







 
   
     
       
         Charity and integrity of life the pure essentials of Christian religion: or meditations on James I. 27. By T.G. M.A
         Gregory, Thomas, 1668 or 9-1706.
      
       
         
           1696
        
      
       Approx. 38 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         Text Creation Partnership,
         Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
         2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
         A42084
         Wing G1931
         ESTC R215986
         99827741
         99827741
         32164
         
           
            This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
             Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
            . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
          
        
      
       
         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A42084)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 32164)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1848:37)
      
       
         
           
             Charity and integrity of life the pure essentials of Christian religion: or meditations on James I. 27. By T.G. M.A
             Gregory, Thomas, 1668 or 9-1706.
          
           [4], 27, [1] p.
           
             printed by J. Bradford, for the author,
             London :
             1696.
          
           
             T.G. = Thomas Gregory.
             Reproduction of the original in the Lambeth Palace Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
         Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors.
      
       
         EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
         EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
         The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
         Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
         Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
         Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
         The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
         Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
         
          Keying and markup guidelines are available at the
           Text Creation Partnership web site
          .
        
      
       
         
         
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- N.T. -- James I, 27 -- Commentaries -- Early works to 1800.
           Charity -- Early works to 1800.
           Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
        2007-11 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2008-02 SPi Global
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2008-07 Olivia Bottum
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2008-07 Olivia Bottum
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2008-09 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
         
         
           CHARITY
           AND
           Integrity
           of
           Life
           THE
           Pure
           ESSENTIALS
           OF
           
             Christian
             Religion
          
           :
           OR
           MEDITATIONS
           On
           James
           1.27
           .
        
         
           By
           
             T.
             G.
          
           M.
           A.
           
        
         
           
             But
             to
             do
             Good
             ,
             and
             Communicate
             ,
             forget
             not
             ;
             for
             with
             such
             Sacrifices
             God
             is
             well
             pleased
             ,
          
           
             
               Heb
               13.16
            
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             Bradford
          
           ,
           for
           the
           Author
           ,
           1696.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Most
           Reverend
           Father
           in
           God
           ,
           THOMAS
           ,
           by
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           Archbishop
           of
           CANTERBVRY
           .
        
         
           REligion
           being
           of
           that
           great
           Excellency
           as
           to
           teach
           us
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           Neighbour
           ,
           how
           to
           Reverence
           him
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           be
           tender-hearted
           to
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           so
           as
           we
           may
           best
           enjoy
           our selves
           ,
           and
           benefit
           others
           ,
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           be
           pleased
           not
           to
           refuse
           this
           ensuing
           Discourse
           a
           just
           title
           to
           your
           Patronage
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           they
           who
           go
           back
           from
           these
           Duties
           of
           Exemplary
           Piety
           and
           Charity
           ,
           neither
           regard
           what
           Rules
           they
           have
           prescribed
           ,
           nor
           what
           Practice
           they
           have
           directed
           ,
           nor
           do
           they
           regard
           any
           thing
           that
           carries
           the
           face
           of
           Love
           and
           true
           Munificence
           ,
           and
           are
           only
           valiant
           in
           breaking
           those
           Laws
           ,
           which
           Heaven
           hath
           made
           Eternal
           ,
           such
           a
           sort
           of
           Men
           have
           commonly
           great
           Judgments
           denounced
           against
           them
           .
           They
           are
           depriv'd
           of
           the
           Divine
           Protection
           here
           while
           they
           live
           ,
           and
           after
           their
           Death
           no
           Man
           lamenteth
           .
           But
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           many
           Blessings
           and
           Rewards
           are
           Entail'd
           upon
           Pious
           and
           Liberal
           ,
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           in
           pardoning
           
           our
           Sins
           ,
           a
           promised
           Security
           from
           Incumbent
           Evils
           ,
           a
           bountiful
           Support
           under
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           at
           length
           a
           certain
           Reception
           into
           Eternal
           Glory
           .
           Cornelius
           was
           heard
           for
           his
           Devout
           Life
           and
           Alms-giving
           .
           But
           that
           I
           may
           not
           be
           too
           prolix
           ,
           if
           you
           discern
           any
           Imperfections
           in
           the
           Copy
           ,
           let
           not
           these
           Celestial
           Graces
           ,
           for
           my
           sake
           ,
           fall
           under
           any
           Imputation
           ,
           that
           need
           no
           such
           Advocate
           as
           I
           am
           ,
           or
           such
           a
           common
           Pen
           ,
           but
           one
           from
           an
           Angel's
           Wing
           to
           advance
           their
           Esteem
           .
        
         
           There
           's
           a
           Beauty
           in
           Holiness
           beyond
           that
           of
           State
           ,
           and
           a
           Glory
           in
           Humility
           above
           the
           proud
           Inscription
           of
           Monarchs
           ;
           both
           these
           wait
           upon
           Charity
           and
           Integrity
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           only
           Ornaments
           of
           our
           Christian
           Profession
           .
           But
           here
           that
           Disrespect
           you
           have
           to
           the
           Disregarders
           of
           these
           Duties
           ,
           puts
           a
           stop
           to
           my
           Pen
           ,
           forbidding
           me
           to
           be
           too
           curious
           in
           the
           description
           of
           these
           Graces
           ,
           which
           are
           so
           eminently
           visible
           in
           your
           Life
           and
           Conversation
           .
           So
           that
           hoping
           your
           Candour
           and
           Good
           Temper
           will
           give
           a
           favourable
           Reception
           ,
           to
           what
           I
           have
           Offered
           ,
           I
           humbly
           take
           my
           leave
           to
           Subscribe
           my self
        
         
           
             Your
             GRACE's
             Most
             Obedient
             and
             Faithful
             Servant
             ,
             
               T.
               GREGORY
            
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             
               
                 JAMES
                 1.27
              
               .
            
             
               Pure
               and
               Vndefiled
               Religion
               before
               God
               and
               the
               Father
               ,
               is
               this
               ,
               to
               visit
               the
               Fatherless
               and
               the
               Widow
               in
               their
               Afflictions
               ,
               and
               to
               keep
               himself
               Vnspotted
               from
               the
               World.
               
            
          
        
         
           WHoever
           he
           be
           that
           looks
           into
           his
           Bible
           ,
           with
           a
           sincere
           design
           ,
           of
           receiving
           any
           benefit
           unto
           himself
           by
           so
           doing
           ;
           ought
           in
           all
           reason
           ,
           to
           avoid
           all
           foolish
           and
           unprofitable
           Disputations
           ,
           things
           that
           gender
           Strife
           :
           and
           in
           good
           earnest
           apply
           himself
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           his
           Duty
           ,
           to
           obey
           when
           God
           calls
           for
           his
           Obedience
           ;
           for
           the
           Scripture
           was
           not
           written
           to
           beget
           Pride
           and
           Disputes
           ,
           but
           Charity
           and
           Humility
           in
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men.
           The
           Gospel
           was
           design'd
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           Exercise
           the
           Understanding
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           influence
           the
           Will
           ,
           and
           entirely
           to
           engage
           the
           Affections
           in
           Heavenly
           Matters
           ,
           in
           a
           practical
           System
           ,
           wherein
           we
           are
           told
           that
           our
           very
           Thoughts
           are
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           Obedience
           of
           its
           Author
           .
           And
           if
           we
           heartily
           believe
           and
           consider
           ,
           that
           nothing
           else
           but
           Unfeigned
           
           Purity
           can
           recommend
           us
           unto
           God
           ,
           if
           we
           take
           it
           for
           granted
           ,
           that
           without
           Holiness
           no
           man
           shall
           see
           him
           :
           We
           have
           little
           reason
           to
           admire
           our
           Saviour
           calls
           his
           People
           
             little
             Flock
          
           ,
           and
           that
           
             but
             few
             enter
             in
             at
             the
             streight
             Gate
          
