OS- Chap. 24. An Expoftionxpon'theTook of I0 B Verf.z. pionwith the Church for all that; But this is thy fin, to pretend thegift of all to Grid, and performe but in part. I enfwer, Secondly, That community did_not extend to the whole eaate ofall beieevers, but towhat theydid confecrate to relieve the publick necefficy, For if they had put them (elves quite out ofall propriety by one gift, they could not have exercifed their charity any more. Whereas the Apoftle direc`s them toa conflant ufe of their charity in making collections fár the poore (r Cori 16. a, z.) And Purely `Paul had made a vaine profeffìon whenhe laid; I have coveted nomansElver, or Geld, or apparel!, Ans 20.23.) if no man had any peculiar propriety ingold, fib. ver, or apparel. Thirdly, It appeares from the 44th verle, that even they who fold their goods retained fame kindofright in them ; for all d;d not come to the common - banke, and takewhat they pleafed,but theywho fold their poffeffions parted theprice to all men, allot- ting to every one a proportion as he had need. It was not [hare and fhare like,every man was not his own carver out of the pub- licke locke,but diftribution was made,as aeceflity required. God doth to this day keepe the eighth cce,mandemcnt in full force and ftrength, as a Fence or hedge about theworldly eftates of men,and he that goes about to breake this Hedge,a Serpent fhall bite him,asSolomon fpeaks (Ecc.io.8.)Hedges are Land marks; And both are, not onely arguments, but fecnrers ofpropriety. Againe, Seeing Land markes were fet up todiftinguiflt mens elates. We learne. That we Jhoulel ufe alldue weans toprevent contentions about worldly pafjff,,nt. As every man bath a title and right to his own, fo every man Mould have a rule whereby to know his owne ; peace is a faceed and precious thing (even peace about civil] things)and therefore whatfoever makes for peace fhould be accounted facred and pre- cious. BlefTed are the peace makers, but more blefed are the peace- prefervers. It is good to heale breachesamong Brethren but it is better when there are none. Preventing phytick is more defireable then reftoring. Thirdly
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