Bleffed Lord himself hath declared that many in the first ages of Christianity, when miraculous powers were continued to the Church, should prophesy, cast out Devils, and do mighty works in his name; yet notwithstanding be workers. of iniquity, and perfons whom he will not own at the Day of Judgment. He alfo particularly warns his followers, that even alms may be given through oftentation, and to obtain the applause of men, without real love of God, and of our Neighbour for his fake; and confequently without being entitled to any reward in Heaven.

It is therefore evidently a point of great moment in regard to our future happiness, to have the inward affections so regulated, that thofe outward actions of our lives which are in their own nature commendable, and to others beneficial, may in the end become spiritually profitable

profitable to ourselves alfo: That our alms, oblations, and good offices of every kind, may not mifs their way to Heaven; where, if once depofited, neither moth nor ruft can corrupt, nor thieves break through nor steal.

Now to promote more effectually this neceffary concern, I fhall take occafion to enlarge a little on the two following Propofitions.

The first-That it is neither the act of giving, nor the proportion of the gift, but the mind of the giver that recommends it to the acceptance of God.

The fecond-That Religion and Charity are effentially and inseparably united.

1. First I say that it is neither the act of giving, nor the proportion of the gift, but the mind of the giver that recommends it to the acceptance of God.

It is true, the act of giving, i. e. of relieving our fellow creatures in diftrefs, by whatever means effected, has obtained in general the name of Charity, which fignifies love of God and love of Man ; because always fuppofed to flow from this fource. But if men may do good upon quite different motives, fuch as are merely felfish and ungenerous, which doubtless they may; there is then neither Charity in the act itself, nor any merit attending it in the fight of God, who knoweth the heart.

This no one, who is ever fo little converfant in the doctrine of Chrift and his Apostles, can be ignorant of; fince it is manifeftly one great defign of the gofpel-institutes to rectify the inward man, the temper and difpofition of our fpirits; that fo our good will to each other may in fome degree resemble the perfection of divine benevolence. Thus,

we

we are required to be "merciful as our Father in Heaven is merciful"— to " love as brethren❞— without diffimulation-to "have fervent Charity among ourselves"→ whereunto might be added many preffing exhortations of a like refined nature. Nor is there any room to doubt but He, who is the God of the spirits of all flesh, will eftimate the goodness of men's deeds according to the uprightness and sincerity in which they are performed.

For, be it obferved, it is not barely for the relief of others, but withal for our personal emolument, the improving our own affections by fuch happy exercifes, and thereby qualifying ourselves for the Kingdom of Heaven, that we are commanded to perform acts of Charity, as well as of Piety and Devotion. - By praying unto God, the author and giver of every good gift, and by magnifying his holy name for all his benefits, we

keep

keep up a lively fenfe of Religion upon our minds; and every leffening of our fubftance in the way of charitable diftribution, implies in it a certain measure of humility, felf-denial, and dependance upon divine Providence. So that however the thing given may at all times be a bleffing to the poor object, it is the fpirit only of the giver that can render it a bleffing to himself.

Which if true, neither will the cafe be altered through the largenefs or fplendor of the donation. It is indeed highly unreasonable in itself, as well as contrary to the tenure of Scripture to fuppofe it fhould. For were God to eftimate the gifts of men merely according to their bulk, instead of that faying of Christ, "How hardly fhall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!" it would rather be matter of aftonishment how any in fuch circumftances fhould