Right Honourable and Right Worshipful,
My own indexterity and unfitness to appear thus publicly, needs some Apology; But your acceptation is my encouragement; and the order from your Honourable Court, carries so much authority with it, as to add some weight to that which dares not plead worth. I was the more inclinable to publish this Discourse, because though the theme be common, yet the practice of it is rare and unusual. Contentions never more hot, Charity never more cold, a sign Iniquity abounds. The zeal of our forefathers condemns us, we with Rachel have better eyes, but they with Leah were more fruitful. We are so far (at least the generality of men) from building Churches and Alms-houses, that we are more ready to pull them down. How is TRUTH in these days forsaken, and CHARITY forgotten! We may say of many they are miserable rich, their affections towards public advancements and disbursements, are like the scales of the Leviathan, shut up together, as with a close seal, Job 41:15. Saint Ambrose says that when we relieve not one, whom we see ready to perish with hunger, we are the cause of his death. If this rule hold true, there are more guilty of the breach of the sixth Commandment than we are aware of. When shall we see a resurrection of Charity, which seems to lie dead and buried? Sure, it will not be, unless God work a miracle upon men's hearts. The good Lord by his Spirit cleave the rocks in our bosoms, that the water of repentance, and the wine of Charity may flow forth! O that England might have that encomium as once Athens, to be the Nursery of Humanity; believe it, Charity is the best policy; by helping others we heal ourselves, Job 29:13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me. As the poor had Job's alms, so he had their prayers, and he fared the better. Christ's poor are Favourites of the Court of heaven, and you that give them of your gold, they can unlock heaven by the golden key of prayer, and set God a work on your behalf. The merciful man has many intercessors, which made Hierom to say, that it is almost impossible that God should not hear the prayers of so many. Why should there be the least regret, or recoiling in our hearts, why should Charity stick in the birth? It would be our glory, if it might be said of us, as Saint Paul speaks of those Evangelical, or rather Angelical Christians, 1 Thessalonians 3:9. As touching brotherly love, you need not that I write to you. O how forgetful are we of that breast of mercy which feeds us, those golden wings which cover us! Surely did we keep a [Greek text] or register of God's favors to us, we would as Clemens Alexandrinus says, give Alms to testify our gratitude. But I shall avoid Prolixness; this Sermon which you did hear with seriousness and affection, craves now your candour, and comes under your Patrociny. What was once said to Aegidius of Norinberg concerning David's words in the 118 Psalm. They are verba vivenda non legenda. The same may I say concerning these few notions, they are not so much to be read over, as to be lived over. Your liberality to them that are in want, will give the best gloss upon the Text. The Lord has set you in public places, and that you may become public blessings in your generation, walking in the fear of God, and shining forth in a bible-conversation, shall be the prayer of him who is,
Your Honours, And Worships servant, In the work of the Lord, THOMAS WATSON. From my Study at Stephens Walbrook. July 7, 1658.
