The fame Measures fhould be taken when Circumstances are fuch, that Restitution is not neceffary, notwithstanding that Opportunities of making it may eafily be found. Such are the Circumftances of Perfons corrupted by Bribery. For fince every Bribe is at once a Voluntary Gift, and the Fruit of Injuftice, the Sordid Giver hath forfeited all Rightful Claim to it, and therefore Equity does not require that it fhould be restored to him; and yet it cannot Lawfully be retained by the Polluted Hands of him who receives it, because he hath no Propriety in it, unlefs Propriety can be grounded upon Injuftice: And therefore it should be appropriated to Works of Charity. And in General, all Unlawful Poffeffions fhould be intirely given up by Reftitution, where that is Poffible and Neceffary; and where it is not, they should be difpofed of in good Works, without excepting and referving any the leaft Part of them; for it is a Curfed thing.

But it feldom becomes Neceffary to give up all our Juft Poffeffions, for the

relief of the Poor.

Indeed we find, that amongst the First Christians the Rich did admit the Indigent to a Free and Illimited Participation of their Riches: The Bounty of the one was determined by no measure but the Wants of the other. For as* they had all things Common, which they poffeffed; fo, when the Poffeffors of Lands or Houfes fold them, + Diftribution was made unto every Man according as he had Need. These were Eminent and Glorious Effects of Charity; but we do not find these Degrees of it Indifpenfably and Univerfally required.

Our Bleffed Saviour indeed lays this Injunction upon the Ruler; Sell all that thou haft, and diftribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have. treasure in heaven. This Person was without doubt under a Neceffary Obligation to Obey this Command, which was Particularly given to Him; but it does not feem Obligatory. upon those, to whom it is not Particularly given; unless the Obligation of it fhould arife from fome Uncommon and

* Acts iv. 32.

↑ Ver. 34, 35. + Luke xviii. 22.

1

Extraordinary Occafion. For fuch 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 efteemed Superfluous? And under this enquiry, it may be of fome ufe to reflect upon a Distinction frequently made by Scholaftick Writers; who obferve, that Superfluity does either relate purely to Life and Subfiftence, or, to the particular Circumstances and Stations of Men in the World. Whatsoever is poffeffed

* 1 John iii. 16.

more

more than is Neceffary to the preservation 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 thofe things, which are Superfluous to a Man's Life, are yet Neceffary to that Decency which belongs to his Station. And therefore, if no Extraordinary Occasions should 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, must fink; which would at once break the very up foundations of the Civil Conftitution, and be likewife highly prejudicial to the State of Religion.

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

and

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 Covetoufnefs 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 suitable Provision, which they are obliged to make for their Families, and to that Provifion likewise, which may be made, with regard to future Neceffities.

Men may indeed raise excufes for themfelyes, without any ground or founda-: