







 
   
     
       
         A sermon concerning discretion in giving alms preached at St. Sepulchres Church in London, instead of the Spittle, upon Wednesday in Easter-week, April vi, MDCLXXXI / by Tho. Tenison ...
         Tenison, Thomas, 1636-1715.
      
       
         
           1681
        
      
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             A sermon concerning discretion in giving alms preached at St. Sepulchres Church in London, instead of the Spittle, upon Wednesday in Easter-week, April vi, MDCLXXXI / by Tho. Tenison ...
             Tenison, Thomas, 1636-1715.
          
           [7], 46, [1] p.
           
             Printed by J. Macock for F. Tyton ...,
             London :
             1681.
          
           
             Includes bibliographical references.
             Running title: Of discretion in giving alms.
             Advertisement: p. [1] at end.
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms CXII, 5 -- Sermons.
           Charity -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English.
        
      
    
     
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           Ward
           Mayor
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Jovis
              
               xxi
               .
               
                 die
                 April
                 .
              
               1681.
               
            
             
               Annoque
               Regis
            
             CAROLI
             
               Secundi
               Angl.
            
             &c.
             xxxiij
             .
          
        
         
           THis
           Court
           doth
           desire
           Dr.
           
             Tenison
          
           to
           Print
           his
           Sermon
           preached
           at
           St.
           
             Sepulchres
             ,
          
           on
           
             Wednesday
          
           in
           
           Ea●ter-week
           last
           .
        
         
           
             WAGSTAFFE
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           CONCERNING
           DISCRETION
           IN
           GIVING
           ALMS
           .
        
         
           PREACHED
           At
           S
           
             t
          
           
             Sepulchres
          
           Church
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           instead
           of
           the
           
             Spittle
             ,
          
           upon
           
             Wednesday
          
           in
           
           Easter-week
           ,
           
             April
          
           vi
           .
           M
           DC
           LXXXI
           .
        
         
           By
           
             THO.
             TENISON
             ,
          
           D.
           D.
           Vicar
           of
           S
           
             t
          
           
             Martins
          
           in
           the
           Fields
           ,
           and
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             Macock
             ,
          
           for
           
             Francis
             Tyton
          
           at
           the
           
             Three-Daggers
          
           in
           
             Fleet-street
             ,
          
           over
           against
           S
           
             t
          
           
             Dunstans
          
           Church
           ,
           M
           DC
           LXXXI
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           
             TO
             THE
             RIGHT
             HONOURABLE
             Sir
          
           PATIENCE
           WARD
           
             Lord
             Mayor
             OF
             THE
             CITY
             of
             LONDON
             :
             And
             to
             the
             HONOURABLE
             COURT
             of
             ALDERMEN
             .
          
        
         
           
             Right
             Honourable
             ,
          
        
         
           IN
           obedience
           to
           Your
           commands
           ,
           I
           have
           made
           this
           Discourse
           Publick
           ;
           and
           I
           humbly
           offer
           it
           to
           Your
           favourable
           acceptance
           .
           There
           is
           need
           of
           such
           candour
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           manner
           of
           handling
           this
           Argument
           ;
           it
           being
           so
           difficult
           
           to
           speak
           discreetly
           of
           Discretion
           ,
           and
           with
           perfect
           Charity
           ,
           of
           the
           lavish
           Abusers
           of
           it
           .
           But
           ,
           touching
           the
           Argument
           it self
           ,
           I
           forbėar
           to
           use
           any
           Apologie
           ;
           it
           being
           (
           as
           I
           think
           )
           agreeable
           enough
           to
           the
           design
           of
           a
           
           Spittle-Sermon
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           another
           branch
           of
           Charity
           which
           equally
           needeth
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           is
           as
           necessary
           to
           be
           consider'd
           ,
           though
           ,
           at
           that
           time
           and
           place
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           a
           subject
           so
           proper
           for
           me
           .
           I
           mean
           ,
           that
           Discreet
           Charity
           which
           moderates
           our
           Censures
           .
           It
           is
           too
           common
           a
           practice
           to
           leap
           from
           bare
           Report
           to
           uncharitable
           Opinion
           and
           unchristian
           Language
           ;
           without
           staying
           at
           all
           in
           the
           mid-way
           ,
           to
           examine
           the
           grounds
           of
           ordinary
           Fame
           .
           And
           so
           ,
           by
           publick
           Clamour
           ,
           and
           by
           private
           Discontent
           ,
           as
           by
           Winds
           aloft
           and
           Earthquakes
           beneath
           ,
           the
           frame
           of
           Civil
           Polity
           is
           disordered
           .
           And
           it
           may
           be
           taken
           up
           against
           us
           ,
           as
           a
           Proverb
           of
           Reproach
           ,
           
           That
           
             England
          
           is
           a
           Creature
           which
           ,
           if
           it
           finds
           no
           other
           way
           of
           dying
           ,
           will
           kill
           it self
           with
           jealousie
           and
           fretfulness
           .
           We
           make
           
             others
          
           our
           Enemies
           ,
           by
           thinking
           them
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           and
           by
           giving
           scandalous
           Characters
           of
           them
           ,
           before
           we
           truly
           understand
           their
           merits
           .
           And
           I
           heartily
           thank
           God
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           found
           ,
           in
           Conversation
           ,
           so
           much
           of
           good
           temper
           and
           real
           Piety
           in
           many
           Men
           ,
           upon
           whom
           rashness
           had
           fixed
           names
           of
           Infamy
           .
           God
           grant
           that
           we
           may
           ,
           on
           all
           hands
           ,
           avoid
           Extreams
           ;
           and
           ,
           by
           the
           voice
           of
           universal
           Charity
           ,
           call
           back
           that
           Blessed
           Peace
           which
           hath
           seemed
           to
           be
           flying
           from
           us
           .
           No
           man
           can
           desire
           this
           with
           greater
           degrees
           of
           affection
           and
           sincerity
           ,
           than
           ,
        
         
           
             Right
             Honourable
             ,
          
           
             Your
             humble
             and
             most
             faithful
             Servant
             ,
             
               THO.
               TENISON
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             PSAL.
             cxii
             .
             part
             of
             verse
             5.
             
          
           
             A
             Good
             man
             —
             will
             guide
             his
             Affairs
             with
             Discretion
             .
          
        
         
           
             PRudence
          
           (
           if
           we
           discourse
           concerning
           it
           with
           propriety
           )
           is
           not
           so
           much
           a
           distinct
           and
           particular
           virtue
           ,
           as
           the
           
             common
             Governess
          
           of
           all
           the
           virtues
           .
           It
           considereth
           the
           
             scope
          
           at
           which
           we
           aim
           ;
           it
           chuseth
           honest
           and
           useful
           
             means
             ,
          
           and
           fitteth
           them
           to
           their
           end
           ;
           it
           conducteth
           them
           ,
           in
           due
           manner
           ,
           in
           their
           operation
           ;
           it
           adjusteth
           all
           the
           circumstances
           of
           humane
           life
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           something
           done
           without
           it
           which
           is
           ,
           in
           its
           nature
           ,
           
             good
             :
          
           but
           ,
           even
           then
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           be
           performed
           
             well
          
           and
           correctly
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           approbation
           of
           right
           reason
           .
           For
           to
           affirm
           that
           
             chance
          
           is
           wise
           ,
           is
           to
           
           say
           most
           absurdly
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           it self
           .
        
         
           The
           useful
           influence
           of
           
             discretion
          
           appeareth
           ,
           plainly
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           Affairs
           of
           a
           Christian
           man.
           But
           I
           shall
           only
           give
           an
           instance
           of
           it
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           Charity
           ;
           whether
           it
           be
           when
           we
           use
           
             Reproof
             ,
          
           or
           administer
           
             Alms.
             
          
        
         
           
             In
             using
             of
             Reproof
             ,
          
           it
           is
           
             Discretion
          
           which
           sheweth
           
             what
             Arcana
          
           of
           Vice
           are
           unfit
           to
           be
           exposed
           ;
           at
           
             what
             seasons
          
           men
           in
           fault
           are
           in
           the
           fittest
           temper
           for
           Advice
           ;
           
             what
          
           are
           those
           
             happy
             hours
          
           in
           which
           they
           are
           softest
           ,
           and
           most
           receptive
           of
           any
           virtuous
           impression
           ;
           by
           
             what
             steps
          
           and
           degrees
           we
           ought
           to
           proceed
           ;
           
             when
          
           we
           are
           to
           favour
           the
           modesty
           ,
           or
           to
           dash
           the
           confidence
           ,
           of
           offenders
           ;
           
             how
          
           we
           ought
           to
           proportion
           the
           degree
           of
           our
           passion
           to
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           offence
           ;
           lest
           ,
           by
           equal
           vehemence
           against
           infirmity
           and
           presumption
           ,
           we
           hinder
           the
           ignorant
           from
           discerning
           whether
           the
           crime
           be
           venial
           ,
           or
           unworthy
           of
           favour
           .
        
         
           Then
           ,
           
             in
             the
             Administration
             of
             Alms
             ,
          
           we
           are
           guilty
           of
           unprofitable
           (
           not
           to
           say
           ,
           very
           injurious
           )
           prosuseness
           ,
           whensoever
           
             Prudence
          
           is
           not
           the
           
             dispenser
          
           of
           them
           .
           Alms
           are
           call'd
           ,
           in
           
             Holy
             writ
             ,
          
           by
           the
           venerable
           Name
           of
           Religious
           
             Offerings
             .
          
           But
           ,
           whatsoever
           the
           Altar
           be
           at
           which
           they
           are
           presented
           without
           
             Discretion
             ,
          
           they
           are
           so
           many
           
           
             Sacrifices
             without
             Salt.
          
           Wherefore
           ,
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             Charity
          
           and
           
             Prudence
          
           meet
           together
           in
           this
           excellent
           character
           of
           a
           bountiful
           Person
           ;
           
             A
             good
             man
             [
             sheweth
             favour
             ,
             and
             lendeth
             ,
             and
             ]
             will
             guide
             his
             Affairs
             with
             Discretion
             .
          
        
         
           You
           perceive
           ,
           by
           this
           Introduction
           ,
           what
           is
           like
           to
           be
           my
           present
           Argument
           ,
           that
           particular
           one
           
             of
             Discretion
             in
             giving
             Alms
             ,
          
           and
           not
           that
           of
           Charity
           in
           general
           ,
           in
           praise
           of
           which
           so
           much
           hath
           been
           ,
           already
           ,
           said
           by
           others
           ,
           and
           so
           very
           accurately
           ;
           that
           they
           have
           ,
           in
           effect
           ,
           exhausted
           the
           subject
           .
        
         
           And
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           it
           appears
           to
           every
           judicious
           Christian
           so
           excellent
           and
           so
           necessary
           a
           duty
           ;
           that
           it
           is
           difficult
           for
           such
           a
           one
           to
           prevent
           amazement
           when
           he
           hears
           it
           put
           in
           form
           of
           Query
           by
           the
           
             Schools
             ,
          
           a
           
             whether
             or
             no
             Charity
             be
             a
             virtue
             ?
          
           I
           mean
           this
           of
           such
           a
           man
           as
           is
           not
           well
           acquainted
           with
           their
           usual
           way
           of
           tying
           knots
           upon
           the
           plainest
           things
           to
           shew
           their
           dexterity
           in
           the
           solution
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           in
           pursuance
           of
           my
           intended
           subject
           ,
           I
           shall
           ,
        
         
           
             In
             the
             first
             place
             ,
          
           inquire
           who
           that
           
             good
             man
          
           is
           who
           is
           described
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           as
           a
           person
           ,
           at
           the
           same
           time
           
             wise
             ,
          
           and
           
             liberal
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           show
           ,
           in
           general
           ,
           that
           
             bounty
          
           ought
           ,
           evermore
           ,
           to
           be
           govern'd
           by
           
             Discretion
             .
          
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           lay
           ,
           before
           your
           consideration
           ,
           those
           particular
           measures
           of
           Religious
           Prudence
           by
           which
           a
           man
           ,
           truly
           and
           wisely
           Charitable
           ,
           does
           
             guide
             his
             Affairs
             .
          
        
         
           
             Fourthly
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           earnestly
           move
           this
           Audience
           (
           if
           need
           there
           be
           of
           importunity
           in
           so
           good
           a
           cause
           and
           in
           a
           Christian
           Assembly
           )
           both
           to
           
             Charity
          
           it self
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           
             prudence
          
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           
             Lastly
             ,
          
           Under
           this
           Exhortation
           ,
           I
           shall
           direct
           to
           such
           
             means
          
           as
           are
           proper
           to
           be
           used
           towards
           the
           attainment
           of
           this
           great
           perfection
           of
           discreet
           and
           rational
           bounty
           .
        
         
           And
           all
           this
           ,
           to
           the
           intent
           that
           they
           whom
           God
           hath
           prosper'd
           ,
           may
           be
           perswaded
           both
           to
           
             communicate
             ,
          
           and
           to
           do
           it
           in
           such
           prudent
           and
           profitable
           manner
           ;
           that
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           may
           be
           glorify'd
           by
           mans
           wise
           and
           good
           management
           of
           its
           liberality
           to
           him
           ;
           that
           the
           publick
           needs
           may
           be
           the
           more
           conveniently
           supply'd
           ;
           and
           that
           men
           of
           equal
           discretion
           and
           Charity
           may
           
             lay
             up
             for
             themselves
             a
             good
             foundation
             against
             the
             time
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             ,
             at
             length
             ,
             lay
             hold
             of
             eternal
             life
             .
          
