TO that question of King Lemuel , [ Solomon ] in that Prophecy taught him by a woman [ his mother ] who can finde a vertuous woman , Prov. 31.10 . arguing and intimating die rarity of good women ; wee may returne here an inventa est , and cry out with that passionate exclamation of Archimedes , a famous Mathematician , when he had found out a Mathematicall experiment , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; I have found ; I have found ; ecce hîc , behold here is one ; and so much the sooner haue wee found , with Iaacob , because the Lord our God hath brought one to our hands , Gen. 27.10 . beautified and beatified with all graces accompanying salvation in woman , Faith , and Charity , and Holinesse with sobriety . 1. Tim. 2.15 . For that wee might not count her an alien , but one of the houshold of faith , she is a Disciple ; ( & Disciples and Christians are termini convertibiles , of equivalent signification Act. 11.26 ) one that was not ashamed of Christ and his words , Luke 9.26 . that we may be assured that shee professed not to know Christ , & deny him in her works , Tit. 1.16 . Shee is a good tree ; bringing forth good fruites , Mat. 7. joyning vertue with her faith , 2. Pet. 1.5 . and shewing her faith by her good workes , or that onely some good was found in her , as in Ieroboams son , 1 Kings 14.13 . some gleaning grapes as the shaking of an Oliue tree , Isa 17.6 . Shee is full of good workes , defectiue and behind in no gift , 1. Cor. 1.7 . or that shee serued God only in holines in the works of piety , and not in righteousnesse in the works of charity , ( as too many put asunder those things which God hath joyned together ) she distributeth to the necessities of the Saints , doth almes-deeds ; and as she aboundeth in every thing , so in this gift also , 2. Cor. 8.7 . soweth the seed of her almes plentiously , is full of almes-deedes which she did . But that by my ordering of things here , I may further your remembring of them , ( as ordo est mater memoriae , order is the mother of memory ) obserue I pray you in this narration a twofold description of this vertuous woman ; 1. by her civill condition , There was at Ioppa a certaine Disciple named Tabitha , which by interpretation is called Dorcas , 2. by her religious disposition , this woman was full of good workes and almes-deedes which shee did . In her civill state and condition wee haue 1. her place of habitation , Ioppa , 2 her name , either propounded , named Tabitha , or expounded , which by interpretation is called Dorcas . In her religious disposition , wee haue 1. her profession a Disciple , 2. her expression of it , either generally in good workes , amplified by the measure and extent , full of good workes ; or specially in almes-deeds , being of the same size full of almes-deeds which she did .

Concerning her civill state and condition , her habitation and denomination , being but the outward skin and rine of the Text , in respect of the pith within : I will not according to the proverbe haerere in cortice , sticke in the barke . Onely in transitu , in our passage heare and beare a word or two of the propounding and expounding of her name , for if wee strike this rocke the waters will gush out , Exod. 17.6 shee was named Tabitha , which by interpretation is called Dorcas . Names in Scriptures are imposed either vpon some speciall accident , or intent and purpose . Vpon some speciall accident , as Isaacks name of laughter , because Sarah laughed at the promised of him , Gen. 18.13 . Iacobs of supplanting ; because he tooke his brother by the heele in the birth of them , Gen. 25 26. and Pharez his name signifying breach , or division ; because he made a breach in the birth , comming forth before his brother that offered first , Gen. 38.29 . Vpon some speciall intent , either for memoriall of benefits receiued , as Ishmaell the hearing of God , because God heard Abrahams prayer for a sonne , Gen. 16.15 . as Solomon , Iedidiah loued of the Lord , because God loued him , 2. Sam. 12.24 . Or of some duties to be done , as Iudah hath his name of prayses , because the Lord was to be praysed for him , Gen. 29.35 . as Iames and Iohn called by Christ Boanerges sonnes of thunder , because they should thunder in their doctrine , and lighten in their liues , Marke 3.17 . and that name aboue all names Iesus a Saviour , because he should saue his people from their sins , Matt. 1.25 . And here happily the name Tabitha in Syriacke , and in the Hebrew Tsibjah , or as some will haue it Thabia , ( Bullinger in locum ) arising of roote nabat signifying to see , ( as in the interpretation of it in the Greeke Dorcas is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of seing ) was giuen her accidentally of the sharpenesse of her sight , wherein the Roe-bucke excelleth , ( as Pliny saith ) and of which St Hierome hath a saying , oculos caprearum talpa contemnit , the blind moule despiseth the eyes of the Roe-bucke . Sure I am that she was sharpe sighted in looking on things eternall , 2. Cor. 4.18 , that the eyes of the mind were enlightned to know what was the hope of her calling , and what the riches of the glory of Gods inheritance in the Saints , Ephes. 1.18 . that with Simeon the eyes of her inward man saw the Lords Christ , Luke 2.16 & that they were happy in seing his day , Luke 10.

