I. WHEN David, in an Assembly of his Great Men, had encourag'd their Oblations towards the build­ing of the Temple; their extra­ordinary Munificence fill'd him with pious Joy: And Now (saith he) O God, 1 Chron 29.13, 14, 16. we thank Thee, and praise thy Glorious Name: But who am I, and what is my People, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of Thee, and of thine own have we given Thee. Such a Religious Address may well become this Solemnity; especially from you, that have been liberal Offerers with your own hands: And we ought to begin with Thanksgi­vings to God, for enriching this Great City with so many Structures of Charity; and to bless him for enabling the Raisers of them to offer so willingly; and to acknowledge with humble Gratitude, All this store cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 'Tis not for Ostentation, and Pomp, that these Bene­factions are now display'd; (for that would be to [Page 2]offer Violence to Charity it self) but for the exci­ting of our Sacrifices to God, who is the chief Donour of all these Gifts; and for a Memorial of the Righteous, Psal. 112.6. that are worthy to be had in Ever­lasting Remembrance; and for an Incentive to all those that have hearts to follow them. Let us ac­cordingly answer these Ends, and pursue this Spi­ritual Traffick with an Earnestness equal to the Advantages of it: And let us be assur'd, that the Strength of a City lies in God's Protection; and the Riches of it in Works of Piety, and Mercy. To which effect, Ye ought to support the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive.

II. The Maxim here mention'd from the Mouth of our Blessed Lord, is not deposed in any of the Gospels received by the Church; but was trans­mitted (as I conceive) by Tradition, and com­monly known amongst the Christians; which therefore they are call'd upon to remember, as what they had often heard. S. John tells us, That if all that Jesus did should be set down distinctly in Writing, even the World it self could not contain the Books that should be written. Joh. 21.25. By which hyperbo­lical Expression, the Evangelist seems to intimate, That the Intention of his Writing was not out of a Partial Affection to Christ, to set forth all that he did, and to compile a Volume meerly for his Glory; but to relate onely so much as was necessary for the Instruction of the World, in the Funda­mental Principles of the Christian Faith. Where­upon he saith before, Joh. 20.30, 31. Many other Signs truly did Jesus in the Presence of his Disciples, which are not written in this Book: But these are written, that ye [Page 3]might believe, that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; (which was the grand Article for the Con­viction of the Jews, who disclaim'd his being the Messias, and of the Hereticks who then impugned his Divinity) and that believing ye might have life through his Name. Wherefore as Christ endea­vour'd the Conversion of his own People, and evinc'd his being the Promis'd Redeemer, by in­numerable Miracles which are not convey'd to the Knowledge of Posterity; (the Wisdom of God ordering it thus, and having given us otherwise sufficient Confirmation of our Faith) so likewise many of the Heavenly Speeches deliver'd by him in the Course of his Preaching, are unrecorded in our Authentick Gospels; and yet some of them have been occasionally preserv'd, as also a few Re­mains of the Apostles; like Gold wash'd off from the Mountains, and left upon the Shoar. Of this Nature is a Saying of our Lord, met with in ma­ny of the Ancient Origen, Clem. Alex. Hieron. &c. Fathers, [...], Be good Exchangers of Money; that is, Distinguish well between true and counterfeit Doctrine. And so again this is ascrib'd by De Orat. § 2. Origen to our Saviour, Ask for great things, and the little shall be added to you; ask for heavenly things, and the earthly shall be added. From a like unknown Source we have, by S. Paul, this excellent Aphorism before us; which might well be joyn'd to those admirable Beatitudes in the Sermon upon the Mount. For an equal Bles­sedness is here declar'd, and promis'd to the chari­table Giver, by him who is able to make good his Promise: It is more blessed to give, than to receive.

III. For the Explication of which Words, as they are apply'd by the Apostle to the supporting of the weak, and indigent, I shall endeavour to clear these Four Points:

• First, Ʋpon what grounds we are oblig'd to Works of Charity;
• Secondly, In what proportion our Charity is re­quired by God;
• Thirdly, Ʋpon what Objects our Charity is most usefully employ'd; And
• Fourthly, Wherein the Blessedness of being chari­table consists.

First, I am to explain the Grounds, upon which we are oblig'd to Works of Charity: And these I should not insist upon in a Duty to uncontested, (though too frequently shifted off) were they not also Enforcements to Alacrity, and Forwardness herein. And the Grounds which I shall argue from, shall be these Two;

• 1st. The Principles of Natural Justice; And
• 2dly. The Light of Revelation.

