charity_n to_o our_o poor_a persecute_a brethren_n abroad_o recommend_v in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v on_o the_o fastday_n april_n 5._o 1699._o by_o charles_n lidgould_v rector_n of_o dunsby_n in_o lincolnshire_n london_n print_v for_o joseph_n wilde_n at_o the_o elephant_n at_o charing-cross_n 1699._o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n james_n lord_n bishop_n of_o lincoln_n my_o lord_n the_o countenance_n your_o lordship_n have_v be_v please_v to_o give_v i_o have_v embolden_v i_o to_o beg_v leave_n that_o i_o may_v make_v this_o address_n as_o a_o humble_a testimony_n of_o my_o zeal_n to_o the_o work_v your_o lordship_n have_v recommede_v in_o a_o circular_a letter_n to_o your_o clergy_n charity_n indeed_o be_v a_o subject_a wear_v so_o threadbare_a that_o i_o wish_v it_o have_v not_o lose_v its_o warmth_n and_o the_o frequent_a occasion_n of_o exercise_v it_o which_o shall_v cherish_v and_o keep_v it_o alive_a among_o christian_n that_o aught_o to_o rejoice_v in_o all_o open_a portunity_n of_o do_v good_a be_v the_o cause_n of_o its_o be_v too_o much_o disregard_v and_o shift_v off_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o desire_v it_o may_v not_o be_v think_v vanity_n in_o i_o to_o declare_v that_o my_o sympathy_n as_o well_o as_o the_o sense_n of_o my_o duty_n have_v engage_v i_o to_o promote_v this_o pious_a work_n with_o all_o the_o affection_n wherewith_o i_o can_v at_o once_o express_v and_o back_o your_o lordship_n argument_n and_o my_o own_o to_o encourage_v and_o set_v it_o forward_o the_o parish_n under_o my_o care_n be_v both_o poor_a and_o small_a and_o therefore_o not_o much_o to_o be_v expect_v from_o it_o though_o i_o think_v i_o can_v say_v there_o be_v hardly_o man_n woman_n or_o servant_n but_o have_v cast_v in_o their_o mite_n and_o shall_v the_o whole_a nation_n give_v but_o as_o much_o in_o proportion_n to_o their_o several_a ability_n as_o i_o humble_o beseech_v god_n all_o throughout_o may_n we_o need_v not_o fear_v come_v behind_o the_o protestant_a church_n abroad_o in_o contribution_n towards_o the_o relief_n of_o our_o poor_a suffer_a brethren_n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o hearty_o wish_v this_o plain_a discourse_n may_v have_v a_o influence_n far_o than_o i_o have_v think_v of_o have_v i_o not_o have_v a_o sermon_n now_o in_o the_o press_n preach_v the_o last_o year_n upon_o occasion_n of_o his_o majesty_n proclamation_n against_o profaneness_n etc._n etc._n which_o shall_v have_v be_v out_o a_o quarter_n of_o a_o year_n since_o but_o for_o the_o neglect_n to_o say_v no_o worse_o of_o one_o that_o be_v entrust_v with_o it_o out_o of_o who_o custody_n i_o be_v force_v to_o take_v it_o near_o two_o month_n after_o the_o time_n he_o have_v engage_v by_o promise_n under_o his_o hand_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v print_v so_o that_o now_o it_o be_v thus_o long_o defer_v i_o resolve_v this_o shall_v wait_v on_o your_o lordship_n at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o it_o and_o humble_o desire_v your_o lordship_n to_o accept_v of_o both_o together_o as_o a_o sincere_a though_o mean_v acknowledgement_n how_o much_o i_o be_o my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n devote_v and_o obedient_a son_n and_o servant_n cha._n lidgould_n dunsby_n easter-eve_n 1699._o a_o fast-sermon_n 1_o pet._n iu_o x._o as_o every_o man_n have_v receive_v the_o gift_n so_o minister_v the_o same_o one_o to_o another_o as_o good_a steward_n of_o the_o manifold_a grace_n of_o god_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o unquestionable_a than_o that_o god_n have_v impart_v to_o every_o