        
         
           I
           am
           (
           by
           the
           order
           I
           have
           prescrib'd
           to
           my self
           )
           to
           inquire
           ,
           in
        
         
         
           
             The
             first
             place
             ,
          
           Who
           that
           
             good
             man
          
           is
           ,
           in
           commendation
           of
           whose
           Charity
           and
           prudence
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           Text
           ,
           but
           this
           whole
           Psalm
           ,
           is
           penn'd
           .
           And
           it
           is
           manifest
           by
           these
           following
           words
           
             [
             he
             sheweth
             favour
             and
             lendeth
             ]
          
           that
           by
           such
           a
           one
           is
           meant
           ,
           a
           man
           of
           gentle
           temper
           and
           generous
           disposition
           ;
           a
           Man
           neither
           
             rigid
          
           nor
           
             selfish
             :
          
           one
           to
           whom
           belong
           the
           good
           qualities
           of
           the
           Zone
           we
           live
           in
           ,
           which
           is
           temperate
           and
           fruitful
           .
           So
           that
           this
           kind
           of
           
             goodness
          
           consisteth
           in
           two
           very
           valuable
           things
           ,
           
             sweetness
             of
             nature
             ,
             and
             largeness
             of
             heart
             .
          
           And
           both
           these
           generally
           go
           together
           .
           For
           it
           is
           with
           the
           soul
           of
           man
           as
           it
           is
           with
           the
           parts
           of
           matter
           ,
           which
           ,
           the
           lesser
           they
           are
           ,
           they
           are
           always
           the
           harder
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           inflexible
           .
        
         
           And
           ,
           First
           ,
           This
           
             Good
             man
          
           excelleth
           in
           sweetness
           and
           goodness
           of
           Nature
           .
           By
           which
           I
           mean
           not
           that
           easiness
           of
           temper
           which
           renders
           him
           apt
           to
           be
           seduced
           ,
           but
           that
           humanity
           of
           disposition
           which
           prepares
           him
           with
           inclination
           to
           do
           good
           .
           The
           Hebrew
           word
           which
           ,
           in
           our
           Translation
           ,
           is
           rendred
           
             [
             a
             good
             man
             ]
          
           is
           ,
           in
           that
           of
           the
           
             Seventy
             ,
          
           interpreted
           by
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           which
           signifies
           
             gentle
             and
             benign
             .
          
           And
           
             Phavorinus
          
           b
           glosseth
           this
           Greek
           word
           by
           that
           other
           of
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           equitable
           ,
           clement
           ,
           void
           of
           rigour
           ,
           humane
           ,
           merciful
           .
        
         
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           This
           
             Good
             man
          
           excelleth
           in
           largeness
           of
           heart
           .
           
             Vir
             bonus
          
           is
           ,
           here
           ,
           
             Vir
             utilis
             .
          
           A
           Good
           man
           is
           a
           man
           useful
           to
           his
           Generation
           .
           In
           this
           sence
           the
           Law
           is
           said
           c
           to
           be
           ,
           not
           only
           
             holy
          
           [
           or
           a
           Rule
           separate
           from
           the
           immoral
           measures
           which
           the
           World
           lives
           by
           ]
           and
           
             just
          
           [
           that
           is
           ,
           a
           Rule
           of
           right
           reason
           ]
           but
           
             Good
          
           also
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           a
           Rule
           useful
           and
           serviceable
           to
           all
           who
           follow
           it
           .
           A
           Good
           man
           is
           not
           injurious
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           as
           rigorously
           just
           ;
           but
           (
           like
           the
           best
           of
           Beings
           of
           whom
           
             Plato
          
           said
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           no
           Envy
           or
           narrowness
           in
           him
           )
           diffusive
           of
           Good
           will
           and
           favour
           towards
           all
           mankind
           .
           He
           is
           One
           who
           do's
           d
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           some
           excellent
           thing
           ;
           something
           more
           generously
           good
           than
           others
           ,
           who
           (
           like
           the
           Publicans
           )
           are
           wont
           rather
           to
           
             exchange
             ,
          
           them
           to
           
             do
             ,
          
           good
           Turns
           .
           When
           the
           
             Jews
          
           personate
           such
           a
           one
           ,
           they
           introduce
           him
           speaking
           in
           this
           proverb
           :
           
             That
             which
             is
             thine
             is
             ,
             for
             me
             ,
             still
             thy
             propertie
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             is
             mine
             is
             thine
             also
             .
          
           This
           is
           He
           for
           whom
           some
           other
           man
           of
           an
           upright
           intention
           ,
           but
           of
           much
           meaner
           capacitie
           to
           serve
           his
           Age
           ,
           would
           (
           as
           S.
           
             Paul
          
           e
           observeth
           )
           
             even
             dare
             to
             die
             .
          
           And
           certainly
           he
           who
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           apparent
           hazard
           ,
           sacrificeth
           his
           own
           less
           profitable
           life
           ,
           to
           preserve
           the
           more
           useful
           one
           of
           some
           
             light
             of
             Israel
             ,
          
           some
           man
           who
           is
           a
           common
           
           and
           publick
           good
           ,
           some
           
             Hero
          
           in
           generous
           virtue
           ;
           can
           never
           fall
           an
           inglorious
           victim
           in
           the
           Eys
           of
           God
           or
           any
           virtuous
           beholder
           .
        
         
           Having
           ,
           thus
           ,
           shew'd
           you
           who
           this
           
             Good
             man
          
           is
           who
           is
           so
           well
           spoken
           of
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           and
           pray'd
           (
           as
           I
           hope
           we
           All
           do
           very
           heartily
           )
           that
           God
           would
           add
           thousands
           and
           ten
           thousands
           to
           his
           Order
           ;
           I
           come
           to
           prove
           ,
        
         
           
             In
             the
             Second
             place
             ,
          
           that
           the
           goodness
           of
           such
           a
           mans
           nature
           ,
           and
           the
           bounty
           of
           his
           heart
           and
           hand
           ,
           are
           always
           to
           be
           govern'd
           by
           Discretion
           .
           And
           this
           is
           a
           truth
           which
           needs
           no
           laborious
           proof
           .
        
         
           For
           ,
           
             First
             ,
          
           without
           Prudence
           ,
           the
           circumstances
           of
           charity
           cannot
           be
           measur'd
           and
           limited
           with
           judicious
           f
           estimation
           and
           allotment
           .
           For
           there
           are
           Givers
           of
           different
           abilities
           ,
           and
           there
           are
           Receivers
           ,
           whose
           needs
           are
           different
           ,
           and
           whose
           merits
           are
           unequal
           .
           And
           the
           same
           kind
           of
           Alms
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           measures
           are
           not
           ,
           at
           all
           times
           ,
           proper
           to
           be
           given
           or
           received
           by
           the
           same
           Persons
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           men
           be
           furnish'd
           with
           discretion
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           may
           be
           qualifi'd
           for
           the
           due
           oeconomie
           g
           of
           their
           Alms
           ,
           and
           disposed
           to
           be
           
             good
          
           (
           or
           useful
           )
           
             Stewards
             of
             the
             manifold
             grace
          
           h
           (
           or
           temporal
           liberalitie
           )
           
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
         
           Now
           
             (
             Secondly
             )
          
           unless
           our
           charity
           be
           judiciously
           weigh'd
           and
           proportion'd
           ,
           three
           great
           inconveniencies
           will
           attend
           it
           .
        
         
           For
           
             (
             First
             )
          
           without
           such
           judicious
           estimation
           ,
           our
           charity
           will
           be
           ,
           often
           ,
           ridiculous
           and
           indecent
           .
           Hence
           many
           have
           given
           humorous
           Alms
           ,
           and
           conceited
           Legacies
           ,
           and
           have
           made
           Statutes
           relishing
           of
           Monkish
           Caprice
           ;
           and
           written
           
             Folly
             ,
          
           in
           very
           legible
           Characters
           ,
           upon
           the
           Front
           of
           their
           Foundations
           .
           Hence
           some
           ,
           whose
           devotion
           ha's
           had
           Ignorance
           for
           its
           mother
           ,
           have
           built
           Two
           Churches
           in
           the
           same
           
             Inclosure
          
           in
           a
           small
           village
           ;
           endamaging
           the
           publick
           service
           of
           God
           by
           dividing
           the
           Assemblie
           .
           Hence
           a
           man
           otherwise
           of
           no
           ordinary
           Figure
           in
           the
           English
           Chronicle
           i
           is
           said
           to
           have
           resolved
           to
           increase
           his
           sorty
           seven
           
             Monasteries
          
           to
           the
           number
           of
           fifty
           ,
           because
           that
           was
           the
           number
           of
           the
           year
           of
           
             Jubilee
             .
          
           A
           reason
           derived
           from
           no
           deeper
           Cause
           than
           the
           pleasure
           which
           the
           chime
           of
           those
           agreeing
           numbers
           made
           in
           his
           weak
           imagination
           .
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ;
          
           unless
           discretion
           adjusteth
           and
           proportioneth
           our
           Alms
           ,
           we
           shall
           do
           less
           good
           with
           them
           than
           is
           in
           our
           power
           .
           Good
           is
           to
           be
           done
           ;
           and
           every
           degree
           of
           Good
           is
           Good.
           And
           though
           a
           man
           is
           not
           obliged
           to
           do
           always
           that
           which
           ,
           in
           the
           abstracted
           speculation
           of
           it
           ,
           
           is
           best
           ;
           yet
           true
           Philosophy
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Theology
           seemeh
           to
           assure
           us
           ,
           that
           
             there
             are
             no
             such
             things
             as
             moral
             Counse's
             which
             are
             not
             also
             Commands
             :
          
           And
           that
           every
           man
           is
           bound
           to
           do
           whatsoever
           is
           ,
           in
           his
           Circumstances
           ,
           best
           to
           be
           done
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           easily
           understood
           by
           him
           to
           be
           best
           .
           Now
           how
           dwelleth
           the
           love
           of
           God
           and
           goodness
           in
           that
           man
           ,
           who
           ,
           when
           he
           may
           do
           a
           
             greater
             good
             ,
          
           do's
           irrationally
           chuse
           to
           do
           a
           
             less
             ,
          
           by
           a
           careless
           and
           indiscriminating
           liberality
           ?
           There
           is
           a
           certain
           proportion
           of
           needs
           and
           provisions
           ,
           in
           the
           world
           .
           And
           ,
           in
           many
           places
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           provisions
           do
           scarce
           ballance
           the
           needs
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           there
           is
           cogent
           reason
           for
           the
           making
           of
           our
           charity
           go
           as
           far
           as
           it
           can
           .
           And
           if
           it
           is
           to
           be
           done
           for
           the
           best
           ,
           discretion
           must
           guide
           us
           in
           the
           performance
           .
           For
           what
           harvest
           can
           we
           expect
           from
           that
           precious
           seed
           of
           Alms
           ,
           which
           is
           either
           thrown
           on
           an
           heap
           ,
           or
           scattered
           at
           all
           adventures
           ,
           and
           in
           such
           sort
           ,
           that
           the
           cultivated
           land
           is
           not
           distinguished
           from
           the
           fallow
           and
           unbroken
           ;
           that
           the
           very
           Rocks
           and
           high
           ways
           are
           sown
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Birds
           of
           Prey
           devour
           that
           which
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           committed
           to
           the
           good
           ground
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           taken
           root
           there
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           sprung
           up
           ,
           from
           thence
           ,
           for
           the
           sustenance
           of
           mans
           indigent
           Nature
           ?
        
         
         
           I
           should
           offend
           against
           manifest
           Truth
           ,
           if
           I
           should
           say
           ,
           that
           no
           good
           can
           be
           done
           by
           indiscreet
           Alms
           :
           For
           good
           is
           ,
           often
           ,
           done
           by
           prodigality
           it self
           ,
           of
           which
           some
           spoils
           ,
           accidentally
           ,
           fall
           to
           the
           lot
           of
           the
           wise
           and
           sober
           .
           But
           ,
           
             the
             greater
             the
             Prudence
             ,
             the
             greater
             the
             good
             .
          
           And
           it
           is
           with
           Alms
           as
           with
           Estates
           ,
           where
           half
           of
           the
           Riches
           do's
           consist
           in
           the
           discretion
           of
           the
           Owner
           .
           A
           Judicious
           man
           will
           serve
           more
           good
           purposes
           with
           a
           few
           pence
           ,
           than
           an
           imprudent
           man
           with
           a
           great
           number
           of
           Talents
           .
           We
           see
           it
           daily
           ,
           that
           a
           competent
           Revenue
           ,
           by
           good
           management
           and
           Gods
           blessing
           ,
           supporteth
           divers
           Families
           ,
           and
           divers
           Societies
           founded
           by
           charity
           ,
           in
           very
           decent
           and
           comfortable
           manner
           .
           And
           S.
           
             Chrysostome
          
           k
           reporteth
           concerning
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Antioch
             ,
          
           that
           ,
           in
           his
           time
           ,
           the
           small
           Revenue
           of
           it
           ,
           well
           apply'd
           ,
           did
           maintain
           three
           thousand
           Widows
           and
           Virgins
           ,
           besides
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           the
           Prisoners
           ,
           the
           Strangers
           ,
           the
           Lepers
           .
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           it
           cannot
           escape
           our
           most
           negligent
           observation
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           some
           single
           Persons
           [
           some
           did
           I
           say
           ?
           Would
           God
           they
           were
           to
           be
           easily
           numbred
           ]
           who
           have
           had
           greater
           abundance
           in
           this
           world
           than
           many
           Families
           ,
           and
           publick
           Foundations
           .
           And
           yet
           ,
           by
           Imprudence
           ,
           and
           by
           Vice
           (
           Vice
           which
           is
           the
           
           greatest
           of
           Indiscretions
           )
           they
           have
           consumed
           the
           very
           stock
           ,
           and
           outliv'd
           all
           but
           the
           miserable
           remembrance
           of
           their
           former
           plenty
           ,
           and
           the
           brutish
           abuse
           of
           it
           .
           And
           yet
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           they
           never
           did
           one
           worthy
           deed
           ,
           nor
           enjoy'd
           themselves
           as
           men
           of
           Honour
           and
           Condition
           ,
           nor
           satisfi'd
           many
           of
           the
           most
           just
           debts
           :
           I
           mean
           such
           as
           have
           been
           due
           either
           for
           faithful
           service
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           conveniences
           of
           life
           .
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           without
           judicious
           estimation
           ,
           we
           shall
           do
           real
           dammage
           with
           our
           Alms
           ;
           and
           inverting
           the
           method
           of
           the
           All-wise
           God
           (
           which
           the
           same
           God
           forbid
           )
           we
           shall
           
             bring
             Evil
             out
             of
             Good.
          
