them through with many sorrows, 1 Tim. 5. 9, 10. They are vexation of spirit, Eccl. 14. 16, 17. & 2. 11. The more sorrows and vexation of spirit, the less comfortable life also. The abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep, Eccl. 5. 12. His life cannot be comfortable that wants sleep, his heart taketh not rest in the night, Eccles. 2. 23. When riches increase, they are increased that eat them; what good to the owner, save only the beholding with their eyes, Eccles. 5 11. What is one the better for that others eat, so men vex themselves with a sore travel to get riches that they shall not spend, Eccl. 1. 13. & 2. 17. But a stranger eateth it, Eccl. 6. 2. and who that stranger is he knoweth not. They heap up riches, but know not who shall gather them, Ps. 39 6. Eccl. 1. 3, 4. Surely they are disquieted in vain. I shall leave it to the man that shall come after me, and who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool, Eccl. 2. 18, 19 What hath man of all his labour wherein he hath laboured under the sun, vers. 22. Neither saith he, for whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good, Eccl. 4. 8. To the sinner he giveth travel to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God, this also is vanity and vexation of spirit, Eccl. 2. 26. A man may have riches, and not have power to eat thereof, Eccl. 6. 2. Riches cause envy. Isaac waxed great, & the Philistines envied him, Gen. 26. 12, 13, 14. Riches cannot satisfy; he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase, Eccl. 5. 10. & 4. 8. These riches are called filthy lucre, T 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11. They are the portion of the wicked, Psal. 37. 16 Eccl. 5. 11. Psa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12. A man may have them, and yet be miserable, poor, blind and ●●…ked, if not rich towards God, Luk. 12. 21. If not rich in faith, Jam●●●… 6. and good works. Worldly riches are vanity, Eccl. 5. 10. They 〈◊〉 not durable, Pro. 8. 18. They are not for ever, Pro. 28. 24. They have wings, and they often fly away, Pro. 25. 5. Uncertain riches, 1 Tim. 6. 17. They profit not in the day of wrath, Pro. 11. 4. Zeph. 1. 8. They perish, Eccl. 5. 14. A good name is rather to be chosen then riches, Prov. 22. 1. The reproaches of Christ are greater riches, Heb. 11. 26. Take heed and beware of covetausness, for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of riches which he possesseth, Lu. 12. 15. Also if men did see the evil and sin that riches cause and do us, we should not be so unwilling to part with them as we are. Riches are called the mammon of unrighteousness, Lu. 6. 9 because they cause much sin and unrighteousness; they cause pride. Thy heart was lifted up because of thy riches, Eccl. 28. 5. Pride and high-minded, Pro. 18. 23. They boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, Psal. 49. 6. They cause covetousness; for the more men have, the more they desire, Heb. 13. 5. He hath swallowed down riches, Job 20. 15. 18. Riches fill men with cares to get, to keep, to improve them, & with fears of losing them, Lu. 8. 14. 33. & 21. 34. It is harder for them that have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God than others. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of heaven, Mat. 19 21. to 26. Mar. 10. 24, 25. They cause to oppress; Do not the rich men oppress you? Jam. 2. 6. They cause the h〈◊〉 art to be set on them, Psal. 62. 10. and to trust in their wealth, Ps. 49. 6. 1 Tim. 6. 17. Ps. 52. 7. The rich man's wealth is his strong City, Pro. 10. 15. Riches cause to despise Christ and his poor Saints: A man of sorrows, acquainted with griefs, he is despised and rejected of men: We hid as it were our faces from him, he was despised, we esteemed him not, Isa. 53. 3. ye have despised the poor, Jam. 2. 6. The rich oft choose for their companions such as are rich, though worldly wicked and covetous, whom God abhorreth, Psal. 10. 3. See the companions of the Saints, Heb. 10. 33. Psal. 119. 36. Rom. 1. 9 The rich will no more be admonished, Eccl. 4. 19 Riches cause to err from the faith, 1 Tim. 6. 10. And to deny the faith rather than to suffer and lose all, Luk. 18. 28. Riches choke the word, and cause it to become unfruitful, Mat. 13. 22. Mar. 4. 19 Riches hinder men from receiving and obeying the Gospel, Lu. 18. 22, 23, 24. and hinder many from preaching the Gospel. Riches hurt them that keep them, Eccl. 5. 13. They hinder believing; they have too much sense to have much faith. Riches cause men to desire, and seek, and to receive honour one of another. How can ye believe, seeing ye receive honour one of another, Joh. 5. 44. Riches cause persons to flatter themselves. I said in my prosperity I shall never be moved, Ps 30. 