Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	faith_n	good_a	work_n	3,907	5	6.0359	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61182	A sermon preach'd to the natives of the county of Dorset, residing in and about the cities of London and Westminster, at St. Mary Le Bowe, on Dec. 8, 1692, being the day of their anniversary feast by the Lord Bishop of Rochester.	Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713.	1693 (1693)	Wing S5062; ESTC R13442	15,232	42

one_o accord_n to_o signify_v the_o harmonious_a agreement_n of_o their_o spiritual_a society_n they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n to_o testify_v their_o preference_n of_o establish_v consecrate_a place_n and_o their_o observance_n of_o orderly_a decency_n in_o their_o devotion_n nor_o do_v they_o only_o there_o continue_v in_o prayer_n in_o petition_v heaven_n for_o benefit_n to_o come_v but_o in_o praise_v god_n for_o mercy_n receive_v which_o be_v the_o noble_a the_o most_o sublime_a the_o most_o celestial_a part_n of_o christian_a worship_n as_o be_v indeed_o the_o chief_a business_n of_o heaven_n itself_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o communion_n of_o saint_n which_o we_o must_v believe_v or_o utter_o renounce_v one_o article_n of_o our_o creed_n if_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o holy_a catholic_n church_n whereof_o sure_o the_o proud_a boasting_n and_o false_a pretence_n of_o rome_n can_v whole_o abolish_v the_o thing_n itself_o then_o there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o question_n but_o the_o large_a measure_n of_o grace_n will_v be_v communicate_v to_o our_o soul_n in_o these_o public_a office_n of_o prayer_n and_o praise_v which_o at_o once_o as_o the_o whole_a primitive_a church_n do_v then_o so_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o it_o now_o with_o unite_a tongue_n and_o affection_n and_o spirit_n more_o unite_v present_v to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n that_o be_v the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o text_n the_o multitude_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v be_v all_o of_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o soul_n in_o this_o sense_n and_o to_o this_o degree_n and_o in_o the_o uniform_a performance_n of_o all_o these_o spiritual_a duty_n now_o my_o brethren_n upon_o this_o so_o intimate_v a_o agreement_n of_o their_o understanding_n will_n and_o affection_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n there_o present_o succeed_v a_o like_a harmony_n of_o good_a work_n they_o all_o practise_v a_o general_a distribution_n and_o participation_n of_o each_o other_o earthly_a riches_n and_o possession_n which_o be_v the_o last_o effect_v here_o mention_v of_o their_o be_v all_o fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n none_o of_o they_o say_v that_o ought_v he_o possess_v be_v his_o own_o but_o they_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a they_o be_v real_o their_o own_o thing_n as_o much_o as_o any_o other_o man_n good_n be_v they_o but_o their_o new_a principle_n of_o christian_a charity_n have_v make_v they_o to_o alter_v their_o thought_n so_o much_o about_o they_o as_o even_o to_o change_v and_o transfer_v the_o very_a propriety_n of_o they_o it_o can_v indeed_o be_v deny_v but_o of_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a more_o than_o brotherly_a love_n and_o strict_a fellowship_n as_o this_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a disciple_n there_o have_v before_o some_o shadow_n and_o footstep_n appear_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o some_o man_n of_o other_o religion_n both_o among_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o gentile_n among_o the_o jew_n such_o a_o communication_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v in_o great_a part_n use_v by_o that_o sect_n which_o they_o call_v essen_n towards_o man_n of_o their_o own_o way_n of_o discipline_n and_o a_o generation_n of_o man_n they_o be_v who_o of_o all_o other_o come_v near_a the_o christian_a institution_n so_o that_o as_o grotius_n tell_v we_o our_o lord_n have_v