           By
           not
           distinguishing
           aright
           of
           Persons
           ,
           and
           their
           needs
           ;
           we
           shall
           encourage
           vice
           ,
           instead
           of
           relieving
           Poverty
           .
           We
           shall
           imitate
           sensual
           men
           who
           consider
           only
           the
           craving
           of
           the
           vitiated
           appetite
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           real
           health
           of
           the
           body
           .
           For
           instead
           of
           supporting
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           power
           and
           skill
           ,
           the
           just
           necessities
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           ;
           we
           shall
           be
           tempted
           ,
           by
           giving
           ear
           to
           the
           clamorous
           importunities
           of
           the
           idle
           ,
           the
           vicious
           ,
           the
           hypocritical
           ,
           to
           nourish
           the
           Plagues
           and
           feed
           the
           diseases
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           By
           these
           means
           we
           shall
           make
           it
           necessary
           for
           us
           to
           repeat
           this
           Prayer
           (
           for
           which
           there
           is
           
           too
           frequent
           cause
           ;
           though
           ,
           I
           fear
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           rarely
           used
           )
           
             God
             forgive
             me
             the
             prodigality
             of
             my
             Alms
             ;
             God
             forgive
             me
             the
             indiscretion
             of
             my
             Charity
             .
          
        
         
           The
           necessity
           of
           Prudence
           in
           conjunction
           with
           Charity
           being
           thus
           ,
           in
           more
           general
           manner
           ,
           evinced
           ;
           I
           proceed
           ,
        
         
           
             In
             the
             third
             place
             ,
          
           To
           the
           more
           particular
           rules
           and
           measures
           of
           Religious
           discretion
           in
           relation
           to
           Alms.
           These
           (
           I
           think
           )
           may
           be
           comprehended
           under
           the
           two
           following
           
             heads
             .
          
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           Discretion
           in
           providing
           ,
           preserving
           ,
           or
           increasing
           wealth
           ;
           that
           we
           may
           have
           ability
           to
           do
           good
           .
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           Discretion
           in
           dispensing
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           do
           it
           to
           the
           best
           and
           wisest
           purposes
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           The
           prudence
           of
           Charity
           consisteth
           in
           that
           discretion
           which
           provideth
           ,
           preserveth
           ,
           increaseth
           wealth
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           have
           ability
           to
           do
           good
           ,
           and
           to
           continue
           in
           doing
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           bearing
           of
           such
           useful
           fruit
           until
           we
           die
           .
           It
           is
           the
           care
           of
           every
           good
           man
           to
           be
           rather
           helpful
           than
           burthensome
           .
           There
           will
           be
           always
           enow
           unavoidable
           necessities
           :
           And
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           he
           who
           wilfully
           createth
           more
           ,
           is
           an
           unjust
           Usurper
           upon
           the
           substance
           of
           the
           Rich
           ,
           and
           an
           uncharitable
           diminisher
           of
           the
           Alms
           of
           the
           Poor
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           ,
           towards
           the
           making
           of
           our
           fortune
           ,
           religious
           Prudence
           prescribeth
           such
           means
           as
           these
           :
        
         
           To
           begin
           with
           God
           ,
           praying
           for
           direction
           and
           success
           to
           that
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           whom
           ,
           after
           all
           our
           planting
           and
           watering
           ,
           we
           owe
           the
           increase
           .
           To
           furnish
           our selves
           with
           competent
           skill
           in
           the
           affairs
           we
           undertake
           .
           To
           be
           diligent
           in
           them
           without
           anxiety
           ,
           which
           interrupteth
           the
           steddy
           thoughts
           of
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           hangeth
           weights
           upon
           business
           .
           To
           use
           the
           conversation
           of
           a
           few
           familiar
           Friends
           ;
           and
           of
           such
           as
           may
           not
           rob
           us
           of
           our
           time
           ,
           our
           substance
           ,
           our
           innocence
           .
           To
           Account
           accurately
           ,
           and
           often
           .
           Not
           to
           esteem
           it
           a
           point
           of
           dishonour
           to
           examine
           the
           reckonings
           of
           imposing
           and
           unreasonable
           men
           .
           Not
           to
           think
           it
           unworthy
           of
           us
           to
           bargain
           sometimes
           (
           as
           do
           the
           Politest
           of
           people
           ,
           the
           
             Italians
             )
          
           for
           our
           Food
           and
           our
           Raiment
           .
           To
           cut
           off
           all
           vain
           and
           unnecessary
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           all
           dissolute
           ,
           expence
           .
           Not
           to
           engage
           in
           equal
           charge
           with
           persons
           of
           superior
           condition
           and
           fortune
           .
           Not
           to
           go
           to
           the
           utmost
           criticism
           in
           Modes
           .
           Not
           to
           be
           
           Trimalchio's
           and
           artists
           in
           Luxury
           .
           Not
           to
           pamper
           Beasts
           ,
           and
           starve
           Christians
           .
           To
           do
           as
           much
           with
           our
           own
           hands
           as
           decency
           ,
           ability
           ,
           
           and
           innocent
           diversion
           ,
           will
           allow
           us
           .
           To
           have
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           may
           be
           ,
           upon
           our
           own
           matters
           ,
           our
           
             own
             Eye
             ,
          
           which
           is
           that
           auspicious
           star
           that
           ripeneth
           business
           by
           its
           influence
           ,
           and
           maketh
           it
           thrive
           and
           prosper
           .
           Finally
           ,
           The
           way
           to
           advance
           our selves
           in
           all
           our
           Dealings
           ,
           is
           ,
           in
           all
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           be
           just
           and
           honest
           .
           And
           this
           was
           the
           rule
           even
           of
           that
           late
           Philosopher
           l
           who
           has
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           been
           free
           from
           the
           crime
           ,
           but
           not
           from
           the
           suspicion
           of
           Atheism
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           enlarge
           my self
           (
           I
           believe
           )
           too
           too
           copiously
           upon
           this
           subject
           ,
           whilst
           I
           speak
           to
           many
           who
           understand
           the
           world
           with
           such
           judicious
           insight
           .
           So
           that
           ,
           by
           the
           pursuit
           of
           such
           an
           Argument
           ,
           I
           may
           seem
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           to
           utter
           Proverbs
           before
           
             Solomon
             .
          
        
         
           Being
           now
           ,
           by
           such
           means
           as
           have
           been
           mention'd
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           upon
           them
           ,
           made
           competently
           able
           ;
           It
           is
           our
           wisdom
           to
           raise
           and
           maintain
           (
           as
           in
           the
           Church
           m
           a
           publick
           ,
           so
           in
           our
           Closet
           )
           a
           
             private
             bank
             of
             Charity
             ,
          
           by
           laying
           aside
           a
           convenient
           share
           of
           our
           worldly
           Incomes
           for
           so
           worthy
           a
           purpose
           .
           It
           will
           grow
           insensibly
           :
           the
           Oyl
           will
           rise
           in
           surprizing
           manner
           in
           the
           Cruise
           .
           And
           this
           being
           done
           ,
           we
           shall
           then
           not
           be
           to
           seek
           for
           Alms
           upon
           sudden
           and
           emergent
           occasions
           ;
           we
           shall
           
           have
           a
           store
           for
           daily
           needs
           ;
           we
           shall
           be
           unwilling
           to
           alienate
           or
           to
           imbezzle
           that
           which
           we
           have
           devoted
           to
           so
           laudable
           ,
           so
           sacred
           an
           use
           ;
           we
           shall
           always
           give
           with
           chearfulness
           ,
           having
           by
           us
           a
           stock
           designed
           to
           no
           other
           end
           than
           that
           of
           Charity
           :
           So
           necessary
           towards
           the
           furniture
           of
           a
           Religious
           Closet
           ,
           where
           a
           mans
           circumstances
           can
           allow
           it
           ,
           is
           a
           
             private
             Corban
             .
          
        
         
           Discretion
           having
           ,
           thus
           ,
           in
           some
           measure
           either
           made
           or
           continued
           Provision
           for
           Alms
           ;
           there
           is
           great
           need
        
         
           
             (
             In
             the
             Second
             place
             )
          
           of
           its
           further
           Care
           in
           the
           distribution
           and
           wise
           application
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           Charity
           may
           attain
           its
           blessed
           Ends.
           
        
         
           Now
           discretion
           ,
           in
           distributing
           of
           Alms
           ,
           hath
           due
           regard
           to
           
             
               The
               Scope
               ,
               the
               Objects
               ,
               the
               Place
               ,
               the
               Season
               ,
               the
               Quality
               ,
               the
               measure
               and
               proportion
               of
               this
               material
               Charity
               ;
               and
               to
               the
               manner
               of
               its
               conveyance
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           Prudence
           hath
           due
           regard
           to
           the
           
             scope
          
           of
           Charity
           ,
           a
           failure
           in
           which
           ,
           is
           an
           error
           in
           the
           foundation
           .
           For
           that
           which
           is
           given
           without
           respect
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           who
           gave
           us
           all
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           relief
           of
           real
           needs
           in
           humane
           Societies
           ,
           is
           expence
           indeed
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           not
           Charity
           .
           It
           is
           wealth
           Exposed
           ,
           but
           not
           Bestow'd
           .
           And
           when
           we
           give
           for
           no
           worthier
           end
           than
           
           the
           serving
           our
           humour
           ,
           Pride
           ,
           and
           Vanity
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           at
           all
           probable
           that
           we
           shall
           place
           our
           Alms
           upon
           the
           most
           deserving
           .
           For
           ,
           The
           bold
           ,
           the
           talkative
           ,
           the
           clamorous
           ,
           the
           frequenters
           of
           publick
           places
           ,
           will
           then
           be
           judged
           the
           fittest
           Instruments
           to
           blazon
           our
           praise
           ,
           and
           to
           flatter
           our
           hypocrisie
           .
           If
           our
           scope
           be
           the
           sake
           of
           God
           and
           the
           common
           good
           ,
           that
           will
           direct
           us
           in
           the
           due
           application
           of
           our
           Alms
           to
           a
           purpose
           so
           fit
           to
           be
           our
           aim
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           great
           boast
           made
           of
           Alms
           in
           the
           Romish
           Church
           .
           They
           sound
           the
           Trumpet
           of
           them
           perpetually
           in
           our
           Ears
           .
           But
           what
           is
           the
           End
           to
           which
           a
           great
           part
           of
           this
           charity
           tendeth
           ?
           Frequently
           the
           motive
           which
           perswades
           them
           is
           extreamly
           selfish
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           they
           use
           are
           extravagantly
           indiscreet
           .
           The
           scope
           they
           too
           often
           vainly
           aim
           at
           ,
           is
           
             The
             blessing
             of
             a
             presumed
             Saint
          
           who
           is
           ignorant
           of
           them
           ;
           
             Security
          
           from
           the
           external
           force
           of
           
             evil
             Spirits
          
           by
           the
           charms
           and
           spells
           of
           Monkish
           Conjuration
           ,
           (
           A
           sort
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           Magick
           which
           those
           very
           Spirits
           invent
           and
           incourage
           )
           ;
           Avoidance
           of
           those
           causeless
           
             Curses
          
           and
           
             Anathema's
          
           which
           are
           with
           terror
           denounced
           from
           their
           seven-hill'd
           counterfeit
           
             Sinai
             ;
          
           preservation
           from
           ,
           or
           deliverance
           out
           of
           ,
           the
           imaginary
           flames
           of
           
             Purgatory
             ,
          
           blown
           
           on
           purpose
           by
           Jesuitick
           breath
           for
           the
           melting
           of
           the
           treasures
           of
           credulous
           people
           ;
           
             Canonization
             ,
          
           as
           scandalous
           as
           it
           is
           chargeable
           ,
           and
           performed
           in
           such
           manner
           ,
           that
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           note
           of
           
             Cardinal
             Bessarion
             ,
          
           the
           making
           of
           their
           
             new
             Saints
             ,
          
           doth
           move
           some
           sceptical
           men
           to
           question
           the
           
             old
             ones
             .
          
           Nay
           ,
           sometimes
           ,
           the
           scope
           is
           that
           very
           wicked
           one
           of
           compounding
           with
           heaven
           ,
           by
           their
           liberal
           Alms
           ,
           for
           their
           unforsaken
           sins
           :
           and
           here
           in
           this
           Nation
           (
           whilst
           n
           the
           Island
           was
           enchanted
           with
           Popery
           )
           there
           were
           granted
           Indulgences
           even
           for
           what
           they
           call
           deadly
           sins
           for
           many
           thousands
           of
           years
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           The
           Event
           is
           ,
           The
           alienation
           of
           Alms
           from
           their
           proper
           uses
           ,
           the
           increase
           of
           Superstition
           ,
           and
           the
           maintaining
           of
           an
           universal
           Usurper
           .
           For
           the
           Pence
           of
           S.
           
             Peter
          
           conduced
           to
           the
           buying
           of
           such
           a
           yoke
           as
           neither
           we
           nor
           our
           Fathers
           were
           able
           to
           bear
           .
        
         
           The
           things
           they
           purchase
           as
           conducive
           to
           these
           ends
           ,
           are
           the
           wares
           of
           dark
           imposture
           ;
           namely
           such
           as
           these
           .
           
