Chap accordï>igto'St MA T T x E VV. 565 bony to bring to the common hive, have he but an heart to it. Ssacui43 dot eft. Let every man according to his feverail ability, iwprovc what he hath to the common benefit. Freely he bath received , freely let him give : ability he bath none but fromGod; whoyet, for our encouragement, is picafed to call that ours, that is his own work in us. Verfe i S elccording to hie feverall ability] Ufurers ufe not to lend to thofe that cannot give pledge or fecurity. Howbeit we have nothing ofcur own, but according to the nteafure ofour gifts and faith, Ephtf.4. the meafi re ofthe rule diflributed tour, a Cor.to.t 3. the m-afur1 of grace concredited, Rom.' z. Verfe 16. Went and traded] Grace grows by exercife, and decaies by difufe : as that fide of the teeth which is leaft ufed in chewiwg, is apt to have more rheum to fettle upon it. Though both arms grow , yet that which a manufeth, is the flronger and. bigger : to is it in both gifts and graces. In birds their wings, which have been titled muff, are fweeteft. Among trees, that which is planted and planed againft a wall, the more it is fpread aòdi id forth in the branches, even to the leafs twigge, the more warmth andvigour it gets from the Sun -beams, and the more fruit it beareth. Sohere. Verfe 17. He alpgained other two] The Lord , as he bath a fatherly refpea to our wcakneffe, fo as not to overlay us, fo e apliuno es he takes well aworth what we are able , and exaas no more xo enef then he gives. D fpife not therefore the day of fmallthings, ñeguir pjecWp- tith God Both not, Zech. 4.10. Neither rail away your confi- die tert:jtve dence, becaufe not good to fuch a degree : but be faithfull in often. Cie:, weaknefle, though weak in faith. A palfey-hand may receive an alms: he that hadbut halfan eye might look upon thelerafcn fer- pent, and be healed. Verfe IS. Digged it in the earth] Through (loth and pride: as many now- adaies, will dono more fcrvice to God then may breedadmiration amongft men. Some preachers ( faith one) to w in applaufc, fet forthat firft with fuch aftrife to £eem eloquent and learned, that they quickly fpend their (lore : and then, rather Wad on Col, then they would be obferveti to want,they will give overpreach- 4.foldoo, ìng, or elfe preach once a quarter, to air their learning, and keep it from moulding. Verfe 19i And reckonethWith them ] This is that wemutt a1- fa come to.. Chrifl will one day fay, Redde rAtiatum , Gbivc an account
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