many_o of_o his_o first_o disciple_n out_o of_o the_o man_n of_o that_o profession_n for_o which_o reason_n probable_o as_o he_o observe_v they_o alone_o be_v seldom_o or_o never_o reprehend_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o as_o all_o the_o other_o sect_n be_v very_o frequent_o and_o sometime_o exceed_v sharp_o such_o a_o communication_n also_o be_v in_o some_o sort_n in_o use_n among_o the_o pythagorean_n and_o some_o other_o fraternity_n of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n and_o some_o of_o their_o wise_a polity_n of_o civil_a society_n who_o chief_a aim_n be_v the_o advancement_n of_o human_a nature_n by_o all_o natural_a mean_n and_o they_o believe_v they_o can_v not_o do_v that_o by_o any_o better_a way_n than_o by_o raise_v friendship_n to_o the_o high_a pitch_n which_o they_o just_o esteem_v the_o most_o perfect_a natural_a state_n of_o mandkind_a in_o this_o world_n they_o therefore_o cultivate_v especial_o that_o kind_n of_o friendly_a life_n which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o signify_v the_o same_o with_o the_o phrase_n in_o my_o text_n of_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a but_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o prove_v that_o of_o all_o the_o community_n of_o good_n which_o have_v be_v ever_o essay_v among_o man_n this_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o christian_n be_v the_o most_o excellent_a the_o most_o innocent_a the_o most_o spiritual_a and_o sincere_o charitable_a kind_n of_o it_o as_o for_o that_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n though_o they_o do_v bountiful_o dispense_v their_o estate_n in_o common_a to_o man_n of_o their_o own_o party_n and_o form_n of_o life_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o find_v but_o the_o same_o man_n still_o retain_v something_o of_o the_o general_a temper_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n which_o be_v to_o be_v kind_a only_o to_o themselves_o and_o their_o proselyte_n but_o rigid_a and_o hard-hearted_a to_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o especial_o to_o all_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o religion_n so_o that_o in_o truth_n the_o divine_a efficacy_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o its_o first_o beginning_n be_v scarce_o ever_o more_o illustrate_v in_o any_o thing_n than_o in_o this_o that_o it_o first_o undertake_v to_o convince_v the_o jew_n and_o can_v bring_v so_o many_o of_o they_o so_o speedy_o from_o the_o most_o stiff-necked_a arrogance_n and_o narrow-handed_n austerity_n to_o the_o great_a humility_n and_o generosity_n that_o ever_o mankind_n be_v acquaint_v with_o for_o as_o for_o the_o heathen_n also_o who_o profess_v to_o hold_v such_o a_o community_n of_o all_o thing_n they_o general_o go_v so_o far_o in_o the_o abuse_n of_o it_o as_o to_o lay_v all_o thing_n common_a not_o only_o lawful_a but_o unlawful_a thing_n too_o even_o some_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o nation_n have_v be_v make_v most_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a but_o in_o such_o thing_n the_o great_a the_o community_n the_o great_a the_o wickedness_n whereas_o this_o evangelical_n community_n here_o institute_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v all_o the_o quite_o contrary_a advantage_n and_o perfection_n first_o it_o be_v most_o pure_a spotless_a and_o unblameable_a it_o be_v only_o a_o communication_n of_o lawful_a thing_n and_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v lawful_o be_v use_v in_o common_a but_o all_o fellowship_n with_o the_o unfruitful_a work_n of_o darkness_n all_o imagination_n of_o partake_v in_o unlawful_a thing_n they_o universal_o condemn_v and_o their_o practice_n be_v according_o they_o restrain_v themselves_o and_o teach_v we_o to_o abstain_v not_o only_o from_o the_o real_a gild_n but_o from_o the_o very_a appearance_n of_o evil._n they_o utter_o abhor_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o licentiousness_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o christian_a freedom_n they_o know_v that_o although_o through_o