             Shrines
             ,
             Images
             ,
             Lamps
             ,
             Incense
             ,
             Holy-water
             ,
             Agnus
             Dei's
             ,
             Blessed
             Grains
             ,
             Roses
             ,
             Peebles
             ,
             Rings
             ,
             Beads
             ,
             Reliques
             ,
             Pardons
             ,
             Masses
             ,
             Dirige's
             and
             Soul-obits
             ;
          
           the
           goodly
           Inventory
           of
           Superstition
           .
        
         
         
           Blessed
           God!
           what
           a
           miserable
           and
           irrational
           waste
           is
           this
           ?
           what
           great
           good
           might
           have
           been
           done
           by
           the
           wealth
           laid
           out
           upon
           such
           unprofitable
           and
           such
           dangerous
           Toys
           ,
           with
           the
           prophane
           Merchandizers
           in
           the
           Romish
           Temple
           ?
           how
           many
           real
           necessities
           might
           have
           been
           supplyed
           by
           the
           many
           hundreds
           of
           pounds
           yearly
           offer'd
           at
           that
           one
           
             Shrine
          
           of
           the
           pretended
           
             Martyr
             of
             Canterbury
             ?
          
           how
           many
           hungry
           persons
           might
           have
           been
           fed
           ;
           how
           many
           good
           men
           ,
           bound
           in
           misery
           and
           iron
           ,
           might
           have
           been
           set
           at
           Liberty
           by
           such
           Popish
           indiscreet
           Alms
           ,
           squandred
           so
           fruitlesly
           ,
           and
           levell'd
           at
           a
           Scope
           to
           which
           Christianity
           did
           never
           direct
           ?
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           discretion
           duly
           considereth
           the
           proper
           
             objects
          
           of
           Christian
           Charity
           ;
           that
           dogs
           may
           not
           devour
           the
           bread
           of
           Children
           .
        
         
           The
           Objects
           which
           I
           shall
           speak
           of
           ,
           are
           ,
           
             First
             ,
          
           those
           more
           
             Publick
             ones
          
           of
           common
           Societies
           and
           charitable
           Foundations
           .
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           those
           more
           
             Private
             ones
          
           of
           particular
           Families
           and
           Persons
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           touching
           those
           more
           Publick
           Objects
           ,
           Societies
           founded
           by
           Charity
           ;
           I
           shall
           ,
           at
           present
           ,
           make
           only
           these
           sew
           Reflexions
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           I
           observe
           (
           which
           is
           obvious
           enough
           )
           
           that
           it
           is
           an
           imprudent
           and
           irreligious
           liberality
           ,
           which
           erecteth
           such
           Publick
           Houses
           and
           Societies
           ,
           as
           please
           private
           Imagination
           ,
           but
           disserve
           the
           Publick
           Interest
           .
           True
           Charity
           erecteth
           not
           such
           
             Sanctuaries
          
           as
           are
           too
           common
           in
           Romish
           Countries
           ;
           such
           as
           are
           Refuges
           for
           wilful
           and
           capital
           malefactors
           .
           It
           foundeth
           not
           such
           
             Monasteries
          
           as
           are
           nurseries
           of
           a
           blind
           and
           formal
           way
           of
           worship
           :
           A
           kind
           of
           worship
           so
           very
           ritual
           ,
           that
           the
           intention
           of
           the
           mind
           (
           unless
           it
           be
           of
           his
           who
           Officiates
           )
           is
           the
           least
           part
           of
           it
           .
           It
           favoureth
           not
           such
           
             Convents
          
           as
           receive
           ,
           for
           term
           of
           life
           ,
           the
           young
           ,
           the
           strong
           ,
           the
           able
           and
           apt
           for
           business
           ,
           even
           against
           the
           desires
           ,
           endeavours
           ,
           importunities
           of
           their
           Parents
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           teaching
           them
           to
           serve
           God
           with
           greater
           perfection
           .
           The
           Romanists
           frequently
           object
           to
           us
           that
           
             Statute
          
           which
           was
           made
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Queens
          
           time
           ,
           in
           favour
           of
           the
           poor
           :
           and
           they
           reproach
           us
           in
           a
           Proverb
           ,
           saying
           ,
           that
           
             begging
             began
             with
             Protestancy
             .
          
           But
           they
           should
           do
           well
           to
           use
           less
           partiality
           in
           their
           Censures
           ,
           and
           to
           consider
           this
           plain
           truth
           ,
           that
           the
           indiscretion
           of
           the
           
             Monasticks
          
           (
           by
           feeding
           the
           slothful
           ,
           the
           superstitious
           ,
           the
           Enthusiastick
           ,
           the
           Fryars
           Mendicants
           ,
           the
           Pilgrims
           or
           loytering
           wanderers
           of
           that
           Church
           )
           provided
           objects
           of
           burthen
           and
           expence
           ,
           for
           those
           of
           
           the
           Reformation
           .
           And
           who
           (
           I
           beseech
           you
           )
           were
           most
           in
           fault
           ,
           those
           who
           
             bred
          
           the
           Beggars
           ;
           or
           those
           ,
           who
           ,
           finding
           them
           in
           great
           necessities
           ,
           made
           a
           Law
           to
           keep
           them
           that
           they
           might
           not
           perish
           ?
        
         
           Lastly
           (
           not
           to
           spare
           our selves
           where
           there
           is
           a
           failure
           )
           true
           Charity
           do's
           not
           countenance
           such
           
             places
             of
             exemption
             ,
          
           as
           ,
           by
           their
           private
           priviledge
           ,
           do
           not
           support
           the
           Government
           by
           supporting
           the
           necessary
           Officers
           of
           State
           and
           Justice
           ,
           in
           honour
           and
           without
           disturbance
           :
           such
           places
           into
           which
           the
           Law
           ha's
           reason
           to
           enter
           ,
           yet
           (
           which
           is
           matter
           of
           just
           astonishment
           )
           no
           legal
           Authority
           .
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           I
           observe
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           much
           more
           probable
           that
           the
           publick
           Charities
           of
           the
           
             Reformed
          
           should
           serve
           the
           publick
           Interest
           ,
           than
           those
           of
           the
           
             Roman
          
           faction
           .
           Among
           the
           truly
           Reformed
           ,
           such
           Societies
           are
           founded
           upon
           the
           impulse
           of
           plain
           ,
           and
           prudent
           ,
           and
           rational
           Causes
           .
           To
           wit
           ,
           that
           God
           may
           have
           a
           publick
           ,
           reasonable
           service
           offered
           to
           him
           .
           That
           Children
           may
           be
           educated
           for
           offices
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           Civil
           ,
           Military
           Mechanick
           .
           That
           offenders
           may
           be
           corrected
           ,
           or
           secured
           .
           That
           the
           idle
           may
           be
           employed
           .
           That
           the
           aged
           ,
           the
           impotent
           ,
           the
           wounded
           ,
           the
           sick
           ,
           the
           distracted
           ;
           
           may
           have
           relief
           ,
           shelter
           ,
           cure
           and
           oversight
           .
        
         
           But
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           the
           first
           motive
           to
           many
           Foundations
           is
           some
           pretended
           Vision
           or
           Revelation
           from
           God
           or
           a
           Saint
           .
           And
           by
           this
           means
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           that
           sometimes
           fraud
           is
           a
           founder
           ,
           and
           hysterick
           vapour
           (
           passing
           for
           Oracle
           )
           a
           Benefactor
           .
           And
           in
           such
           Places
           Enthusiasm
           is
           dutifully
           nursed
           and
           fed
           by
           those
           Societies
           ,
           which
           owe
           to
           it
           their
           birth
           and
           original
           .
           The
           occasion
           of
           them
           is
           fancifull
           ,
           and
           the
           scope
           of
           them
           is
           an
           indiscreet
           (
           not
           to
           say
           an
           Idolatrous
           )
           end
           .
           Thus
           it
           came
           to
           pass
           in
           the
           several
           Houses
           of
           their
           celebrated
           S.
           
             Teresa
          
           the
           
             Foundress
             of
             the
             Reformation
             of
             the
             discalced
             Carmelites
             .
          
           I
           will
           give
           you
           her
           own
           words
           o
           with
           respect
           to
           her
           first
           Foundation
           of
           the
           Monastery
           of
           
             Avila
             .
          
           
             One
             day
             (
             saith
             
               Teresa
               )
            
             after
             I
             had
             communicated
             ,
             our
             Lord
             strictly
             charg'd
             me
             to
             set
             about
             this
             Foundation
             with
             all
             my
             might
             ,
             making
             me
             great
             promises
             ,
             that
             the
             Monastery
             should
             not
             fail
             to
             be
             erected
             ;
             that
             his
             divine
             Majesty
             should
             be
             very
             much
             served
             in
             it
             :
             that
             it
             should
             bear
             the
             title
             of
             S.
             
               Joseph
               ,
            
             who
             should
             stand
             at
             one
             Gate
             for
             our
             guard
             ,
             and
             our
             Lady
             ,
             the
             glorious
             Virgin
             his
             Mother
             ,
             at
             the
             other
             ;
             and
             that
             himself
             would
             stand
             always
             in
             our
             Company
             .
             —
             That
             I
             should
             tell
             my
             
             Confessor
             this
             ,
             which
             his
             Majesty
             had
             enjoyned
             me
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             willed
             him
             not
             to
             oppose
             or
             hinder
             me
             at
             all
             .
          
        
         
           You
           see
           what
           Hay
           and
           Stubble
           is
           at
           the
           bottom
           of
           such
           buildings
           :
           and
           therefore
           ,
           ifthe
           superstructure
           be
           solid
           ,
           and
           it
           be
           advanced
           and
           perfected
           by
           that
           great
           moral
           Architect
           ,
           Prudence
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           miracle
           scarce
           inferiour
           to
           any
           which
           their
           
             Legends
          
           have
           fitted
           to
           the
           wide
           swallow
           of
           their
           people
           .
           But
           if
           Discretion
           does
           not
           succeed
           
             Enthusiasm
             ,
          
           and
           correct
           it
           ,
           what
           aids
           can
           be
           given
           ,
           by
           so
           irregular
           and
           extravagant
           a
           principle
           ,
           to
           the
           common
           good
           ?
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           It
           may
           at
           least
           be
           
             offered
          
           to
           consideration
           ,
           whether
           Prudence
           would
           not
           judge
           it
           conducive
           to
           the
           publick
           interest
           ,
           both
           of
           Religion
           and
           Civil
           order
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           
             places
             of
             retirement
             ,
          
           rightly
           constituted
           (
           without
           Masses
           ,
           Images
           ,
           Litanies
           to
           Saints
           ,
           Cords
           of
           discipline
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           instruments
           of
           Superstition
           )
           for
           the
           use
           of
           men
           of
           
             less
             sound
             temper
             ,
          
           though
           their
           disease
           be
           not
           perfect
           distraction
           .
           These
           (
           one
           would
           imagine
           )
           might
           be
           fit
           retreats
           for
           the
           pensive
           ,
           the
           melancholy
           ,
           the
           male-content
           ,
           the
           inordinately
           scrupulous
           ,
           the
           fearful
           ,
           the
           reserved
           ,
           the
           musing
           ,
           the
           indiscreetly
           zealous
           ,
           the
           fierce
           disputers
           of
           this
           world
           ;
           the
           vain
           janglers
           ,
           
           who
           disturb
           peace
           and
           entangle
           truth
           :
           in
           summ
           ,
           for
           the
           many
           who
           are
           not
           qualify'd
           for
           dispatch
           of
           business
           ,
           or
           for
           freedom
           of
           conversation
           .
           By
           this
           means
           ,
           pensiveness
           might
           be
           chang'd
           into
           godly
           sorrow
           ;
           and
           discontent
           at
           the
           world
           ,
           into
           self-denial
           ;
           and
           that
           Religious
           fury
           which
           now
           rageth
           in
           the
           very
           streets
           ,
           into
           private
           Devotion
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           say
           this
           with
           submission
           ,
           and
           not
           with
           assurance
           :
           As
           also
           that
           there
           is
           a
           publick
           Charity
           in
           nature
           and
           dignity
           before
           this
           ;
           a
           due
           support
           of
           Gods
           publick
           service
           in
           all
           places
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           by
           such
           a
           maintenance
           as
           is
           not
           scandalous
           and
           insufficient
           .
           And
           thus
           far
           ,
           ever
           since
           there
           was
           a
           prize
           put
           into
           publick
           hands
           at
           the
           dissolution
           of
           superstitious
           Houses
           ,
           there
           has
           been
           part
           of
           a
           debt
           due
           from
           the
           
             State
          
           unto
           the
           
             Church
             ;
          
           which
           God
           grant
           it
           may
           have
           ability
           and
           opportunity
           ,
           and
           religious
           inclination
           to
           discharge
           .
        
         
           
             Lastly
             ,
          
           I
           cannot
           but
           take
           notice
           ,
           upon
           this
           solemn
           memoria
           lof
           your
           publick
           Charities
           ,
           of
           that
           singular
           Prudence
           which
           do's
           appear
           both
           in
           the
           founding
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           managing
           ,
           of
           the
           
             Hospitals
          
           of
           this
           illustrious
           
             City
             .
          
           The
           good
           ends
           to
           which
           they
           were
           so
           wisely
           design'd
           ,
           and
           the
           diligent
           ,
           prudent
           ,
           and
           successful
           pursuance
           of
           those
           ends
           ,
           
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           passed
           by
           with
           supine
           and
           ungrateful
           inadvertence
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           past
           year
           ,
           there
           have
           been
           put
           forth
           
             Apprentices
             ,
          
           and
           discharged
           out
           of
           
             Christs
             Hospital
             ,
             Seventy
             six
          
           Children
           .
           There
           remain
           ,
           under
           the
           care
           of
           it
           ,
           
             five
             hundred
             fourty
             seven
             .
          
