Fourthly, we must be fervent in love towards those with whom we consort, which will make us ready to perform all other duties unto them, according to that of the Apostle, Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another, hath fulfilled the Law. Love worketh no ill to his 1neighbour, &c. And this love will unite us together, for it is the bond of perfection, or a most perfect bond, which knitteth us together one with another. Fifthly, As we are of the same company, so we must labour to 2be of the same mind, and to mind the same things, and to be of the 3same affections, rejoicing with them that rejoice, and weeping with them that ⟨p. 307⟩weep, and to walk by the same rule, as the Apostle speaketh, so far forth as will stand with truth and justice. For if our bodies be united by society, our minds and hearts being disjoined and disjointed, we shall be but tied together like Samsons Foxes by the tails, with firebrands between them; and looking with our faces a contrary way, shall hinder one another in all good proceedings. Sixthly, we must not carry our selves proudly towards one another, nor being wise in our own conceits, mind high things; 4for this will make us so stiff in our opinions, that we will not bow unto any mans judgement, but rather break off all friendship and society about every trifle, then we will seem to take the least foil. But contrariwise, we must be of humble minds and meek spirits towards one another, condescending to men even of low estate, in matters of truth, and things indifferent and of small weight, or dissenting from them in love, and after a meek and peaceable manner. Finally, we must be patient and peaceable in all our conversation, and be much more ready to bear, then offer injuries, according to the Apostles rule; Recompense unto no man evil for 5evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. To which end we must (as elsewhere he exhorteth us) Put on (as the elect of God, holy and beloved) bowels of mercies, kindness, 6humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave us.
Fourthly, we must be feruent in loue towards those with whom we consort, which will make vs ready to performe all other duties vnto them, according to that of the Apostle, Owe no man any thing, but to loue one another: for he that loueth another, hath fulfilled the Law. Loue worketh no ill to his 1neighbour, &c. And this loue will vnite vs together, for it is the bond of perfection, or a most perfect bond, which knitteth vs together one with another. Fifthly, As we are of the same company, so wee must labour to 2be of the same minde, and to minde the same things, and to bee of the 3same affections, reioycing with them that reioyce, and weeping with them that ⟨p. 307⟩weepe, and to walke by the same rule, as the Apostle speaketh, so farre foorth as will stand with truth and iustice. For if our bodies be vnited by society, our minds and hearts being disioyned and disioynted, wee shall bee but tyed together like Samsons Foxes by the tailes, with firebrands betweene them; and looking with our faces a contrary way, shall hinder one another in all good proceedings. Sixthly, we must not carry our selues proudly towards one another, nor being wise in our owne conceits, mind high things; 4for this will make vs so stiffe in our opinions, that we will not bow vnto any mans iudgement, but rather breake off all friendship and society about euery trifle, then we will seeme to take the least foyle. But contrariwise, we must be of humble mindes and meeke spirits towards one another, condescending to men euen of low estate, in matters of truth, and things indifferent and of small waight, or dissenting from them in loue, and after a meeke and peaceable manner. Finally, wee must bee patient and peaceable in all our conuersation, and be much more ready to beare, then offer iniuries, according to the Apostles rule; Recompence vnto no man euill for 5euill. Prouide things honest in the sight of all men. Bee not ouercome of euill, but ouercome euill with good. To which end wee must (as elsewhere hee exhorteth vs) Put on (as the elect of God, holy and beloued) bowels of mercies, kindnesse, 6humblenesse of minde, meekenesse, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiuing one another, if any man haue a quarrell against any, euen as Christ forgaue vs.
- 1Rom. 13. 8, 10. Col. 3. 14.
- 21. Pet. 3. 8.
- 3Rom. 12. 15. Phil. 3. 16.
- 4Rom. 12. 16.
- 5Rom. 12. 17, 21.
- 6Col. 3. 12, 13.