Now in that Spirit speaking here to the Churches , would interpret this Hebrew or Syriacke name in the Greeke tongue , wherein it writeth ; Tabitha by Dorcas or Roe-bucke : our learning herein is , that all things in the Church must be done to edification , 1 . Cor 14.26 . and that whatsoever is spoken in a strange tongue must be interpreted that the Church may receiue edifying 1. Cor. 14.5 . and this is the way of God in the sanctuary . Emanuell a strange word in the greeke tongue , is interpreted God with vs , Matt. 1. So Rabbi is interpreted Master ; Messias , the Christ ; Cephas , a stone ; all one chapter Iob. 1. so Boanerges , the sonnes of thunder , Mar. 3.17 . Barnabas , the sonne of consolation , Actes 4. Abba , Father , Rom. 8.15 . Now if the wisedome of the spirit would interpret names to vs whereof wee may be ignorant , without forfetting the freehold of eternall life , much more would it haue the whole Scriptures ( which were written for our learning , Rom. 15.4 . and are able to make vs wise vnto salvation . 2. Tim. 3.16 . ) interpreted and expounded vnto vs in a knowne tongue , for edification , exhortation , and comfort . Qui in modico fidelis , & in majori fidelis . He that is faithfull in a little matter , will be faithfull in a greater , Luke 16.10 . If a name must be spoken to vs in our owne tongue , much more must the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Act. 2.11 . the great mysteries of godlinesse , in a language that we vnderstand . And of that I dare be bold to say , that from the beginning it was so . The doctrine of S. Iohn did not so vanish away , as the Philosophers did : ( saith Chrysostome in 1. Homily on Iohn ) but the Syrians , Aegyptians , Indians , Persians , Aethiopians , and innumerable other nations translating them into their language , of barbarous men , learned the heavenly Philosophy . So Augustine in his 2. booke of Christian doctrine , chap. 5. saith , that the divine Scripture proceeding from one language , being spread abroad farre and wide by the diverse tongues of Interpreters , was made knowne to the Gentiles for their salvation . And Theodoret most plainly in his first booke of curing the maladies of the Grecians , The Hebrew bookes were not only turned into the Greeke language , but also into the Roman , Egyptian , Persian , Indian , Armenian , Scythian , and even the Gothicke language ; and that I may speake once for all , into all the languages which the Gentiles vse vnto this day . Can wee praise the Papists then in condemning and abhorring as impossible and vnprofitable the turning of the divine oracles into our mother tongue , ( which was their old Tenent ) or if they be interpreted and translated , either in their forbidding that in the publique and common vse of the Church they should be read or sung in the vulgar tongues : ( so doth the Counsell of Trent in the 22. Session chapt. 8. and the 9. Canon : ) or else in affecting such obscurity , and filling their translation with so many words borrowed from the Hebrew , Syriacke , Greeke , & Latine , that it may be sayd of their translation as the Philosopher sayd of his bookes , that they were edita & non edita , published and not published . Of this kinde are their Archisynagogue , azimes , depositum , dydrachme , dominicall , evangelize , holocausts , hostes , Neophyte , paraclete , parasceve , prepuce , repropitiate , resuscitate , sabbatisme , and such like , whereof an English man may cry out , how can I vnderstand vnlesse I had the gift of tongues ? If I know not the meaning of the voyce , I shall be vnto him that speaketh Barbarian , and hee shall be a Barbarian to mee , 1. Cor. 14 11. But here is not my rest , I passe therefore from her civill state and condition to her religious disposition first in her profession being a Disciple .

