A09466:204
A treatise tending unto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of…A treatise tending vnto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of…
A treatise tending unto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of damnation or in the estate of grace and if he be in the first, how he may in time come out of it: if in the second, how he may discern it, and persevere in the same to the end. The points that are handled are set down in the page following.A treatise tending vnto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of damnation or in the estate of grace and if he be in the first, how he may in time come out of it: if in the second, how he maie discerne it, and perseuere in the same to the end. The points that are handled are set downe in the page following.
London: printed by R. Robinson for T. Gubbin, 1590
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
XLIX
The third work is, a relieving of the1 poor brethren in Christ, proceeding of a brotherly kindness towards them. This is a special work not to be done to all men alike, as saint Paul saith, qDo good to all men, but especially to them of the household of faith. Directions for this matter are the faithful of Jerusalem, rwho were all in one place, and had all things common: snamely in use. And they sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men: as every one had need. Also the brethren at Corinth in their extreme poverty trelieved the Churches of Macedonia liberally, not only according to their power, but also straining themselves beyond their power. Yea this relief must go further, even to the bestowing of a mans life, if need so require. (As saint John saith) uHereby we have perceived Love, that he laid down his life for us: therefore we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren.
The third worke is, a relieuing of the1 poore bretheren in Christ, proceeding of a brotherly kindenesse towardes them. This is a speciall woorke not to bee done to all men alike, as saint Paule saith,