6. Who shall bring me down? O●●…e. 3. Riches cause others to flatter the rich, and to put them upon 〈◊〉 ways of pride and pleasure to please them, Ps. 5. 9 Riches cause to deny God: Lest I be full and deny thee, Pro. 30. 8, 9 Riches cause those that have them not to be reproved, and so suffer sin upon them, Lev. 19 19 A sore evil; they cause men to be wise in their own conceits, Pro. 28. 11. and not to visit the poor Saints, Mat. 25. 43. Riches cause persons to be idle, and to take their ease, Am. 6. 1. and to settle upon their lees, Jer. 48. 11. Riches cause them less to seek God, & less to serve him, and less to mind, love and delight in God, and in things above. Riches cause spiritual deadness and coldness in Religion, and unwillingness to die. Riches and prosperity cause men to be hard-hearted, careless, and insensible of the wants of others, so as not to weep with them that weep. Riches cause gluttony, intemperance, excess, sin, diseases, sickness, pain, death. Riches are a snare into divers temptations, into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men into destruction and perdition, 1 Tim. 6. 9 Riches greaten men's sin and condemnation. Many shall curse the day that ever they had so many thousands and hundreds a year; for had they not been so rich, they had never committed half so much sin; we cannot hold God and riches, if ye hold to the one, ye despise the other; ye cannot serve God and Mammon. This rich men will not beileve, Lu. 16. 13. They think they may easily well agree, and that they may seek and serve both. If we were of Agurs mind, we would part with riches as freely & willingly as ever we received them. Solomon did not so much as ask riches, God did not like that he should, 2 Chron. 8. 11. Good Agur would not have riches, therefore he prayeth against them, saying, give me not riches, Pro. 30. 9 It is not a sin to be rich, but it is a sin to keep riches when others and the Saints suffer and perish for want of them; there is a woe pronounced against the rich, though they mind it not, regard or consider it not. Woe to you that are rich, for ye have received your consolation, Lu. 6. 24. Dives thou hast received thy good things in this life, Luk. 16. 25. Woe to him that ladeth himself with thick clay, Hab. 2. 8. The Lord saith, Labour not to be rich, Pro. 23. 4. Riches is not, ver. 5. Love not the world, nor the things of the world: If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 1 Joh. 2. 15. The love of money is the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6. 10. Riches are external, and appertain (nothing to the mind) to violence in getting, in keeping: Strong men retain riches. If riches make themselves wings, and fly away, men intend to fly after them.  
The measure we meet to supply the wants of others, is not the same that we measure to ourselves, they are divers, and divers measures are abomination to the Lord, Pro. 20. 10.  Comfort to all who in obedience to God, and for his sake give freely, & c to supply the wants of others. 
1. You are like Jesus Christ, and his people in so doing.  
2. You have the prayers of the Saints for you. The Lord give mercy to the house of Onisiphorus, for he oft refreshed me, 2 Tim. 1. 16. 2 Cor. 9 13, 14. Eph. 1. 14, 15. Ps. 69. 33. & 71. 12.  
3. Your bountifulness causeth thanksgiving to God, many thanksgivings to God, 2 Cor. 9 12, 13.  
4. All things are clean to you. Give alms of such things as ye have, and behold all things are clean to you, Luk. 11. 41.  
5. You are happy: He that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he, Pro, 14. 21. and blessed, for he giveth his bread to the poor, Pro. 22. 9  
6. Your righteousness remaineth for ever: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor, your righteousness remaineth for ever, Psal. 112. 9 2 Cor. 9 9 Also the merciful man doth good to his own soul, Pro. 11. 7.  
7. You shall not want, Pro. 28. 27. Job 5. 20.  
8. The blessed promises of this life, and that to come are for you: He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he hath given of his bread to the poor, Pro. 29. 9 Blessed is he that considereth the poor, the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve & keep him alive, he shall be blessed upon the earth, and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness, Ps. 41. 1, 2, 3. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy, Mat. 5. 7. Deal thy bread to the hungry, cover the naked: Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall bring forth speedily, and thy righteousness shall go before thee. The glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward; then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer thee, thou shalt cry, and he shall say here I am, Isa. 58. 7, 8, 9 Give him for this thing; the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, in all thou puttest thy hand unto, Deut. 15. 10.  