           ;
           for
           if
           so
           be
           Religion
           is
           to
           Overcome
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           be
           Heavenly
           minded
           ,
           or
           in
           few
           words
           ,
           to
           be
           like
           God
           ,
           what
           will
           become
           of
           the
           greater
           part
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           much
           unlike
           him
           ?
           What
           man
           is
           instructed
           for
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ?
           Who
           then
           can
           be
           saved
           ?
           Shall
           we
           rise
           again
           to
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Just
           ?
           Lord
           thou
           knowest
           !
           If
           so
           be
           Religion
           be
           pure
           and
           undefiled
           ,
           and
           admits
           not
           of
           the
           least
           vicious
           Immorallity
           ,
           't
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           that
           many
           men
           continue
           very
           wicked
           ,
           while
           they
           go
           under
           the
           sacred
           Names
           of
           
             Christians
             .
             For
             How
             is
             the
             faithful
             City
             become
             an
             Harlot
             ,
             it
             was
             full
             of
             Judgment
             ,
             Righteousness
             lodged
             in
             it
             ,
             but
             now
             Murder
             .
             Thy
             Silver
             is
             become
             dross
             ,
             and
             thy
             Wine
             mixt
             with
             Water
             .
             Thy
             Princes
             are
             Rebellious
             and
             Companions
             of
             Thieves
             ;
             every
             one
             loveth
             gifts
             and
             followeth
             after
             rewards
             ,
             judge
             not
             the
             Fatherless
             ,
             neither
             doth
             the
             cause
             of
             the
             Widow
             come
             before
             them
             ,
          
           Isa
           .
           1.21
           ,
           22.
           
           What
           then
           shall
           we
           
           say
           ?
           shall
           we
           condemn
           the
           Religion
           of
           the
           blessed
           Jesus
           ,
           because
           Iniquity
           does
           so
           much
           abound
           ?
           God
           forbid
           ;
           his
           Religion
           is
           like
           himself
           ,
           without
           spot
           or
           wrinkle
           ,
           't
           is
           holy
           ,
           just
           and
           good
           ,
           but
           men
           corrupt
           it
           to
           their
           own
           destruction
           .
           If
           you
           cast
           an
           Eye
           back
           upon
           the
           13th
           Verse
           of
           this
           Chapter
           ,
           St
           James
           will
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           must
           say
           that
           he
           is
           tempted
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           let
           no
           man
           charge
           God
           with
           his
           Sins
           ;
           if
           men
           engage
           in
           any
           wickedness
           ,
           be
           it
           to
           themselves
           ,
           for
           God
           cannot
           be
           tempted
           ,
           neither
           tempteth
           he
           any
           one
           ;
           but
           every
           man
           is
           tempted
           when
           he
           is
           drawn
           away
           by
           his
           own
           Lust
           and
           enticed
           .
           We
           may
           therefore
           spare
           our selves
           the
           trouble
           of
           searching
           out
           the
           Causes
           of
           our
           Miseries
           ,
           the
           Plague
           is
           in
           our
           own
           Heart
           .
           
             The
             lust
             of
             our
             mind
             when
             it
             hath
             conceived
             ,
             bringeth
             forth
             sin
             ;
             and
             sin
             when
             it
             is
             finished
             bringeth
             forth
             death
             .
          
           This
           Text
           is
           very
           full
           and
           comprehensive
           ,
           denoting
           the
           whole
           of
           the
           Christian
           Doctrine
           in
           very
           few
           words
           ,
           and
           also
           of
           admirable
           weight
           to
           fortifie
           the
           Christians
           against
           the
           Errors
           and
           Heresies
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           particularly
           to
           oppose
           the
           prevailing
           Sect
           of
           the
           Gnostick
           Heresie
           ,
           which
           our
           Apostle
           here
           refers
           to
           ,
           and
           which
           for
           Sensuality
           and
           
           open
           Wickedness
           was
           the
           greatest
           Deformities
           that
           ever
           clouded
           the
           beauty
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           For
           this
           Sect
           were
           a
           People
           that
           did
           allow
           their
           Converts
           a
           greater
           liberty
           in
           their
           Lifes
           ,
           than
           Christians
           did
           admit
           .
           The
           Apostles
           preacht
           up
           a
           good
           Life
           as
           necessary
           to
           Salvation
           ,
           but
           these
           on
           the
           contraty
           did
           assert
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           might
           be
           a
           Christian
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           same
           time
           use
           the
           utmost
           freedom
           with
           the
           greatest
           Epicure
           :
           Upon
           this
           score
           they
           gain'd
           ground
           in
           those
           early
           times
           ,
           they
           found
           the
           People
           very
           tractable
           and
           easie
           to
           be
           wheedl'd
           to
           such
           a
           licentious
           Creed
           ,
           when
           they
           did
           affirm
           that
           a
           man
           may
           love
           the
           World
           more
           then
           God
           ,
           it
           was
           no
           hard
           matter
           in
           those
           times
           to
           gain
           Proselites
           ;
           such
           pallatable
           pleasing
           Drines
           were
           swallowed
           without
           much
           Consideration
           .
           But
           the
           Apostles
           of
           our
           Lord
           ,
           who
           had
           conversed
           with
           their
           Master
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           greatest
           reason
           to
           know
           his
           Sense
           of
           things
           ,
           are
           clearly
           of
           another
           mind
           ,
           which
           all
           have
           with
           St
           James
           in
           Opposition
           to
           these
           Libertines
           ,
           acquainted
           us
           ,
           that
           Religion
           which
           must
           render
           every
           man
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           pure
           and
           undefiled
           ,
           and
           consists
           in
           visiting
           the
           Fatherless
           and
           Widow
           in
           their
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           himself
           
           unspotted
           from
           the
           World.
           The
           words
           will
           oblige
           me
           to
           do
           these
           twothings
           .
           1
           st
           ,
           In
           general
           to
           shew
           that
           Religion
           which
           we
           must
           ever
           hope
           to
           please
           God
           with
           ,
           is
           pure
           and
           Spiritual
           ,
           without
           mixture
           of
           Hypocrisie
           or
           Sensuallity
           .
           2
           dly
           .
           That
           Charity
           to
           the
           Needy
           and
           Purity
           of
           Life
           are
           the
           Essential
           parts
           of
           this
           Religion
           ,
           which
           are
           explicitly
           delivered
           in
           the
           Text
           :
           The
           former
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           
             visiting
             the
             Fatherless
             and
             Widow
          
           :
           The
           latter
           in
           these
           ,
           
             keeping
             himself
             unspotted
             from
             the
             World.
          
