Charity and Integrity of Life, Title page – Dedication
CHARITY AND Integrity of Life THE Pure ESSENTIALS OF Chriſtian Religion: OR MEDITATIONS On James 1.27.
By T. G. M. A.
But to do Good, and Communicate, forget not; for with ſuch Sacrifices God is well pleaſed,
Heb 13.16.
LONDON, Printed by J. Bradford, for the Author, 1696.
To the Moſt Reverend Father in God, THOMAS, by Divine Providence, Archbiſhop of CANTERBƲRY.
REligion being of that great Excellency as to teach us the Love of God, and our Neighbour, how to Reverence him, and how to be tender-hearted to our Brethren, ſo as we may beſt enjoy our ſelves, and benefit others, I hope you will be pleaſed not to refuſe this enſuing Diſcourſe a juſt title to your Patronage. 'Tis true, they who go back from theſe Duties of Exemplary Piety and Charity, neither regard what Rules they have preſcribed, nor what Practice they have directed, nor do they regard any thing that carries the face of Love and true Munificence, and are only valiant in breaking thoſe Laws, which Heaven hath made Eternal, ſuch a ſort of Men have commonly great Judgments denounced againſt them. They are depriv'd of the Divine Protection here while they live, and after their Death no Man lamenteth. But on the contrary, many Bleſſings and Rewards are Entail'd upon Pious and Liberal, the Favour of God in pardoning our Sins, a promiſed Security from Incumbent Evils, a bountiful Support under Afflictions, and at length a certain Reception into Eternal Glory. Cornelius was heard for his Devout Life and Alms-giving. But that I may not be too prolix, if you diſcern any Imperfections in the Copy, let not theſe Celeſtial Graces, for my ſake, fall under any Imputation, that need no ſuch Advocate as I am, or ſuch a common Pen, but one from an Angel's Wing to advance their Eſteem.
There's a Beauty in Holineſs beyond that of State, and a Glory in Humility above the proud Inſcription of Monarchs; both theſe wait upon Charity and Integrity of Life, and are the only Ornaments of our Chriſtian Profeſſion. But here that Diſreſpect you have to the Diſregarders of theſe Duties, puts a ſtop to my Pen, forbidding me to be too curious in the deſcription of theſe Graces, which are ſo eminently viſible in your Life and Converſation. So that hoping your Candour and Good Temper will give a favourable Reception, to what I have Offered, I humbly take my leave to Subſcribe my ſelf
Your GRACE's Moſt Obedient and Faithful Servant, T. GREGORY.