christ_n they_o be_v free_a indeed_o yet_o he_o have_v redeem_v they_o only_o from_o the_o burden_n of_o legal_a observance_n and_o not_o from_o the_o obligation_n of_o moral_a or_o natural_a law_n second_o as_o their_o liberal_a distribution_n of_o their_o temporal_a inheritance_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o those_o among_o they_o that_o want_v do_v flow_v from_o the_o most_o divine_a principle_n of_o christian_a love_n and_o tenderness_n towards_o all_o their_o brethren_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o communion_n so_o it_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n accompany_v with_o a_o unconfined_a goodwill_n a_o open-hearted_n kindness_n and_o enlarge_v bowel_n of_o compassion_n to_o all_o mankind_n beside_o what_o st._n paul_n exhort_v all_o christian_n to_o do_v they_o perform_v in_o a_o eminent_a degree_n as_o they_o have_v opportunity_n they_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n though_o they_o do_v it_o chief_o to_o those_o of_o the_o household_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o indeed_o be_v the_o true_a christian_a charity_n it_o may_v have_v its_o degree_n but_o never_o admit_v of_o its_o contrary_n so_o that_o all_o who_o be_v sincere_o thus_o affect_v may_v express_v their_o charity_n to_o some_o more_o than_o to_o other_o but_o must_v never_o be_v uncharitable_a much_o less_o unjust_a to_o any_o to_o all_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o practice_v a_o perpetual_a communication_n of_o our_o good_a will_n and_o good_a office_n and_o of_o our_o good_n too_o in_o the_o work_v of_o justice_n and_o charity_n in_o the_o work_v of_o charity_n according_a to_o our_o capacity_n in_o the_o work_v of_o justice_n always_o and_o without_o reserve_v for_o only_o the_o able_a can_v be_v charitable_a and_o it_o may_v not_o sometime_o be_v a_o

of_o heaven_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o as_o such_o be_v to_o be_v distribute_v by_o the_o same_o law_n they_o be_v therefore_o all_o of_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o soul_n than_o which_o a_o near_a agreement_n can_v be_v describe_v or_o imagine_v the_o heart_n if_o there_o be_v any_o difference_n of_o the_o expression_n in_o scripture-language_n be_v to_o be_v take_v for_o the_o chief_a seat_n of_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o judgement_n and_o understanding_n nor_o be_v this_o only_o speak_v of_o st._n peter_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o twelve_o nor_o only_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o seventy_o disciple_n nor_o only_o of_o the_o first_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o in_o the_o upper_a room_n nor_o only_o of_o the_o three_o thousand_o convert_v by_o one_o sermon_n but_o of_o all_o of_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v certain_o some_o strange_a and_o unusual_a thing_n must_v needs_o happen_v as_o here_o it_o do_v that_o can_v bring_v together_o and_o cement_v such_o a_o multitude_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o be_v of_o one_o heart_n that_o can_v persuade_v such_o a_o multitude_n to_o converse_v together_o and_o conspire_v in_o the_o same_o thought_n and_o desire_n as_o if_o they_o have_v but_o one_o soul_n whereas_o a_o multitude_n however_o compose_v too_o common_o seem_v by_o its_o inconstant_a and_o fluctuate_a counsel_n its_o partial_a debate_n and_o perverse_a opinion_n and_o headstrong_a resolution_n to_o have_v more_o heart_n and_o more_o soul_n than_o it_o real_o have_v even_o more_o than_o it_o have_v body_n in_o the_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n or_o prejudicate_a knowledge_n of_o a_o multitude_n how_o easy_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o dissension_n and_o contradiction_n sow_v by_o the_o various_a interest_n or_o wilful_a humour_n or_o violent_a passion_n of_o a_o multitude_n how_o quick_o be_v they_o raise_v and_o inflame_v and_o when_o once_o a_o multitude_n be_v engage_v in_o division_n how_o hard_o a_o thing_n be_v it_o to_o compose_v they_o again_o a_o multitude_n therefore_o can_v never_o have_v be_v so_o