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PARTITION XVI. (Book 16)
Other Branches of our DUTY to our Neighbour. Of CHARITY to mens S••uls, Bodies, Goo••s, &c.
THE second branch of Duty to our Neighbours is Charity or Love.* 1.1 This is the great Gospel-duty, so often in∣joined us by Christ, the New Com∣mandment as himself calls it, Jo. 13 34. That ye love one another, & this is again repeated twice in one Chapter, John 15 12. 17. and the first Epistle of St. John is almost wholly spent in the perswasion to this one duty, by which we may see 'tis no matter of indifference, but most strictly required of all that profess Christ. Indeed himself has given it as the badge and livery of his Disciples, John 13. 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another.
This Charity may be considered two waies;* 1.2 first, in respect of the affections; secondly, of the actions. Charity in the affections is a sincere kindness, which disposes us to wish all good to others, and that in all their capa∣cities, in the same manner that justice obliged us to wish no hurt to any man, in respect ei∣ther of his Soul, his Body, his Goods, or his