A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

And therefore it is notable, that it is not said that they sold all they had, but only their Possessions and Inheritances, Acts 4.34, 35. As many as were Possessors of Lands or Houses, sold them, and brought the Prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the Apostles Feet, &c. And still it was free; yet it was not taken from them, but freely given by them; it was not catch who catch can, but Distribution was made unto every Man according as he had need, ver. 35. Some good People kept their Houses still, as Mary had her House, Acts 12.12. He came to the House of Mary.

2. Have wicked Men any Right in what they do possess? or may they be spoiled as the Canaanites were, and outed of all their Possessions? I answer, Wicked Men have a civil Right, and that is Bank enough against Violence and Invasion of Property; or suppose there were no other Title but Grace, and a Man that had not Grace were an Usurper, what a World of Inconveniences and Confusions would follow? If one Man were made Judg of another Man's Grace, how should we know who had a Right? Give unto Cesar the things that are Cesar's: if it were so, we could not trade with them: but Abraham bought the Field of Mamre. Wicked Men have a civil Right: but that is not all, they have a Right before God, a common Right of Providence, so that they are not Usurpers of what they do possess, it is their Portion, Psal. 17.14. From Men of the World, which have their Portion in this Life, and whose Belly thou fillest with thy hid Treasure. It is true, they have made a Forfeiture as to God, and deserve to lose all, but the Sentence of the Law is not executed upon them; and therefore by the Gift and Indulgence of God they have a just and free use of such things as fall to their share and portion. There cannot be a better Title than God's own Gift: now God in the general course of his Providence, giveth wicked Men many things, as he gave Tyre to Nebuchadnezzar. He that giveth them their Lives, giveth them Meat and Drink; they do him common Service, and God rewardeth them with common Mercies. But they have not such a Right as God's Children, a Right from the Covenant of Grace, from God's Love, and for their good, but their Blessings are salted with a Curse.