unite_v have_v they_o not_o be_v a_o multitude_n of_o believer_n nor_o then_o neither_o have_v not_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o bless_a author_n of_o all_o peace_n and_o truth_n incline_v they_o to_o it_o have_v not_o that_o teach_v they_o to_o make_v the_o matter_n of_o their_o belief_n to_o be_v the_o cause_n and_o ground_n of_o their_o concord_n not_o of_o their_o separation_n as_o too_o often_o since_o have_v be_v experience_v the_o difficulty_n of_o so_o divine_a a_o work_n to_o unite_v a_o mix_a multitude_n of_o all_o people_n and_o language_n to_o unite_v they_o so_o close_o to_o animate_v they_o all_o with_o such_o cordial_a affection_n do_v well_o become_v the_o almighty_a power_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n it_o well_o become_v and_o can_v only_o belong_v to_o that_o bless_a person_n who_o be_v one_o god_n the_o same_o with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n god_n bless_v for_o ever_o to_o inspire_v so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o union_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o who_o it_o fill_v with_o its_o first_o gift_n and_o grace_n and_o benediction_n and_o belove_v in_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n this_o heavenly_a fruit_n of_o the_o heavenly_a spirit_n be_v be_v thus_o pour_v forth_o on_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v not_o only_o intend_v as_o some_o of_o the_o other_o fruit_n of_o it_o be_v to_o confirm_v our_o faith_n but_o also_o to_o instruct_v we_o in_o one_o of_o our_o most_o necessary_a duty_n the_o apostle_n miraculous_a act_v and_o speak_v with_o such_o invincible_a freedom_n and_o power_n require_v our_o belief_n of_o the_o faith_n that_o they_o preach_v and_o god_n take_v this_o way_n to_o establish_v it_o but_o that_o marvellous_a unanimity_n of_o their_o first_o convert_v concern_v our_o practice_n and_o be_v design_v to_o direct_v it_o it_o be_v not_o give_v we_o to_o follow_v they_o step_v by_o step_n in_o their_o other_o extraordinary_a privilege_n and_o prerogative_n but_o in_o their_o humble_a and_o fraternal_a condescension_n to_o each_o other_o their_o peaceable_a acquiescence_n in_o the_o same_o divine_a truth_n their_o meek_a obedience_n to_o the_o same_o holy_a law_n in_o these_o we_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o follow_v they_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o they_o wrought_v be_v enough_o for_o god_n purpose_n in_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n to_o all_o time_n and_o place_n but_o we_o of_o these_o latter_a age_n can_v never_o arrive_v at_o the_o same_o ability_n nor_o ought_v we_o to_o emulate_v they_o in_o what_o be_v peculiar_a to_o their_o time_n and_o personal_a to_o themselves_o whoever_o do_v he_o be_v likely_a to_o show_v more_o proof_n of_o his_o own_o natural_a vanity_n or_o spiritual_a pride_n than_o of_o any_o supernatural_a power_n or_o illumination_n yet_o still_o it_o be_v leave_v to_o we_o and_o it_o be_v incumbent_n upon_o we_o with_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o zeal_n to_o imitate_v their_o other_o virtue_n and_o grace_n which_o be_v though_o of_o a_o low_a degree_n yet_o of_o a_o perpetual_a duration_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o their_o simplicity_n of_o heart_n their_o agreement_n in_o the_o same_o act_n of_o piety_n and_o their_o consent_n in_o the_o same_o christian_n faith_n in_o those_o their_o more_o exalt_a and_o inspire_v endowment_n we_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v defective_a since_o we_o can_v have_v any_o the_o least_o proportion_n of_o their_o immediately-divine_a help_n to_o acquire_v they_o and_o because_o those_o be_v not_o so_o necessary_a indeed_o not_o at_o all_o necessary_a in_o this_o common_a and_o settle_a course_n of_o christianity_n as_o they_o be_v for_o the_o first_o sound_n of_o it_o but_o as_o for_o these_o their_o other_o good_a and_o gracious_a disposition_n such_o as_o their_o meekness_n self-denial_n patience_n long-suffering_a forbearance_n of_o each_o other_o frailty_n and_o fellowfeeling_n of_o each_o other_o infirmity_n such_o