particular_a member_n of_o his_o church_n certain_a gift_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o use_n and_o employment_n whereof_o he_o will_v one_o day_n exact_v a_o strict_a and_o severe_a account_n every_o true_a christian_a have_v a_o twofold_n vocation_n or_o call_v the_o first_o be_v general_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v transmit_v down_o unto_o we_o the_o second_o be_v more_o special_a to_o some_o particular_a employment_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o benefit_n and_o behoof_n both_o of_o himself_o and_o other_o this_o be_v what_o st._n paul_n mean_v by_o the_o word_n 1_o cor._n 7.20_o let_v every_o man_n abide_v in_o the_o same_o call_n wherein_o he_o be_v call_v and_o therein_o doubtless_o without_o encroach_a on_o that_o of_o another_o he_o may_v render_v himself_o very_o beneficial_a to_o the_o good_a of_o his_o neighbour_n for_o god_n have_v give_v to_o every_o one_o such_o a_o measure_n of_o grace_n as_o may_v make_v he_o some_o way_n useful_a to_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n whether_o by_o gentle_o admonish_v his_o fellow_n member_n when_o he_o perceive_v they_o go_v astray_o or_o win_v they_o over_o that_o be_v already_o go_v by_o the_o example_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o virtuous_a life_n which_o if_o every_o one_o of_o we_o will_v but_o serious_o consider_v we_o shall_v find_v that_o in_o whatsoever_o station_n we_o be_v there_o be_v none_o of_o we_o all_o exempt_v from_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n serviceable_a to_o god_n church_n and_o people_n as_o provident_a and_o careful_a parent_n deal_v with_o their_o child_n they_o suffer_v they_o not_o to_o live_v idle_o and_o sluggish_o at_o home_n to_o eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o other_o man_n labour_n but_o do_v wise_o take_v care_n that_o they_o may_v be_v fit_v and_o enable_v for_o some_o special_a employment_n whereby_o they_o may_v eat_v in_o the_o sweat_n of_o their_o own_o brow_n and_o become_v instrumental_a to_o the_o common_a good_a so_o do_v god_n deal_v with_o his_o family_n his_o household_n the_o church_n no_o servant_n no_o son_n but_o shall_v have_v some_o employment_n for_o he_o will_v have_v no_o loiterer_n in_o his_o vinyard_n no_o unserviceable_a unprofitable_a servant_n in_o his_o harvest_n what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o those_o licentious_a libertine_n that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o endeavour_v the_o salvation_n of_o other_o that_o they_o be_v altogether_o regardless_o of_o their_o own_o soul_n or_o of_o those_o malicious_a pharisee_n of_o who_o our_o saviour_n complain_v that_o they_o will_v neither_o enter_v into_o heaven_n themselves_o nor_o suffer_v those_o to_o enter_v in_o that_o will_v 23.13_o mat._n 23.13_o whatsoever_o become_v of_o they_o let_v it_o not_o be_v so_o with_o we_o but_o since_o it_o be_v the_o part_n of_o every_o christian_n earnest_o to_o desire_v and_o careful_o to_o endeavour_v the_o spiritual_a welfare_n of_o his_o brethren_n let_v we_o strive_v to_o improve_v those_o talent_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o he_o that_o give_v they_o and_o to_o the_o benefit_n of_o they_o that_o want_v they_o as_o every_o man_n have_v receive_v the_o gift_n so_o minister_v the_o same_o one_o to_o another_o as_o good_a steward_n of_o the_o manifold_a grace_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o sense_n some_o expositor_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o put_v on_o these_o word_n other_o and_o among_o they_o the_o judicious_a and_o learned_a hammond_n have_v adapt_v