A certaine Disciple , The originall is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feminine according to her sexe , a Disciplesse , a shee Disciple , as Anna is called a Prophetesse , Luke 2.36 . Excellent and honourable are the stiles and titles giuen in holy writ to the professours of religion , importing the dignity and duty of their calling . They are named the Church , the elect of God , of their calling & chooing out of the world : Saints , of their sanctification , sonnes of God , of their adoption ; vessels of mercy , and honour , of their present forgiuenesse of their sinnes and future glory : believers , faithfull men of their faith and profession : brethren , houshold of faith , of their vnion and society amongst themselues : devout men , of their religion , Disciples of Christ Iesus the author and finisher of our faith , Heb. 12.2 . But the name Disciple , is the most auncient , the most frequent in the new Testament given to all the faithfull , the Apostles not excepted , who are called the twelue Disciples , Matt. 10.2 . Now the Scripture in the Evangelist doth not onely call those twelue his Disciples , but all those that beleeving in him , were by his teaching instructed to the kingdome of heaven , saith Augustine in his 2. booke of the consent of the Evangelists , Chap. 17. To be a Disciple then , is to heare & learne of God by the ministery of the Gospell , the way of peace , the mysteries of Godlinesse . And Tabitha hath this name here , because with Mary shee sate at Iesus feete and heard his words , Luke 10.39 . with Lydia shee attended to those things which were spoken of Gods Ministers , Act. 16.14 , I commend then the imitation hereof , not only to her sexe , but to all the Saints , all that will call on the name of the Lord , to learne of her to be schollers in Christs schoole , to sit at the beautifull feete of them that preach the Gospell of peace , and bring glad tidings of good things , Rom. 10.15 . For all must learne of them that prophecy , 1. Cor. 14.31 . of such Epaphrasses as are faithfull Ministers of God for them , Col. 1.7 . all must obey 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be perswaded & taught of them that haue the oversight of them , and suffer the word of exhortation , Heb. 13.17.22 . all must receiue the word ingraffed with meekenesse , Iam. 1.21 . heare the Prophets that are raised vp vnto them . Deut. 18.15 . heare and receiue them as an Angell of God , yea as Christ Iesus himselfe , Luke 10.16 . Gal. 4.14 . Let vs so heare the Gospell ( Austin in his 30 tract vpon Iohn ) as wee would heare the Lord himselfe if he were present now , for that precious thing which sounded out of the Lords mouth was both written for vs , and is reserved for vs , & is rehearsed to vs : and againe , that which is to be learned by a man , let a Christian learne without any pride , let vs not tempt him in whom we haue beleeued , least being deceiued by such subtilties and frowardnesse of our common enemy , we should refuse to goe into the Church to heare and learne the Gospell , or to read a booke , or to heare a man read and preach . And in his booke of Catechising the rude , chapt. 