1st. Let it be consider'd, that relieving of the Poor is exacted from us by the Rules of Natural Justice: Because though they have no particular, and perfect Right to what any of us possess; yet having a share in God's Donation of the Earth to Man, they have hereby a general Claim to the Bounty of the Rich; which is to be actually ex­hibited, as their Wants are discover'd to us. For our Incitement hereunto, there are natural [Page 5]Motions wrought within us, and moulded into our very Frame: For when we see a miserable Object, Nature it self moves our Bowels to Com­passion, and our Hands to give; and those of the finest Temper are soonest affected with the Di­stresses of other Men. So that whereas the being befriended by our inbred Corruption, is that by which other Sins prevail; the uncharitable, and unrelenting Niggard doth not only stifle his Rea­son, but also strive against the Instigations of his own Soul. For in this Matter every Man may be his own Casuist, Luke 6.31. and take his Decision from that [...]. Isocrat. Universal Law; As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. In Conformity whereunto, upon the sight of any indigent Neigh­bour, 'tis but turning the Tables, and supposing that thou art in his place. Imagine thy self to be reduc'd to Poverty, or to a languishing Condition, and full of Wants that cry out for speedy help; or to be surrounded with a Stock of Children, with­out having Bread to silence their Clamours, and stop their Tears: And then ask thy Conscience, if thou wouldst not think it very reasonable, that thy Neighbour who lives in Affluence, and hath Stores in Readiness, should contribute somewhat to thy Relief, and lend a compassionate hand to deliver thee from Affliction. This undoubtedly would be thy Sense, and justly too: And conse­quently deal with thy poor Brethren according to the same Standard. For though the Necessities of another Man (even upon the Supposition of his being ready to perish) cannot empower him in strict Justice to take Possession of any of my Goods, without thy Consent either actually express'd, or [Page 6]justly presum'd: Yet I am oblig'd to part with them freely for his Benefit, in such Urgencies, so far as I can spare them And this is no more than what [...] Homer. Natural Religion discovers; and Reason binds upon us from the implanted Instincts of our own Frame, and the common Ties of Humanity.

IV. 2dly, This Duty is further enforc'd from the Light of Revelation: And in all the Dispensations of Divine Truth we find it our way. Job (who is suppos'd with much Probability to have liv'd before the Law) acquaints us with his early Pra­ctice; Job 31.16, 17, 19. That he never with-held the poor from their de­sire, nor caused the eyes of the widow to fail; that he did never eat his morsel alone, but with the Fatherless; and that he never saw any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering. Deut. 15.11, 10. And Moses is very express from God: The poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and needy in thy land: Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him. And this was to be done over and above the special Deut. 14.28, 29. Tithe for the poor, and Exod. 23.11. Levit. 23.22. Is. 58.6, 7. other Legal Provisions for them. Agreeably hereunto the Pro­phet declares in the Name of God, Is not this the Fast that I have chosen, to deal thy bread to the hun­gry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thy self from thine own flesh? It seems then that even under the Jewish Oeconomy, (which was so full of Ritual Obser­vances) there was no true Religion without works of Mercy, and Charity: So that if this Sacrifice were wanting, neither their Fasts, nor Devotions, [Page 7]nor Burnt-offerings could be truly acceptable in the Sight of God. If from hence we pass to the Chri­stian State, the Precepts, and Example of Christ shine before us with such Brightness, as to con­vince us that Charity is one of the Pillars of his Religion. Mat. 5.42. Give (saith he) to him that asketh Thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away: And again, Luk. 11.41. Give alms of such things as you have, [...], according to your ability; and be­hold, Luk. 12.33. all things are clean unto you: And again, Sell that you have, and give alms; provide your selves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not: And again, Luk. 14.13, 14. When thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: For thou shalt be recompensed at the Resurre­ction of the just. I need not produce what the Apostles have urged to the same Effect: For their Lessons are known to us at the Offertory, when (according to the Justin Mart. Apol. Iren. l. 4. c. 34. Cypr. de Eleem. ancient Piety) the Oblations of our Substance are joynd' with the Sacrifice of the Lord's Supper. Nor shall I set before you the Zeal of the Primitive Church, in relieving the afflicted, and supporting one another under Perse­cution to such a degree, that the Flames of their Charity were as eminent, and glorious, as those of their Martyrdom. For how can any Christian for­get his Duty herein, since Christianity is the Imi­tation of our Saviour's Life? And we all know, that he was the greatest Pattern of Charity that ever was seen in the World.

V. I come then to the 2d Head, namely to shew, In what measure our Charity is demanded of God: [Page 8]And though the fixing of this may seem difficult, and we have no settled Standard to go by; (be­cause God is willing to try, what we will do of our own accord) yet the Two following Rules may very reasonably be allow'd.

1st. That we are bound to give in Proportion to the Necessities of the poor: And as their Num­bers, and Wants increase, we are to be more li­beral; as they lessen by being set on work, or pro­vided for otherwise, we are under no Obligation of scattering unnecessary Relief. The Injunction of Moses was this, Deut. 15.7, 8. Thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth: And this lending (under the Law) was in a manner equivalent to giving. 'Tis impossible to cloth a naked Man with a Rag; or to keep a Family from starving with a Morsel of Bread: And therefore the bestowing of such penu­rious Alms (where all their dependance is upon us) is rather to insult over their misery, than to rescue them from it. Let it be granted, that we are oblig'd to relieve the poor; and the Consequence is undeniable, that our Bounty must extend to such a measure as they cannot subsist without. If the Laws of our Country would reach to the em­ploying and maintaining of all our poor, then what we should pay into the publick Stock, would be instead of our voluntary Alms; and might by a free Dedication of it to God, be as much accepted by him. But as our present Circumstances are, the needy cannot be supported but by our Free-will-offerings; and consequently (till some National Remedy is procur'd) the more numerous they [Page 9]grow, whatever Retrenchments we make upon our selves, we must not suffer them to be famish'd. And because our time of doing good is but short, let not any opportunity slip from us.

