things which the Gentiles are so thoughtful about, and which your heavenly Father knows that you want. but first seek the kingdom of God, and that righteousness which leads to it, and all these things shall be superadded. be not

but the gate which leads to life is narrow, and the way is difficult, and few there be that find it.

nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staves: for the workman deserves his maintenance.

the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

So it was when a man was going to travel into a foreign country, he called his servants, and delivered to them his stock:

In the evening a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself was Jesus's disciple,

is not he the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, of Juda and Simon? are not these his sisters, who are here with us? and they were scandalized at him.

then Jesus looking upon him with a favourable eye, said, there is one thing still to be done; go, sell all your estate, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; then come, take up the cross, and follow me.

but shall receive at present in this age, what will be a hundred times better to him, than houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, tho' with persecution: and in the age to come eternal life.

Then directing himself to his disciples, he said, blessed are ye, that are poor: for the divine kingdom is yours.

Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's high-steward: Susanna, and several others, who assisted him with their fortunes.

carry neither purse, nor bag, nor shoes; neither salute any man by the way.

but God said to him, thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee: who then shall enjoy what thou hast provided? such is he, who heaps up his treasure here, and makes no provision for another world.

I advise you in like manner to lay out your fallacious treasure in acts of charity, that when you die, they may secure to you everlasting habitations.

There was a rich man, who used to dress in purple and fine linnen, and pass his days in pomp and luxury.

one Zaccheus, a rich man, and collector-general of the customs,

but Zaccheus address'd himself to Jesus, and said, Lord, half my estate I give to the poor; and if I have wrong'd any man, I will give him four times the value. then said Jesus, speaking of him, this day is salvation come to this family, since he is now become a true son of Abraham.

a nobleman, said he, was going to travel to a foreign country, in order to have his kingdom confirm'd to him at his return.

but now, said he, let him that hath a purse, and a bag, take them both; and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment to buy one.

for his disciples were gone away to the city to buy provisions.

but the company at table did not know what he meant by saying so.

All that believed were united together, and had all things in common, so that they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the money to every one as his occasions required.

for there was no poor among them, because as many as bad lands or houses, sold them, and brought the value, which they laid down at the apostles feet: and they distributed it to every man as his occasions required. read more. among the rest one Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (that is to say, the son of consolation) a Levite, and a native of Cyprus, sold an estate he had, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet.

was not the estate your own estate? and was not the price for which it was sold, all in your own hands? how came such a design as this in your heart? thou hast not lyed unto men, but unto God.

summon'd the company, and thus address'd them, "tho' you know, sirs, it is by this craft that we are in such plight,

exercise yourself in piety: for those exercises which relate only to the body are of little consequence, but piety is of absolute use, having the promises both of the present life, and of the life that is to come.

themselves to temptations and snares, and to many foolish noxious passions, which plunge men into ruin and perdition. for the love of money is the root of all evil: which some having obtain'd, have revolted from the faith, and brought upon themselves variety of piercing pains.

Charge those that are rich in this world, not to be elated, not to depend upon their perishable wealth, but upon the God of life, who furnishes us with every thing in plenty for our enjoyment; to be beneficent, to be rich in good works, to be liberal to the common fund, read more. securing to themselves a well-grounded expectation of obtaining hereafter an immortal life.

My brethren, let not your christian profession be accompanied with partiality. when any one, adorn'd with a gold ring, and a splendid dress, enters into your assembly; and a poor man comes in meanly habited: read more. if you should respectfully say to the suit of fine cloths, sit you there, that's for quality; and to the poor man, stand thou there, or place your self at my feet: have not you made an arbitrary distinction, don't your judgments flow from a vicious principle? consider, my dear brethren, has not God chose the poor of this world to be rich by faith, and to inherit the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? but you, who despise the poor, are not you oppress'd by the rich? is it not they who drag you to their tribunals? they who blaspheme that sacred name by which you are distinguish'd? If, agreeably to the scriptures, you observe that royal law, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self," you do well.

As for you that are rich: weep, and lament the miserys that are falling upon you. your wealth is wasted, your wardrobe is devour'd by the worm, read more. and your gold and silver by rust: that rust shall convict you: that rust shall corrode your flesh like a caustic, which you have treasur'd up against the last days. hark! what a noise there is of hire, of which you cheated the labourers, who gather'd in your harvest! the cries of the reapers have reach'd even the Lord of the celestial militia. you have liv'd on the earth in voluptuousness and luxury: you have indulg'd your selves as in a day of sacrifice:

you say you are rich, and have increased your gain, and have need of nothing; but you do not consider that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.