12. hee would haue men such cheerefull hearers , that if our preaching at any time be colder then vsually it is , it might be quickened and kindled by their vnvsuall hearing and attending . But in these late and worser dayes , if wee survay this weake sexe , wee may every where finde silly women ever learning , and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth , 2. Tim. 3. never worthy of the name of Disciples , or else so farre in the other extreme , that in stead of Disciples , they will be Doctors , presume to teach , 1. Tim. 2. according to that of Hierome in an epistle to Paulinus , the babling old woman will teach the scripture before she hath learned it , or else so farre from all holy learning in Christs schoole , that with the Scribes and Pharisees they will neither enter into the kingdome of heaven , nor suffer others , Matt. 23.13 . but with their grandmother Eue are tempters of others to ill , Gen. 3. with Iesabell are stirrers of others to worke wickednesse , 1. Kings 21.25 . with Iobs wife are perswaders to profanenesse , Iob. 2. with Solomons wiues are inticers to idolatry , 1. Kings . 11.4 . with Herodias movers to murther , Matt. 14. with the harlot allures to lust , Prov. 7.18 . with Michall despisers of religious zeale in others , 2. Sam. 6. and with those complained of by Paul , 1. Tim. 5.13 . such as learne to be idle , wandring about from house to house , and not onely idle , but tatlers also , and busiebodies speaking things which they ought not . But scarcely any where can we finde those women that learne in silence , 1. Tim. 2. that with the honourable Dames of Berea receiue the word with all readinesse of minde , and search the Scriptures whether those things are so , Act. 17.11.12 . and with Damaris there , verse 34 cleaue vnto Pauls preaching : that with the women , and Mary the mother of Iesus continue with the Apostles in the exercise of religion , act. 1.14 . and with Mary Magdalen , Ioanna , and Susanna , are with Christ , whilest hee is preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdome of heaven , Luke . 8.1.2 . Nay if wee runne too and fro , through the streetes of our Ierusalem , and see , and know , and seeke in the broad places therof , Ier. 5.1 . where can we find any Disciples vnlesse such as Paul found at Ephesus , that haue Learned nothing , soe ignorant that they cannot tell whether there be an holy Ghost or no , Act. 19.2.3 any such tractable schollers as Cornelius , with his words in their mouthes , to Christs ministers , we are here as in the presence of God , to heare the things that are commanded you of God , Act. 10.33 . any that presse vpon them to heare the word of God , as those did , Luke 5.1 . Diogenes comming into Antisthenes schoole , & being often rejected by him , yet stucke there still , and when on a time Antisthenes offered to strike him with his staffe , he bowed his head and said , Beate me if thou wilt , but thou shalt finde no staffe so hard wherewith thou shalt driue me away , so long as thou speakest any thing . According to which effect , Augustine on Iohn sayth , If thou canst teach me that I know not , I ought not onely to indure thee patiently in words , but also beating me with stripes But now though wee speake the hidden wisedome of God , in a mystery able to make man wise vnto salvation , and not the perishing wisedome of this world ( as the old Philosophers did ) wee haue neede of roddes and staues to driue men to vs , to compell them to come in , that Gods house may be full of Disciples . Every where we may finde Despisers sooner then Disciples , prophainers rather then professours , good companions rather then good Christians , brethren in evill rather then holy brethren , children of the Devill rather then sonnes of God ; and the Synagogues of Satan rather then the houshold of Faith : yea the very names of Disciple , brother , beleever , professour , Saint , faithfull , ( which should be our crowne and our joy ) are laughed to scorne by miscreants which yet would be good Christians . But let them be assured that if they be ashamed to be Christs Disciples here , to learne and know him , that hee will be ashamed of them hereafter Luke 9.26 . that he will not then know them for any of his .

