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Extraordinary Occafion. For such Extraordinary Events may offer, in relation to the Christian Church, or to fome particular Branches of it, as may introduce a Neceffity, not only to Sell all that we have, but likewise * to lay down our lives for the Brethren.

But in ordinary occurrences, and according to the usual state of Things, the general Rules of Charity are, that every Man fhould give Liberally and Cheerfully, confidering that when he hath made competent Provision for himself and Dependents, That which is Superfluous fhould be the Portion of the Poor. In order therefore to discharge our Obligations to Charity, 'tis needful to enquire, what is properly to be esteemed Superfluous? And under this enquiry, it may be of fome ufe to reflect upon a Diftinction frequently made by Scholaftick Writers; who observe, that Superfluity does either relate purely to Life and Subfiftence, or, to the particular Circumftances and Stations of Men in the World. Whatsoever is poffeffed

1 John iii. 16.

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more than is Neceffary to the prefervation of Life, is called Superfluous to Life; And whatsoever is poffeffed more than is Neceffary to fupport Mens Respective Characters and Stations, is ftyled Superfluous to State, or Condition. 'Tis obvious then, that those things, which are Superfluous to a Man's Life, are yet Necesary to that Decency which belongs to his Station. And therefore, if no Ex-. traordinary Occafions fhould offer themfelves, he is not obliged to dispense, in Acts of Charity, all that is Superfluous unto Life: For if this were, in all cafes an indispensable Duty, that variety of Orders and Offices, which runs through Human Society, muft fink; which would at once break up the very foundations of the Civil Constitution, and be likewife highly prejudicial to the State of Religion.

The Measures therefore of Common Charity would easily be fixed, if Men did but determine what is Superfluous to their feveral Stations. But, in the determination of this point, they are very apt to Difobey God, Deceive themselves,

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and Defraud the Poor. For if they will refolve, at any rate, and to the utmost of their Power, to Indulge, and Inrich, and Aggrandize themselves and their Families; 'tis then no wonder, that they will never acknowledge themselves poffeffed of any thing Superfluous. If Ambition, or Senfuality, or Covetousness be admitted into our enquiries, concerning what is Neceffary, and what Superfluous, the Question will certainly be determined on the Uncharitable fide. But if these fountains of Prejudice and of all Iniquity, do not derive their Impure Streams upon Mens Hearts; if they do impartially and Sincerely enquire into their Duty, it will eafily and plainly appear, that their Temporal Bleffings are generally more than equal to their own exigencies, to the proper Decency and Dignity of their Stations, to that fuitable Provifion, which they are obliged to make for their Families, and to that Provision likewise, which may be made, with regard to future Neceffities.

Men may indeed raife excufes for themLelves, without any ground or founda

tion to fupport them. They may Imagine, or Alledge, that the Fire of God may poffibly fall from Heaven, and confume One part of their Substance, whilst the Chaldeans may feize upon Another: They may urge the Reasonableness of arming themselves against All future Dangers, against All Unexpected Accidents: And if this way of arguing be allowable, then must they fuffer the Poor to perifh, because they themselves may Poffibly fall into that number. But they fhould be extremely cautious of trifling with themfelves in matters of this moment, and of running Perversely into fuch Fatal and Destructive Abfurdities. Neceffaries and Superfluities are not to be estimated by Poffibility, but by Probability, and the common Course of things. When any one hath made fuch Provifion, as will probably, and under the ufual course of God's good Providence, answer the Neceffities and Juft Conveniencies of Himfelf and Dependents; the other shares of his Treasures are to be reached out un¬ to those who want them. Not that works of Charity are to be neglected, whilft fuch

Provifion is Gathering, for 'tis not to be conceived, that a fincere Christian can, in a direct contradiction to Chrift's command, be, in any period of Life, so engaged in laying up treasures upon earth, that he wholly neglects to lay up treafures in heaven. St. Paul gives this commandment to the Corinthians; * Concerning the collection for the Saints, as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia, even So do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in ftore, as God hath profpered him. Charitable Contributions were not only incumbent upon those, who were poffeffed of a Full, Fixed Eftate, but upon all others likewife, whose support depended upon Succefs in their Employments. Every one muft, from time to time, lay by him in fore, as God hath profpered him; must Conftantly devote unto good Works, as large a Proportion of his Encrease, as will confift with the fupply of his prefent Exigencies, and with the Probable expectation of making fuitable Provifion for

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* Cor. xvi. 1, 2,

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