VI. The 2d Rule is, That every Man is oblig'd to give in proportion to his own Affluence, and stated Income; and between God, and his own Conscience, to allot such a part of it for Charity, as may answer the General Precepts concerning it. The Casuists commonly assert, That 'tis a sin not to distribute amongst the poor our Superfluities: But how these are to be computed, they are not equally agreed. Eccl. 35.10. Give unto the most High (saith the Son of Sirach) according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a chearful eye: And one of greater Authority thus regulates the Col­lections for the Brethren, 1 Cor. 16.2. Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prosper'd him. Luk. 21.3. A Mite may be applauded by Christ from a poor Widow, Levit. 5.7. but not from a rich Offerer; and he must not save the best of his Flock, by bringing a Turtle; he must not shrink at giving, and pretend Inability, when he can be profuse upon his Vanities, and Pleasures: For God is not mocked; Gal. 6.7. and all the cheat he puts is upon his own Soul. And let us not forget, that God is a Creditour to all of us, and we are his Debters; and there is a Day to come for the ballancing of the Accounts between us. I will not however pretend to determine, how much precisely any Man is bound to set aside for Acts of Mercy; and the Apostle seems to have prevented such an Enquiry by this Direction, 2 Cor. 9.7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudg­ingly, [Page 10]or of necessity; for God loveth a chearful giver. There was, I confess, in those early times before the Law, a Notion amongst good Men of dedica­ting to God a tenth part of their Increase: And hereupon this was Jacob's Vow, Of all that thou shalt give me, Gen. 28.22. I will surely give the tenth unto thee: And that he carefully perform'd this Vow upon growing rich, we may take for granted. 'Tis true, these Payments to God were originally for his Al­tar; and by Consequence the poor were not di­rectly concern'd in them: But besides that I believe the Priests of God to have been the common Al­moners for the People in those days, as they cer­tainly were in the Cyprian. Ep. 2. & 5 & 7. Greg. Resp. ad August. Primitive Church; I only take notice of the Principle they went upon, and argue from it to the Case before us. For if God's Do­minion is to be acknowledg'd by a Tenth of what we receive from him; (as those devout Men an­ciently thought) we may borrow some Light from hence, to be guided by in dispersing our Alms; and 'tis what many charitable Persons have constantly done. But (as our Saviour said in another Case) All men cannot receive this saying, Mat. 19.11. save they to whom it is given: And such an Imposition will be re­jected by many as too burthensome; though 'tis much below the Instance of the wealthy Publican, Behold, Luk. 19.8. Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. Allow me then to make a more easy, and gentle Proposal: And 'tis a Prescription that hath been try'd, and approv'd. 'Tis briefly this: That every man, whom God hath bless'd in his Calling, would at the end of the year review his income from it, and com­pute the accession to his gains; and would then upon his knees humbly offer a portion of it to God, and set [Page 11]it apart as a private Stock for Charity for the Year en­suing. This Gift he may dedicate in some such Form, as the honest Jew did his Basket of First­fruits; Behold, I have brought the first-fruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me: Deut. 26.10. And I am perswaded, such an Offering would cleanse, and sanctifie the rest of the Harvest. And by this An­niversary Oblation he would further have this Ad­vantage; that he would always give with Ala­crity, and seek for occasions to do it, and delight in exhausting his consecrated Treasure. I add this Caution, that what a Christian dedicates to God, Non sit Eleemos [...]na ex in­justâ aliorum rapinâ, sed ex propriâ, ac probè acquisitâ fa­cultate. Concil. Clovesh. A. D. 747, De justis laboribus fa­cite eleemosynas, ex eo quod rectè habetis date. Non enim corrupturi estis Judicem Chri­stum. Augustin. must be out of honest Gains: For God accepts no Offering out of Goods ill gotten, and capable of being restor'd; by this Mammon of Ʋnrighteousness, there is no making of friends above; because there is onely place for Restitution to them that have been defrauded. Eccl. 34.20. Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor, (saith a wise Jew) doeth as one that killeth the Son before his Fa­ther's eyes.

VII But to proceed to the 3d Point, let us now consider, upon what Objects our Charity is most usefully employ'd: And these I shall briefly men­tion under the following Heads.

1st. Such as suffer for the Truth of the Gospel, either against Infidelity, or against Idolatry, and gross Corruptions: And in them most properly Christ himself is reliev'd. This Charity was so re­markable in the Primitive Ages of Persecution, [Page 12]that it propagated the Christian Faith almost as much as Miracles: And when the Prisons were fill'd with Confessours, they were visited, and re­fresh'd with such Fervency, that it rais'd an holy Ambition: to put on these happy Chains. We have not such Trials (God be prais'd) either of our Fortitude, or Liberality at home; though 'tis not long since the Skie was growing black over us, and we were apprehensive of a Storm. But many from abroad, that have fled from Antichristian Ty­ranny, have been zealously succour'd here: And the shelter afforded to them hath possibly induc'd God, not to let loose the Spirit of Persecution upon us. From other quarters we may be likely to hear of it again; (for no Circle will confine the restless Spirit of Popery:) and then our Charity must have new Vigour. The Redemption of Cap­tives out of Turkish Slavery is an Act that hath some Affinity hereunto: For since they are op­press'd for bearing the Name of Christ, and may be preserv'd to him by a speedy Deliverance; our Forwardness herein will entitle us to this Appro­bation from our Lord, Mat. 25.36. I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

VIII. 2dly, In distinguishing Objects of Mercy let us regard those especially, that are recom­mended to it by their own Worth; or by that of their Progenitours. For if they have a good Testimony for Piety, or Vertue, or Learning; if they have Endowments overcast with Po­verty, that would otherwise shine; if in the days of their Plenty they have been Relievers of the indigent, and extended their hands [Page 13]more willingly to give, than now to receive; if their Modesty restrains their wants from speaking, and hides them from common Discovery; or if they can plead the Merits of those from whom they are descended: In all such Cases a Preference is due, and the good that is done is attended with a peculiar Satisfaction of mind. Discretion in Alms-giving is a great Improvement of it: And this discriminating Rule we have from the Apostle, Gal. 6.10. Let us do good especially unto them who are of the houshold of faith; and by consequence to them above others of this Houshold, that have any Pre­eminence. For which reason I cannot but mention with Praise the Noble Hospitals, which we have for Decay'd Gentlemen, and Citizens: And I trust, they will in time excite the Emulation of others, who shall be dispos'd to secure their Wealth in the Bank of Eternity.