as_o incline_v they_o to_o this_o unity_n of_o heart_n and_o soul_n and_o be_v all_o still_o equal_o necessary_a to_o we_o towards_o our_o attain_n of_o these_o we_o have_v still_o a_o sufficient_a assistance_n from_o that_o father_n of_o light_n from_o who_o they_o be_v derive_v of_o all_o these_o my_o brethren_n it_o be_v especial_o design_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o perpetual_a succession_n derive_v down_o on_o all_o that_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o same_o faith_n in_o these_o they_o be_v to_o be_v our_o last_a pattern_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n i_o mean_v in_o this_o mutual_a concurrence_n and_o conformity_n of_o mind_n this_o charitable_a compliance_n of_o judgement_n and_o endearment_n of_o affection_n among_o ourselves_o this_o mild_a gentle_a tender-hearted_a temper_v towards_o all_o man_n this_o submissive_a uniformity_n in_o god_n worship_n all_o of_o they_o virtue_n and_o grace_n that_o exceed_o contribute_v to_o the_o very_o be_v much_o more_o to_o the_o wellbeing_a of_o the_o christian_a church_n all_o of_o they_o so_o peculiarly_a the_o effect_n and_o certain_a influence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o they_o be_v express_o call_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o that_o which_o be_v inseparable_o annex_v to_o it_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n wherefore_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n let_v we_o all_o fix_v our_o eye_n and_o our_o heart_n on_o that_o uncorrupt_a original_a of_o the_o first_o christian_n agreement_n in_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o holy_a worship_n which_o be_v as_o you_o have_v hear_v the_o genuine_a and_o immediate_a offspring_n of_o the_o true_a spirit_n of_o god._n that_o most_o christian_n communion_n which_o begin_v so_o soon_o so_o glorious_o that_o most_o happy_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o most_o spiritual_a one_o accord_n that_o most_o desirable_a unity_n of_o heart_n and_o soul_n which_o be_v most_o frequent_o and_o most_o religious_o enjoin_v all_o christian_n by_o the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o which_o take_v so_o effectual_o in_o they_o that_o be_v the_o first_o publisher_n of_o it_o when_o they_o come_v to_o recommend_v it_o to_o we_o you_o see_v with_o what_o vehemence_n they_o do_v it_o beseech_v we_o if_o there_o be_v any_o consolation_n in_o christ_n if_o any_o comfort_n of_o love_n if_o any_o fellowship_n of_o the_o spirit_n if_o any_o bowel_n of_o mercy_n fulfil_v you_o my_o joy_n say_v the_o apostle_n phil._n 2._o 1._o that_o you_o be_v likeminded_a have_v the_o same_o love_n be_v of_o one_o accord_n of_o one_o mind_n and_o when_o they_o come_v to_o use_v argument_n for_o it_o you_o see_v how_o they_o press_v we_o all_o the_o way_n that_o can_v be_v think_v of_o to_o make_v it_o enter_v into_o our_o soul_n how_o they_o oblige_v we_o to_o it_o by_o all_o the_o consideration_n of_o duty_n

man_n be_v own_o fault_n that_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o be_v outward_o charitable_a but_o it_o be_v ever_o a_o man_n be_v own_o fault_n only_o if_o he_o be_v not_o outward_o just_a and_o at_o least_o inward_o charitable_a to_o all_o three_o this_o free_a dispense_n of_o their_o good_n and_o possession_n that_o be_v then_o make_v by_o the_o able_a to_o sustain_v the_o unable_a and_o afflict_a be_v far_o from_o be_v intend_v to_o cherish_v the_o laziness_n or_o to_o encourage_v the_o negligence_n or_o to_o nourish_v the_o vanity_n and_o pride_n of_o any_o that_o be_v thus_o relieve_v but_o to_o quite_o contrary_a purpose_n that_o be_v either_o to_o supply_v the_o real_a want_v of_o the_o innocent_o necessitous_a or_o to_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v under_o fierce_a persecution_n or_o to_o excite_v those_o to_o indefatigable_a industry_n who_o be_v to_o labour_v in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o with_o more_o leisure_n and_o freedom_n from_o worldly_a care_n and_o diversion_n they_o may_v attend_v the_o most_o important_a business_n of_o save_a soul_n and_o spread_v