           And
           the
           number
           taken
           in
           ,
           since
           the
           erection
           of
           it
           ,
           has
           been
           about
           
             Twelve
             Thousand
             ,
          
           of
           which
           many
           have
           proved
           eminent
           in
           divers
           faculties
           ,
           and
           in
           Offices
           Sacred
           and
           Civil
           ,
           and
           arriv'd
           at
           great
           things
           from
           very
           low
           beginnings
           .
           Ten
           of
           the
           formention'd
           Children
           have
           been
           ,
           this
           year
           ,
           placed
           out
           to
           Masters
           of
           Ships
           ,
           having
           first
           been
           educated
           in
           the
           Arts
           of
           
             Aritbmetick
          
           and
           
             Navigation
          
           by
           the
           Royal
           bounty
           of
           his
           most
           
             Excellent
             Majesty
             ,
          
           whose
           great
           and
           wise
           example
           ought
           highly
           to
           be
           honoured
           ,
           and
           diligently
           to
           be
           pursu'd
           by
           the
           people
           of
           this
           Island
           ,
           which
           God
           and
           Nature
           have
           design'd
           ,
           by
           its
           situation
           ,
           for
           Sea-affairs
           ;
           I
           had
           almost
           said
           ,
           for
           the
           soveraignty
           of
           the
           Ocean
           .
        
         
           There
           have
           been
           Cured
           ,
           this
           last
           year
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Hospital
          
           of
           St
           
             Bartholomew
             ,
          
           nigh
           
             Sixteen
             Hundred
          
           persons
           ,
           of
           which
           many
           were
           partakers
           ,
           also
           ,
           of
           other
           relief
           convenient
           for
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           like
           Charity
           has
           been
           extended
           to
           more
           than
           
             Eighteen
             hundred
          
           in
           the
           
             Hospital
          
           of
           St
           
             Thomas
             .
          
        
         
         
           There
           have
           been
           received
           into
           the
           
             Hospital
          
           of
           
             Bridewell
          
           nigh
           
             Nine
             Hundred
          
           persons
           fit
           to
           be
           disciplin'd
           into
           good
           manners
           .
           And
           it
           hath
           brought
           up
           ,
           in
           divers
           Arts
           and
           Trades
           ,
           no
           less
           than
           
             One
             Hundred
             twenty
             eight
             .
          
           And
           all
           this
           has
           been
           done
           ,
           notwithstanding
           these
           
             Foundations
          
           have
           ,
           so
           deeply
           ,
           suffer'd
           by
           the
           dreadful
           calamity
           of
           
             Fire
             ;
          
           the
           remainder
           of
           whose
           rage
           God
           ,
           in
           mercy
           ,
           restrain
           ;
           that
           this
           great
           
             City
          
           may
           never
           mourn
           a
           second
           time
           sitting
           in
           Ashes
           ;
           unless
           it
           be
           in
           those
           of
           Humiliation
           .
        
         
           I
           ought
           not
           ,
           here
           ,
           to
           forget
           the
           
             Hospital
          
           of
           
             Bethlem
             ,
          
           that
           sanctuary
           of
           unsound
           minds
           ,
           dwelling
           unhappily
           in
           unsound
           bodies
           .
           It
           hath
           ,
           this
           year
           ,
           received
           
             fifty
             three
          
           persons
           distempered
           in
           their
           imaginations
           .
           It
           hath
           Cured
           of
           Lunacy
           ,
           and
           discharged
           
             Forty
             one
             ;
          
           and
           it
           maintaineth
           under
           Cure
           a
           
             Hundred
             and
             ten
             ;
          
           notwithstanding
           that
           great
           burthen
           of
           debt
           there
           is
           upon
           it
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           that
           noble
           and
           commodious
           structure
           lately
           erected
           .
        
         
           Happy
           the
           miserable
           who
           partake
           of
           this
           Charity
           ;
           more
           happy
           they
           ,
           who
           out
           of
           hearty
           love
           to
           God
           and
           Man
           ,
           have
           raised
           the
           several
           funds
           of
           it
           :
           as
           also
           they
           who
           ,
           with
           pious
           liberality
           ,
           build
           further
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           forbear
           to
           discourse
           more
           at
           large
           ,
           concerning
           
           such
           publick
           Charities
           ,
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           where
           it
           appeareth
           ,
           by
           the
           fruits
           of
           the
           management
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           so
           well
           understood
           ,
           and
           so
           prudently
           governed
           .
        
         
           I
           pass
           to
           the
        
         
           
             Second
             sort
             of
             charitable
             objects
             ,
          
           those
           more
           private
           ones
           of
           miserable
           Families
           ,
           or
           Persons
           .
           And
           here
           ,
           discretion
           considereth
           that
           these
           words
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           p
           
             [
             give
             to
             him
             that
             asketh
             ]
          
           are
           ,
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           reason
           ,
           and
           by
           other
           pious
           Rules
           in
           Holy
           Scripture
           ,
           to
           be
           ,
           thus
           ,
           expounded
           .
           
             Be
             charitable
             to
             every
             one
             ,
             even
             to
             those
             who
             have
             done
             thee
             injury
             ,
             if
             thou
             judgest
             ,
             in
             
               general
               ,
            
             that
             they
             are
             fit
             objects
             ;
             and
             ,
             in
             
               special
               ,
            
             that
             they
             are
             proper
             objects
             of
             
               thy
            
             Alms.
             
          
           No
           man
           is
           ,
           by
           the
           most
           luxuriant
           growth
           of
           Riches
           ,
           made
           al-sufficient
           .
           The
           needs
           of
           a
           small
           Precinct
           in
           the
           world
           will
           soon
           exhaust
           even
           the
           Rich
           Man
           of
           
             Crassus
             ,
          
           who
           would
           not
           reckon
           any
           one
           in
           that
           number
           ,
           who
           was
           not
           able
           to
           maintain
           an
           Army
           .
           Seeing
           ,
           then
           ,
           we
           cannot
           benefit
           all
           the
           world
           by
           our
           Alms
           ,
           (
           though
           we
           may
           do
           it
           by
           our
           charitable
           Prayers
           for
           them
           ;
           )
           it
           is
           fit
           that
           the
           little
           portion
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           masters
           of
           ,
           be
           placed
           upon
           those
           ,
           whose
           circumstances
           are
           best
           suited
           to
           our
           own
           .
           Objects
           so
           particularly
           fit
           ,
           are
           those
           in
           our
           
           Church
           ,
           our
           Family
           ,
           our
           Neighbourhood
           ;
           in
           the
           places
           of
           our
           Birth
           ,
           our
           Baptism
           ,
           our
           Education
           ,
           our
           Office
           ,
           our
           Revenue
           ,
           our
           spiritual
           assistance
           ,
           our
           temporal
           deliverance
           or
           advancement
           .
        
         
           Amongst
           these
           objects
           fitted
           to
           our
           personal
           circumstance
           ,
           discretion
           encourageth
           those
           onely
           who
           are
           likewise
           fitted
           for
           our
           Charity
           by
           their
           own
           just
           qualifications
           .
        
         
           Prudence
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           discountenanceth
           those
           who
           are
           
             irreligious
             and
             prophane
             ,
          
           and
           never
           use
           the
           Name
           of
           Christ
           with
           shew
           of
           reverence
           ,
           but
           when
           they
           ask
           an
           Alms
           with
           it
           :
           who
           will
           not
           follow
           Christ
           unless
           there
           be
           Loaves
           to
           tempt
           them
           .
           It
           discourageth
           those
           who
           have
           been
           
             early
             Beggars
             ,
          
           and
           have
           sacrificed
           the
           very
           flower
           and
           strength
           of
           their
           Age
           to
           idleness
           :
           Who
           ,
           being
           accustomed
           to
           sloth
           ,
           are
           more
           reconciled
           to
           shameful
           Poverty
           than
           honest
           labour
           .
           Who
           tell
           us
           ,
           falsly
           and
           absurdly
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           as
           good
           to
           be
           idle
           for
           nothing
           ,
           as
           to
           work
           for
           nothing
           .
           As
           if
           there
           were
           not
           
             profit
             in
             all
             labour
             :
          
           As
           if
           sloth
           did
           not
           disable
           both
           mind
           and
           body
           :
           As
           if
           the
           mere
           employing
           of
           our
           time
           with
           diligence
           ,
           did
           not
           secure
           us
           from
           many
           temptations
           .
           And
           certainly
           none
           have
           fallen
           into
           more
           ,
           and
           into
           more
           perilous
           snares
           ,
           than
           
           they
           who
           ,
           from
           the
           beginning
           ,
           have
           trodden
           the
           ways
           of
           unmanly
           laziness
           and
           unjust
           begging
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           Prudence
           giveth
           no
           countenance
           to
           the
           
             over
             confident
             ,
          
           who
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           such
           discipline
           as
           may
           humble
           them
           into
           a
           deeper
           and
           more
           becoming
           sense
           of
           their
           miserable
           and
           low
           condition
           ;
           whose
           impudence
           ,
           adding
           menaces
           to
           their
           intreaties
           ,
           giveth
           us
           cause
           to
           suspect
           concerning
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           extort
           those
           Alms
           by
           force
           (
           were
           it
           in
           their
           power
           )
           which
           now
           they
           endeavour
           to
           wrest
           by
           their
           boldness
           from
           timerous
           men
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           easie-natured
           by
           their
           importunity
           .
        
         
           Likewise
           ,
           discretion
           repulseth
           the
           
             craving
             and
             unsatisfy'd
             ,
          
           who
           must
           have
           benefits
           cover'd
           daily
           with
           benefits
           ,
           or
           else
           a
           shower
           of
           their
           imprecations
           will
           find
           passage
           through
           them
           .
           These
           would
           monopolize
           Charity
           ,
           as
           if
           
             they
          
           were
           the
           only
           objects
           on
           Earth
           ;
           as
           if
           the
           comfortable
           dew
           of
           it
           were
           not
           well
           directed
           ,
           if
           a
           drop
           of
           it
           fell
           besides
           their
           private
           fleece
           .
        
         
           It
           discourageth
           ,
           also
           ,
           the
           
             dissolute
             and
             riotous
          
           q
           ,
           who
           turn
           the
           Alms
           of
           the
           day
           ,
           into
           the
           revels
           of
           the
           night
           :
           who
           are
           not
           easie
           'till
           by
           expensive
           intemperance
           they
           have
           unburthen'd
           themselves
           
           of
           the
           little
           stock
           they
           have
           gathered
           .
           Amongst
           these
           ,
           it
           setteth
           its
           face
           even
           against
           that
           sort
           of
           men
           who
           are
           for
           a
           season
           ,
           very
           laborious
           .
           They
           will
           ,
           for
           a
           while
           ,
           endure
           the
           heat
           of
           the
           day
           with
           honest
           and
           painful
           diligence
           .
           They
           will
           be
           frugal
           and
           sober
           'till
           a
           summ
           is
           earned
           :
           and
           then
           it
           is
           not
           laid
           up
           for
           the
           support
           of
           their
           Family
           ,
           and
           against
           they
           themselves
           fail
           through
           impotence
           and
           Age
           ;
           but
           the
           wages
           of
           some
           weeks
           are
           all
           riotously
           wasted
           in
           a
           few
           hours
           ;
           and
           they
           use
           them
           as
           their
           thorns
           which
           ,
           after
           a
           growth
           of
           some
           considerable
           time
           ,
           make
           a
           blaze
           and
           crackling
           for
           a
           few
           moments
           .
        
         
           Furthermore
           ,
           both
           Religious
           and
           Civil
           prudence
           refuseth
           to
           favour
           
             wanderours
             ,
          
           who
           are
           ,
           oftentimes
           ,
           pernicious
           spies
           and
           conveighers
           of
           unlawful
           Intelligence
           ;
           who
           ,
           in
           all
           places
           where
           they
           have
           opportunity
           ,
           leave
           behind
           them
           the
           marks
           of
           their
           wickedness
           and
           dishonesty
           ;
           who
           dare
           not
           lead
           their
           unwarrantable
           lives
           in
           any
           fixed
           abode
           ,
           where
           the
           Government
           may
           take
           a
           true
           account
           of
           their
           behaviour
           under
           it
           .
        
         
           
             Finally
             ,
          
           Discretion
           weigheth
           well
           the
           case
           of
           
             pretended
             Converts
             ,
          
           lest
           ,
           after
           the
           modern
           
             Policy
             of
             France
          
           *
           ,
           it
           setteth
           up
           a
           Market
           for
           
             Conversions
             ,
          
           and
           exposeth
           Religion
           to
           sale
           in
           a
           mercenary
           world
           ,
           where
           divers
           will
           turn
           their
           Conscience
           
           to
           that
           point
           from
           whence
           prosperity
           bloweth
           .
           It
           is
           exceeding
           tender
           of
           all
           those
           ,
           who
           ,
           for
           Christs
           sake
           ,
           quit
           their
           Countries
           ,
           their
           stations
           ,
           their
           false
           Religion
           .
           But
           ,
           if
           it
           sees
           any
           considerable
           spot
           in
           the
           Morals
           of
           such
           who
           go
           under
           this
           character
           ,
           it
           fears
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           same
           Blessed
           Jesus
           (
           whose
           Religion
           is
           too
           Divine
           to
           cover
           base
           and
           carnal
           purposes
           )
           to
           give
           them
           encouragement
           .
           It
           must
           be
           a
           mighty
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           deep
           sense
           of
           Christian
           Piety
           which
           will
           force
           a
           man
           ,
           for
           mere
           Conscience
           sake
           ,
           to
           die
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           whilst
           he
           is
           alive
           ;
           to
           forsake
           the
           beloved
           Land
           of
           his
           Nativity
           ,
           his
           dear
           Relations
           ,
           his
           profitable
           employs
           ,
           and
           to
           
             follow
             Jesus
             whithersoever
             he
             goes
             ,
          
           be
           it
           to
           
             Pilates
          
           Tribunal
           ,
           or
           to
           
             Calvary
             .
          