Wee see that this woman hath begun to runne well , to witnesse a good confession , let her ride on prosperously as the Psalmist speaketh , Psaml . 45.4 . for shee lacketh yet one thing comprehending in it many things to make her a compleate Christian , shee must not onely professe well , but also expresse it , not onely haue her eares opened to learne Christs will , mine eares hast thou opened , but her heart and hand ready to doe it , I delight to doe thy will , thy law is within my heart Psal. 40.6.8 . for Christianum facit vita & professio , as Austine sayth , life and profession together make a Christian . Let vs marke then how these meete and kisse each other in her , for her profession she is a Disciple , for her profit , shee is generally fruitfull in good workes . Now concerning good workes here mentioned , Pilate in the spirit of scoffing or curiosity asked our Saviour , what is the truth ? Iohn 18.38 . but wee in the spirit of meekenesse may well aske here , what good workes are ? Good workes then ( as I haue learned at the feete of a Gamaliel of ours , Zanchy on the 1. chap. of the Philip. verse 11. ) are workes and actions aswell inward as outward : whether they be thoughts in the minde , and elections in the will , or words vttered by the tongue , or deedes which may be done by a righteous man as he is righteous , in any part of his soule or body . For as an actuall sinne is any thing sayd , or done , or thought against the law of God , so a good worke , ( and as St Iohn calleth it in his 1. epist. cap. 3. ) righteousnesse is any thing spoken , or thought , or done according to the Law of God . The holy Ghost for our better direction and for distinction , doth sometimes tripartite good workes into 1. sobriety in the vse of outward things , as meate , drinke , apparell and the like : 2. righteousnesse in our dealings with men : 3. Godlinesse in our duties to God ; that we should liue soberly , righteously , and godly in this present world , Tit. 2.12 . sometimes hee doth more briefely bipartite them into holinesse , in the duties of the first table that concerne Gods worship ; and righteousnesse , in the duties of the second Table , that respect our neighbours good , that wee might serue him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life , Luke 2.75 . And so doth our Saviour into the first and great commandement which is , Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy soule , and with all thy minde ; and the second is like to it , which is , Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe . Matt. 22.37.38.39.40 . Now this being written for our learning , we must learne of this Disciple , this learner in in Christs schoole , to joyne with our profession practice , with our hearing doing , with our faith vertue 2. Pet. 1.5 . with our shew of godlinesse the power of it in our liues . 2. Tim. 3.5 . with our knowledge of God the service of him . 1. Chr. 28 9. with our professing to know God a manifesting of it in our workes 2. Tim. 3.5 . with our calling of Abraham father a doing of the workes of Abraham , Iohn 8.39 . The professours of the Gospell must haue their conversation as becometh the Gospell of Christ , Phil. 1.27 . Walke worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called ; Ephes. 4.1 . & worthy of the Lord vnto all pleasing , Col. 1.10 . & adorne themselues with good works , 1. Tim. 2.10 . This is a faithfull saying , and these things I will that thou affirme constantly , that they which haue beleeued in God , might be carefull to maintaine good workes , Tit. 3.8 . Men learne the trades of this world to practise them , and the mysteries of godlinesse are taught vs that wee may turne wordes into workes , as Bernard sayth in his tract of ordering our liues . It profiteth not to haue learned what wee should doe , and not to doe it , ( saith Hierome in an epistle ) it is better not to know a thing , then to learne it with danger : and Augustine and in his 2. homily on the revelation : As it booteth not for a great tree to be greene , and yeeld no fruit , so it profiteth not to be called a Christian , and not to haue Christian workes : and the same father in his booke of 83 questions , and 76 question sayth , that the words of the Apostle , I suppose that a man is justified by faith without the workes of the law , are not so to be vnderstood , that when a man hath receiued faith , we should call him just , though hee liue ill . But in this point wee that glory in God Rom. 2.17 . and are called Christians , are so bad schollers that if my head were waters , and mine eyes a fountaine of teares , I could not sufficiently bewaile our wants of fruites answerable to our profession ; wee make our boast of Gods law amongst vs , but through our breaking of it , we dishonour God , and cause his name to be blaspheemed , Rom. 2.23.24 . with the Iewes Ier. 7. wee cry templum Domini , the Temple of the Lord , God is amongst vs , and wee are his temple , but we amend not our wayes : we come and stand before God in his house , as a nation that would do righteously , but when we are gone , wee doe all abominations , steale , murther , committe adultery , sweare rashly and falsely , drinke till wee are drunke , giue others drinke till they are drunke also , and runne to all excesse of riot . Wee are indeed baptized vnto Moses , Gods Ministers whom he hath sent to baptize , and eate the same spirituall meate , and drinke the same spirituall drinke , but please not God in our liues and conversations , 1. Cor. 10.2.3.4.5 . with Simon Magus wee haue a kinde of temporary beliefe , but our hearts are not right in the sight of God , but wee are in the gall of bitternesse , and in the bond of iniquity , Act. 8.13.21.23 . we haue Iacobs voyce , smooth and blessed words , but Esaus hands , rough and cursed deedes ; with the figge tree we haue the leaues of an outward profession , but want the fruits of an holy conversation ; with Iudas we are numbred amongst Christs Disciples , sit at table with him , but betray him assoone as wee are gone out ; wee heare but wee do not , with out mouthes and bodily presence wee shewe much loue , but our hearts runne after covetousnesse , Ezec. 33.31 . and all kinde of wickednes . In a word , we haue much knowledge , no charity , a dead faith , a faith of Devils , but no workes ; Christs greatest friends and they of his owne houshold are his greatest enemies , being as Bernard complaines in his time , all friends , and all enemies ; all necessaries , and all adversaries ; all neere , and yet all such as seeke their owne . Videtur bone Iesu ( as Hugo complaineth in his time ) O good Iesu the whole company of Christians seemeth to haue conspired against thee , and they which are first in thy Church , are first in persecuting of thee . Woe , woe vnto vs for our ill liues , shall our outward profession , our dead and devillish faith saue vs without good workes ? Marke wee that faithfull saying of St Austine in his booke of faith to Peter the Deacon , cap. 40. Beleeue it for a truth and doubt not of it , that not all which are baptized within the Catholicke Church shall receiue eternall life , but they who after baptisme receiued liue well : for as infidels , heretickes , and schismatickes shall not haue the kingdome of heaven , so vitious Catholickes shall not possesse it . Next wee haue her good workes amplified by the extent ,

Full of good worke ] she was filled with the fruits of righteousnesse , Phil. 1.11 . like those water pottes at the wedding , that were full to the brimme Ioh. 2. and shee gaue to God and man good measure , pressed downe , shaken together and running over Luke 8.36 . what we heare then and see in her we must doe , we must be ready to every good worke , Tit. 3. fruitfull in every good worke , Col. 1.10 . walking with Zachary and Elizabeth in all the commandements of God without reproofe , Luke 1. and abounding alwayes in the worke of the Lord , 1. Cor. 15.58 . what the yong man boasted of vaine-gloriously , wee must striue after sincerely , all these haue I kept from my youth vpwardes . Mar. 10.20 .

For God loueth a fulnesse of all things , an abounding in every good gift , 2. Cor. 8. a fulnesse of knowledge , Col. 1.9 . a fulnesse of obedience , Phil. 1.11 . a fulnesse of faith , and for that purpose giueth to his a fulnesse of the holy Ghost , Stephen full of faith , and of the holy Ghost , Act. 6.5 . Away then with those depthes of Satan , when men thinke that they may borrow a point of God , and with that yong man , Marke 10. faile in one thing or other , and with Herod , Mar. 6. keepe their minion Herodias , some darling sinne or other , so long as they doe many good things . Let not then the vsurer flatter himselfe with an opinion that God will be mercifull vnto him in his vsury ( as Naaman prayed that God would be mercifull vnto him in the point of bowing in the idoles temple 2. Kings . 5. ) nor the adulterer in his adultery , nor the blaspemer in his swearing , nor the drunkard in his swilling , nor the slanderer in his evill speaking , nor the louer of pleasures in his immoderate and vnlawfull pastimes , nor any man in his taking liberty to committe & continue in any knowne sinne . Our obedience to God must be vniversall , like to that which the Reubenites , Gadites , and halfe tribe of Manasseh professe and promise to Ioshuah , all that thou commandest vs will wee doe , whithersoever thou sendest vs , will we goe , in all things as we obeyed Moses , so will wee obey thee , los . 1.16.17 . We must then with the Apostle pray that the God of peace would make vs perfect in every good worke to doe his will , Heb. 13.20.21 .

