Of Alms-Deeds, Or Charity
in Giving.

T

IS the Direction of the Church of England, in the Order for the Visitation of the Sick, That The Minister should not omit, earnestly to Move fuch Sick Persons as are of Ability, to be Liberal to the Poor.

Whence Observe,

1. That it is the Duty of the Clergy, to Move Sick and Dying Persons to Remember the Poor.

2. If such Sick and Bequeathing Persons are of Ability, they are then to Move them to be Liberal in their Gifts and Legacies to the Poor.

3. They are not only to Move them, but earnestly and with importunity to Move them.

If therefore the Covetous Mifers of this. World, who value their Bags more than their Souls, shall be offended at this Freedom, (as if this Part of our Office were a Pragmatical Encroachment; as if herein we did tranfgress the Limits of our Calling, and were as Bufy-bodies in other mens Matters;) I shall for the Conviction of fuch Perfons, and the just Vindication of my Profeffion, suggest the Reasons of fuch Charitable Distributions. And from thence shall shew them, why we of the Clergy do think our felves obliged, with fuch repeated Plainness, to remind them of this Duty.

The Clergy by their Office and Calling, are the Ambassadors of Christ. Or, if that may feem a Title of too much State, they are the Stewards of his Houshold; who

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who are to distribute to the Family their several Portions.

Now St. Paul, who was not only a faithful Paftor of the Flock, but also a Governor of the Pastors themselves, hath left this Apoftolical Injunction to his Son Timothy; and in him to all other Paftors and Ministers of God's Word.

Charge them that are Rich in this World, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain Riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

That they do Good, that they be Rich in good Works, ready to Diftribute, willing to Communicate.

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay bold on eternal life. I Tim. 6. 17, 18,

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It appears from this Injunction of St. Paul, that Rich men,

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as well as Others, are to be Admonished of their Duty. Charge them that are Rich in this World. And if their Loftiness shall think scorn to be thus Tutor'd by the Clergy, they are then Advised, That they be not highminded. Not to be proud and infolent; not to flight and despise their meaner Brethren. And the more effectually to abate their Confidence, they are further to be Admonished; That their Riches are uncertain, and therefore 'tis the highest Folly, To trust in uncertain Riches.

Solomon's Observation, That Riches make themselves wings, and flee away as an Eagle towards Heaven. Prov. 23. 5. (that is, they are gone with a swift and imperceptible Motion) is fully confirmed by daily experience.

Fire, Robbery, Suretyship, the Falseness of a Friend, a Sinking Ship, a Treasonable Word, the Tragical Excesses of Wine and Paffion, with many other fuch like Accidents, have funk and ruined the Greatest in a Moment.

Now these possible Events, which may happen to the Richest, and level them with the Poorest, do seasonably Admonish the Rich men of this World, not to be high-minded, nor to trust in uncertain Riches.

And therefore, since Riches are such uncertain Possessions, and may and will fo unexpectedly leave them; 'tis Charity to direct these Rich men where to put their Trust. Even in the living God: Who is not only a Sure and Certain Comfort, (for he is a living God, and a living Comfort;) but all other Comforts do flow from him. Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

And