So that all these are in their order to be relieved before all others by the express commandment of almighty God, even before those who are virtuous and religious, being not so near unto us in these bonds of nature. But next as (I take it) our spiritual kindred is to take place, and in our works of mercy to be preferred before those who are only a kin unto us in the flesh. I say only, because if our kindred in the flesh be also virtuous & religious, they are to be preferred before the other; yea though they have not attained unto that measure and degree of grace and godliness, so that it be in them in substance and truth, and not only in a general, bare, and unfruitful profession; as it is in many amongst us, who though they are content to be called by the name of Christians, yet are in truth devoted worldlings, who professing Christ with their mouths deny him in their lives and works. For the faithful are 1children of the same father, members of the same body whereof Christ is the head, and coheirs of the same glorious kingdom, where they shall reign together in all happiness for evermore; and therefore being mutually conjoined in so many bonds of love, they are to respect one another more then those, who being only a kin unto them in the flesh, are enemies to their profession, yea even to themselves, for being worldlings they love only their own, and not those whom 2Christ hath chosen out of the world; yea enemies to Gods grace and strangers to the common-wealth ⟨p. 134⟩of Israel, vassals of Satan, and in the state of perdition. And for this also we have our warrant out of the Scriptures; for as we are bound to do good unto all, so especially to those who are of the household of faith. Gal. 6. 10. As our 3mercy must extend to all, so principally to our brethren who stand in need, 1. Joh. 3. 17. As we must 4communicate unto all that want, so it is required chiefly that we distribute unto the necessity of the Saints. Rom. 12. 13. And these alms above others have the special promises of reward. So 5Math. 10. 41. He that receiveth a Prophet in the 6name of a Prophet, shall have a Prophets reward, and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous mans reward.
So that all these are in their order to be releiued before all others by the expresse commandement of almighty God, euen before those who are vertuous and religious, being not so neere vnto vs in these bondes of nature. But next as (I take it) our spirituall kindred is to take place, and in our works of mercy to be preferred before those who are only a kinne vnto vs in the flesh. I say only, because if our kindred in the flesh be also vertuous & religious, they are to be preferred before the other; yea though they haue not attained vnto that measure and degree of grace and godlinesse, so that it be in them in substance and truth, and not onely in a generall, bare, and vnfruitfull profession; as it is in many amongst vs, who though they are content to be called by the name of Christians, yet are in truth deuoted wordlings, who professing Christ with their mouthes deny him in their liues and workes. For the faithfull are 1children of the same father, members of the same body whereof Christ is the head, and coheires of the same glorious kingdome, where they shall raigne together in all happines for euermore; and therefore being mutually conioyned in so many bondes of loue, they are to respect one another more then those, who being onely a kinne vnto them in the flesh, are enemies to their profession, yea euen to themselues, for being worldlings they loue onely their owne, and not those whom 2Christ hath chosen out of the world; yea enemies to Gods grace and strangers to the common-wealth ⟨p. 134⟩of Israel, vassals of Sathan, and in the state of perdition. And for this also we haue our warrant out of the Scriptures; for as wee are bound to do good vnto all, so especially to those who are of the houshold of faith. Gal. 6. 10. As our 3mercy must extend to all, so principally to our brethren who stand in neede, 1. Ioh. 3. 17. As we must 4communicate vnto all that want, so it is required chiefly that we distribute vnto the necessity of the Saints. Rom. 12. 13. And these almes aboue others haue the speciall promises of reward. So 5
- 1Tit 1. 16.
- 2Joh. 7. 5. 6. 7. & 15. 19.Ioh. 7. 5. 6. 7. & 15. 19.
- 3Gal. 6. 10.
- 41. Joh. 3. 17.1. Ioh. 3. 17.
- 5Rom. 12. 13.
- 6Math. 10. 41.