           Wherefore
           ,
           he
           who
           pretends
           to
           have
           forsaken
           
             all
          
           that
           he
           may
           adhere
           to
           the
           Crucify'd
           Jesus
           ,
           and
           leads
           not
           life
           very
           exemplary
           ,
           and
           of
           remarkeable
           circumspection
           ;
           awakens
           the
           jealousie
           of
           the
           Prudent
           ,
           and
           gives
           them
           signs
           of
           his
           insincerity
           .
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           Discretion
           hath
           regard
           to
           
             the
             place
          
           in
           which
           Charity
           is
           fitly
           dispensed
           .
           
             It
             giveth
             ,
          
           sometimes
           ,
           very
           
             publickly
             ,
          
           for
           Example
           sake
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           very
           
             privately
          
           for
           Love
           sake
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           sign
           to
           our selves
           of
           our
           freedom
           from
           vain-glory
           .
           
             It
             hath
             not
             a
             constant
             door
          
           for
           a
           promiscuous
           ,
           
           bold
           ,
           contentious
           crowd
           ;
           but
           chuseth
           rather
           to
           conveigh
           its
           Alms
           to
           the
           houses
           of
           the
           needy
           ,
           than
           to
           tempt
           them
           abroad
           daily
           ,
           to
           the
           expence
           of
           their
           time
           ,
           and
           modesty
           ,
           and
           innocence
           ;
           and
           the
           neglect
           of
           their
           Family
           and
           business
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           Prudence
           raiseth
           not
           a
           
             great
             bank
             ,
          
           by
           all
           the
           Alms
           it
           hath
           ability
           to
           give
           ,
           for
           the
           behoof
           of
           some
           
             narrow
             Precinct
             ,
          
           whose
           necessities
           require
           not
           such
           redundancy
           of
           supply
           .
           That
           will
           but
           bring
           burthen
           ,
           instead
           of
           maintenance
           .
           For
           in
           this
           sence
           ,
           also
           ,
           our
           Lords
           saying
           is
           true
           ,
           
             Where
             the
             Carcass
             is
             ,
             there
             will
             the
             Eagles
             be
             gather'd
             together
             .
          
           Prudence
           (
           to
           use
           the
           words
           of
           a
           great
           man
           *
           from
           whom
           it
           is
           no
           shame
           to
           borrow
           )
           
             distributeth
             the
             remedy
             as
             the
             Disease
             is
             dispersed
             .
             Greatness
             of
             relief
             accumulate
             in
             one
             place
             ,
             doth
             rather
             invite
             a
             swarm
             and
             surcharge
             of
             poor
             ,
             than
             relieve
             those
             that
             are
             naturally
             bred
             in
             that
             place
             :
             Like
             to
             ill
             temper'd
             Medicines
             ,
             that
             draw
             more
             humour
             to
             the
             part
             ,
             than
             they
             evacuate
             from
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             Again
             ,
          
           where
           Discretion
           findeth
           the
           needy
           actually
           in
           their
           miseries
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           labour
           and
           industry
           ,
           there
           it
           conceiveth
           it
           hath
           a
           
             fit
             place
             .
          
           offer'd
           to
           it
           for
           the
           depositing
           of
           its
           Alms.
           
        
         
           For
           the
           publick
           Streets
           and
           Avenues
           to
           Churches
           ,
           the
           prudent
           are
           very
           sparing
           towards
           
           those
           confederate
           and
           immodest
           Petitioners
           ,
           who
           perpetually
           haunt
           them
           .
           They
           fear
           to
           turn
           their
           Charity
           into
           a
           blaze
           of
           glory
           .
           They
           expect
           little
           fruit
           from
           that
           which
           they
           scatter
           upon
           the
           stones
           .
           They
           will
           not
           be
           imposed
           upon
           ,
           or
           forc'd
           ,
           by
           those
           bold
           people
           who
           are
           ,
           on
           purpose
           ,
           importunate
           in
           such
           publick
           places
           ,
           where
           they
           think
           men
           will
           be
           sham'd
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           into
           bounty
           towards
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Fourthly
             ,
          
           Discretion
           considereth
           the
           
             time
             of
             giving
             Alms.
          
           It
           hath
           respect
           to
           the
           seasons
           of
           great
           Sickness
           ,
           of
           great
           losses
           ,
           of
           scarceness
           of
           Work
           ,
           and
           of
           dearness
           of
           Provisions
           .
           It
           hath
           especial
           regard
           to
           diligent
           men
           just
           sinking
           in
           their
           fortune
           ,
           who
           may
           ,
           often
           ,
           be
           kept
           above
           water
           by
           a
           very
           little
           help
           ,
           when
           a
           hand
           is
           opportunely
           reached
           towards
           them
           .
           It
           assisteth
           at
           the
           beginning
           of
           
             Arrests
             ,
          
           where
           timely
           aid
           delivers
           men
           from
           perpetual
           chains
           .
           It
           giveth
           as
           
             soon
          
           as
           it
           seeth
           a
           fit
           object
           ,
           not
           suffering
           the
           Christian
           to
           pine
           away
           whilst
           the
           Charity
           is
           growing
           .
           It
           placeth
           out
           to
           Masters
           the
           
             Children
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           as
           soon
           as
           ever
           they
           are
           capable
           of
           work
           or
           instruction
           .
           By
           such
           means
           it
           preventeth
           new
           Families
           of
           Beggars
           ;
           it
           puts
           the
           Children
           into
           a
           capacity
           of
           being
           helpful
           to
           their
           Parents
           ;
           it
           secures
           their
           innocence
           ,
           by
           preventing
           
           the
           very
           beginnings
           of
           begging
           which
           are
           dangerous
           .
           For
           there
           seemeth
           to
           be
           a
           kind
           of
           inchantment
           in
           that
           evil
           Trade
           ;
           and
           few
           who
           are
           enter'd
           are
           made
           to
           forsake
           it
           even
           by
           hardship
           it self
           .
        
         
           
             Furthermore
             ,
          
           As
           to
           time
           ,
           prudence
           hath
           an
           especial
           eye
           upon
           the
           
             seasons
             of
          
           mens
           
             setting
             up
          
           in
           honest
           Callings
           ;
           giving
           them
           some
           place
           of
           footing
           where
           they
           may
           stand
           .
           At
           such
           times
           ,
           a
           small
           summ
           is
           a
           greater
           Charity
           ,
           than
           the
           liberality
           of
           the
           openest
           hand
           ,
           when
           the
           
             way
          
           of
           the
           person
           is
           more
           fixed
           ,
           and
           his
           circumstances
           are
           ripened
           into
           some
           degrees
           of
           prosperity
           .
        
         
           
             Likewise
             ,
          
           Discreet
           charity
           is
           liberal
           at
           those
           
             solemn
             times
          
           when
           the
           Church
           celebrateth
           the
           memorials
           of
           the
           
             Birth
             ,
          
           the
           
             Passion
             ,
          
           the
           
             Resurrection
             ,
          
           the
           
             Ascension
          
           of
           the
           Saviour
           of
           the
           world
           ;
           and
           the
           
             descent
          
           of
           the
           Holy
           
             Spirit
          
           of
           God
           :
           or
           ,
           when
           it
           observeth
           publick
           
             Fasts
             ;
          
           or
           other
           daies
           of
           
             Thanksgiving
             ,
          
           besides
           those
           already
           remembred
           :
           that
           so
           our
           giving
           of
           Alms
           may
           be
           an
           
             act
          
           and
           a
           
             sign
          
           also
           ,
           both
           of
           our
           humanity
           and
           our
           Devotion
           .
        
         
           
             Again
             ,
          
           If
           there
           be
           
             absolute
             necessity
             ,
          
           wisdom
           judgeth
           that
           time
           ,
           a
           season
           for
           assistance
           ,
           even
           of
           the
           personally
           unworthy
           .
           If
           it
           hath
           power
           ,
           it
           will
           pull
           out
           of
           the
           ditch
           the
           perishing
           Goat
           
           or
           Swine
           .
           It
           knoweth
           that
           
             extremity
          
           will
           give
           violent
           counsel
           ,
           and
           that
           men
           ,
           in
           such
           circumstances
           ,
           will
           force
           a
           way
           to
           their
           relief
           ,
           if
           they
           cannot
           find
           one
           .
        
         
           
             Last
             of
             all
             ,
          
           Wisdom
           turneth
           not
           all
           Alms
           into
           Legacies
           ;
           it
           doth
           not
           adjourn
           all
           its
           Charity
           to
           the
           
             last
             Will
             ,
          
           which
           is
           ,
           sometimes
           ,
           never
           made
           but
           in
           a
           vain
           purpose
           ,
           and
           ,
           as
           often
           ,
           not
           fulfill'd
           .
        
         
           
             Fifthly
             ,
          
           Discretion
           considereth
           the
           
             quality
             of
             our
             Alms.
          
           And
           here
           ,
           it
           is
           our
           prudence
           to
           prefer
           those
           which
           serve
           towards
           a
           
             constant
          
           provision
           ,
           before
           those
           which
           are
           
             transient
             :
          
           those
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           which
           help
           a
           man
           in
           a
           pang
           of
           need
           ,
           but
           put
           him
           not
           into
           a
           
             way
             of
             living
             ;
          
           which
           just
           hold
           him
           up
           from
           perishing
           ,
           for
           an
           hour
           ,
           but
           do
           not
           take
           him
           out
           of
           the
           deep
           waters
           .
           Wisdom
           ,
           also
           ,
           perswadeth
           always
           to
           give
           
             suitable
             supplies
             ,
          
           and
           not
           mere
           counsel
           when
           bread
           is
           wanting
           .
           And
           it
           perswadeth
           to
           give
           such
           suitable
           supplies
           (
           if
           it
           consisteth
           with
           our
           convenience
           )
           rather
           
             in
             kind
             ,
          
           than
           in
           that
           which
           will
           purchase
           them
           ;
           as
           Cloaths
           to
           the
           naked
           ,
           and
           Food
           to
           the
           hungry
           ,
           and
           Books
           to
           the
           uninstructed
           ,
           and
           Physick
           to
           the
           sick
           .
           Money
           can
           answer
           all
           these
           needs
           ,
           but
           it
           will
           not
           be
           always
           laid
           out
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           for
           some
           materials
           of
           Charity
           ,
           discretion
           
           does
           purchase
           them
           from
           
             Work-houses
          
           for
           the
           poor
           ;
           at
           the
           same
           time
           doubling
           the
           good
           ,
           by
           encourageing
           diligence
           and
           administring
           supply
           .
        
         
           
             Sixthly
             ,
          
           Discretion
           considereth
           the
           
             due
             measure
          
           and
           proportion
           of
           Alms
           ,
           that
           it
           be
           fitted
           to
           the
           
             needs
          
           of
           the
           
             receiver
             ,
          
           and
           to
           the
           
             ability
          
           of
           the
           
             giver
             .
          
        
         
           
             Touching
             the
             needs
             of
             the
             receiver
             ,
          
           it
           doth
           not
           always
           limit
           it self
           to
           mere
           necessity
           ;
           but
           ,
           in
           persons
           whose
           fortunes
           are
           ,
           by
           loss
           and
           accident
           ,
           in
           declension
           ,
           it
           hath
           respect
           to
           decence
           ;
           considering
           how
           great
           the
           fall
           is
           from
           Riches
           to
           Poverty
           .
           And
           ,
           in
           men
           always
           poor
           ,
           but
           always
           in
           hard
           labour
           ,
           and
           able
           only
           to
           refresh
           life
           with
           the
           continual
           sweat
           of
           their
           brows
           ;
           it
           pitieth
           the
           heaviness
           of
           their
           yoke
           .
           It
           sometimes
           sweetneth
           their
           flavish
           estate
           by
           some
           addition
           to
           the
           wages
           of
           their
           drudgery
           ;
           and
           alloweth
           them
           some
           
             Sabbath
          
           for
           the
           ease
           of
           humane
           nature
           .
        
         
           
             Touching
             the
             ability
             of
             the
             giver
             ,
          
           discretion
           considereth
           what
           we
           justly
           possess
           ,
           and
           what
           quantity
           of
           it
           is
           required
           for
           the
           supporting
           of
           us
           in
           the
           condition
           of
           our
           birth
           ,
           our
           place
           ,
           our
           office
           ,
           our
           family
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           discharge
           of
           our
           obligations
           .
           It
           doth
           not
           require
           of
           all
           the
           same
           proportion
           .
           Some
           may
           afford
           a
           twentieth
           ,
           and
           
           others
           a
           thirtieth
           part
           :
           and
           to
           others
           ,
           whose
           Children
           and
           dependents
           are
           numerous
           ,
           and
           whose
           fortunes
           are
           entangled
           ,
           the
           hundredth
           part
           may
           be
           over
           measure
           .
           According
           as
           the
           heap
           is
           ,
           so
           the
           wise
           man
           soweth
           .
           Religious
           Prudence
           does
           not
           pull
           down
           one
           Family
           for
           the
           support
           of
           another
           .
           But
           for
           raising
           of
           a
           
             new
             Family
          
           to
           worldly
           grandeur
           (
           especially
           where
           the
           heirs
           of
           it
           are
           not
           encouragers
           of
           our
           hope
           ,
           either
           by
           the
           quickness
           of
           their
           parts
           ,
           or
           the
           virtuousness
           of
           their
           tempers
           ,
           or
           the
           goodness
           of
           their
           educations
           )
           the
           wisdom
           of
           charity
           does
           not
           press
           it
           with
           earnestness
           .
           This
           is
           a
           design
           of
           no
           great
           use
           ,
           but
           of
           great
           uncertainty
           .
           The
           Family
           of
           
             Herod
          
           a
           was
           all
           extinct
           in
           a
           single
           century
           of
           years
           .
           And
           it
           is
           noted
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Baronage
          
           b
           
             of
             England
             ,
          
           that
           ,
           of
           the
           270
           Families
           of
           which
           he
           treats
           ,
           there
           were
           not
           ,
           when
           he
           wrote
           ,
           above
           
             eight
          
           remaining
           .
           And
           yet
           ,
           a
           great
           many
           imprudent
           men
           live
           all
           their
           daies
           in
           unbecoming
           parsimony
           ,
           and
           without
           doing
           good
           so
           much
           as
           to
           their selves
           ,
           for
           the
           advancing
           of
           some
           mean
           man
           ,
           born
           to
           labour
           and
           low
           estate
           ,
           and
           uncapable
           of
           any
           thing
           greater
           than
           that
           which
           he
           is
           already
           .
           And
           such
           a
           one
           is
           ruin'd
           by
           his
           preferment
           .
           