           First
           ,
           I
           am
           to
           shew
           in
           general
           that
           the
           Religion
           whereby
           we
           must
           ever
           hope
           to
           please
           God
           ,
           is
           of
           untainted
           Purity
           ,
           without
           any
           mixture
           of
           Hypocrisie
           ,
           or
           Sensuallity
           .
           In
           order
           to
           which
           I
           hope
           I
           may
           take
           for
           granted
           the
           Being
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           which
           thing
           being
           pre-suppos'd
           as
           a
           truth
           ,
           it
           is
           hardly
           to
           be
           conceived
           ,
           how
           a
           man
           can
           well
           satisfie
           a
           bruitish
           and
           irrational
           Deity
           ,
           that
           will
           be
           imposed
           upon
           by
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           worship'd
           at
           any
           rate
           .
           How
           is
           it
           possible
           for
           a
           Man
           to
           believe
           that
           God
           should
           approve
           of
           Vice
           ,
           or
           any
           wise
           connive
           at
           the
           practice
           of
           it
           .
           But
           admit
           a
           Man
           be
           so
           absurd
           ,
           and
           so
           offer
           Violence
           to
           himself
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           is
           so
           plain
           and
           convincing
           ,
           proclaiming
           the
           divine
           displeasure
           
           against
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           Evil
           ,
           Hypocritical
           and
           Unsincere
           ,
           that
           he
           that
           owns
           the
           former
           ,
           cannot
           deny
           the
           latter
           ,
           that
           is
           in
           words
           at
           length
           :
           He
           that
           believes
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           that
           God
           does
           not
           equivocate
           with
           Mankind
           ,
           but
           speaks
           as
           he
           means
           ;
           that
           Man
           must
           of
           necessity
           confess
           that
           nothing
           can
           be
           a
           pleasing
           Sacrifice
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           Spiritual
           and
           Holy
           ,
           and
           by
           strong
           consequence
           that
           every
           thing
           of
           what
           stamp
           soever
           that
           is
           not
           real
           and
           honest
           ,
           is
           an
           abomination
           in
           his
           sight
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           very
           plain
           that
           he
           that
           runs
           may
           read
           it
           .
           For
           how
           often
           does
           the
           Almighty
           declare
           by
           the
           Mouth
           of
           his
           Holy
           Prophets
           ,
           that
           no
           Wickedness
           shall
           dwell
           with
           him
           ,
           
             For
             thou
             art
             not
             a
             God
             that
             hath
             pleasure
             in
             Wickedness
             ,
             neither
             shall
             Evil
             dwell
             with
             thee
             ,
          
           Psal
           .
           5.4
           .
           Whoever
           hath
           been
           acquainted
           ever
           so
           little
           with
           the
           Holy
           Scripture
           ,
           cannot
           but
           have
           observed
           it
           to
           be
           the
           usual
           Stile
           thereof
           ,
           even
           under
           the
           Jewish
           Dispensation
           :
           Though
           the
           outward
           Worship
           for
           some
           reasons
           ,
           which
           I
           cannot
           now
           stand
           to
           repeat
           ,
           was
           different
           from
           that
           now
           required
           at
           our
           hands
           in
           the
           Christian
           Church
           .
           God
           made
           a
           solemn
           declaration
           against
           Sacrifices
           ,
           Isa
           .
           1.12
           .
           
             When
             ye
             
             come
             before
             me
             ,
             who
             hath
             required
             this
             at
             your
             hands
             to
             tread
             my
             Courts
             ?
             Bring
             no
             more
             vain
             Oblations
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           Which
           was
           to
           shew
           that
           this
           was
           not
           that
           which
           God
           required
           of
           them
           alone
           ;
           for
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           Jews
           obstinacy
           ,
           the
           gracious
           and
           merciful
           Lawgiver
           was
           pleased
           to
           condescend
           to
           their
           Capacities
           ,
           and
           to
           command
           them
           the
           Observance
           of
           those
           things
           as
           were
           most
           likely
           to
           keep
           them
           in
           a
           tollerable
           subjection
           ,
           the
           primary
           Institution
           of
           those
           Spiritual
           Observances
           ,
           was
           no
           otherwise
           design'd
           then
           to
           gratifie
           their
           Pallates
           ;
           for
           even
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           Obedience
           was
           most
           suitable
           ,
           most
           acceptable
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           find
           that
           God
           calls
           for
           other
           things
           from
           them
           ,
           such
           as
           these
           ,
           
             Wash
             and
             be
             clean
             ;
             put
             away
             the
             evil
             of
             your
             doings
             before
             mine
             eyes
             :
             Cease
             to
             do
             evil
             ,
             learn
             to
             do
             well
             :
             seek
             judgment
             ,
             deliver
             the
             oppressed
             ;
             judge
             the
             Fatherless
             .
          
           These
           are
           substantial
           Duties
           ,
           such
           as
           became
           the
           Majesty
           of
           a
           wise
           God
           to
           demand
           ,
           and
           an
           obedient
           People
           to
           perform
           .
           And
           if
           the
           divine
           Wisdom
           exacted
           Internal
           Holiness
           from
           the
           stubborn
           unmannagable
           Jew
           ,
           much
           more
           now
           from
           us
           under
           the
           Gospel
           .
           When
           our
           Saviour
           discoursed
           the
           Woman
           
           of
           
             Samaria
             ,
             John
          
           4.23
           .
           he
           was
           pleased
           to
           say
           that
           
             the
             hour
             was
             come
             ,
             when
             the
             true
             Worshippers
             should
             worship
             the
             Father
             in
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
          
           :
           whence
           it
           is
           natural
           to
           infer
           ,
           that
           the
           Religion
           which
           we
           ought
           to
           pay
           to
           our
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           is
           not
           born
           of
           Noise
           or
           Art
           ,
           but
           a
           new
           Nature
           in
           forming
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           whereby
           we
           are
           taught
           to
           know
           him
           ;
           and
           knowing
           God
           ,
           to
           love
           him
           with
           all
           our
           Soul
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           our
           Strength
           ,
           and
           to
           conform
           our selves
           as
           much
           as
           we
           can
           to
           that
           Perfection
           which
           is
           eminently
           in
           God
           ,
           the
           imitation
           of
           him
           in
           Living
           well
           ,
           being
           the
           best
           means
           of
           arriving
           to
           some
           likeness
           ,
           Beholding
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           transformed
           into
           the
           same
           Image
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           the
           Jews
           did
           expect
           the
           Messiah
           should
           have
           alarm'd
           the
           World
           with
           Drums
           and
           Trumpets
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           should
           have
           marched
           through
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           reported
           Victorious
           Hannibal
           did
           sometimes
           through
           the
           Alps
           ,
           making
           way
           where
           he
           found
           none
           ,
           planting
           his
           Gospel
           by
           force
           of
           Arms
           ;
           but
           judging
           this
           way
           to
           be
           more
           Military
           than
           Religious
           ,
           he
           publickly
           declar'd
           before
           Pilate
           the
           Governour
           ,
           that
           
             his
             Kingdom
             was
             not
             of
             this
             World
             ,
          
           Joh.
           8.36
           .
           'T
           was
           
           not
           such
           a
           one
           as
           the
           Jews
           were
           afraid
           of
           ,
           a
           Government
           set
           up
           to
           destroy
           that
           of
           Herod
           ,
           but
           a
           Spiritual
           Throne
           to
           be
           erected
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           his
           chosen
           People
           ,
           to
           influence
           their
           Lives
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           fit
           Heirs
           for
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           .
           That
           Religion
           which
           the
           most
           meek
           and
           innocent
           Lord
           planted
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           obliges
           its
           Professors
           to
           pass
           quietly
           and
           inoffensively
           through
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           most
           safe
           and
           prudent
           ,
           the
           most
           pious
           and
           excellent
           Methods
           ,
           to
           steer
           their
           Course
           to
           Happiness
           ,
           to
           lay
           hold
           on
           Eternal
           Life
           .
           This
           engages
           men
           heartily
           to
           the
           Obedience
           of
           their
           Superiors
           ,
           it
           possesses
           the
           mind
           with
           Universal
           Charity
           ,
           with
           the
           most
           profound
           Meekness
           and
           Humility
           ,
           it
           does
           not
           gratifie
           any
           impotent
           silly
           Passion
           in
           Man
           :
           we
           are
           all
           by
           Nature
           inclined
           more
           or
           less
           to
           that
           dreadful
           act
           of
           Revenge
           ;
           we
           are
           apt
           for
           every
           trifling
           disgust
           ,
           to
           call
           to
           the
           Earth
           to
           swallow
           up
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           as
           it
           did
           sometimes
           