the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o they_o to_o the_o duty_n this_o day_n require_v of_o we_o viz._n to_o work_n of_o charity_n beneficence_n and_o liberality_n to_o our_o indigent_a brethren_n make_v it_o a_o continuation_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o precede_a verse_n use_v hospitality_n one_o to_o another_o without_o grudge_v communicate_v of_o the_o good_a thing_n god_n have_v bestow_v on_o you_o with_o a_o ready_a hand_n and_o a_o willing_a mind_n and_o as_o every_o man_n have_v receive_v the_o gift_n that_o be_v wealth_n or_o any_o other_o good_a thing_n so_o let_v he_o free_o distribute_v it_o to_o other_o who_o stand_v in_o need_n that_o you_o may_v hereby_o approve_v yourselves_o good_a steward_n and_o dispenser_n of_o that_o plenty_n god_n have_v blessed_v you_o withal_o as_o good_a steward_n of_o the_o manifold_a grace_n of_o god_n and_o so_o we_o find_v likewise_o those_o word_n interpret_v in_o the_o verse_n follow_v if_o any_o man_n minister_n let_v he_o do_v it_o as_o of_o the_o ability_n which_o god_n give_v if_o any_o man_n minister_n that_o be_v distribute_v or_o exercise_v liberality_n to_o the_o poor_a as_o it_o be_v there_o paraphrase_a let_v he_o do_v it_o in_o proportion_n to_o that_o estate_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o and_o from_o this_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o excite_v your_o charity_n to_o our_o persecute_a brethren_n abroad_o after_o i_o have_v first_o handle_v they_o in_o the_o former_a by_o show_v you_o some_o reason_n why_o we_o ought_v to_o advance_v the_o spiritual_a good_a of_o our_o brethren_n by_o employ_v those_o talent_n those_o part_n those_o grace_n that_o reason_n and_o understanding_n god_n have_v give_v we_o to_o his_o glory_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o those_o who_o be_v not_o blessed_v with_o so_o great_a a_o share_n reason_n i_o my_o first_o
reason_n for_o this_o shall_v be_v because_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n god_n require_v of_o we_o deut._n 4.10_o wherein_o he_o not_o only_o enjoin_v it_o but_o promise_n to_o be_v himself_o a_o instrument_n a_o agent_n in_o the_o furtherance_n of_o it_o i_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o hear_v my_o word_n say_v he_o that_o they_o may_v learn_v to_o fear_v i_o all_o the_o day_n they_o live_v on_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o they_o may_v teach_v their_o child_n this_o be_v what_o the_o apostle_n so_o often_o inculcate_n in_o all_o his_o epistle_n as_o in_o that_o to_o the_o col._n 3.16_o let_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o you_o plenteous_o in_o all_o wisdom_n teach_v and_o admonish_v one_o another_o and_o in_o the_o 1_o thess_n 5.11_o exhort_v one_o another_o and_o edify_v one_o another_o even_o as_o you_o do_v so_o heb._n 3.13_o exhort_v one_o another_o daily_a while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n and_o again_o rom._n 14.19_o let_v we_o follow_v those_o thing_n which_o concern_v peace_n and_o wherewith_o one_o may_v edify_v another_o st._n peter_n 1_o ep._n 2.5_o compare_v the_o faithful_a to_o a_o spiritual_a house_n whereof_o we_o be_v the_o live_a stone_n which_o if_o not_o cement_v together_o by_o christian_a charity_n will_v soon_o turn_v into_o a_o ruinous_a heap_n every_o man_n must_v bring_v something_o to_o the_o build_n up_o or_o repair_v this_o house_n and_o although_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o principal_a builder_n under_o our_o great_a master_n christ_n yet_o must_v we_o all_o in_o general_n and_o every_o one_o in_o particular_a contribute_v our_o utmost_a endeavour_n not_o only_o by_o