IX. 3dly, Such Objects are well qualify'd for our Compassion, as fall into distress, or decay, by a sudden Calamity overtaking them; or by the immediate hand of God: And not by Idleness, or Vice; where the Relief of a Scourge is generally the fittest. For 'tis a plain Discouragement to In­dustry, and Sobriety, that dissolute Vagabonds, and lazy Beggars should be fed at the publick Charge; and these by howling, and dissembling, should pick up more in an hour, than an honest Labourer can earn in a day: And as long as they that resolve not to dig, can thrive by begging in our Streets; this City will be the common Drain and Harbour of all the unprofitable Drones in the Na­tion. But when men are impoverish'd by acciden­tal [Page 14]Adversities, as by Fire, or Shipwrack, or by an unaccountable Blast upon their Labours; these we ought to commiserate, and raise up as much as we can: Remembring that we also are in the body. Heb. 13.3. and subject to the like Vicissitudes. Who was it that the Samaritan in the Gospel is commended for taking care of? not a Straggler that would rather starve, than work; but an unfortunate Traveller that was robb'd, Luk. 10.30. and wounded by Thieves. The stuggard (saith Solomon) will not plow by reason of the cold; Prov. 20.4. therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing; that is, no body will give him any thing: And so there was a Jewish Proverb, Mercer. He that will not provide his dinner for the Sabbath upon the Eve of it, shall eat nothing then: Nay, an Apostle him­self hath decreed, 2 Thess. 3.10. That if any would not work, nei­ther should he eat.

X. 4thly, Such Objects are very fit for our Cha­rity, as will improve what is given them, and lay it as the Foundation of their future Livelihood: And then the Bread that we cast upon the Waters, will be found after some days, Eccl. 11.1. 1 King. 16.12, 16. like the Widow's handful of meal; not only unwasted, but also maintaining Families by the Increase of it. Accor­dingly the releasing of Prisoners for Debt, and re­storing them to their Callings, is a very advanta­gious Charity: and so is the setting up of young Tradesmen, and helping them to begin the World: and so especially is the educating of poor Orphans, and putting them out to honest Professions. This is planting for Posterity, and providing for Gene­rations to come: and as the neglecting of our Youth is the grand Source of the Corruption of the [Page 15]Age; so the seasoning of them with good Instru­ctions, and breeding them up to reputable Em­ployments, is the best service that can be done to Religion, and to our Country. The Goodness of a Soil is of little profit without the Husbandman's Labour; the Sweat of his Brows must go along with the Showers of Heaven; and unless the Land be well cultivated, and the Vineyard dress'd, we can neither have Bread to strengthen us, nor Wine to refresh us. 'Tis so with men, as to the forming of them for their appearance in the World: There must be a diligent Cultivation, as well as a good Capacity; and without it, though there may be Luxuriancy of Parts, there is seldom Fruit answer­able thereunto: and (which is worse) when the Devil finds any Ground untill'd, he is generally sowing Tares upon it. Wherefore Schools, and Colleges, and Hospitals for the Education of Chil­dren, cannot be too much encourag'd by publick-spirited men: and this being the condition of the First Hospital in your Roll, I shall set before you this Report from it.

Christ 's Hos­pital. Children put forth Apprentices, and discharged out of Christ 's Hospital, the Year last past 125; ten whereof being instructed in the Mathematicks and Navigation, were placed forth Apprentices to Com­manders of Ships, out of the Mathematical School, Founded by his late Majesty King Charles the Second of Blessed Memory.

Children buried the Year last past, 7.

Children now remaining under the Care and Charge of the said Hospital, which are kept in the House and at Nurse elsewhere 309, and 54 newly admitted, a­mounting in all to 363.

The Names of all which are Registered in the Books kept in the said Hospital, and are to be seen, as also when and whence they were admitted.

Which being so many in number, and the charge of keeping them very great, (and being still depressed by the very great Loss, which was sustained by the late Dreadful Fire) it's hoped many worthy and good Christians will liberally assist towards so useful and be­neficial a Charity.

For the promoting hereof, I shall only add; that the Institution of young men in the Art, and Prin­ciples of Navigation, deserves all the Countenance that can be given to it: Because upon this Skill depends both the Security of the Kingdom, and the spreading of your Commerce; and those whom you now maintain, may bring home to your doors the Riches of the Universe.

