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ciously removed from it, that, if Poffible, they may be fafely Reftored to it again.

Lastly, If we caft our Eyes upon the Places appropriated to the Confinement and Employment of Vagrants and Vicious Perfons; * Thofe likewise will be found proper Repofitories of the Mammon of Unrighteousness. Imprisonment is as neceffary an effect of Charity, in this cafe, as Redemption from it is in others. The Jews did wifely feclude their Lepers from the most publick Places of Concourse, to prevent the mischief of spreading Infection. And by how much Mens Souls are more Valuable than their Bodies; fo much more Solicitous fhould we be to prevent the propagation of Vice than of Leprofie; which cannot poffibly be effected, if thofe Profligate Perfons, who are confined for their Enormities, were fuffer'd to breath in the open Air. And yet, whilst you thus abandon them from common Conversation, you do not only provide for the Prefervation of O

*Bridewell, and the Work-Houfe.

thers

thers, but likewise for their own Deliverance. You prevent their running into the Occafions of Sin, and reduce them from Idleness, that Fruitful parent of Vice, to an Innocent and useful courfe of Life, to Confideration, and the means of Repentance. Since then there is more joy in heaven over one finner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine Just perfons, who need no repentance; How acceptable unto God muft that Charity be, whereby the most Desperate offenders are rescued from the very Jaws of Eternal Death?

These are Unexceptionable Objects of Charity; And the Hands, through which the Effects of Charity are transmitted to them, are likewife Unexceptionable. Here is no room for that Little, Trivial fubterfuge of Uncharitable Men, which they are fo frequently infinuating, as a Cover for their Narrow and Base Spirits, That Charitable Gifts are often mifapplied. Here is a Sure foundation for their good works to reft upon; Let them bring in their fruits of Charity into these Treafuries; which are so managed, that

they

they are not strain'd, even with the Sufpicion of Embezlement, or Misapplicati

on.

Let it be frequently and seriously revolved in our minds, That when our Lord fhall appear the Second time, coming in the clouds of heaven, and Summon every one of his Servants, to bring in the accounts of his Stewardship; we shall not only be charged with the utmost of our Abilities to do Good Works, but with all Opportunities of doing them. And Bleffed will thofe Servants be, who have faithfully and cheerfully embraced all proper occafions of making to themselves friends of the Mammon of Unrighteousness; of converting even their Earthly and Corruptible Treafures, into an inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled, and that fadeth not away, referved for them in Heaven, through the Merits and Mediation of Jefus Christ our Lord; To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghoft, Three Perfons and One God, be all Honour and Glory, henceforth and for evermore.

Amen.

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SERMON IV.

Before the Sons of the
Clergy.

I COR. XIII. 13.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of thefe is charity.

HIS Account of Charity was occafion'd by anUndueEftimate, which the Corinthians had made of their High Qualifications and Endowments. God had Bleffed them with a Variety of Extraordinary Gifts; but so it happen'd, that, according to the common Frailties and Infirmities of Men, they Mifapplied, or Overlook'd the Wife purposes of God, and, having too Little regard

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regard to His honour, They had too Much to their Own.

That they might not therefore fink, from the Spirit of Chrift, into a Spirit of Envy or Vainglory, or Intirely devote their Zeal to thofe Eminent Gifts, which were most apt to gain Admiration and Applaufe, the Apostle admonish'd them to measure their Efteem and Defire of every Spiritual Gift, by the Degrees and Measures of the Benefits arifing from it. Accordingly he closeth his Account of Spiritual Gifts in the xiith Ch. with an Exhortation, that they would be Most Zealous of Thofe, which were most Useful, Covet earnestly the best Gifts; not so much Thofe, which are moft Surprizing and Astonishing, and apt to Adorn Your Characters, as Those which are most Conducive to Spiritual Edification: And then it follows, and yet shew I unto You d more excellent way, the Great Endowment of Charity, which is more Excellent and Useful, than any Other Endowments or Qualifications, how Glorious foever they may appear amongst You, or how Earnestly

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