A53689:251
Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan
Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the borders, for the encouragement of the saints, travelling thither-ward, with their faces towards Zion. Or, Rules of direction, for the walking of the saints in fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel. Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall, by John Owen their pastor.Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the borders, for the encouragement of the saints, travelling thither-ward, with their faces towards Syon. Or, Rules of direction, for the walking of the saints in fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel. Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall, by John Owen their pastor.
London: printed for Philemon Stephens, 1648
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
That every man by the ordinance and appointment of God, hath a peculiar right to the use and disposal of the earthly things wherewith he is in particular entrusted, is unquestionable: The very precept for free distribution, and communication, are enough to prove it; but that these things are altogether given to men, for themselves and their own use, is denied; friends are to be made of Mammon. Christ ⟨p. 79⟩needs in some, what he bestows on others; if he hath given thee thine own, and thy brothers portion also to keep, wilt thou be false to thy trust, and defraud thy Brother? Christ being rich, became poor for our sakes; if he make us rich, it is that we my feed the poor for his sake; neither doth this duty lie only (though chiefly) on those who are greatly increased; those who have nothing but their labour, should spare out of that for those who cannot work, Eph. 4. 28. The two Mites are required as well as accepted. Now the relief of the poor Brethren in the Church, hath a two-fold Rule,
That every man by the ordinance and appointment of God, hath a peculiar right to the use and disposall of the earthly things wherewith he is in particular intrusted, is unquestionable: The very precept for free distribution, and communication, are enough to prove it; but that these things are altogether given to men, for themselves and their own use, is denyed; friends are to be made of Mammon. Christ ⟨p. 79⟩needs in some, what he bestowes on others; if he hath given thee thine own, and thy brothers portion also to keep, wilt thou be false to thy trust, and defraud thy Brother? Christ being rich, became poor for our sakes; if he make us rich, it is that we my feed the poor for his sake; neither doth this duty lie only (though chiefly) on those who are greatly increased; those who have nothing but their labour, should spare out of that for those who cannot work, Eph. 4. 28. The two Mites are required as well as accepted. Now the reliefe of the poore Brethren in the Church, hath a two-fold Rule,