9 You shall have a great reward. If thine enemy hunger give him bread to eat, if he be thirsty, give him water to drink, and the Lord shall reward thee, Pro. 25. 21, 22. Love your enemy, do good, lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the most highest, Luk. 6. 34, 35. This promise is not to any Usurer; for if he lends, he looks for something again, and not only for the principal, but for more than he lent, he hopes for use. Whosoever shall give a cup of water to drink in the name of a Disciple, because he belongs to Christ, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise loose his reward, Mar. 9 41. see Mat. 19 20. Mar. 10. 10. Thine alms are come up for a memorial, they are had in remembrance in the sight of God, Act. 10. 4. 31.  
10. You shall have treasure in heaven, Mat. 19 21. Lu. 18 22. Come ye blessed of my father, receive the kingdom prepared for you; for I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat, naked and ye clothed me, sick and in prison, and ye came unto me, Mat. 25. 34, 35, 36.  
There are Statutes as good as can be desired for the poor if executed, the Statue 43. Eliz. 2. Provide to raise weekly, or otherwise of every inhabitant such sums of money as they shall think fit for a stock to set the poor on work (and to compel them to work) and towards the necessary relief of poor not able to work to distress and sale of goods, or imprison without bail or mainprize till he have paid the same. Yet for these many years the poor are neglected, and suffered to beg contrary to the statutes: Yea, they suffer great misery, and run to ruin, and yet both Magistrate, Minister, and people are silent, and content to have it so, this is a sore evil.  
There the Town of Maidstone and the City of Dorchester, and a few other places, the poor are set to work▪ and provided for without begging. Oh that London, &c. would do so also, That there be no complaining in our streets, Psal. 144. 14. But in stead of helping the poor, there be that rob the poor. One Justice of Peace gave in his account of the poors' money 500 pound short, this can be p●oved. If men fearing God and hating covetousness, were appointed to receive that which would be voluntary given to effect this good work; there would be stock enough to set the poor on work, and to supply all wants The people of this Nation have been so bountiful, that a Law was made to restrain them, fearing that all the whole L●●d would be given to the poor, the Papist may rise up against many of this generation. It is a sad thing that they should be more forward upon a bad principle, than a Christian upon a good one. I hope it will not be long till those in Authority will consider the cause of the poor and help it. It is possible we may see some as willing to help o●hers as to help themselves, and to provoke others to do so: the poor daily increase and multiply; in time, if you prevent it not, they will be able and willing to order you and your estates as they think fit. Take care, and provide work and things necessary for the poor. Surely there is no work in the world that men will give more freely unto then this.  
Worthy Oliver Cormwel deserves great honour and imitation, he gives more money to the poor than any I have heard of in our days, thousands a year. I would the Rich would follow his steps; it is expected the Lord will use him with some others who have the same spirit, and merciful heart to do great things for the good of this Nation, especially to ease the oppressed, and to help them that cannot help themselves, and that all honest and well-minded people shall bless God for them, and for what they have done; the benefit and good thereof will more & more appear to the glory of God, and the welfare of this Nation. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and exalted them of low degree, Lu. 1. 52. Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers, there is no power but of God, Rom. 13. 1. Those against whom none are able to prevail, are the greatest and high power.  
Those who have the greatest power, are the fittest, and most able to protect and govern: honour & obedience is due to them that protect.  
God hath by this Army protected, saved our estates and lives. Such Rulers are to be desired, who fear God, and have power and good principles. In reason we may expect a continued safety from them who have been a means to procure the liberty we enjoy, rather than from others, who under the title of Authority would undo us. Did not the late Parliament order treble damages for not paying of tithes, and erect a tribunal to punish all that did preach without ordination of the said Hierarchy and their Priests, which themselves have declared to be Antichristian. There doth not appear more love to God, to his people, and to this Nation, then in the Officers of the Army.  
They deserve the greatest honour and trust among men that have suffered, been wounded, and shed their blood for this Nation, have freely offered for God's sake, and for our sakes their lives and estates to save ours. I pray you give us leave to own and speak well of them who have saved our estates and live●.  
God doth not put the power into the hands of any, so much for their sakes as for others; the honour, safety, welfare, peace, comfort, happiness, and glory of this poor Nation they ought to seek and prefer before their own. I trust the Lord hath put it into the hearts of those who have the power over us, to say, we will do this, and see this done; we will not seek our own things, but every one another's welfare, as 1 Cor. 10. 24. and each one to say as Gideon, I will not rule over you, the Lord shall rule over you, Judg 8. 23.  
Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every one according as his work shall be, Rev. 22. 21.  
FINIS.