             Galba
          
           said
           the
           honest
           truth
           of
           himself
           ,
           when
           he
           told
           his
           Friends
           ,
           That
           
             they
             
             had
             spoil'd
             a
             good
             Souldier
             ,
             and
             made
             the
             worst
             of
             Emperours
             .
          
        
         
           
             Lastly
             ,
          
           Discretion
           hath
           regard
           to
           the
           due
           
             manner
          
           of
           dispensing
           Charity
           ;
           obliging
           both
           by
           
             what
          
           it
           gives
           ,
           and
           by
           
             the
             way
             of
             giving
             .
          
           It
           giveth
           
             not
             grudgingly
             ,
             or
             of
             necessity
             ,
          
           but
           with
           signs
           of
           a
           free
           and
           willing
           heart
           .
           It
           findeth
           out
           ,
           privately
           ,
           just
           needs
           ,
           and
           it
           preventeth
           asking
           ,
           and
           surprizeth
           with
           a
           kindness
           ,
           for
           which
           the
           needy
           did
           not
           look
           .
           And
           this
           strengthens
           their
           faith
           in
           the
           providence
           of
           God
           who
           createth
           friends
           to
           them
           out
           of
           the
           dust
           ;
           who
           bringeth
           them
           supply
           without
           and
           beyond
           their
           expectation
           .
           Wherefore
           when
           prudence
           giveth
           ,
           it
           doth
           it
           without
           malicious
           upbraiding
           or
           proud
           insulting
           .
           When
           a
           miserable
           creature
           
             would
             borrow
          
           [
           or
           ,
           beg
           ]
           
             of
             him
             ,
             it
             turneth
             not
             him
             away
          
           c
           .
           That
           is
           ,
           it
           does
           not
           remove
           him
           to
           a
           distance
           ,
           with
           signs
           of
           disdain
           ,
           and
           contemptuous
           violence
           .
           It
           oppresseth
           not
           the
           modesty
           of
           the
           humble
           ;
           especially
           of
           those
           who
           have
           been
           wont
           to
           give
           and
           not
           to
           receive
           .
           To
           the
           more
           confident
           it
           giveth
           with
           a
           mixture
           of
           governance
           and
           favour
           ,
           that
           they
           neither
           be
           encouraged
           in
           insolence
           ,
           nor
           driven
           to
           desperation
           .
        
         
           Having
           said
           all
           this
           touching
           the
           
             necessity
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             nature
             ,
          
           of
           
             discretion
             in
             giving
             Alms
             ,
          
           (
           and
           all
           ,
           
           with
           reference
           to
           the
           further
           judgment
           and
           definition
           of
           a
           prudent
           man
           ,
           when
           a
           particular
           case
           does
           lie
           before
           him
           ;
           )
           It
           remaineth
           ,
        
         
           
             In
             the
             last
             place
             ,
          
           That
           I
           exhort
           both
           
             to
             Charity
             it self
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             prudent
             exercise
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           be
           ye
           
             willing
             to
             give
             ,
             and
             glad
             to
             distribute
             .
          
           Consider
           that
           power
           to
           do
           good
           ,
           is
           a
           dangerous
           ability
           ,
           unless
           we
           use
           it
           .
           Remember
           that
           it
           is
           God
           who
           giveth
           wealth
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           expecteth
           some
           answerable
           returns
           of
           it
           .
           Live
           not
           in
           such
           inhumane
           manner
           ,
           as
           if
           
             Nabal
          
           and
           
             Judas
          
           were
           come
           again
           into
           the
           world
           .
           Think
           frequently
           and
           warmly
           of
           the
           love
           of
           God
           and
           Jesus
           to
           you
           .
           You
           will
           not
           deny
           your
           crumbs
           to
           the
           miserable
           ,
           when
           you
           thankfully
           call
           to
           mind
           that
           Christ
           gave
           ,
           for
           you
           ,
           his
           very
           flesh
           and
           his
           blood
           .
           Consider
           that
           ,
           as
           one
           great
           end
           of
           Poverty
           is
           Patience
           ,
           so
           one
           great
           end
           of
           Wealth
           is
           Charity
           .
           Think
           how
           honourable
           it
           is
           to
           make
           a
           
             present
          
           to
           the
           great
           King
           of
           the
           world
           ;
           And
           what
           a
           condescension
           it
           is
           in
           his
           Alsufficiency
           to
           do
           that
           good
           by
           us
           ,
           which
           he
           could
           ,
           so
           abundantly
           ,
           do
           without
           us
           .
           Forget
           not
           that
           
             you
             your selves
             are
             in
             the
             body
             ;
          
           and
           that
           you
           know
           not
           what
           calamities
           may
           fall
           down
           upon
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           what
           relief
           from
           others
           you
           may
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           .
           And
           let
           this
           be
           one
           
           of
           your
           daily
           thoughts
           ,
           that
           ,
           according
           to
           your
           Charity
           ,
           the
           sentence
           of
           doomsday
           will
           pass
           upon
           you
           .
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           When
           you
           give
           Alms
           ,
           do
           not
           offer
           the
           sacrifice
           of
           the
           indiscreet
           ,
           which
           ,
           it self
           ,
           needeth
           atonement
           .
           Be
           not
           uncharitable
           by
           your
           charity
           .
           Add
           not
           to
           other
           evils
           ,
           the
           
             great
             grievance
          
           of
           a
           numerous
           unmannag'd
           Poor
           .
           Remove
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           in
           you
           lies
           ,
           the
           reproach
           of
           a
           late
           sharp
           Writer
           d
           ,
           who
           says
           ,
           in
           effect
           ,
           of
           the
           people
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           that
           they
           generally
           use
           a
           kind
           of
           
             mother-wit
             ;
          
           and
           have
           the
           generosity
           to
           do
           
             great
             things
             ,
          
           but
           not
           the
           discretion
           to
           do
           them
           
             wisely
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           ,
           that
           our
           Charity
           may
           be
           discreet
           ,
           let
           us
           ,
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           Exercise
           our
           minds
           with
           good
           
             compass
             of
             thought
             .
          
           He
           that
           regardeth
           only
           a
           few
           things
           ,
           shall
           never
           arrive
           at
           Prudence
           .
           It
           is
           necessary
           for
           a
           man
           to
           consider
           his
           own
           condition
           ,
           to
           view
           objects
           of
           Charity
           with
           a
           strict
           and
           judicious
           Eye
           ,
           and
           to
           look
           round
           about
           them
           in
           all
           the
           circumstances
           which
           attend
           them
           .
           The
           imprudent
           behold
           a
           shew
           of
           misery
           ,
           and
           consider
           no
           further
           ;
           and
           ,
           by
           one
           motive
           ,
           are
           prodigal
           of
           those
           Alms
           ,
           from
           the
           misapplying
           of
           which
           many
           other
           Arguments
           would
           have
           disswaded
           
           them
           .
           
             Plotinus
          
           e
           denieth
           
             that
             there
             is
             prudence
             in
             God
             ,
          
           meaning
           it
           of
           that
           wisdom
           which
           needeth
           consultation
           f
           .
           But
           it
           is
           not
           with
           man
           as
           it
           is
           with
           God
           ,
           whose
           
             will
          
           is
           his
           
             wisdom
             .
          
           Man
           knoweth
           but
           few
           things
           ,
           and
           cannot
           arrive
           at
           discretion
           without
           study
           .
           And
           it
           is
           worth
           his
           labour
           to
           study
           the
           art
           of
           knowing
           men
           ,
           by
           inquiry
           and
           observation
           ;
           that
           he
           may
           secure
           his
           Charity
           from
           the
           wiles
           of
           the
           fraudulent
           :
           and
           not
           be
           abused
           by
           fictitious
           needs
           ,
           and
           deceive
           himself
           into
           a
           dangerous
           conceit
           that
           
             he
             lends
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           when
           he
           gives
           to
           those
           who
           ,
           sometimes
           ,
           
             put
             out
             their
             very
             Alms
             to
             Interest
             .
          
           And
           ,
           by
           degrees
           ,
           a
           man
           will
           observe
           a
           
             certain
             Air
          
           in
           ungodly
           
             mendicants
             ,
          
           which
           (
           as
           great
           Masters
           as
           they
           are
           in
           the
           art
           )
           they
           cannot
           easily
           dissemble
           .
           It
           is
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           possible
           for
           the
           wisest
           and
           most
           cautious
           observer
           to
           be
           ,
           sometimes
           ,
           mistaken
           .
           But
           then
           he
           hath
           this
           satisfaction
           in
           his
           mind
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           not
           accessary
           to
           the
           imposture
           :
           and
           it
           is
           certain
           that
           they
           who
           are
           the
           blindest
           ,
           are
           the
           soonest
           misled
           .
        
         
           But
           blind
           we
           shall
           be
           ,
           and
           daily
           misled
           ,
           unless
           ,
           in
        
         
           
             The
             second
             place
             ,
          
           We
           avoid
           slothful
           and
           easie
           
             credulity
             .
             Covetousness
          
           will
           require
           ,
           as
           an
           excuse
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           way
           of
           saving
           its
           beloved
           Money
           ,
           very
           
           rigid
           demonstration
           ,
           e're
           it
           giveth
           .
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           
             credulity
          
           will
           be
           satisfy'd
           without
           tolerable
           proof
           ,
           and
           take
           a
           lewd
           man's
           
             asseveration
          
           for
           an
           
             argument
             .
          
           It
           behaveth
           it self
           towards
           the
           tales
           of
           Beggars
           ,
           as
           it
           doth
           towards
           those
           of
           idle
           Pamphlets
           :
           Though
           it
           be
           ,
           one
           day
           ,
           grossly
           deceived
           by
           them
           ,
           it
           will
           trust
           them
           the
           next
           that
           follows
           .
           And
           where
           there
           is
           such
           blind
           trust
           ,
           the
           idle
           will
           multiply
           petitions
           and
           pretences
           .
           They
           will
           tell
           them
           they
           have
           
             suffered
          
           deeply
           by
           
             suretyship
             ,
          
           though
           they
           never
           had
           the
           credit
           to
           get
           into
           Bonds
           .
           They
           will
           profess
           that
           they
           have
           
             suffered
          
           extremely
           
             by
             fire
             ,
          
           though
           they
           be
           of
           that
           number
           of
           barbarous
           Thieves
           ,
           who
           will
           set
           their
           Neighbours
           house
           on
           a
           flame
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           the
           more
           securely
           share
           in
           his
           goods
           .
           The
           credulous
           will
           be
           deceived
           by
           those
           very
           appearances
           which
           would
           undeceive
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           would
           use
           any
           competent
           reflection
           ,
           and
           had
           not
           a
           kindness
           for
           the
           scales
           on
           their
           Eyes
           .
           I
           mean
           
             the
             naked
             arms
             and
             breasts
             of
             Mendicants
          
           in
           sharp
           seasons
           ;
           and
           their
           lying
           in
           the
           Mire
           ,
           and
           on
           the
           Pavements
           ,
           day
           after
           day
           .
           Now
           ,
           what
           a
           strength
           of
           nature
           is
           this
           which
           is
           not
           injur'd
           by
           those
           customary
           seeming
           hardships
           ,
           which
           would
           destroy
           the
           lives
           of
           many
           who
           are
           in
           sound
           and
           perfect
           health
           ;
           
           and
           who
           were
           not
           bred
           to
           tenderness
           but
           labour
           ?
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           For
           the
           administring
           of
           Charity
           with
           Prudence
           ,
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           even
           
             piety
             of
             inclination
          
           be
           directed
           by
           it
           .
           It
           is
           storied
           of
           Mr.
           
             Fox
             ,
          
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
             English
             Martyrology
             ,
          
           that
           he
           could
           deny
           no
           man
           who
           asked
           of
           him
           an
           Alms
           
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Jesus
             .
          
           His
           Piety
           is
           to
           be
           highly
           valued
           ;
           but
           ,
           surely
           ,
           the
           weakness
           of
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           drawn
           into
           imitation
           .
           For
           multitudes
           use
           
             that
             name
             ,
          
           to
           whom
           if
           we
           are
           liberal
           we
           offend
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           will
           say
           to
           them
           at
           the
           final
           judgment
           ,
           
             Depart
             from
             me
             ,
             I
             know
             you
             not
             [
             or
             will
             not
             own
             you
             as
             my
             Disciples
             ]
             ye
             workers
             of
             iniquity
             .
          
        
         
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             Superstition
          
           is
           to
           be
           removed
           ,
           that
           Charity
           may
           have
           its
           perfect
           work
           .
           
             In
             the
             Eastern
             Countries
             ,
          
           it
           seedeth
           Dogs
           ,
           and
           other
           such
           Creatures
           ,
           with
           provisions
           much
           more
           convenient
           for
           men
           ;
           conceiting
           that
           it
           is
           ,
           thereby
           ,
           charitable
           to
           the
           souls
           of
           some
           of
           their
           departed
           Forefathers
           ,
           which
           are
           wander'd
           into
           the
           bodies
           of
           those
           beasts
           .
           In
           those
           ,
           and
           in
           
             divers
             other
             parts
             of
             the
             world
             ,
          
           it
           erecteth
           Convents
           for
           
             Will-worship
             ;
          
           and
           fixeth
           
             Romish
             Emissaries
          
           in
           such
           
             posts
             ,
          
           that
           they
           may
           give
           disturbance
           to
           reformed
           Christendom
           .
           In
           summ
           ,
           it
           can
           do
           nothing
           discreetly
           ,
           
           being
           the
           issue
           of
           reverence
           overstrained
           ,
           and
           of
           devout
           imagination
           heated
           into
           madness
           .
        