             Korah
             ,
             Dathan
          
           and
           Abiram
           .
           But
           it
           is
           the
           singular
           prerogative
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           quiet
           and
           allay
           even
           this
           troublesome
           vexing
           Inclination
           of
           Revenge
           ,
           by
           teaching
           us
           to
           overcome
           Evil
           with
           Good
           ▪
           Well
           then
           ,
           suppose
           a
           Man
           to
           be
           Rich
           
           and
           mighty
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           affronted
           by
           a
           poor
           Creature
           .
           Let
           him
           call
           to
           mind
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           a
           Christian
           as
           well
           as
           a
           Rich
           Man
           ;
           and
           what
           his
           greatness
           as
           a
           
             rich
             man
          
           might
           justly
           abhor
           ,
           his
           Charity
           as
           a
           Christian
           might
           be
           willing
           to
           bear
           what
           his
           power
           as
           a
           great
           man
           might
           tempt
           to
           revenge
           ,
           his
           Charity
           as
           a
           Christian
           might
           teach
           him
           to
           forgive
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Condescending
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           different
           from
           that
           which
           by
           Nature
           we
           can
           have
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Wickedness
           which
           is
           not
           effectually
           restrained
           by
           it
           ,
           not
           the
           least
           Virtue
           which
           receives
           not
           a
           generous
           encouragement
           from
           it
           .
           And
           now
           does
           not
           this
           Religion
           sufficiently
           recommend
           it self
           to
           mankind
           ?
           Need
           it
           any
           thing
           else
           to
           court
           our
           Affections
           ?
           The
           Heathen
           were
           so
           very
           sensible
           of
           the
           worth
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           they
           always
           stil'd
           their
           denfensive
           War
           ,
           
             pro
             Aris
             &
             Focis
          
           :
           They
           plac'd
           their
           Altars
           before
           their
           Hearths
           ,
           their
           Churches
           before
           their
           Estates
           and
           Houses
           .
           And
           if
           they
           so
           highly
           valu'd
           a
           false
           foppish
           Religion
           ,
           how
           shall
           we
           ever
           set
           a
           just
           value
           upon
           the
           true
           ,
           the
           pure
           ,
           the
           undefiled
           Religion
           of
           Christ
           ?
           That
           Religion
           which
           we
           contend
           for
           before
           God
           ,
           that
           which
           spreads
           it self
           through
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           engaging
           
           the
           whole
           man
           in
           a
           fix'd
           ,
           steady
           ,
           and
           constant
           course
           of
           Righteousness
           .
           And
           now
           I
           am
           come
           to
           speak
           of
           the
           parts
           which
           are
           Essential
           to
           it
           ,
           the
           First
           of
           which
           is
           Charity
           to
           the
           Needy
           .
           Upon
           which
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           throughout
           do
           give
           a
           higher
           preference
           than
           any
           other
           Duty
           .
           Solomon
           himself
           ,
           the
           richest
           Monarch
           that
           ever
           reigned
           in
           Jerusalem
           ,
           and
           the
           wisest
           of
           the
           Eastern
           Sophies
           ,
           no
           less
           a
           Prophet
           then
           a
           King
           ,
           teacheth
           us
           ,
           Eccles
           .
           11.4
           .
           
             Cast
             thy
             Bread
             upon
             the
             Waters
             ,
             and
             after
             many
             days
             shalt
             thou
             find
             it
             .
          
           Commentators
           agree
           ;
           that
           these
           Words
           of
           the
           Preacher
           ,
           
             Cast
             thy
             Bread
             upon
             the
             Waters
             ,
          
           exhort
           us
           to
           the
           Relief
           of
           all
           such
           as
           are
           distressed
           .
           We
           may
           find
           that
           Bread
           may
           be
           taken
           for
           Alms
           ,
           if
           we
           converse
           with
           the
           Hebrews
           the
           Original
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           Lehem
           ,
           which
           we
           commonly
           translate
           Bread
           ,
           is
           taken
           in
           the
           Scripture
           for
           all
           sorts
           of
           Provisions
           ;
           in
           that
           sense
           you
           may
           read
           in
           Deut.
           8.3
           .
           Lehem
           signifies
           the
           Flesh
           of
           Beasts
           sacrificed
           .
           Lev.
           3.11
           .
           It
           is
           used
           for
           the
           Fruit
           of
           Trees
           ,
           Jer.
           11.19
           .
           Lehem
           is
           taken
           for
           the
           Fodder
           of
           Cattle
           ,
           Psal
           .
           14.7
           .
           because
           the
           Hebrew
           Language
           consisting
           of
           few
           words
           ,
           one
           Word
           did
           bear
           many
           Significations
           .
           So
           that
           this
           word
           
           Lehem
           amongst
           the
           Jews
           ,
           did
           import
           all
           manner
           of
           Subsistence
           ,
           every
           thing
           that
           Man
           or
           Beast
           us'd
           to
           live
           upon
           .
           In
           which
           sense
           it
           is
           taken
           in
           the
           Lord's
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           larger
           sense
           ,
           there
           implying
           not
           only
           the
           Necessaries
           of
           our
           Body
           ,
           but
           also
           that
           Angels
           food
           ,
           (
           that
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           Luke
           12.13
           .
           )
           the
           Blessed
           Sacrament
           ,
           by
           which
           our
           Souls
           are
           nourish'd
           to
           Eternity
           .
           The
           word
           Waters
           also
           admits
           of
           divers
           Interpretations
           :
           Yet
           without
           doubt
           all
           Objects
           of
           Charity
           are
           here
           design'd
           by
           it
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           several
           parts
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           all
           such
           as
           appear
           poor
           ,
           infirm
           ,
           or
           any
           way
           miserable
           ,
           all
           that
           are
           destitute
           of
           Friends
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           that
           with
           dejected
           Countenances
           implore
           your
           Pity
           .
           
             You
             shall
             find
             it
             after
             many
             days
             .
          
           For
           encouragement
           ,
           their
           are
           present
           Remunerations
           for
           those
           that
           are
           Charitable
           ;
           they
           shall
           have
           their
           Wishes
           very
           much
           gratify'd
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           World
           to
           come
           ,
           their
           Hopes
           shall
           expire
           in
           a
           happy
           Fruition
           .
           Thou
           shalt
           live
           many
           days
           to
           do
           Good
           with
           thy
           Riches
           ,
           and
           when
           thou
           hast
           finished
           thy
           Course
           of
           multiplying
           good
           Offices
           to
           thy
           Brethren
           ;
           then
           after
           many
           days
           thou
           shalt
           find
           an
           Heavenly
           Treasure
           ,
           to
           the
           Accomplishment
           
           of
           thy
           felicity
           .
           If
           we
           come
           into
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           we
           shall
           see
           it
           full
           and
           replenisht
           with
           frequent
           Exhortations
           to
           this
           Duty
           ,
           and
           proportionable
           Rewards
           annexed
           .
           If
           you
           are
           pleased
           to
           read
           over
           the
           Writings
           of
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           especially
           his
           13th
           Chapter
           of
           his
           
             first
             Epistle
          
           to
           the
           Corinthians
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           that
           the
           glorious
           Fabrick
           of
           Christianity
           is
           founded
           upon
           Charity
           ;
           't
           is
           not
           only
           a
           single
           Grace
           without
           ,
           but
           all
           the
           Virtues
           wrapt
           up
           in
           one
           Word
           .
           This
           does
           all
           the
           Work.
           It
           is
           the
           Salt
           wherewith
           we
           are
           seasoned
           .
           Without
           Charity
           we
           can
           neither
           be
           good
           Christians
           ,
           nor
           dutiful
           Subjects
           :
           Without
           this
           ,
           we
           do
           expunge
           our selves
           even
           out
           of
           the
           Catalogue
           of
           
             Christians
             ,
             &
             de
             facto
          
           ,
           put
           our selves
           into
           that
           of
           Infidels
           .
           So
           true
           is
           that
           of
           the
           Eloquent
           Apostle
           ,
           
             If
             we
             have
             all
             other
             things
             in
             a
             most
             ample
             exquisite
             manner
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             Charity
             ,
             we
             are
             as
             sounding
             Brass
             ,
             and
             a
             tinkling
             Cymbal
             .
          