the_o everlasting_a gospel_n these_o my_o brethren_n be_v the_o only_a or_o the_o principal_a end_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n have_v all_o thing_n common_a end_v very_o different_a from_o those_o of_o the_o monastical_a life_n as_o it_o have_v be_v universal_o abuse_v in_o all_o christendom_n though_o that_o pretend_v to_o come_v near_a the_o first_o christian_n retirement_n from_o the_o world_n and_o free_a partake_n of_o what_o each_o other_o possess_v and_o live_v their_o life_n in_o common_a but_o towards_o the_o imitate_v of_o that_o humble_a devout_a and_o self-denying_a life_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o man_n or_o woman_n only_o to_o profess_v a_o sullen_a reservedness_n or_o unprofitable_a separation_n from_o the_o world_n for_o some_o person_n in_o show_n of_o a_o more_o spiritual_a life_n to_o live_v idle_o upon_o other_o mistake_v charity_n be_v not_o to_o practice_v the_o primitive_a community_n of_o good_n whoever_o will_v be_v real_o like_o those_o great_a example_n of_o self-denial_n and_o abstinence_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o only_a to_o follow_v they_o superstitious_o and_o servile_o in_o some_o one_o little_a accidental_a thing_n some_o indifferent_a habit_n or_o action_n of_o their_o life_n rather_o we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o resemble_v they_o in_o their_o real_a virtue_n and_o solid_a excellency_n and_o in_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n of_o god_n by_o do_v all_o the_o good_a we_o can_v in_o this_o world_n as_o they_o do_v four_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o of_o the_o good_n and_o estate_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n thus_o bring_v as_o free-will-offering_n into_o one_o common_a treasury_n the_o disposition_n be_v order_v with_o great_a prudence_n equity_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o at_o first_o by_o no_o less_o man_n than_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o afterward_o indeed_o it_o be_v commit_v to_o inferior_a minister_n but_o still_o at_o the_o appointment_n and_o under_o the_o inspection_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o this_o chapter_n it_o be_v say_v that_o as_o many_o as_o be_v possess_v of_o land_n or_o house_n sell_v they_o and_o bring_v the_o price_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v sell_v and_o lay_v they_o down_o at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n and_o distribution_n be_v make_v to_o every_o man_n according_a as_o he_o have_v need_n so_o that_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o that_o lack_v behold_v i_o pray_v as_o that_o be_v the_o first_o general_n purse_n if_o i_o may_v so_o call_v it_o of_o christian_n charity_n that_o ever_o be_v raise_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n so_o the_o careful_a direct_n of_o it_o be_v a_o employment_n worthy_a of_o the_o apostolical_a office_n itself_o and_o become_v their_o high_a dignity_n and_o supereminent_a station_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god._n for_o the_o very_a apostle_n discharge_v of_o their_o duty_n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a that_o with_o great_a power_n they_o give_v witness_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n nor_o be_v it_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o baptise_v man_n into_o and_o confirm_v they_o in_o his_o faith_n nor_o by_o exhortation_n to_o rouse_v and_o awake_v the_o drowsy_a world_n nor_o by_o reproof_n to_o chastise_v and_o admonish_v the_o stubborn_a and_o negligent_a nor_o by_o seasonable_a counsel_n and_o comfort_n to_o strengthen_v the_o doubtful_a and_o refresh_v the_o weak_a but_o by_o a_o constant_a give_v their_o own_o according_a to_o their_o ability_n and_o by_o a_o diligent_a collection_n of_o other_o alms-deed_n and_o by_o a_o wise_a administration_n of_o both_o they_o become_v the_o first_o public_a almoner_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_n world_n you_o see_v in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o outward_a poverty_n and_o misery_n that_o be_v