238 Of Brotherly kindize/s and Charity. SERM. a law of mutual kindnefs, that fo far there IX. may be an equality as none (hall lack the "*J neceffaries of life. The common kindred among men, and their proximity of blood, is an argument which nature ftrongly urges in favour of the needy. Thus the * prophet expreffes the exercife of compaffion to the indigent, that thou hide not thyfelf from thine own flefh, and thereby ftrongly enforces the ads of mercy there mentioned, dealing bread 'to the hungry, and cloathing to the naked. But the Chriftian religion has fuperadded fpecial obligations to thofe general ones which the common ties of humanity lay upon us, by eftablifhing a new and intimate relation among the difciples of Chrift. Our Redeemer died fir this very end, that he -j- might ga- ther `'together into one the children of God who were fcattered abroad. He has II redeemed a people unto God by his blood out of every tongue, and kindred, and nation ; and col - lefted them into one facred fociety and one body, as the apoftle fags, } knit together by joints and bands, which having nourifhment min Bred by the ej lual working of the fpi- rit in every part, increajeth to the edifying * Ifa. lviii. 7. John xi. 52. Rev. v. 9. Coloff. ii. 19. 5 ifef
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