           But
           it
           is
           not
           my
           design
           to
           speak
           of
           Charity
           in
           so
           large
           a
           sense
           ,
           as
           it
           condemns
           all
           unmerciful
           censuring
           of
           other
           mens
           Actions
           ,
           or
           as
           it
           forbids
           every
           pitiful
           Unchristian
           Revenge
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           particularly
           relates
           to
           the
           Relief
           of
           our
           Brothers
           Necessities
           ;
           and
           that
           taken
           in
           this
           sense
           ,
           is
           a
           considerable
           
           Branch
           of
           our
           Religion
           .
           But
           some
           may
           peradventure
           think
           that
           
             Rich
             Men
          
           are
           only
           concern'd
           in
           this
           Duty
           ,
           as
           having
           wherewithal
           to
           exercise
           their
           Charity
           ,
           and
           consequently
           that
           the
           poorer
           sort
           are
           excluded
           from
           having
           any
           share
           in
           it
           ,
           being
           themselves
           meer
           Objects
           of
           Pity
           .
           But
           did
           we
           allow
           of
           this
           foolish
           way
           of
           arguing
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           forc'd
           to
           confess
           ,
           that
           our
           Saviour
           Christ
           was
           the
           most
           miserable
           Person
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           who
           was
           so
           very
           poor
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           not
           where
           to
           lay
           his
           Head.
           Past
           all
           peradventure
           ,
           God
           who
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           our
           Faculties
           ,
           every
           Man
           in
           some
           measure
           may
           be
           beneficial
           to
           Mankind
           .
           Insomuch
           that
           Men
           of
           all
           qualities
           ,
           high
           and
           
             low
             ,
             rich
          
           and
           poor
           ,
           are
           to
           their
           power
           concerned
           to
           consult
           the
           Necessities
           of
           mankind
           .
           Many
           are
           the
           Afflictions
           which
           are
           incident
           to
           Man
           in
           this
           Life
           .
           
             When
             the
             unjust
             Man
             enters
             into
             the
             Field
             of
             the
             Fatherless
             ,
             and
             removes
             the
             Old
             Land-mark
             .
          
           Here
           is
           an
           opportunity
           for
           the
           States-man
           to
           shew
           himself
           a
           Pattern
           of
           Good
           Works
           ,
           in
           being
           like
           God
           ,
           who
           helps
           those
           to
           Right
           ,
           who
           suffer
           Wrong
           .
           When
           the
           Simple
           is
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           that
           is
           an
           occasion
           offer'd
           to
           the
           Learned
           to
           recover
           a
           Soul
           ,
           which
           our
           
           Saviour
           died
           for
           .
           Let
           him
           restore
           such
           a
           one
           in
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             Meekness
          
           ,
           by
           Advice
           and
           Counsel
           .
           Let
           him
           endeavour
           
             to
             turn
             the
             Hearts
             of
             the
             Disobedient
             to
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Just
             .
          
           This
           is
           to
           be
           like
           him
           who
           came
           to
           Preach
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             who
             came
             not
             to
             call
             the
             Righteous
             ,
             but
             Sinners
             to
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             went
             about
             doing
             Good.
          
           When
           the
           Aged
           and
           Orphans
           are
           in
           want
           ,
           then
           let
           the
           
             Rich
             Man
          
           glory
           in
           his
           Riches
           ,
           by
           filling
           the
           empty
           Bowels
           ,
           and
           relieving
           the
           gaping
           Necessities
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           and
           to
           lay
           up
           a
           good
           Foundation
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           .
           And
           now
           what
           can
           the
           Fatherless
           and
           Widow
           do
           ?
           are
           these
           poor
           Creatures
           capable
           of
           being
           useful
           in
           their
           Generation
           ?
           can
           they
           make
           any
           grateful
           Compensation
           or
           Return
           to
           their
           Benefactors
           ?
           Yes
           ,
           certainly
           ,
           the
           meanest
           Peasant
           in
           his
           Cottage
           may
           in
           some
           sense
           oblige
           the
           Prince
           in
           his
           Throne
           ,
           that
           is
           by
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           seemeth
           to
           bear
           an
           extraordinary
           regard
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           Psal
           .
           69.33
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             heareth
             the
             Prayer
             of
             the
             poor
             and
             destitute
             ,
             and
             their
             Cry
             is
             not
             hid
             from
             him
             .
          
           And
           did
           we
           thus
           in
           our
           several
           Stations
           and
           Capacities
           ,
           study
           and
           delight
           to
           do
           good
           ,
           and
           promote
           the
           welfare
           of
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           
           how
           happy
           should
           we
           be
           ?
           There
           would
           be
           no
           leading
           into
           Captivity
           ,
           no
           just
           matter
           of
           Complaint
           in
           our
           Streets
           .
           'T
           is
           our
           duty
           to
           act
           thus
           ,
           1
           st
           .
           As
           we
           are
           Men.
           2
           dly
           .
           As
           we
           are
           Christians
           .
           First
           ,
           Nature
           it self
           hath
           made
           such
           alliance
           between
           Man
           and
           Man
           ,
           as
           are
           not
           to
           be
           broken
           upon
           every
           trifling
           disagreement
           .
           If
           there
           were
           no
           other
           tie
           than
           that
           of
           common
           Humanity
           ,
           it
           is
           plain
           that
           that
           will
           highly
           oblige
           us
           to
           stand
           in
           the
           Gap
           ,
           to
           prevent
           ,
           if
           we
           can
           ,
           a
           Brother's
           ruine
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           below
           any
           Man
           ,
           to
           stoop
           to
           kind
           and
           neighbourly
           Offices
           .
           
             Nam
             pari
             sorte
             nascimur
             .
             Virtute
             distinguimur
             .
          
           Nature
           hath
           plac'd
           all
           Mankind
           upon
           a
           Level
           .
           Though
           Providence
           ,
           for
           some
           wise
           and
           necessary
           ends
           ,
           hath
           distinguish'd
           our
           Stations
           ,
           placing
           some
           upon
           plain
           ,
           others
           upon
           rising
           Ground
           :
           Some
           in
           a
           high
           ,
           others
           in
           a
           low
           Condition
           :
           Yet
           we
           are
           all
           plac'd
           within
           the
           reach
           of
           God's
           Power
           ,
           he
           that
           may
           humble
           the
           most
           proud
           and
           lofty
           .
           It
           may
           be
           one
           Day
           or
           other
           our
           own
           Case
           to
           be
           in
           want
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           an
           Act
           of
           Common
           Prudence
           and
           Policy
           to
           Relieve
           a
           Brother
           :
           And
           this
           is
           not
           a
           thing
           spoken
           at
           a
           venture
           ,
           but
           upon
           sound
           deliberation
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           Nature
           and
           Circumstances
           
           of
           our
           state
           here
           below
           .
           Heb.
           13.3
           .
           
             Remember
             them
             that
             suffer
             Adversity
             ,
             as
             being
             your selves
             also
             in
             that
             Body
             .
          