undoubted_o one_o of_o the_o most_o christian_a office_n then_o to_o relieve_v the_o indigent_a to_o comfort_v the_o distress_a to_o provide_v for_o the_o widow_n orphan_n captive_n aged_n and_o infirm_a and_o certain_o therefore_o the_o like_a deed_n of_o mercy_n and_o piety_n ought_v never_o to_o have_v a_o less_o esteem_n among_o all_o christian_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o in_o time_n of_o the_o church_n prosperity_n however_o this_o we_o be_v sure_a of_o so_o high_o do_v the_o first_o planter_n of_o christianity_n in_o their_o time_n value_v such_o common_a work_n of_o compassion_n and_o bounty_n perform_v in_o a_o right_a evangelical_n method_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v wonderful_a to_o consider_v almost_o incredible_a to_o tell_v how_o great_a advantage_n the_o gospel_n obtain_v in_o its_o first_o set_v forth_o by_o the_o merciful_a charitable_a and_o hospitable_a conversation_n of_o its_o first_o professor_n when_o the_o world_n behold_v man_n so_o despicable_a in_o their_o outward_a condition_n yet_o ennoble_v and_o adorn_v with_o all_o that_o lustre_n of_o spiritual_a gift_n when_o man_n see_v they_o so_o ambitious_a of_o another_o world_n so_o unconcern_v for_o this_o so_o not_o in_o the_o least_o desirous_a of_o what_o be_v other_o man_n so_o generous_a in_o what_o be_v their_o own_o use_v their_o own_o thing_n so_o moderate_o themselves_o as_o if_o they_o have_v belong_v to_o other_o only_o show_v they_o to_o be_v their_o own_o by_o their_o readiness_n of_o give_v they_o to_o other_o when_o man_n see_v thing_n so_o much_o above_o the_o common_a rate_n of_o human_a nature_n produce_v in_o these_o man_n and_o that_o only_a by_o their_o be_v christian_n they_o can_v not_o but_o have_v a_o high_a esteem_n of_o that_o excellent_a religion_n they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v strong_o incline_v to_o embrace_v it_o themselves_o you_o have_v hear_v that_o the_o reason_n here_o assign_v why_o the_o first_o christian_n have_v so_o soon_o the_o favour_n of_o all_o the_o people_n be_v principal_o three_o the_o first_o that_o they_o go_v about_o from_o house_n to_o house_n eat_v their_o meat_n with_o gladness_n and_o singleness_n of_o heart_n there_o be_v their_o innocent_a hospitality_n and_o their_o right_a use_n of_o the_o true_a christian_a liberty_n in_o that_o particular_a the_o second_o that_o all_o who_o believe_v continue_v together_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o prayer_n and_o praise_v god_n there_o be_v their_o public_a own_n of_o religion_n and_o zeal_n for_o god_n worship_n the_o three_o that_o they_o sell_v their_o good_n and_o possession_n and_o distribute_v they_o to_o all_o man_n as_o every_o man_n have_v need_v there_o be_v the_o universal_a extent_n of_o their_o charity_n and_o for_o this_o last_o cause_n chief_o it_o be_v that_o they_o have_v the_o favour_n of_o all_o the_o people_n as_o the_o aforementioned_a excellent_a interpreter_n conceive_v it_o be_v the_o do_v of_o work_n of_o liberality_n and_o bounty_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n that_o most_o natural_o gain_v their_o favour_n and_o affection_n of_o all_o religious_a action_n none_o be_v more_o praiseworthy_a or_o amiable_a none_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o man_n than_o the_o visible_a work_n of_o mercy_n and_o piety_n such_o as_o be_v free_o and_o bountiful_o bestow_v either_o for_o the_o service_n comeliness_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n worship_n in_o his_o temple_n or_o for_o refresh_v the_o mind_n and_o feed_v clothing_n and_o relieve_v the_o body_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o needy_a which_o be_v his_o temple_n also_o and_o my_o brethren_n this_o their_o abundant_a goodness_n and_o benignity_n this_o sweet-smelling_a sacrifice_n to_o god_n this_o most_o delectable_a savour_n among_o man_n this_o best-hallowed_n incense_n that_o ever_o be_v see_v on_o earth_n or_o rise_v up_o towards_o heaven_n continue_v to_o adorn_v and_o perfume_v the_o whole_a christian_a name_n for_o several_a age_n their_o irreconcilable_a enemy_n themselves_o being_n