§. Sect. 6 Of the obiect of charity, which is our neighbours.
The obiect of this loue plainely expressed, is our neighbours, whereby we are not with the Pharises to vnderstand our friends onely, nor, accor∣ding to the vulgar vse of the word, those that dwell neere vnto vs alone, but all men, without exception, who are of the same nature with vs, con∣sisting of a reasonable soule and body, whether they bee strangers or ac∣quaintance, friends or enemies vnto vs. For all men are of the same flesh, and created according to the same Image of God, and also our brethren, as they haue all alike descended from the same first parents. And this is implyed in the Law, where that Commandement, which is giuen for the helping of our enemies Oxe or Asse, being repeated in another place, is rendred thy brothers Oxe or Asse. And the Prophet Esay maketh it a worke of mercy to couer the naked, without any exception of stranger or enemy, because hee is of our owne flesh. But our Sauiour plainely presseth this duty both by precept; But I say vnto you, loue your enemies, blesse them that curse you, doe good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully vse you and persecute you; propounding the example of God himselfe for our imitation, that you may bee the children of your Fa∣ther which is in heauen, for hee maketh his Sunne to rise on the euill and the good, and sendeth rayne on the iust and on the vniust. And also by his Parable of the man which fell among theeues, who being a Iew, was relieued by a Samaritane, though an enemy to that nation, and therefore approoued as a neighbour vnto him. All men therefore be∣ing our neighbours, they are all, in respect of their persons, to bee lo∣ued of vs, with such loue, in respect of the qualitie, as is sincere, vn∣fained, and feruent, euen as wee loue our selues; although in respect of the quantitie, wee may and ought in our loue to obserue diuers degrees. For seeing wee loue others, in, and for God, therefore wee must loue those aboue others which are of the houshold of faith, and our kindred in the Spirit, brethren of the same heauenly Father, and fellow members of the same body, in whom the Image of God most brightly shineth; so the whole Church and Common-wealth, more then a priuate man, and among priuate men, our parents, children, kin∣dred, familiar friends, and benefactours, more then strangers or ordina∣ry men.