           This
           is
           so
           reasonable
           a
           duty
           ,
           as
           to
           neglect
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           sink
           below
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           inconsistent
           with
           our selves
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           Men.
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           it
           will
           be
           unnecessary
           to
           heap
           up
           Scriptures
           ,
           to
           prove
           it
           our
           Duty
           as
           we
           are
           Christians
           ,
           for
           from
           the
           beginning
           it
           was
           not
           so
           ,
           though
           the
           Gospel
           hath
           much
           enlarg'd
           and
           improved
           it
           .
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Lot
             ,
             Job
          
           ,
           these
           were
           very
           eminent
           Examples
           of
           this
           Duty
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           in
           entertaining
           the
           Fatherless
           into
           their
           Houses
           ,
           and
           inviting
           the
           Poor
           to
           their
           own
           Tables
           .
           But
           if
           any
           pretend
           that
           this
           is
           of
           Jewish
           concernment
           ,
           and
           not
           so
           much
           relating
           to
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           a
           Law
           of
           Works
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           will
           reply
           ,
           That
           he
           came
           not
           to
           destroy
           the
           Law
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           but
           to
           fulfil
           ;
           not
           to
           banish
           Charity
           out
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           to
           improve
           it
           ,
           to
           enlarge
           its
           Empire
           among
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men.
           So
           that
           to
           exercise
           Charity
           ,
           is
           to
           follow
           the
           very
           Steps
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           to
           obey
           the
           dictates
           of
           our
           Supream
           Master
           .
           Of
           so
           great
           worth
           and
           truth
           was
           this
           Fundamental
           Truth
           in
           his
           account
           ,
           that
           he
           seems
           
           to
           assign
           Men's
           Portion
           in
           the
           next
           Life
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           Charitable
           Acts
           in
           this
           ,
           Matth.
           25.35
           .
           
             For
             I
             was
             an
             hungred
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           The
           Pharisees
           ,
           those
           devout
           Hypocrites
           ,
           were
           seemingly
           exact
           ,
           dividing
           the
           Hair
           in
           Religion
           ;
           but
           our
           Saviour
           was
           pleas'd
           to
           give
           them
           a
           more
           Compendious
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           more
           safe
           way
           to
           be
           Religious
           ,
           Luke
           11.41
           .
           
             Give
             Alms
             of
             such
             things
             as
             you
             have
             ,
             and
             behold
             all
             things
             are
             clean
             to
             you
             .
          
           They
           are
           efficacious
           to
           press
           and
           exhort
           us
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           possible
           for
           Words
           to
           be
           ,
           or
           Men
           to
           conceive
           .
           How
           comes
           it
           to
           pass
           then
           (
           that
           considering
           the
           frequent
           Inculcations
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           this
           in
           every
           page
           )
           Men
           are
           generally
           so
           Uncharitable
           .
           Chiefly
           from
           these
           two
           Reasons
           .
           First
           ,
           Because
           Men
           entertain
           a
           false
           notion
           of
           Charity
           ,
           placing
           of
           it
           purely
           in
           bare
           Wishes
           and
           Compassionate
           Affections
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           Because
           Men
           are
           pleas'd
           to
           pass
           by
           Charity
           as
           no
           part
           of
           Religion
           .
           Both
           are
           absurd
           and
           very
           prejudicial
           to
           the
           growth
           of
           Piety
           amongst
           us
           .
           Some
           Men
           are
           apt
           to
           stile
           themselves
           Charitable
           ,
           when
           they
           do
           no
           harm
           ,
           by
           a
           meer
           abstinence
           from
           Evil
           ;
           but
           let
           no
           Man
           deceive
           himself
           .
           When
           we
           are
           commanded
           to
           love
           our
           Brother
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           only
           
           forbidden
           us
           to
           hate
           him
           ,
           but
           we
           are
           commanded
           to
           omit
           no
           opportunity
           of
           expressing
           our
           Love
           by
           our
           Actions
           ;
           to
           love
           in
           Deed
           and
           in
           Truth
           .
           Certainly
           ,
           you
           would
           judge
           that
           Man
           Unchristian
           ,
           who
           seeing
           his
           Neighbours
           House
           on
           Fire
           ,
           would
           not
           assist
           and
           contribute
           his
           Endeavours
           to
           the
           quenching
           of
           it
           .
           It
           is
           preposterous
           for
           us
           to
           hug
           our selves
           with
           the
           thoughts
           of
           being
           Righteous
           ,
           when
           really
           we
           are
           not
           ;
           not
           to
           relief
           the
           Poor
           ,
           is
           to
           oppress
           him
           ;
           not
           to
           heal
           his
           Sores
           ,
           in
           a
           Scripture
           dialect
           ,
           is
           in
           effect
           the
           same
           ,
           as
           to
           wound
           and
           lash
           him
           .
           You
           know
           the
           Parable
           ,
           Luke
           10.30
           .
           
             He
             that
             went
             down
             from
          
           Jericho
           ,
           
             and
             fell
             among
             Thieves
             ,
             stript
             of
             his
             Garments
             ,
             and
             half
             dead
             ;
             the
             Priest
             went
             that
             way
             ,
             saw
             him
             ,
             and
             passed
             by
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ;
             the
             Levite
             also
             came
             and
             looked
             on
             ,
             and
             that
             was
             all
             .
          
           These
           men
           ,
           the
           Priest
           and
           Levite
           ,
           added
           nothing
           to
           his
           Miseries
           ,
           they
           left
           the
           Poor
           Man
           as
           they
           found
           him
           :
           And
           were
           they
           Charitable
           ?
           They
           were
           so
           far
           from
           being
           Charitable
           ,
           that
           to
           my
           apprehension
           ,
           they
           were
           little
           better
           then
           the
           Thieves
           that
           robb'd
           him
           .
           This
           I
           mentioned
           on
           purpose
           to
           let
           you
           see
           that
           Religion
           does
           not
           consist
           in
           pure
           Negatives
           .
           'T
           is
           
           not
           enough
           to
           shake
           our
           Heads
           at
           the
           Calamities
           of
           our
           Neighbour
           ,
           and
           to
           please
           our selves
           that
           we
           were
           not
           accessary
           to
           his
           Ruine
           ;
           we
           are
           to
           behold
           the
           good
           Samaritan
           ,
           that
           took
           Compassion
           on
           him
           ,
           that
           bound
           up
           his
           Wounds
           ,
           brought
           him
           to
           his
           Inn
           ,
           and
           took
           care
           of
           him
           .
           We
           are
           commanded
           by
           the
           great
           Exemplar
           of
           Charity
           ,
           
             To
             go
             and
             do
             likewise
          
           .
           Some
           are
           pleas'd
           to
           pass
           by
           that
           Duty
           ,
           counting
           it
           an
           undervaluing
           of
           the
           Blood
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           a
           beggarly
           way
           of
           going
           to
           Heaven
           .
           But
           I
           think
           it
           is
           very
           sad
           ,
           if
           we
           can
           find
           in
           our
           Hearts
           to
           part
           with
           nothing
           for
           his
           sake
           ,
           that
           parted
           with
           his
           Life
           for
           ours
           .
           Prayers
           alone
           cannot
           attone
           his
           Displeasure
           ,
           though
           we
           are
           not
           to
           look
           upon
           them
           as
           fruitless
           and
           unnecessary
           ;
           however
           ,
           I
           speak
           this
           to
           stir
           up
           your
           minds
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Remembrance
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           to
           expect
           the
           favour
           of
           a
           holy
           and
           wise
           God
           ,
           by
           the
           meer
           importunity
           of
           our
           Devotion
           ,
           without
           Conscience
           of
           Obeying
           his
           Commands
           .
           These
           two
           have
           a
           Reciprocal
           influence
           upon
           each
           other
           .
           The
           Worship
           of
           God
           without
           Obedience
           ,
           is
           vain
           .
           So
           Obedience
           without
           Worship
           is
           impossible
           .
           Tho'
           we
           break
           our
           Hearts
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           all
           our
           most
           
           zealous
           passionate
           Addresses
           without
           Charity
           and
           Purity
           of
           Desires
           ,
           will
           infallibly
           perish
           in
           the
           Air
           :
           So
           true
           is
           that
           of
           the
           
             Psalmist
             ,
             If
             I
             regard
             Iniquity
             in
             my
             Heart
             ,
             God
             will
             not
             hear
             me
             .
             To
             do
             good
             therefore
             ,
             and
             communicate
             ,
             forget
             not
             ;
             for
             with
             such
             Sacrifices
             God
             is
             well
             pleased
             .
          
