Vol. 2

CHAPTER X. 475preserving it, but never taken up with the care ofmaking friends on purpose to procure them.say.*' 5. And into whatsoever house ye enter, firstPeace be to this house."Christian peace is the greatest good which we canwish to our neighbour. This is the wealth whichthe truly poor in Christ's account distribute in allplaces. Those who enter into houses, and creep intofamilies, only to make divisions,and to profit thereby,are very unworthy of so sacred a ministry.Nohouse is to be excluded from this blessing, not eventhat of an enemy." 6. And if the son of peace be there, your peaceshall rest upon it :if not, it shall turn to you again."God would have the word of peace delivered to all,though all be not childrenof peace and of the proraise.It belongs not to men to make this distiiiction; it is hid in God from all eternity, and shall beentirely made manifest at the end of the world. Anevangelicallabourer turns every thing to advantage,as well the hardness and impenitence of some, as thefidelity and obedience of others." 7. And in the same house remain, eating anddrinking such things as they give : for the laboureris worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house."To maintain the ministers of the church is accordingto divine and natural right; but they themselvesare not to make use of it,but only with edification,and in the spirit of poverty. That man who usesthe credit which the gospel gives him, in order toprocure good entertainment, well deserves to have noother reward. He always finds sufficient, who seeksno more than the necessaries of life : it is only sen-