480 SEllMOXS UPON MARK X. 17-27. [Sf.R. VI.
mined for his life, it would be a great advantage to know the queslions that shall be asked him beforehand. Christ hath told us beforehand the questions that shall be put to us : Mat. xxv., Have you fed, have ye visited, have ye clothed ? are there none in prison to bo visited ? none hungry to be fed ? none naked to be clothed ? It is not, Have you heard ? have you prophesied ? have you eaten and drunk in my pre- sence ? No ; but works of mercy are produced, that your faith might be found to praise and honour.
[5.] The equity of it in regard of God's mercies to us. (1.) We have all from God : ' He giveth us richly all things to enjoy,' 1 Tim. vi. 17. Now God doth require his rent, and some acknowledgment to himself as the great landlord of the whole earth, of whom we have received, and from whom we hold all we have. Now the rent that God requires is that something should be given and distri- buted to the uses of the poor. When the children of Israel brought their first-fruits, wherewith the poor and widows were relieved, they Avere to make their acknowledgment : Deut. xxvi. 9, 10, ' The Lord hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey ; and now behold I have brought the first-fruits of the land, which thou, 0 Lord, hast given.' So David, 1 Chron. xxix. 12-14, ' Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might ; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now there- fore, 0 God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name : but who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to ofi'er so will- ingly after this sort ? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee ; ' and ver. 16, ' 0 Lord our G^d, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thy holy name, comeili of thine hand, and is all thine own.' Sure we received not all for our- selves, as the stomach receiveth not meat for itself, and the liver re- ceiveth not blood for itself, but to disperse it to the rest of the body ; so we are but stewards and dispensers of what we have, not proprietors. (2.) God had pity on the lost world. Indigent creatures have not so much need of temporal relief as we had of God's sending his Son. Among all the treasures of heaven nothing is more excellent : 2 Cor. viii. 9, ' Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.' They are a part of our thank-offering : Heb. xiii. 15, 16, ' By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God con- tinually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name ; but to do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices ( iod is well pleased.' When he had proved Christ to be a sin-offering, lie tells us that there is a thank-offering required of us. What is that ? Praise and thanksgiving is one, and alms is another ; these are things pleasing in the sight of God.
All this is spoken because there are so few true christians in the world, whatever feigned respects they jiretend to Christ. Alas ! many that have great estates, hundreds by the year, yet have not a heart to be helpful to their poor brethren and neighbours, but are very backward, full of grudging and repining when they give anything. How many are there that are liberal to their lusts, that can spend whole farms and
VeR. 21.] SERMONS UPON MARK X. 17-27. 481
lordships upon gamiug, drinking, riot, luxury, lawsuits, costly apparel, and bestow so little upon tlie poor members of Christ Jesus. Do these men believe there will be a day of judgment, and a heaven and a hell ? Oh ! rouse up yourselves ; give, but give upon a right principle ; it is not a sin-ofFering, but a thank-offering ; and give not for self- esteem, and to be well spoken of by men : Mat. vi. 1, ' Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them ; ' but give in obedience to God. And for the quantum, how much you should give, that is not defined, but do not sow sparingly ; God trusts love in the time of the gospel, therefore give not grudgingly. Draw out thy soul to the hungry : 2 Cor. ix. 7, ' Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, nor of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver.' Live honey is best, that which flows of its own accord ; so myrrh that sweats out of the tree of its own accord, that is most precious. Oh ! give readily to the poor, that you may have the Lord's blessing and treasure in heaven.