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SIX OCCASIONAL SERMONS.

THE DUTY OF DOING GOOD,

A SERMON

PREACHED BEFORE

THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE,

AT

ST. MARY'S CHURCH,

ON COMMEMORATION SUNDAY,

Nov. 2, 1712.

GALAT. vi. 10.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

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THESE words having relation to what went before, it may be convenient to look back to the sixth verse of this chapter, where the Apostle begins his exhortation to acts of charity and kindness towards the ministers of the Gospel. "Let him," saith he," that is taught in the word "communicate to him that teacheth in all good things,' that is, in all good offices; particularly those of beneficence and liberality for their support and maintenance. He proceeds in the two next verses to press the duty farther, from the consideration of God's strict and impartial justice in punishing any omission or neglect of it. "Be "not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a "man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth "to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but" then, for their encouragement, he adds, that " he that soweth "to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.". And, to obviate any mistrust about it, he exhorts them "not to be weary of well doing," from the certainty of the reward attending it, " in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Then follows," As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially "unto them who are of the household of faith." This is the connection of the words with those foregoing, which may be sufficient to let us into the general drift and design of them at present; their more particular explanation shall come in due time and place, according to the order and method in which I mean to treat of them, as follows:

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