Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

eternal life of God, for the sacrifice of a poor, miserable, and corrupted
life here on earth!
I have had occasion to remark in many thousands of cases, during the
observations of a long life, made in various parts, that true religion makes
as little way among the miserably poor as among the affluently rich. The
former, full of unbelief, baseness of mind, and pining bitterness, neither
pray to God, nor care to hear about the provision he has made for their
salvation. Who has ever been able to spread religion with much success
among the occupants of a parish workhouse?
And now, ye poor: arise and shake yourselves from the dust, and cry
unto the Lord. Has not your present wretchedness proceeded either from
your slothfulness, or the abuse of mercies already received? God may
bring back your captivity: search your hearts, humble yourselves before
him; who knows but he will return to you with mercies, and your
expectation shall not perish for ever?
Be prudent; be cautions; neither eat, drink, nor wear, but as you pay for
every thing. Live not on trust, for that is the way to pay double; and by
this means the poor are still kept poor. He who takes credit, even for food
or raiment, when he has no probable means of defraying the debt, is a
dishonest man. It is no sin to die through lack of the necessaries of life
when the providence of God has denied the means of support; but it is a
sin to take up goods without the probability of being able to pay for them.
Poor man! suffer poverty a little; perhaps God is only trying thee for a
time; and who can tell if he will not turn again thy captivity. Labour hard
to live honestly; if God still appear to withhold his providential blessing,
do not despair; leave it all to him; do not make a sinful choice; he cannot
err. He will bless thy poverty, while he curses the ungodly man's
blessings.
The most indigent may exercise the works of mercy and of charity;
seeing even a "cup of cold water," given in the name of Jesus, shall not
lose its reward. How astonishing is God's kindness! It is not the rich