And Almes-deedes which shee did : But the holy Ghost here transit à thesi ad hypothesin , passeth from the generall to the speciall , from her fulnesse in good workes in generall , to her fulnesse in one good worke specially , and that is in almes-deeds . It may be sayd , what neede this wast of words ? if shee were full of all good workes , then consequently of almes-deedes , if shee abounded in every grace , then in this also , for Genus est inseparabile à suis speciebus , the generall and the speciall cannot be separated one from another ; It is true , the one cannot be without the other , but very frequently in scripture , where wee finde religion & good works mentioned , we shall see giving of almes attend vpon them as an elder daughter vpon the mother . Cornelius being commended for a devout man , & one that feared God , this point is presently added , he gaue muchalmes to the people , Act. 10.2 . the Apostle requiring in a widow to be chosen for the service of the Church , that she shold be well reported of for good workes , presently hitteth vpon this speciall , if she haue lodged strangers , if she haue washed the Saints feet , if shee haue relieued the afflicted , 1. Tim. 5.10 . and calling vpon the Hebrewes that they should not forget to doe good , in the next place he addeth and to communicate , Heb. 13.16 . either joyning the speciall to the generall , communicating to doing of good , or by both words signifying one thing , because distributing to the necessities of our brethren is magna pars bonorum operum , a great and principall part of good works ; it is ( as Demosthenes sayd pronunciation was in Rhetoricke ) primum , secundum , & tertium in benefaciendo ; the first , second and third point in doing of good . Yea consider how great a good worke almes doing is , seeing it shall be mentioned when all our other workes shall be omitted : Come ye blessed of my Father &c. for I was hungry , and yee fedde me , I was thirsty , and ye gaue me drinke Matt. 25.34.35 . tacet Deus &c. God concealeth all the other good deedes of the righteous , and onely vouchsafeth to remember their almes , he concealeth also all the evill deedes of vngodly men , and onely thinketh meete to rebuke their barrennesse in almes . Augustine in his 28. Homily . and Peter Chrysologus in his 14. Sermon , In the kingdome of heaven before all , in the assembly of them that rise , God mentioneth not that Abel suffred , that Noah preserved the world , that Abraham kept the faith , that Moses gaue the law , that Peter ascended vp to the crosse of Iesus with his heeles vpwards , but only speaketh of that which the pore eateth : and seeing our riches so lost ( as the world thinketh ) shall be found , when all the treasures that we lay vp closely shal be lost , for as Gregory sayth , by keeping earthly things we loose them , but by giving of them we preserue them : and as Peter Chrysologus , whatsoever thou giuest to the poore , thou shalt haue it , whatsoever thou giuest not to the poore , another shall haue it . The point to be pressed to vs hence , is as plaine as Abacuckes vision , Hab. 2.2 . hee may runne that readeth and observeth it . It is that every Disciple of the houshold of faith must pro suo modulo , according to his measure , abound in this grace of distributing , the rich must be rich in good workes , ready to distribute , willing to communicate , 1. Tim. 6.17 . They must cast great gifts into Christs treasury , the meaner sort must not be wanting in their mites , Mar. 12. and every one according to his ability must relieue his brethren , for so they proportion it at Antioch , Act. 11.29 . yea and in case of necessity sometimes beyond his ability , 2. Cor. 8.3 . But who is such a stranger in our Israell , that hee knoweth not these things ? I may say of this point as Luther sayd of that verse of the 15. Ps: he that hath not giuen his money vpon vsury . Iste versus non indiget expositione , sed impletione , this verse needes no expounding but fulfilling . Instruction in this righteousnesse wee neede not but rather correction for our being behinde in this worke of the Lord . Amongst vs that are called Christians , there are many professours , fewe practisers , and those fewe that seeme ready to other good workes , are backward inough to this . I will not say with the Apostle 1. Cor. 15. I speake it to our shame , that little of this fruit groweth vpon many of those trees , that seeme not onely to haue beene long planted , but also much to flourish in the Courts of Gods house , that this sure marke of sound religion is almost worne out amongst many , who yet primos se volunt esse in religione would be ringleaders in religion , but I will take vp those words of Naaman , 2. Kings 5. God be mercifull vnto vs in this point , and double them with him , God be mercifull vnto vs in this point , for want of shewing our pure and vndefiled religion before God by the