private_a reproof_n and_o admonition_n by_o exhortation_n and_o counsel_n but_o especial_o by_o our_o own_o good_a example_n to_o reform_v what_o be_v amiss_o and_o not_o suffer_v sin_n to_o reign_v in_o our_o brethren_n so_o that_o every_o man_n in_o some_o sense_n be_v what_o cain_n deny_v to_o be_v to_o abel_n his_o brother_n keeper_n 4.9_o gen._n 4.9_o and_o as_o god_n have_v place_v within_o every_o one_o of_o we_o a_o conscience_n as_o well_o to_o chide_v we_o when_o we_o have_v do_v evil_a as_o to_o check_v our_o jehu-like_a march_n when_o we_o will_v run_v into_o sin_n so_o have_v he_o give_v to_o each_o of_o we_o a_o friend_n or_o a_o brother_n without_o that_o shall_v as_o the_o angel_n do_v by_o lot_n 19.16_o gen._n 19.16_o call_v upon_o we_o and_o lead_v we_o nay_o enforce_v we_o out_o of_o sodom_n out_o of_o the_o danger_n into_o which_o sin_n will_v hurry_v we_o and_o he_o that_o do_v true_o and_o faithful_o discharge_v this_o duty_n to_o his_o brother_n do_v the_o high_a and_o most_o transcendent_a act_n of_o charity_n in_o the_o world_n for_o he_o save_v a_o soul_n that_o be_v likely_a to_o perish_v and_o instrumental_o redeem_v his_o brother_n from_o the_o jaw_n of_o hell_n and_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o receive_v likewise_o infinite_a advantage_n to_o himself_o by_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o duty_n for_o beside_o his_o reward_n with_o god_n and_o the_o comfort_n in_o his_o own_o bosom_n he_o engage_v his_o friend_n to_o a_o return_n of_o gratitude_n and_o justice_n and_o so_o beget_v the_o true_a friendship_n and_o the_o most_o indissoluble_a tie_n of_o amity_n that_o can_v be_v between_o man_n and_o man._n so_o that_o he_o that_o perform_v this_o duty_n as_o he_o ought_v treasure_n up_o to_o himself_o three_o of_o the_o most_o inestimable_a jewel_n in_o the_o world_n first_o a_o good_a conscience_n within_o 2_o dly_a a_o true_a friend_n without_o 3_o dly_a the_o favour_n of_o that_o god_n who_o have_v enjoin_v it_o who_o for_o our_o reward_n shall_v make_v we_o to_o shine_v as_o the_o star_n for_o wisdom_n in_o this_o low_a firmament_n 12.3_o dan._n 12.3_o and_o for_o transcendency_n of_o glory_n in_o that_o which_o be_v above_o reason_n two_o second_o let_v we_o practise_v this_o do_v of_o good_a to_o our_o brethren_n because_o we_o can_v express_v our_o love_n unto_o god_n or_o our_o thankfulness_n for_o those_o blessing_n we_o receive_v from_o he_o better_o than_o by_o improve_n they_o to_o the_o enlargement_n of_o his_o glory_n in_o the_o conversion_n of_o other_o simon_n thou_o son_n of_o jonah_n love_v thou_o i_o then_o feed_v my_o sheep_n say_v our_o saviour_n 21.15.16,17_o joh._n 21.15.16,17_o which_o word_n he_o repeat_v no_o less_o than_o three_o time_n thrice_o he_o urge_v he_o to_o the_o same_o confession_n say_v st._n chrysostom_n and_o thrice_o he_o conjure_v he_o by_o that_o confession_n to_o the_o same_o duty_n to_o show_v that_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o wherein_o christ_n be_v more_o joy_v than_o in_o the_o welfare_n of_o his_o church_n so_o there_o be_v no_o better_a way_n for_o we_o to_o demonstrate_v our_o affection_n unto_o he_o than_o by_o all_o holy_a mean_n to_o endeavour_v the_o salvation_n of_o each_o other_o by_o this_o shall_v all_o man_n know_v that_o you_o be_v my_o disciple_n if_o you_o have_v love_v one_o for_o another_o 13.35_o joh._n 13.35_o reason_n iii_o and_o thus_o in_o the_o three_o place_n as_o it_o be_v the_o best_a demonstration_n we_o can_v make_v of_o our_o love_n to_o god_n so_o be_v it_o likewise_o of_o our_o love_n to_o our_o neighbour_n the_o great_a love_n that_o we_o read_v of_o among_o man_n be_v