A sermon preached at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, on Thursday, April 4, 1754. On occasion of the anniversary meeting of the trustees of the Public Infirmary in James-street, Westminster / By John Butler.

  • John Butler
Date:
1754
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A sermon preached at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, on Thursday, April 4, 1754. On occasion of the anniversary meeting of the trustees of the Public Infirmary in James-street, Westminster / By John Butler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/40 (page 12)
    [.12 ] by giving up his Poffeffions to his Prafpeds in another State,, the Gofpel became giad Tidings to the Poor, in every Senfe. In time, as the frequent obfervation of diftreffes improved the Experience of Chriftians, it fuggefted new Methods of Charity, and, among others, that excellent one of public Hoipitals for the reception of thofe, whom the two greateft natural Evils of life, Sicknefs and Po¬ verty, expofe to the Mercy, or the Neglect of the world. So that it may be truly faid, that thefe noble Inftitutions, the highefl Effort of the unit¬ ed Charity of Individuals, are particularly a Christian Invention. f As fuch, they fhared too in the-Corruptions of ChrifHanity. Idlenefs and Superftition ufurp— ed the Rights of Sicknefs and Poverty; falfe Cha¬ rity was applied to the fupport of falfe Humility j and in thofe who profeffed the Chriftian Religion thus difguifed, the Spirit of it was proportionably defaced; the natural Returns of Love for the infinite Goodnefs of God were, in great meafure, perverted to mere Raptures, infignificant Devo¬ tion, and the fupport of ufelefs Foundations, which had the effedt of impoverifhing the Givers, with¬ out conveying any real Benefit to the Receivers, or to the Public,