First, we must strive to be like minded in matters of opinion; many discords or abatements of affection grow among Christians for their offences of opinion in divers things. It is true, that difference of Judgement should not cause difference in affection: If we cannot be of one ⟨p. 609⟩mind, yet we should be of one heart: yet we see the contrary, and therefore every Christian should make conscience of it, to be so wary and so humble in his opinions, especially in things doubtful, or not so necessary, as to take heed of admitting what might show dissent from the godly; or if he must needs dissent, yet to be very wary how he discover it to the vexation or entanglement of others. Now because this is very hard to persuade Christians unto; mark how vehemently the Apostle speaks of it, Rom. 15. 5, 6. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded, that ye may with one mouth and one mind glorify God. We must learn of the Apostle to pray fervently for this, that our natures, and the natures of others, with whom we converse, may be fitted hereunto: and, 1 Corinth. 1. 10. the Apostle adjures them ⟨p. 610⟩by the name of Jesus: I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions amongst you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgement. And in the Epistle to the Philippians, Chap. 2. ver. 1, 2, 3. he urgeth them with strange vehemency, to import the necessity of this duty: If, saith he, there be any consolation in Christ, or any fellowship of the Spirit, or any bowels of mercy, be like minded, having the same love, being of one mind. And certainly, this earnestness in requiring this duty imports, that some perverse Christians will smoke one day for their presumption, and waywardness, and pride of opinions.
First, we must striue to be like minded in matters of opinion; many discords or abatements of affection grow among Christians for their offences of opinion in diuers things. It is true, that difference of Iudgement should not cause difference in affection: If we cannot be of one ⟨p. 609⟩minde, yet we should be of one heart: yet we see the contrary, and therefore euery Christian should make conscience of it, to be so wary and so humble in his opinions, especially in things doubtfull, or not so necessary, as to take heed of admitting what might shew dissent from the godly; or if he must needs dissent, yet to be very wary how he discouer it to the vexation or entanglement of others. Now because this is very hard to perswade Christians vnto; marke how vehemently the Apostle speaks of it, Rom. 15. 5, 6. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to bee like minded, that ye may with one mouth and one mind glorifie God. Wee must learne of the Apostle to pray feruently for this, that our natures, and the natures of others, with whom we conuerse, may be fitted hereunto: and, 1 Corinth. 1. 10. the Apostle adi•res them ⟨p. 610⟩by the name of Iesus: I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Iesus Christ, that ye all speake the same thing, and that there be no diuions amongst you, but that yee bee perfectly ioyned together in the same mind, and in the same iudgement. And in the Epistle to the Philippians, Chap. 2. ver. 1, 2, 3. he vrgeth them with strange vehemencie, to import the necessity of this duty: If, saith he, there be any consolation in Christ, or any fellowship of the Spirit, or any bowels of mercy, be like minded, hauing the same loue, being of one mind. And certainely, this earnestnesse in requiring this duty imports, that some peruerse Christians will smoake one day for th•ir presumption, and waywardnesse, and pride of opinions.