XI. From these who are bred up for the Service of their Country, let us proceed in the 5th place to those who by serving it are maimed, and dis­abled from getting their own Bread: And these certainly are worthy Objects of Publick Charity; and the Provision that hath been made, and is making for them with Princely Magnificence, re­dounds exceedingly to the Honour of this Great City. And this will animate men at all times, to offer themselves willingly for the Defence of their Country, Psal. 66.12. and to go through fire, and water; when they are sure of being refresh'd at home, and enti­tled by their Wounds to an Honourable Mainte­nance. Let me therefore upon this Head present you with the Report from Two other Hospitals.

S. Bartholo­new 's Hospital. There have been cured and discharged from the Hospital of St. Bartholomew 's the Year last past, 2217 of Wounded, Sick and Maimed Soldiers and Seamen, and other diseased Persons, from several parts of the Dominions of the King's most Excellent Majesty, and from Foreign parts, many of which have been relieved with Moneys and other Ne­cessaries at their Departure, tho' (as it hath plea­sed God) the greatest part of the Revenue of the said Hospital was consumed by the late Dreadful Fire.

Buried this Year, after much Charges on them, 109.

Persons remaining under Cure in the said Ho­spital, 278.

The difficulty of the times being such, and the con­tingent Charities exceedingly lessen'd, the ordinary Revenue is not sufficient to support above a Moy­ety of the Charge of the whole, by which means the numbers received in, and cured this Year, are fewer than the preceding, and without the Cha­rity of well disposed Persons are not capable of being advanced.

S. Thomas 's Hospital. There have been cured and discharged from St. Thomas 's Hospital in Southwark, this last Year, 1952 of Sick, Wounded, and Maimed Soldiers and Seamen, and other diseased Persons, from se­veral parts of his Majesty's Dominions, and from Foreign Parts; many of which have been relieved with Money, and other Necessaries at their De­parture; tho' much of the Revenue of the said [Page 18]Hospital has been destroyed by several dreadful Fires in London and Southwark; and most of the Buildings of this Hospital being very old, low, damp and incommodious for the Reception of sick and wounded Persons; the Governours have re­built a great part thereof, in which they have al­ready laid out of their own free Gift many thou­sands of Pounds; and have maintained the same number of Patients for Cure, whilst the same Building has been carried on. To compleat the whole, there is some part now building, which, without the Assistance of charitable Persons, can­not well be accomplished: The Yearly Revenue being much less than will defray the constant Charge.

Buried this Year after much Charge in the time of their Sickness, 148.

Remaining under Cure at the Charge of the said Hospital, 330.

'Tis to be hop'd, That all these Difficulties will be remov'd, by God's diffusing a charitable Spirit amongst us: And where this is imparted, 'tis a pleasure to meet with Occasions for the exercising of it.

XII. Lastly, Whenever we are dispos'd for Acts of Mercy, they that have the most pressing, and clamorous wants to speak for them, are al­ways fittest for our present Choice: For Charity looks not barely at the Man, but at his Necessities. If we could pray Souls out of Purgatory, the rescu­ing of them from such Torments as are pretended would be a most Christian Work: But whatever [Page 19]we are to think of the Ancient Prayers for our de­parted Brethren, (which our Consueverat Ecclesia Primitiva offerre, & orare pro Martyribus; quem­admodum hodiè Graeci pro Prophetis, Apostolis, & Patriarchis offerunt; & Latini pro Parvulis statim à Baptismo discedentibus & orant, & offerunt: quos nemo tamen in Purgatorii tormen­tis esse putaverit. Igitur Orationes, & Oblationes hujusmodi, partim sunt Eu­charisticae; partim Pronunciatoriae quie­tum, ad quas sancti dormientes perpe­tuò deducuntur; partim Declarativae divinae voluntatis, quemadmodum pre­camur, ut Deus Ecclesiam suam re­gere, ac defensare dignetur, Ut ig­noscat resipiscentibus; partim Admo­nitoriae viventium, ad sanctam vitam, ut felicitèr postea perpetuò vivere passint; partim Affectuum, & desideriorum no­strorum Declarativae, quemadmodum or at Ecclesia. In die judicii libera nos Domine: quae nihilominùs omnia certi sumus, etiam sine nostris precibus, De­um facturum. Archbishop Cranmer 's Theolog. Collect. MSS. Re­formers were very sensible of) we have reason to believe, that Ho­spitals for the Living are much more necessary than Foundations for the Dead. Let us then be contented with what we can do for the living; and a wise Wri­ter saith, Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought: Eccl. 35.20. And therefore in the Distri­bution of our Alms, let us en­quire after the most needy, and helpless, and disconsolate Objects; for a cup of cold water given to a parched and thirsty Soul, will not be without a reward. Mat. 10.42. Sickness is of it self very afflictive; but how much hea­vier must it be in Conjunction with Poverty? And therefore he that shuts up his Bowels from Chri­stians in such distress, hath lost the common Ten­derness of humane Nature. And so Blindness, and loss of Limbs is to be compensated by us as much as we can: According to what Job saith of him­self, I was eyes to the blind, Job 29.15. and feet was I to the lame. But no Misery doth more command our Pity, than that of a raving, and distracted, and benighted mind; Mark 5.3. for 'tis a kind of dwelling among the tombs, and conversing with Devils: And the restoring of such to the Use of their Rational Powers, is a Mercy like that of healing Demo­niacks. [Page 20]And therefore though a tender heart can­not easily bear the sight of such wretched Objects; it cannot but delight in beholding your Bounty towards them, and the Noble Structure erected for them. Let me then subjoyn the Account of the Two remaining Hospitals.

