Wilson on Article XXXVIII: Of Christian men's Goods, which are not common

b While we have time let us do good unto all men, and spe- cially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. 10. Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath : for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out. 1 Tim. vi. G, 7. Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute ; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. Ver. 17, 18, 19. God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works, and labour that proceedeth of love; which love ye have shewed for his name’s sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10. To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Ileb. xiii. 16. Whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love

■ All that believed were together, sold, was it not in thine own

and had all things common; and power? Acts v. 3, 4.

sold their possessions and goods, and b He that honoureth his Maker,

parted thera to all men, as every hath mercy on the poor. Prov. xiv.

man had need. Acts ii. 44, 45. The Give alms of such things as ye

multitude of them that believed have. Luke xi. 41. Upon the first

were of one heart, and of one soul : day of the week, let every one of

neither said any of them, that you lay by him in store as God

ought of the things which he pos- hath prospered him. 1 Cor. xvi. 21.

sessed was his own; but they had Support ye the weak, and remember

all things common. Neither was the words of the Lord Jesus, how

there any among them that lacked: he said, It is more blessed to give,

for as many as were possessors of than to receive. Acts xx. 35.

lands or houses sold them, and There is that scattereth, and yet

brought the prices of the things increaseth ; and there is that with-

that were sold, and laid them down holdeth more than is meet, but it

at the Apostles’ feet; and distri- tendeth to poverty. The liberal

but ion was made unto every man soul shall be made fat : and he that

according as he had need. Acts watereth shall be watered also

iv. 32, 34, 35. Peter said, Ananias, himself. Prov. xi. 24, 25. The

why hath Satan filled thine heart liberal deviseth liberal things, and

to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to by liberal things he shall stand,

keep back part of the price of the Is. xxxii. 8. Whoso hath this

land ? Whiles it remained was it world’s good, and seeth his brother

not thine own? and after it was have need, and shutteth up his

d d

such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

of God in him ? 1 St. John iii. 17. Give alms of thy goods, and never turn thy face from any poor man, and then the face of the liOrd shall not be turned away from thee. Tob. iv. 7. Be mer- ciful after thy power: if thou hast much, give plenteously; if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little : for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of neces- sity. Ver. 8, 9. He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord ; and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Prov. xix. 17. Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy : the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Psal. xli. 1. Sentences in the Offertory.

bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ? 1 John iii. 17. The poor shall never cease out of the land ; therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. Deut. xv. 11. As a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly ; and he which soweth bountifully, shall

reap also bountifully. Every man, according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudg- ingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 5—7. &c. Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be rich in good works, ready to dis- tribute, willing to communicate: laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come j that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17—19.