The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

THIS Foundation of their Office was farther raised by the Preaching of the Gospel among the Poor. Many of them who first received it, were of that state and condition as the Scripture every where testifieth. The Poor are Evangelized, Matth. 11.5. God hath chosen the Poor, Jam. 2.5. And so it was in the First Ages of the Church; where the Provision for them was one of the most eminent Graces and Duties of the Church in those days. And this way became the Original Propagation of the Gospel. For it was made manifest thereby, that the Doctrine and Profession of it was not a matter of Worldly Design or Advantage; God also declared therein of how little esteem with him the Riches of this World are; and also Provision was made for the exercise of the Grace of the Rich in their Supply, the only way whereby they may Glorify God with their Substance. And it were well if all Churches, and all the Members of them would wisely consider how eminent is this Grace, how excellent is this Duty, of making Provision for the Poor, how much the Glory of Christ and Honour ⟨p. 181⟩of the Gospel are concerned herein. For, whereas for the most part it is looked on as an ordinary Work to be performed transiently and curiously, scarce deserving any of the time which is allotted unto the Churches public Service and Duties, it is indeed one of the most eminent Duties of Christian Societies, wherein the principal exercise of the Second Evangelical Grace, namely Love, doth consist.

THIS Foundation of their Office was farther raised by the Preaching of the Gospel among the Poor. Many of them who first received it, were of that state and condition as the Scripture every where testifieth. The Poor are Evangelized, Matth. 11.5. God hath chosen the Poor, Jam. 2.5. And so it was in the First Ages of the Church; where the Provision for them was one of the most eminent Graces and Duties of the Church in those days. And this way became the Original Propagation of the Gospel. For it was made manifest thereby, that the Doctrine and Profession of it was not a matter of Worldly Design or Advantage; God also declared therein of how little esteem with him the Riches of this World are; and also Provision was made for the exercise of the Grace of the Rich in their Supply, the only way whereby they may Glorify God with their Substance. And it were well if all Churches, and all the Members of them would wisely consider how eminent is this Grace, how excellent is this Duty, of making Provision for the Poor, how much the Glory of Christ and Honour