And as we must labour when we are in company to receive, so also to do what good we can unto those who associate us. Especially, we must endeavour to take and seek all good occasions and opportunities, of speaking or doing any thing which may further their salvation, and to use all good means, both to gain them unto Christ, if we see no signs of their conversion; or to build them up in him, to enrich them with all spiritual graces, and to confirm and strengthen them unto all Christian duties, if being converted, they belong to the same household of faith. Of the former, we have the Apostle Paul a worthy example for our imitation, who though 1(as he professeth) he were free from all men, yet he made himself servant unto all, that he might gain the more. To the Jews he became a Jew, that he might gain the Jews (that is, as he expoundeth himself in the next words) to them that were under the Law, as under the Law, that he might gain them that were under the Law; to them which were without Law, as without Law (though he were not without Law to God, but under the Law to Christ) that he might gain them that were without Law. To the weak he became as weak, that he might gain the weak; and in a word, made himself all things to all men, that he might by all means save some. And in the next Chapter he saith, that he endeavoured to please all men in all things, not seeking his own profit, but the profit 2of many, that they might be saved. In respect of our brethren, which are already converted, we must, when we keep them company, perform all Christian duties which may enrich, or confirm and strengthen in them all the gifts and graces of Gods holy Spirit. To which end, we must observe ⟨p. 323⟩and watch over one another, not as curious busy-bodies, to intermeddle with their affairs, which belong not unto us, or to spy out their infirmities, that we may blaze them abroad to others; but seeing their weaknesses, that we may help and support them and their wants, that we may use all good means to supply them, and in the mean time, to cover them under the veil of charity. And finally, that we may provoke and stir up one another, to the embracing of all holy virtues, and the practising of all Christian duties, according to that of the Apostle, Let us consider one another, 3to provoke unto love and good works.
And as we must labour when we are in company to receiue, so also to doe what good we can vnto those who associate vs. Especially, wee must indeuour to take and seeke all good occasions and opportunities, of speaking or doing any thing which may further their saluation, and to vse all good meanes, both to gaine them vnto Christ, if we see no signes of their conuersion; or to build them vp in him, to inrich them with all spirituall graces, and to confirme and strengthen them vnto all Christian duties, if being conuerted, they belong to the same houshold of faith. Of the former, we haue the Apostle Paul a worthy example for our imitation, who though 1(as he professeth) he were free from all men, yet he made himselfe seruant vnto all, that he might gaine the more. To the Iewes hee became a Iew, that hee might gaine the Iewes (that is, as he expoundeth himselfe in the next words) to them that were vnder the Law, as vnder the Law, that hee might gaine them that were vnder the Law; to them which were without Law, as without Law (though hee were not without Law to God, but vnder the Law to Christ) that hee might gaine them that were without Law. To the weake hee became as weake, that hee might gaine the weake; and in a word, made himselfe all things to all men, that he might by all meanes saue some. And in the next Chapter he saith, that he indeuoured to please all men in all things, not seeking his owne profit, but the profit 2of many, that they might be saued. In respect of our brethren, which are already conuerted, we must, when we keepe them company, performe all Christian duties which may inrich, or confirme and strengthen in them all the gifts and graces of Gods holy Spirit. To which end, we must obserue ⟨p. 323⟩and watch ouer one another, not as curious busie-bodies, to intermeddle with their affaires, which belong not vnto vs, or to spie out their infirmities, that wee may blaze them abroad to others; but seeing their weakenesses, that we may helpe and support them and their wants, that we may vse all good meanes to supply them, and in the meane time, to couer them vnder the vaile of charity. And finally, that we may prouoke and stirre vp one another, to the imbracing of all holy vertues, and the practising of all Christian duties, according to that of the Apostle, Let vs consider one another, 3to prouoke vnto loue and good workes.
- 11. Cor. 9. 19. to 22.
- 21. Cor. 11. 33.
- 3Heb. 10. 24.
