But because Divine Threats, intermixt with Prayers, will work more powerfully with some; therefore our Church farther directs, That (a) the general Sentences of God's Curfings against the Impenitent, in Scripture, be read; and that the People should answer to every Sentence, Amen. And to this Intent (most rarely Charitable) that being admonished of the great Indignation of God against Sinners, they may the rather be moved to earnest and true Repentance; and may walk more warily in thefe dangerous Days, fleeing from fuch Vices, for which they affirm with their own Mouths, the Curfe of God to be due.

And therefore (by the way) let none fear to fay, Amen, to thofe Sentences, as if it were imprecating Maledictions on the Guilty (and fo perhaps on themselves) for the Word in that Cafe, fignifies nothing of Wish, but only a firm and hearty Affent to the Truth of the Divine Menaces. So that when we use it there, it amounts to no more, in our Meaning, than that God's Curfes do certainly lie against the Impious in those Instances, and will most affuredly light upon them at Laft, unless they truly Repent.

And then in corporal Charity our Church is not defective neither, but rather shews a

(a) See the Commination.

Zeal

Zeal for it, and always did. For by King Edward the VI's Injunctions, Non-refident Minifters, that could Yearly difpend 401. or above, were to distribute amongst their poor Parifhoners, the 40th Part of the Fruits and Revenues of their faid Benefices; and they, who bad Yearly to difpend, in Benefices and other Promotions of the Church, an 100l. were to give a competent Exhibition to one Scholar; and for fo many 1001. more, as they could difpend, to fo many Scholars more they were to give the like Exhibition in the University of Oxford, or Cambridge, or fome Grammar, School. (a) But then befides these forc'd, there were other free Charities done by him and others, of very good Value, in his Time, it being fo fhort. And tho these were out-done in Q. Elizabeth's Days, who fat long upon the Throne, yet those were as much, if not more exceeded, under Her immediate Royal Succeffor.

For in King James the Firft's Reign, which lafted but Five and twenty Years, as a good (b) English Hiftorian informs us, there was Eight thousand Pounds a Year in Lands, and Sixteen thousand Pounds in Money given to pious Ufes; befides a College erected in Oxford, and feven Hofpitals,

(a) Sparrow's Collection, p. 6. (b) Sir Richard Baker.

or

or Alms-Houses in feveral Places: To fay nothing of other Buildings, and Benefactions very confiderable.

And that he has been Happy ever fince in the fame High Principle, is clear from Her laudable Practice of it, which I might demonftrate by a large Allegation of generous and bountiful Teftimonies. But let me only observe, that fhe is fo ftill; as the Corporation for Relief of the Poor Clergy witneffeth, and a late Act of Parliament in favour of fmall Livings. Whereunto I might add Her liberal Contributions to Briefs (a Charity not used in other Countries) whether for Refugees, Captives, Fires, Tempests, Inundations, or Churches decay'd or fallen down. Not to forget the conftant Offertories at Communions (tho' I omit occafional ones) where the invites all to give Alms, who partake of the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, And to induce them thereunto, has furnish'd that Office with a Collection of Texts ar Sentences, as Choice and Pathetic as any in Scripture, urging that Way.

Nay, fo warm is the for this Charity, that she would have it exercis'd even by the Sick and Dying, that are qualifi'd for it: And therefore the charges (a) Minifters earnestly

(4) Rubrick in the Office for Vifitation of the Sick

to

to move fuch fick Perfons as are of Ability to be liberal to the Poor. And the like was done long fince, For by King Edward's Injunctions, publifh'd in the Year 1547. the Clergy were required, diligently, from Time to Time, and especially when Men made their Teftaments to call upon, exhort, and move their Neighbours, to confer and give, as they might well spare, to the Cheft of the Poor: Declaring unto them, whereas heretofore they were diligent to bestow much Subftance otherwife than God commanded, upon Pardons, Pilgrimages, &c. they ought to be much more ready to help the Needy.

CHA P.

125

СНАР.
CHAP. VII.

Her Loyalty recommended.

HE LOYALTY of the

Church of England is incomparable. For as by Her first Canon, fhe (a) afcribes SUPREMACY to the King, declaring, that His Power, within his Realms and Dominions, is the highest Power under God; fo fhe adds, That all Men, as well Inhabitants as born within the fame, do by God's Laws ow him Obedience. And by her 37th Article she seems to own, that the Prerogative of Supremacy was always given to Princes by God bimfelf; and that all Eftates and Degrees, which they rule, were by God committed to their Charge. And fo in effect she makes God the Founder of all Sovereign Go(a) See Bishop Sparrar's Collection of Articles, &c.

vernment,