Bridewell Hospital. Received this last Year into the Hospital of Bridewel, Vagrants, and other indigent and misera­ble People, 1406, many whereof had both Cloathing, and such other Relief as their Necessities required, be­ing in great Distress, and sent by Passes into their Native Countries.

Maintained in the said Hospital, and brought up in divers Arts and Trades, at the only Charge of the said Hospital, 101 Apprentices; notwithstanding it pleased God, the Hospital, and all the Houses with­in the Precinct thereof, (which was the greater part of its Revenue) were wholly consumed by the late dreadful Fire; besides the great loss sustained in the Remains of its Revenue by two terrible Fires, the one in June, 1673. and the other in November, 1682; which hapned in Wapping.

Bethlem Hospital. The Hospital of Bethlem is of great necessity for the keeping and curing distracted Persons, whose misery, of all others, is the most deplorable, because they do not apprehend the same, it disabling the Mind, as well as the Body.

Brought into the said Hospital the last Year, di­stracted Men and Women, 60.

Cured of their Lunacy, and discharged thence the said Year, 45.

Distracted Persons buried the last Year, 10.

Now remaining there under Cure, and provided for with Physick, Dyet and other Relief, at the Charge of the said Hospital, 131.

The Charge whereof is great, and the Revenue of the said Hospital so small, as not to amount to one half part of the yearly Expences thereof; and the Build­ing of the old Hospital of Bethlem being Ruinous and not Capacious to receive and contain the great num­ber of distracted Persons; for the Admission of whom, daily Applications are made to the Governours thereof.

Ʋpon a Christian and Charitable Consideration of the Premisses, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Com­mon Council of the City of London, did lately grant sufficient Ground to erect a more commodious House for the keeping and curing the said Lunaticks, and di­stracted Persons: In the Building and Finishing whereof, the Governours of the said Hospital have laid out and disbursed above Seventeen Thousand Pounds, whereby not only the whole Stock of the said Hospital is expended, but the Governours thereof have been necessitated to take up several great Sums of Mo­ney, for the finishing the same. And therefore the said Hospital is a very fit Object of all good Mens Charity, to do as God shall enable them, toward the Relief of the said poor Lunaticks, and Payment of their Debts: there having been, and daily are by the Blessing of God, and the Charge of the said Hospital, and the Care of those that are intrusted therewith, divers reduced to their former Sences.

XIII. Thus you have heard A true Report of the great Number of Poor Children, and other Poor Peo­ple, maintained in the several Hospitals, under the [Page 22]Pious Care of the Lord Mayor, Commonalty, and Ci­tizens of the City of London, the Year last past; and from hence you may discern, what Exercise is still left for Charitable Minds. And now upon reviewing it, I shall briefly annex Five Rules con­cerning the Management of our Alms.

• 1st, Charity which prevents Men from being oppress'd with Poverty, is better than that which onely supports them under it.
• 2dly, Charity which aims at the Publick Service, is better than that which is onely for private Relief.
• 3dly, Charity which is dispos'd of into a Perpe­tual Fund, is better than that which is immediate­ly melted, and consum'd.
• 4thly, Charity apply'd to the making of Men vertuous, is better than that which onely refresheth the Body.
• 5thly, Charity expended for correcting the Idle, and forcing them to work, is better than that which gives them a present Ease.

Upon which Grounds, I cannot but take notice of the Glory that will redound to God, and the Advantages accruing to this City, by the Erection of publick Work-Houses: Which as you have be­gun with good Success, I hope, the Conviction of their Usefulness will break through the Difficulties that have retarded them, and secure their Esta­blishment. And therefore I shall lay before you the present State of the Corporation settled for that End.

The President, and Governours have thought fit to provide several Houses and parcels of Ground, in the Parish of St. Botolph Bishopsgate, for the Reception [Page 23]and employing of considerable Numbers of Childrens which they have, and are still fitting up for that pur­pose; and have already entertained about 200 Children from several Parishes therein, whom they cloth, feed, employ, and teach to work, and religiously educate and provide all sorts of Necessaries for, as well in Sickness as in Health; and as they hope, to the Pleasure and Satisfaction of every good Man, and the Glory of God: a Specimen whereof they have this day shewn you.

And the Corporation do propose by the Blessing of God, by this and other Means and Methods, in con­venient time to be undertaken, (though they have met with too much Opposition) to employ all the Poor of the City of London, and the Liberties thereof, and to keep the City clear, and free from all Beggars, Va­grants, and other idle and disorderly Persons what­sover.

And the Corporation do also further intend to employ all poor Mechanicks in the several Employments they have been bred to, or shall be capable of; and to take off all the Work they work, though they should lose thereby, that so they may prevent any of their Inha­bitants from living idly and wanting Work, whereby many are forced to beg, steal, or to have recourse to other dissolute, vicious and unlawful Practices.

This is part of the Report that was put into my hands: And for the recommending of such Nur­series, let us remember the Character of Solomon's Vertuous Woman, and apply it: She seeketh wool, Prov. 31.13, 19, 20, 25. and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands: She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff: She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy: [Page 24]Strength, and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoyce in time to come.

XIV. And what need I say more for the Encou­ragement of all these Charities, than to repeat the Words of our Lord Jesus; It is more blessed to give, than to receive? Which Blessedness I am in the 4th place to explain: And as to the comparative Part, 'tis evident from hence; because in receiving there is no Vertue, nor any divine Promise to ex­alt it; and whatever present Satisfaction it causeth, it hath no future Recompence: But in giving to the poor, and calamitous there is a much better Prospect. For both the Action it self is highly vertuous, and conformable (as we have seen) to the Dictates of Reason, and Religion: And there is moreover a great Reward grounded upon the Promises of God, to excite us to Works of Mer­cy. If these be consider'd as to this Life onely, the Performer of them will find his Retribution: But much more if they be consider'd with respect to the State of Futurity, which Christians in all their Actions ought chiefly to regard; as walking by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5.7. Such Encouragements we have to deeds of Charity; and God hath promis'd not onely the Acceptance of them, but also a full Re­quital to us: And though we can deserve nothing at his hand, he graciously represents himself, as if he were indebted to us for them. And yet how little is it, that we can return to God for all his Benefits to us? 'Tis but a drop for an Ocean of Goodness; and 'tis but a Sheaf out of his own Field. Let us not then deal ungratefully, and pinchingly with so bountiful a God, who hath [Page 25]made the whole Creation for our Use; and hath also made it instructive to us, in teaching us Lessons of Beneficence, and Kindness. The Hea­vens, the Earth, the Sea, the Stars are always busy in communicating their Light, their Fruits, their Streams, their Influences through all the Parts of the Universe: And the uncharitable Worldling meets with the Image of himself no where so plainly as in Hell; which devours all it can lay hold of, but returns nothing. His Gain will be suitable hereunto, when the time of In­spection comes: But the Christian that imitates his Saviour, and goes about doing good, Act. 10.38 cannot fail of a blessed Remuneration from him.

XV. For 1st, 'Tis the Advantage of Works of Charity, that they are usually attended here with Temporal, Is. 58, 10, 11. and Spiritual Mercies: If thou satisfy the afflicted soul, the Lord shall guide thee conti­nually, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered Garden. They some­times prevail with God for the Oportet justis operibus in­cumbere, quibus peccata pur­gantur; Eleemosynis frequen­tèr insistere, quibus à morte animae liberentur. Cyprian de Laps. Ea quae possidentur pau­peribus divisa solutionem fa­ciunt praeteritae cupiditatis. Iren. l. 4. c. 26. Alius je­junio placet, alius vitia Elee­mosynis redimit. Hilar. Par­don of our Iniquities, and prevent his Judgments from falling upon us, covering in this Sense a multitude of Sins: And sometimes Com­munities are enrich'd, and pro­tected for the Sake of them: And generally they incline God to repay that with Interest, which any of us have freely given to him. 1 Pet. 4.8. And since whatever we possess without his Benediction, will certainly vanish into Smoke; we may perceive what the wisest Ensurance of it is: And if to escape the be­stowing [Page 26]of Alms, we deny our own Abundance; God may justly take it from us, and turn our Riches into Poverty. But the charitable Man lays up a Stock in the Bowels of the poor, and may reap the Profits of it at a long distance: Psal. 112.9. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his Righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. Nay, besides the Recom­pence ascertain'd to himself, he transmits God's Promise to his Posterity: Psal. 37.25, 26. I have not (saith the Psalmist) seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread: He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. And if they who are so immo­derately solicitous, and laborious in raising Estates for their Qui studes terreno magìs quàm Coelesti patrimonio, fi­lios tuos Diabolo magìs com­mendare quàm Christo, du­plex crimen admittis: & quod non praeparas filiis, tuis Dei patris auxilium, & quod do­ces filios patrimonium plus a­mare quàm Christum Cy­prian. Children, and in heaping up Treasures for them; and never say, It is enough; would but once believe this, and act agreeably; we should soon behold Charity in a more spreading Condi­tion. We all own that the Provi­dence of God makes us rich, and puts us into a Capacity of relieving others; Prov. 30.15. Prov. 10.22. and this was acknowledg'd even by the [...]. Homer. Heathen World: And why then are we backward in an­swering God's Will, and doing so; that he may continue his own Gift, and entail it upon those that are dearest to us?

XVI 2dly, The Blessedness of Charity is yet much greater, in that it secures an endless Inheritance in the next World: 1 Tim. 6.18, 19. And they that are rich in good works, and ready to distribute, lay up in store for them­selves a good foundation against the time to come, that [Page 27]they may lay hold on Eternal Life; [...], a sure Bond, or Instrument of Contract, (as the Sam. Petit. Var. Lect. Dr. Hammond. word hath been happily render'd) that will be kept safe­ly, and perform'd exactly, God himself engaging to pay us. And is not this a purchase infinitely beyond all worldly Possessions? And if we could stand upon the Devil's Mountain, Mat. 4.8. and overlook all the kingdoms of the Earth, all the Pomp, and Ho­nours, and Pride, and Pleasures of them; what is there that can possibly enter into Comparison with the vast, and unconceivable Prize of Eternity? You see the Art of procuring to your selves (though not of meriting) this Heavenly Patrimony: And what can we do with this uncertain, and deceitful Mammon, that is equal to the gaining of Friends, who may receive us into everlasting habitations? Luk. 16.9. Wherefore if Works of Charity are such a strong foundation, as to sustain a Building no less weighty than that of Eternal Glory; doubtless he is the skilfullest Architect than can pursue this excellent Model, and expend his Wealth in raising such a Fabrick to himself, as will outlast the Universal Conflagration.

XVII. And is not this abundant Conviction, That It is more blessed to give, than to receive? And to confirm us in this Perswasion, I shall strengthen what hath been said with Two Consi­derations.