that_o of_o a_o father_n to_o his_o son_n and_o therefore_o be_v the_o love_n of_o god_n himself_o often_o shadow_v out_o by_o that_o love_n as_o a_o father_n pity_v his_o own_o child_n so_o the_o lord_n pity_v they_o that_o fear_v he_o 103.13_o psalm_n 103.13_o now_o how_o do_v a_o father_n express_v his_o love_n to_o his_o son_n sure_o not_o so_o much_o by_o feed_v and_o clothing_n he_o this_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o the_o duty_n incumbent_a on_o parent_n and_o more_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o mother_n than_o the_o father_n it_o be_v the_o mother_n duty_n to_o cherish_v and_o bring_v he_o up_o but_o the_o eather_n to_o educate_v and_o instruct_v he_o faith_n the_o great_a philosopher_n in_o his_o economic_n the_o love_n of_o the_o father_n be_v most_o see_v in_o the_o well_o model_v of_o his_o son_n manner_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o wonderful_a importance_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o immortal_a consequence_n for_o what_o we_o sow_v in_o the_o spring_n we_o reap_v in_o the_o harvest_n the_o spring_n of_o a_o man_n life_n be_v his_o childhood_n and_o what_o impression_n be_v then_o make_v be_v they_o good_a or_o bad_a those_o we_o general_o carry_v with_o we_o to_o our_o grave_n and_o what_o we_o carry_v thither_o remain_v on_o the_o tally_n of_o eternity_n the_o first_o token_n of_o the_o father_n love_n to_o his_o son_n be_v see_v in_o the_o care_n he_o take_v of_o his_o education_n that_o the_o first_o impression_n that_o be_v make_v on_o he_o be_v the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o the_o love_n of_o goodness_n and_o afterward_o as_o his_o faculty_n grow_v more_o strong_a and_o vigorous_a he_o go_v on_o to_o season_v they_o with_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n the_o precept_n of_o morality_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o wisdom_n and_o prudence_n and_o to_o this_o end_n he_o sometime_o counsel_n and_o advises_n he_o what_o be_v to_o be_v embrace_v and_o what_o avoid_v what_o be_v necessary_a for_o his_o well-being_n and_o what_o superfluous_a what_o be_v just_a and_o honest_a and_o what_o be_v not_o sometime_o he_o comfort_v and_o encourage_v he_o against_o the_o difficulty_n that_o may_v dishearten_v he_o and_o when_o he_o find_v he_o neglective_a of_o his_o duty_n he_o change_v his_o countenance_n towards_o he_o and_o first_o admonish_v than_o rebuke_n then_o threaten_v he_o and_o if_o none_o of_o these_o will_v prevail_v he_o add_v verbis_fw-la verbera_fw-la to_o word_n of_o reproof_n stripe_n of_o correction_n and_o all_o these_o be_v but_o the_o expression_n of_o his_o fatherly_a affection_n a_o affection_n as_o infinite_o surmount_v that_o of_o give_v food_n and_o raiment_n as_o the_o incorruptible_a soul_n do_v the_o perish_a body_n thus_o the_o high_a expression_n of_o our_o love_n and_o the_o pure_a work_n of_o christian_a charity_n be_v those_o which_o have_v for_o their_o object_n the_o spiritual_a welfare_n of_o our_o brother_n soul_n to_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a to_o bind_v up_o the_o brokenhearted_a to_o reduce_v those_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o way_n to_o support_v those_o that_o be_v weak_a â—o_o restore_v with_o meekness_n those_o that_o be_v fall_v to_o admonish_v reprove_v convince_v and_o as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o we_o to_o restrain_v those_o that_o be_v wilful_a and_o obstinate_a this_o be_v the_o proper_a language_n and_o the_o most_o perfect_a demonstration_n of_o divine_a love_n non_fw-la amatur_fw-la servus_n aut_fw-la filius_fw-la cùm_fw-la non_fw-la