workes of mercy towards our brethren , for failing in this fruit of our faith , and proofe of our being true worshippers of God , caeteris rebus pietatem colimus , in other matters we shew our selues very godly , we can goe vp to Gods temple , stand before him in his house , make many praiers vnto him , shew much loue with our mouthes , but when it commeth to this hand-loue , then our hearts goe after covetousnesse , Ezek. 33.31 , we loue that the bread of life should dwell plenteously amongst vs , but very sparingly deale our bread to the hungry , we can continue in breaking of bread at Gods table , but care not for breaking our bread to his people , we can sing lustily with a good courage , but not giue cheerefully , which God loveth , we can perhaps fast , and afflict our soules , ( but that is not in much vse with vs ) but wee cannot refresh the bowels of Gods poore people , wee rather make them fast , and afflict their soules ; in a word , wee are forwarder to shew our religion and loue to Gods name any way then this way . The old people of the Iewes were very strict in all other fruits of their religion , they sought God dayly , and delighted to know his wayes , as a nation that did righteously , and forsooke not the ordinances of their God , they asked of God the ordinances of justice , they tooke delight in approaching to God , they fasted , they afflicted their soules : and thought these such high points of piety that they quarrelled with God for not regarding of them . Wherefore haue we fasted , say they , and thou seest not ? wherefore haue we afflicted our soule , and thou takest no knowledge ? but all this religion and devotion was in vaine without the workes of Charity . Is not this the fast that I haue chosen ? to loose the bands of wickednesse , to vndoe the heavy burdens , and to let the oppressed go free , and that ye breake every yoake ? Is it not to deale thy bread to the hungry , and that thou bring the poore that are cast out to thine house , when thou seest the naked that thou cover him , and that thou hide not thy selfe from thine owne flesh ? Isa 58.2.3.5.6.7 . That of St Basile in an Homily against the vnmercifull rich men of his time , is very appliable to ours ; I haue knowne them that haue fasted , that haue prayed , that haue sighed and groaned , and in a word haue exercised and practised all the workes of piety that would cost them nothing , but would not bestow one halfe-penny on the poore , what profit had they of all their other vertue ? It was excellently sayd of Leo in his sermon de apparit . the vertue of mercy is so great , that without it , the rest though they be present cannot profit : for although a man be faithfull , and chast , and sober , and adorned with other excellent gifts , yet if he be not mercifull , he shall not obtaine mercy . But on every side we may finde Iudasses that care not for the poore , nay care not so much as for a shew of caring for the poore , which was in him , this ointment might haue beene sold for three hundred pence , and giuen to the poore , Iohn 12.5.6 . Churlish Nabals , that being moved to a worke of mercy can roare out , shall I take my bread , and my water , and my flesh that I haue killed for my shearers , and giue it to men whom I know not whence they bee ? 1. Sam. 25.11 . Their hearts even in this respect are stony , insensible of others miseries , the bowels of compassion are shut vp in them as strately as the gates of Iericho were Ios. 7.1 . their eyes are evill and cannot indure to see another eate of their morsels , their hands are withered like the mans in the Gospell , Luke 6. so that they cannot open and stretch them out to their poore brother . Let Lazarus lie , and cry , and dye at their gates , they will pitty him lesse then their dogges ; with Cain they will be no keepers of their brethren , Gen. 4. Let Gods ministers serue at the Altar , and cry with the children of the Prophets mors est in olla death is in the potte , 2. Kings 4.40 . for their poore maintenance , they will not receiue them , nor giue them a cuppe of cold water in the name of a Prophet . The Lord hath neede of them , Matt. 21.3 . is no plea with them to make them part with an Asse , or the foale of an Asse , or the hoofe of an Asse for Gods service . Let them haue enough in store for themselues , lie vpon their beds of Ivory , stretch themselues vpon their coaches , eate the lambes out of the flocke , and the calues out of the midst of the stall , drinke wine in boules , and annoint themselues with chiefe oyntment , and they will not grieue for the affliction of Ioseph , Am. 6.4.5.6 . they will haue no compassion on the multitude that haue nothing to eate , Mar. 8.2 . Lord lay not this sin of vnmercifulnesse to the charge of this age of ours , and stirre vs vp in our places , and according to our powers , to shew mercy here , that wee may finde it in the great day of the Lord IESVS . Amen .