The 1st of them is, That God will strictly en­quire hereafter, what the Rich have done with all that Plenty which he bestowed upon them: And therefore it behoves them to be well prepar'd for their Answer to him. And they especially that have [Page 28]been advanc'd from low Beginnings, that can say with Jacob, Gen. 32.10. With my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands; must not forget what proportionable Returns God expects from them. By humane Laws we have indeed a Pro­perty, and are Masters of what we rightfully pos­sess: But Religion makes it a Trust; and teacheth us, that Cur, cùm possessores tan­tùm usufructuarii simus, quod nobiscum auferre non possumus, avertere à proprietatis do­mino, at (que) alienare tentamus? Cur non bonâ fide datis à Deo resculis utimur? Salvian. all this Wealth is put into our hands, not to be squan­der'd away at our Pleasure, but for certain Ʋses, which, at the Great Au­dit, we are to be responsible for. This is intimated by Christ's calling it [...], Luk. 16.12. that which belongs to another; and more directly in the Parable of the Talents, Mat. 25.14, &c. which were distributed to the Servants to trade with; and after a time they were summon'd to a Reckon­ing, and treated according to their diligence in Trading: And how heavy was the sentence upon him, that did not wast his Talent in Riot, but onely hide it in the Earth without any Improve­ment? Again, We are all Stewards to God, and must expect his Enquiry How his Rent hath been gathered, and dispos'd of? And there is to be a Pe­riod to this Employment, and God will say to every one of us, Luk. 16.2. Give an account of thy Steward­ship, for thou mayest be no longer Steward. Let us then suppose God demanding of any one of us, What hast thou done with all that Rent which I en­trusted with Thee? How hath it been laid out con­formably to my Will? To answer, I have hoarded it up, Luk. 19.20. and 'tis safe in a Napkin; is to confess, I have done no good at all with it: And the Doom upon such a wither'd branch will be accordingly. [Page 29]And again, What can a Man reply to that Que­stion, that hath lavish'd out his Inheritance, and Conscience too, in Lewdness, and Gaming, and Re­velling; in all the mad Frolicks of Lust, and In­temperance; and to maintain his Vices, and pur­chase Damnation? Doubtless his Guilt will strike him dumb; and having made his bargain, he must stand to it. But let the Case be more inno­cent, and such an Answer given as suits with the Men of Honour and Generosity: This I reckon for my House, and Gardens; This for my gay Furniture; This for my Table; This for my Apparel; This for my Coaches, and Equipage; and so on. It will be pleaded, that the Man's Dignity, and Station re­quir'd his making of such a splendid Figure; and 'tis a Reproach to a Man, not to live up to the height of his Fortune: And let us in good Man­ners allow this Plea, as far as we can. But still the Scrutiny must go on; Where are the Bills for relieving the poor? Where are the Evidences of honouring God with thy Substance? Prov. 3.9. For if the [...]. Chr [...]sostom. Orat. 2. in Lazar. whole Sum committed to thee be swallow'd up in those Expences, how popular soever; if God, and his Poor have not had an equitable share of this Plenty; if their Fleece hath remained dry, when the Dew hath been spread over all the ground; this Account will never pass with God: and though (as the Psalmist speaks) Men will praise thee when thou dost well to thy self; the Praise of God, (which is infinitely better) nay, and of wise Men too, Jud. 6.40. Psal. 49.18. is onely to be obtain'd by doing good to others.

XVIII. 2dly, Let it be consider'd, That the onely way to make Riches a Blessing, is to employ, and manage them as God hath appointed. For we know that our Saviour is strangely severe upon them; Mat. 19.23. declaring, That a rich man shall hardly en­ter into the Kingdom of Heaven; and denouncing thus, Luk. 6.24. Wo unto you that are rich, for ye have re­ceived your Consolation: And his Apostle saith, 1 Tim. 6.9. They that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare; and into many foolish, and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction, and perdition. Wherefore since there is so much danger in this envied Con­dition, and 'tis a rough Sea full of Shipwracks; (many of which we may see before us) let us not be seduc'd by the false Notions of the World; but look upon the true Happiness of Riches to consist in the Religious Management of them. The way to Heaven is equally open to the Rich, and to the Poor; but they must go in different Paths: These by Contentedness, and Patience, and In­dustry, and Submission to the Will of God, and Reliance upon him for daily Bread: And those by Gratitude to God, and Humility, and Gentleness, and Liberality, and Charity. Let them then, according to the Elevation of their Rank, Exer­cise these Vertues, and do good, and communicate what they abound with; let them not be high­minded, 1 Tim. 6.17. or surpercilious; nor look down with Scorn upon those of lower degree, and higher Graces; nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: Let them be able to produce the Objects of their own Beneficence, and to evince how rich they [Page 31]have been towards God: Luk. 12.21. And (as the famous Laurent. a­pud Ambros. Offic. l. 2. c. 28. Saint of old having the Treasures of his Church demanded from him, set out in order the poor that were fed constantly by it, and said, Hi sunt thesauri Ecclesiae;) let them thus marshal their in­digent Pensioners, and embrace them, saying, These are our Treasures, these are they that enrich us, and promote our Salvation: And then they will have substantial Greatness, and shine with an un­tainted Lustre; then they will be honourable in the Sight of God, Mat. 5.19. and great in the Kingdom of Heaven.