Of Brotherly Kindnef and Charity. 24.3 he will; whereas we are not fovereign pro- SERM. prietors of any thing, but have received what IX. we poffefs from him in truft, and under an vw exprefs condition that we (hall employ it for his fervice, and particularly for the good of our brethren ; thus are we bound to the of- fices of charity in point of juftice and fide- lity, as well as gratitude. Befides, it ought Rill to be remembered, that by our fins we had made a forfeiture of our lives and all our enjoyments, and what is reftored by mere grace fhould be employed according to the will of the donor. The demand of chriflian charity goes fo far as even to our lives, fo * St. j'chn teaches us, Hereby we perceive the love of God, becaujè he (the Lord Jefus Chrift) laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives fòr the brethren. From whence it is juftly inferred in the fol- lowing words, that the love of God cannot dwell in that man, who having this world's goods, and feeing his brother in need, fhutteth up his bowels of compaffion from him. Again, godlinefs imports a difpofition to do thofe things which are pleafing to God, and which he approves. Now, it is apparent not only from the declarations of his word, but the * ! John iii. 16. R z whole
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