Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

LIV. 1. A confirmed Christian is of a peaceable spirit. He is not masterly, domineering, turbulent, hurtful, cruel, seditious, factious, or contentious. He is like ripened fruits, that are mellow and sweet, when the younger, greener fruits are sour and harsh. He is not wise in his own conceit, Rom. 12.16. and therefore not over urgent in obtruding his conceits on others, nor quarrelsome with all that cannot entertain them; nor will he easily lay mens salvation or damnation, no nor the Churches peace, upon them. He is kindly affectioned to others with brotherly love, yea, loveth his neighbour as himself, Rom. 12.10. & 13 9, 10. And therefore he doth to others as he would they should do to him; and useth them as he would be used by them: And then how far they are like to suffer by him, you may easily judge. For Love worketh no ill to his neighbour, Rom. 13.10. He is above the portion of the worldling, and a contemner of that vanity which carnal men account their felicity; and therefore he preferreth love and quietness before it, and can lose his right when the interest of Love and Peace requireth it. He is become as a little child in his conversion, Matth. 18.3. and is low and little in ⟨p. 147⟩his own eyes, and therefore contendeth not for superiority or preeminence, either in place or power, or reputation of his learning, wisdom or piety; but in honour preferreth others before himself, Rom. 12.10. He mindeth not high things, but condescendeth to men of low estate, Rom. 12.16. and therefore will not contend for estimation or precedency, nor scramble to he highest, though he rise by the ruins of mens bodies and souls. If it be possible, as much as lieth in him, he will live peaceably with all men, Rom. 12.18. For he is not one that by word or deed will avenge himself; but when the wrath of others is up like a blustering storm, he giveth place to it, he boweth before it, or goeth out of the way,