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AND he said unto me; ‖ 1.1 Ye know that ye who are the Servants of the LORD, live here as in a Pilgrimage. For your City is far off from this City. If therefore ye know your City in which ye are to dwell, why do ye here buy
Estates, and provide your selves with Delicacies, and stately Buildings, and superfluous Houses? For he that provides himself these things in this City, do's not think of returning in∣to his own City. O foolish, and doubtful, and wretched Man! Who understandest not that all these things are other Mens, and under the Power of another! For the LORD of this City saith unto thee, either obey my Laws, or depart out of my City. What therefore shalt thou do who art subject to a Law in thine own City? Canst thou for thy Estate, or for any of those things which thou hast provided, deny thy Law? But if thou shalt deny it, and wilt afterwards return into thy own City, thou shalt not be received, but shalt be excluded thence. See therefore that like a Man in another Country, thou procure no more to thy self than what is necessary, and suffici∣ent for thee; and be ready, that when the God or LORD of this City shall drive thee out of it, thou mayst oppose his Law, and go into thine own City; where thou mayst with
all Chearfulness live according to thine own Law without Wrong. Take heed then ye that serve God, and have him in your Hearts; work ye the Works of God, being mind∣ful both of his Commands and of his Promises, which he has promised; and be assured that he will make them good unto you; if ye shall keep his Commandments. Instead therefore of the Possessions that ye would otherwise purchase, redeem ‖ 1.2 those that are in want from their Necessities, as every one is able; Justifie the Widows; Judge the Cause of the Fatherless; and spend your Riches and your Wealth in such Works as these. For, for this end has God enriched you, that ye might fulfil these kind of Services. It is much better to do this, than to buy Lands or Houses; because all such things shall perish with this present Time. But what ye shall do for the Name of the LORD, ye shall find in your City, and shall have Joy with∣out Sadness or Fear. Wherefore covet not the Riches of the Heathen; for they are destructive to the Servants
of God. But of your own Abundance which you have, do those things by which ye may attain unto Joy. And do not commit Adultery, nor touch any other Mans Wife; nor desire her: But covet that which is thy own Business, and thou shalt be saved.
Antioch. Hom. xv.
Soule.