         
           
             Fifthly
             ,
          
           That
           Charity
           may
           be
           prudent
           ,
           let
           us
           avoid
           all
           
             pride
          
           of
           heart
           which
           dealeth
           out
           the
           measures
           of
           it
           to
           the
           unqualifyed
           and
           unworthy
           .
           It
           would
           buy
           off
           the
           clamour
           of
           
             their
          
           tongues
           whose
           credit
           is
           so
           low
           that
           it
           can
           give
           no
           authority
           to
           their
           slanders
           .
           It
           fears
           the
           
             calumny
          
           of
           
             penuriousness
             ,
          
           which
           will
           not
           
             stick
          
           long
           upon
           any
           man
           ,
           who
           is
           not
           sparing
           in
           any
           other
           case
           ,
           where
           he
           may
           be
           
             justly
             liberal
             ,
          
           and
           not
           prostitute
           his
           Riches
           .
           It
           would
           bribe
           the
           mercenary
           throats
           of
           vile
           people
           ,
           into
           the
           flattering
           sounds
           of
           ,
           
             good
             Man
             ,
             brave
             House-keeper
             ,
          
           and
           
             bountiful
             Master
             .
             Wretched
             ambition
             ,
          
           which
           loveth
           the
           praise
           of
           licentious
           Mendicants
           ,
           more
           than
           the
           suffrage
           of
           Conscience
           and
           the
           praise
           of
           God!
           
        
         
           
             Sixthly
             ,
          
           Let
           us
           arm
           our selves
           with
           
             Christian
             courage
             ,
          
           that
           the
           menaces
           ,
           and
           revengeful
           looks
           of
           the
           sturdy
           and
           desperate
           ,
           may
           not
           affright
           us
           into
           a
           misplacing
           of
           our
           Alms.
           God
           will
           protect
           us
           in
           well-doing
           against
           all
           their
           causeless
           threats
           and
           imprecations
           .
           And
           whether
           is
           it
           better
           ,
           to
           fear
           the
           loose
           tongue
           of
           an
           ungodly
           man
           ,
           or
           a
           dreadful
           thunderbolt
           from
           the
           just
           hand
           of
           Heaven
           ?
        
         
         
           
             Seventhly
             ,
          
           Let
           us
           conquer
           
             foolish
             pity
          
           and
           irrational
           compassion
           .
           That
           affection
           is
           put
           into
           men
           by
           nature
           ,
           to
           keep
           their
           reason
           from
           languishing
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           pervert
           it
           .
           Yet
           it
           is
           daily
           suffered
           to
           do
           this
           disservice
           in
           cases
           of
           Charity
           .
           There
           is
           doleful
           clamour
           in
           the
           
             ear
             ,
          
           and
           a
           shew
           of
           extream
           misery
           before
           the
           
             eye
             ;
          
           and
           this
           raises
           ,
           by
           mere
           
             mechanick
             force
             ,
             a
             pang
          
           in
           the
           heart
           .
           And
           nothing
           maketh
           the
           impression
           ,
           but
           an
           appearance
           of
           sadness
           in
           the
           object
           .
           The
           image
           of
           it
           is
           dreadful
           ;
           but
           men
           under
           the
           dominion
           of
           passion
           ,
           consider
           not
           whether
           it
           be
           a
           real
           misery
           ,
           or
           a
           fiction
           ,
           and
           a
           kind
           of
           spectre
           of
           Poverty
           .
           They
           examine
           not
           whether
           all
           this
           ,
           if
           real
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           effect
           of
           vice
           and
           sloth
           ;
           and
           whether
           industry
           could
           not
           supply
           those
           needs
           for
           which
           ther
           Alms
           are
           ask'd
           ,
           in
           a
           
             careful
             tone
             ,
          
           formed
           ,
           on
           purpose
           ,
           to
           move
           compassion
           .
           But
           to
           ease
           this
           present
           
             pang
          
           in
           their
           
             bowels
             ,
          
           they
           give
           at
           adventure
           ,
           and
           thereby
           put
           a
           thorn
           into
           their
           
             Conscience
             .
          
           Some
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             Christians
          
           g
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           abundance
           of
           their
           compassion
           ,
           gave
           Alms
           unwarily
           to
           many
           crafty
           
             Heathens
             ,
          
           who
           knew
           their
           weakness
           ,
           and
           serv'd
           themselves
           upon
           it
           .
           And
           by
           this
           means
           ,
           those
           less
           prudent
           Christians
           increased
           the
           Riches
           and
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Enemies
           of
           their
           persons
           and
           their
           Holy
           Religion
           .
        
         
         
           There
           are
           many
           who
           have
           either
           none
           of
           the
           miseries
           which
           they
           feign
           ,
           or
           none
           which
           they
           would
           part
           with
           .
           In
           some
           ,
           loud
           sighs
           ,
           and
           deep
           groans
           ,
           and
           flowing
           tears
           ,
           and
           passionate
           complaints
           ,
           are
           all
           counterfeit
           and
           artificial
           .
           And
           if
           they
           move
           
             your
             hearts
             ,
          
           they
           have
           more
           influence
           upon
           them
           ,
           than
           they
           have
           upon
           
             their
             own
             .
          
           It
           is
           said
           of
           two
           Beggars
           h
           who
           had
           a
           design
           upon
           the
           Charity
           of
           
             Epiphanius
             Bishop
             of
             Salamine
             ;
          
           that
           ,
           to
           move
           his
           pity
           ,
           one
           feign'd
           himself
           dead
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           stood
           weeping
           and
           mourning
           over
           him
           .
           There
           are
           many
           who
           are
           reconciled
           to
           very
           ill
           circumstances
           ,
           as
           pretences
           to
           beg
           with
           .
           They
           would
           not
           part
           with
           their
           Ulcers
           ,
           their
           scarrs
           ,
           their
           Crutches
           ,
           left
           they
           part
           with
           their
           idleness
           and
           their
           Alms.
           By
           such
           ways
           they
           extort
           that
           from
           the
           tenderness
           of
           mens
           hearts
           ,
           which
           the
           firmness
           of
           their
           reason
           would
           have
           preserved
           from
           abuse
           .
           But
           ,
           alass
           !
           This
           Charity
           which
           springeth
           from
           such
           soft
           temper
           as
           cannot
           bear
           up
           against
           any
           thing
           that
           looks
           like
           Tragedy
           ,
           does
           not
           deserve
           the
           name
           of
           that
           Grace
           ;
           nor
           shall
           it
           have
           its
           reward
           .
           For
           it
           gives
           indiscreetly
           
             for
             its
             own
             ease
             ,
          
           and
           not
           to
           please
           God
           in
           the
           relief
           of
           just
           necessities
           .
           If
           this
           foolish
           compassion
           may
           be
           called
           Charity
           ,
           the
           weeping
           at
           disasters
           of
           persons
           
           in
           Romance
           ,
           may
           challenge
           the
           name
           of
           Christian
           pity
           .
        
         
           
             These
             means
             ,
          
           then
           ,
           let
           us
           diligently
           use
           ,
           that
           the
           wisdom
           of
           our
           minds
           may
           guide
           the
           liberality
           of
           our
           hands
           .
        
         
           
             So
          
           shall
           we
           justifie
           our selves
           to
           our
           own
           reason
           ;
           
             so
          
           shall
           we
           best
           promote
           the
           common
           good
           ;
           so
           shall
           we
           imitate
           the
           great
           and
           all-wise
           God
           ,
           who
           
             is
             good
             and
             does
             good
             ,
          
           and
           does
           all
           things
           
             in
             number
             and
             weight
             and
             measure
             .
          
           So
           shall
           we
           
             provide
             for
             our selves
             ,
             bags
             which
             wax
             not
             old
             ,
             and
             lay
             up
             for
             our selves
             an
             enduring
             treasure
             in
             the
             Heavens
             ,
          
           and
           
             find
             mercy
             in
             that
             day
          
           when
           we
           shall
           stand
           in
           the
           greatest
           need
           of
           it
           .
           Having
           in
           our
           life
           time
           shewn
           discreet
           compassion
           to
           the
           
           Lazar's
           who
           are
           fit
           objects
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           shall
           ,
           when
           we
           die
           ,
           be
           received
           into
           the
           bosom
           of
           the
           most
           blessed
           
             Jesus
             ,
             to
             whom
             ,
             with
             the
             Father
             and
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             be
             given
             all
             Honour
             for
             ever
             .
          
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           ADVERTISEMENT
           .
        
         
           THE
           same
           Author
           hath
           an
           Excellent
           Treatise
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           Of
           
             Idolatry
             :
          
           a
           Discourse
           ,
           in
           which
           is
           indeavoured
           a
           Declaration
           of
           ,
           its
           Distinction
           from
           
             Superstition
             ,
          
           its
           Notion
           ,
           Cause
           ,
           Commencement
           ,
           and
           Progress
           ;
           its
           Practice
           charged
           on
           
             Gentiles
             ,
             Jews
             ,
             Mahometans
             ,
             Gnosticks
             ,
             Manichees
             ,
             Arians
             ,
             Socinians
             ,
             Romanists
             :
          
           As
           also
           ,
           of
           the
           Means
           which
           God
           hath
           vouchsafed
           towards
           the
           Cure
           of
           it
           by
           the
           
             Shechinah
          
           of
           his
           Son.
           
        
         
           Printed
           for
           
             Francis
             Tyton
          
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Daggers
          
           in
           
             Fleetstreet
             ,
          
           over
           against
           S
           
             t
          
           
             Dunstans
          
           Church
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A64367-e550
           
             a
             T.
             Aquin.
             Sum.
             2
             
               ●
            
             2
             
               ●
            
             q
             23.
             
             Art.
             3.
             
               utrum
               Charitas
               sit
               virtus
               ?
            
          
           
             b
             Phav
             .
             Lex
             .
             p.
             1874.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             c
             Rom.
             7.
             12.
             
          
           
             d
             S.
             Matt.
             5.
             47.
             
          
           
             e
             Rom.
             5.
             7.
             
          
           
             f
             LXX
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Gejer.
             in
             Loc.
             
               judiciose
               .
            
          
           
             g
             LXX
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             h
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             10.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Comp.
             v.
             9
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             i
             K.
             Edg.
             vid.
             Hist.
             of
             Ref.
             part
             1.
             p.
             22.
             
          
           
             k
             S.
             Chrys.
             Hom.
             67.
             in
             S.
             Matt.
             
          
           
             l
             Ren.
             des
             Cartes
             in
             Epist.
             par
             .
             1.
             p.
             97.
             —
             Sitque
             apud
             me
             axioma
             ,
             Justas
             &
             honestas
             vias
             omnium
             utilissimas
             esse
             ,
             &
             tutissimas
             .
          
           
             m
             V.
             Tertul.
             Apol
             .
             C.
             39.
             p.
             31.
             
             Etiam
             si
             quod
             Arcae
             genus
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             n
             Horae
             B.
             M.
             v.
             ad
             Us.
             Sar.
             fol.
             66.
             —
             who
             that
             devoutly
             say
             [
             these
             three
             Prayers
             ]
             shall
             obtain
             ten
             hundred
             thousand
             years
             of
             pardon
             for
             
               deadly
               sins
            
             granted
             by
             our
             holy
             Father
             
               John
            
             22
             
               d
            
             
               P.
            
             of
             
               R.
               
            
          
           
             o
             Life
             of
             S.
             Teresa
             .
             2
             
               d
            
             part
             ,
             p.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             p
             S.
             Matt.
             5.
             42.
             
          
           
             q
             Tertul.
             Apol.
             c.
             39.
             p.
             31.
             
             
               Haecquasi
               deposita
               pietatis
               sunt
               ;
               nam
               indè
               non
               epulis
               ,
               nec
               potaculis
               ,
               nec
               ingratis
               voratrinis
               dispensatur
               ;
               sed
               egenis
               alendis
               humandisque
               ,
               &
               pueris
               ac
               puellis
               re
               ac
               parentibus
               destitutis
               ,
               jamque
               domefticis
               senibus
               item-naufragis
               :
               &
               siqui
               in
               metallis
               ,
               &
               fiqui
               in
               insulis
               vil
               in
               Custodiis
               ,
               dumtaxat
               ex
               causd
               dei
               sectae
               ,
               alumni
               confessionis
               suae
               fiunt
               .
            
          
           
             *
             See
             
               Pol.
               of
               the
               French
            
             Clergy
             to
             destroy
             the
             Protestants
             ,
             
               &c.
            
             p.
             151
             ,
             
               &c.
            
             p.
             204
             ,
             
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             *
             Lord
             
               Bacon
            
             in
             his
             Advice
             touching
             Mr.
             
             Sutton's
             Estate
             ,
             in
             
               Resusc.
            
             p.
             199.
             
          
           
             a
             Joseph
             .
             Ant.
             l.
             18.
             c.
             7.
             
             Et
             R.
             R.
             Usserii
             Annal.
             A.
             4079.
             
          
           
             b
             Sir
             
               W.
               Dugd.
            
             Pref.
             to
             Vol.
             1.
             p.
             7.
             
          
           
             c
             S.
             Matt.
             5.
             42.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             d
             
               J.
               M.
            
             Char.
             p.
             10.
             
          
           
             e
             Plotin
             .
             Enn.
             1.
             l.
             2.
             p.
             11.
             
          
           
             f
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             g
             V.
             Lucian
             .
             de
             Morte
             Peregrin
             .
          
           
             h
             Soz.
             Eccl.
             Hift.
             l.
             7.
             c.
             27.
             
          
        
      
    
  

