268 Q, Whether Slfdenial lie in renouncing Propriety ? _ have done if they had not had food and cloa.thing to bellow. SO that the denial of propriety would defiroy all exerrife ofcha- rity in fuch kinds, and deftroy all focieties and orderly con- verft and induftry in the world. But 3. et when God cats for any thing from us, we muff pre- fently obey,and quit all title to it, and refign it freely and glad- ly to his will. And 3. There, muff be fo much vigour of charity , and fenfe of our neighbours wants , as that no man muff flan up the bowels of companion : but as we muff love our neighbours as our felves, fo muff we relieve them as a fecond felf ; yeaand before our felves, if Gods fervice or honour should require it. Ifwe mull lay down our livesfor the brethren, much more our eftates. So that Levelling Community is abo- minable; but Charitable Community is a Chriftian duty,and the great Charader offincereLove toChrifl in his members. And therefore in the Primitive Church therewas no forbidding of Propriety ; but there was 1. A refignation of all to God, to fignifie that they were contented to forfakeall for him, and did prefer Chrift and the Kingdom of Godbefore all: and 2.There was fo great vigor oftrue Charity, as that all men voluntarily fupplied the wants of the Church and poor, and voluntarily made all things as common, that is, Common by voluntary Communication for ufe, though not common in primary title : And fono man took any thing as his Own, when God, and his Churches, an clhis Brethrens wants did call for it. 0 that wehad more of that Chrillian Love that Mould caufe a Chari- table Community which is the true Meanbetweed the Monkifh Community, and the felfifh tenacious propriety ! Levelling hath not deftroyed one foul for ten thoufand that an inordinate love of Propriety bath deftroyed. CHAP.
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