           And
           so
           I
           am
           come
           to
           the
           Second
           Essential
           Part
           of
           Religion
           
             To
             keep
             himself
             Vnspotted
             from
             the
             World
             ,
          
           which
           consists
           in
           Purity
           of
           Life
           .
           This
           is
           a
           precept
           which
           seems
           at
           first
           sight
           to
           stagger
           the
           best
           Christian
           ;
           for
           considering
           all
           the
           inviting
           allurements
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           the
           Pleasures
           and
           the
           Profits
           of
           it
           .
           Who
           among
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           can
           believe
           himself
           able
           to
           renounce
           all
           ?
           Is
           it
           possible
           for
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           to
           forego
           Houses
           and
           Estates
           ,
           is
           it
           seen
           to
           attempt
           it
           ?
           This
           seems
           to
           cut
           off
           the
           Sinews
           of
           our
           Endeavours
           ,
           and
           to
           lay
           asleep
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           Mind
           .
           With
           Men
           this
           is
           impossible
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           look
           up
           ,
           
             with
             God
             all
             things
             are
             possible
             .
          
           To
           prevent
           misapplications
           therefore
           ,
           two
           things
           are
           necessary
           to
           be
           considered
           :
           First
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           no
           absolute
           state
           on
           this
           side
           Heaven
           :
           no
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           in
           Religion
           .
           I
           mean
           a
           Hitherto
           thou
           shalt
           go
           in
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           no
           further
           .
           The
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             Grow
             in
             Grace
          
           .
           But
           how
           long
           ,
           not
           a
           word
           of
           that
           ;
           we
           
           are
           to
           be
           still
           doing
           ,
           till
           we
           come
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           whose
           happiness
           consists
           in
           Vision
           .
           We
           are
           not
           to
           pretend
           to
           Apostles
           purity
           ,
           as
           the
           Blessed
           Angels
           are
           called
           Pure
           .
           While
           we
           are
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           corruption
           will
           be
           found
           in
           us
           .
           It
           was
           the
           peculiar
           of
           Christ
           ,
           who
           was
           God
           as
           well
           as
           Man
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           
             The
             Prince
             of
             this
             World
             hath
             nothing
             in
             me
             ,
          
           John
           14.30
           .
           2
           dly
           ,
           We
           need
           not
           employ
           our
           Care
           to
           keep
           our selves
           from
           all
           the
           things
           of
           this
           World
           ;
           for
           't
           is
           not
           the
           property
           of
           every
           thing
           in
           it
           to
           stain
           and
           defile
           the
           Soul.
           We
           are
           allowed
           a
           free
           genuine
           Converse
           to
           Love
           as
           Brethren
           ,
           nay
           to
           love
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           always
           with
           this
           proviso
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           not
           equal
           that
           with
           our
           Love
           of
           God.
           We
           are
           then
           to
           use
           our
           utmost
           endeavours
           ,
           to
           bring
           the
           Body
           under
           the
           command
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           by
           keeping
           our selves
           free
           from
           Worldly
           Pollutions
           ,
           that
           is
           
             the
             Lust
             of
             the
             Eye
             ,
             the
             Lust
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             the
             Pride
             of
             Life
             .
          
           This
           being
           well
           considered
           ,
           we
           cannot
           despair
           of
           attaining
           a
           perfect
           Conquest
           over
           the
           World
           ;
           for
           whatever
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           Object
           of
           our
           just
           and
           reasonable
           Desires
           is
           allowed
           us
           in
           it
           .
           But
           with
           what
           Armour
           shall
           we
           fight
           ?
           By
           what
           means
           shall
           we
           lay
           hold
           upon
           the
           Crown
           ?
           St.
           John
           will
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           
             it
             is
             by
             Faith
             ,
             in
             the
             Son
             of
             
             God.
          
           Who
           is
           he
           that
           overcometh
           the
           World
           ?
           It
           is
           
             He
             that
             believeth
             that
             Jesus
             is
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
          
           The
           Israelites
           as
           long
           as
           they
           thought
           upon
           the
           Gyants
           and
           Anakims
           ,
           were
           not
           convinced
           of
           the
           possibility
           of
           Conquering
           the
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           :
           So
           may
           it
           fare
           with
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           insist
           only
           upon
           the
           difficulties
           of
           our
           Christian
           Warfare
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           strivings
           without
           ,
           and
           strivings
           within
           :
           our
           Spirits
           may
           flag
           .
           But
           if
           we
           muster
           up
           the
           Auxiliaries
           of
           our
           most
           Holy
           Faith
           :
           when
           we
           compare
           our
           Assistants
           with
           the
           difficulties
           :
           that
           as
           their
           is
           a
           Devil
           without
           to
           tempt
           us
           ,
           so
           their
           is
           a
           Spirit
           within
           to
           help
           our
           Infirmities
           ,
           and
           a
           God
           above
           to
           intercede
           for
           us
           ,
           we
           have
           just
           reason
           to
           be
           of
           good
           Cheer
           ,
           to
           deny
           our selves
           ,
           and
           to
           go
           on
           to
           perfection
           ,
           
             knowing
             that
             we
             shall
             reap
             in
             due
             time
             ,
             if
             we
             faint
             not
             .
          
           It
           was
           an
           excellent
           Advice
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           
             Sirach
             .
             My
             Son
             ,
             if
             thou
             come
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             ,
             prepare
             thy
             Soul
             for
             Temptation
             ,
          
           Eccles
           .
           2.1
           .
           He
           that
           desires
           to
           arrive
           at
           a
           good
           degree
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           must
           call
           in
           all
           the
           Forces
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           for
           so
           noble
           atchievements
           ,
           prepare
           himself
           to
           go
           to
           Battel
           against
           his
           Enemies
           .
           To
           
             subdue
             our
             Passions
          
           ,
           to
           
             break
             off
             old
             Habits
             and
             Customs
             ,
          
           is
           not
           a
           work
           so
           easie
           ,
           as
           that
           may
           be
           effected
           in
           a
           moment
           :
           all
           
           which
           is
           included
           in
           this
           ,
           in
           
             keeping
             our selves
             unspotted
             from
             the
             World.
          
           We
           cannot
           do
           all
           this
           in
           a
           Hurry
           ,
           but
           must
           be
           exercised
           in
           this
           great
           work
           Day
           and
           Night
           .
           It
           must
           be
           confest
           that
           our
           Saviour's
           own
           Disciples
           were
           not
           so
           mortified
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           but
           they
           did
           
             contend
             among
             themselves
             ,
             who
             should
             be
             greatest
             ,
          
           being
           bred
           in
           the
           Jewish
           Religion
           ,
           which
           was
           attended
           with
           temporal
           Promises
           ,
           but
           having
           fully
           understood
           the
           design
           of
           their
           Master's
           Coming
           ,
           how
           holily
           and
           humbly
           ,
           how
           meekly
           and
           inoffensively
           did
           they
           walk
           through
           this
           treacherous
           world
           .
           The
           Heathens
           called
           the
           Christians
           a
           company
           of
           Ideots
           ,
           for
           abandoning
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           this
           World
           for
           some
           future
           Contingencies
           ,
           as
           they
           term'd
           those
           of
           the
           World
           to
           come
           .
           This
           may
           be
           tollerable
           in
           Pagans
           ,
           but
           their
           are
           no
           motives
           that
           a
           Christian
           should
           be
           in
           love
           with
           this
           Life
           .
           For
           he
           that
           believes
           
             that
             eternal
             damnation
             is
             due
             to
             any
             Sin
             ,
          
           cannot
           consider
           this
           ,
           and
           gratifie
           a
           Lust
           .
           He
           that
           stedfastly
           believes
           
             that
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             shall
             be
             executed
             upon
             those
             that
             obey
             not
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           will
           not
           ,
           if
           he
           might
           be
           Master
           of
           the
           whole
           World
           ,
           lose
           his
           own
           Soul
           ;
           such
           a
           Man
           is
           above
           Temptation
           ,
           will
           resist
           all
           the
           charms
           of
           Sensuallity
           ,
           as
           Religious
           Joseph
           did
           the
           Importunities
           
           of
           Potiphar's
           Wife
           ,
           with
           a
           
             How
             shall
             I
             do
             this
             wickedness
             ,
             and
             Sin
             against
             God
          
           ?
           So
           remarkable
           and
           Heroick
           was
           the
           Mortification
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             Christians
          
           ,
           so
           little
           regard
           had
           they
           to
           the
           concerns
           of
           this
           Life
           ,
           that
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           were
           convinced
           that
           there
           was
           another
           ,
           immediately
           upon
           this
           Joyful
           News
           ,
           
             as
             many
             as
             had
             Lands
             and
             Estates
             ,
             sold
             them
             ,
             and
             brought
             the
             Money
             and
             laid
             it
             at
             the
             Apostles
             Feet
             ,
          
           Acts
           4.34
           .
           And
           if
           believe
           the
           same
           blessed
           Resurrection
           ,
           why
           are
           we
           so
           concerned
           for
           our
           Lands
           and
           Possessions
           ?
           why
           do
           we
           tremble
           every
           moment
           least
           the
           Darlings
           of
           ours
           be
           snatched
           away
           from
           us
           ?
           is
           it
           not
           because
           
             our
             Affections
             are
             not
             yet
             on
             things
             above
             ,
             but
             on
             things
             on
             Earth
             .
          
        
         
           And
           now
           having
           done
           with
           the
           Text
           ,
           and
           seen
           that
           the
           Religion
           which
           must
           
             fit
             us
          
           for
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           
             holy
             and
             undefiled
          
           ;
           What
           remains
           on
           our
           parts
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           seriously
           engage
           our selves
           in
           the
           
             actual
             practice
             of
             it
          
           ,
           which
           will
           bring
           us
           in
           many
           and
           mighty
           advantages
           ,
           1
           st
           ,
           Besides
           the
           particular
           influence
           it
           will
           have
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           by
           
             establishing
             a
             firm
             Peace
             within
             a
             Good
             Conscience
             ,
          
           of
           having
           
             done
             our
             Duty
          
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           most
           
             sure
             Refuge
             in
             time
             of
             need
             .
          
           It
           will
           also
           have
           a
           mighty
           
           force
           upon
           Strangers
           to
           the
           Commonwealth
           of
           Israel
           ;
           If
           we
           delight
           our selves
           in
           doing
           good
           .
           Those
           Men
           that
           will
           not
           come
           to
           our
           Churches
           to
           hear
           us
           what
           we
           speak
           ,
           may
           in
           our
           Streets
           ,
           by
           seeing
           what
           we
           do
           ,
           in
           a
           manner
           convinced
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           our
           Doctrine
           ;
           when
           they
           see
           that
           our
           Eyes
           are
           lent
           to
           the
           Blind
           to
           direct
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           see
           that
           our
           Feet
           are
           lent
           to
           the
           Lame
           to
           support
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           see
           that
           we
           part
           with
           a
           Coat
           to
           him
           that
           hath
           none
           ,
           they
           will
           say
           
             God
             is
             in
             this
             People
             of
             a
             Truth
             ,
             surely
             the
             Fear
             of
             God
             is
             in
             this
             Place
             .
          
           So
           that
           what
           our
           Doctrines
           can
           neither
           convince
           nor
           convert
           ,
           our
           Actions
           may
           do
           both
           ,
           our
           Lives
           serving
           instead
           of
           Arguments
           to
           convince
           Unbelievers
           ,
           that
           
             we
             are
             of
             the
             Houshold
             of
             Faith.
          
           2
           dly
           ,
           If
           we
           cannot
           arrive
           to
           this
           ,
           to
           gain
           Proselites
           to
           the
           Faith
           by
           our
           Exemplary
           Piety
           ,
           yet
           this
           at
           least
           will
           be
           the
           blessed
           effect
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           shall
           thereby
           infallibly
           stop
           the
           Mouths
           of
           Gainsayers
           ,
           and
           defeat
           the
           Hopes
           of
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           if
           so
           be
           Charity
           spreads
           it self
           like
           the
           thriving
           Mustard-seed
           in
           the
           Parable
           ,
           in
           our
           Cities
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           Families
           .
           How
           happily
           ,
           how
           safely
           ,
           should
           we
           lodge
           in
           the
           fruitful
           Branches
           thereof
           .
           If
           we
           strive
           like
           the
           Angels
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           love
           each
           other
           ;
           if
           we
           
             sincerely
             
             practice
          
           this
           
             pure
             Religion
          
           ,
           our
           Adversaries
           shall
           never
           prevail
           against
           us
           .
           This
           
             little
             Island
          
           shall
           continue
           as
           it
           is
           this
           day
           ,
           the
           mark
           of
           Envy
           to
           all
           the
           Nations
           round
           about
           us
           .
           The
           
             Abominations
             of
             Desolation
          
           shall
           never
           stand
           in
           the
           
             Holy
             Place
          
           .
           If
           we
           do
           our
           Duty
           ,
           God
           will
           not
           fail
           to
           manifest
           his
           Care
           for
           Sin
           ;
           he
           will
           shew
           that
           he
           loveth
           the
           Gates
           of
           Sion
           more
           than
           all
           the
           Dwellings
           of
           Jacob.
           3
           dly
           ,
           and
           lastly
           ,
           the
           Practice
           of
           this
           most
           
             Holy
             Religion
          
           ,
           will
           not
           only
           secure
           us
           from
           danger
           ,
           but
           also
           procure
           us
           
             everlasting
             happiness
          
           hereafter
           .
           Charity
           and
           Purity
           of
           Life
           are
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           things
           that
           accompany
           Salvation
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           ,
           without
           these
           and
           the
           benefits
           of
           his
           Death
           ,
           we
           cannot
           be
           saved
           ;
           and
           with
           these
           we
           cannot
           be
           damned
           :
           These
           will
           seal
           Happiness
           to
           our
           Dust
           and
           make
           us
           immortal
           in
           the
           Grave
           .
           By
           the
           tenour
           of
           these
           Graces
           we
           are
           in
           actual
           Communion
           with
           the
           Church
           militant
           here
           on
           Earth
           ,
           and
           without
           which
           we
           must
           never
           hope
           to
           be
           made
           Members
           of
           the
           Triumphant
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
  

