CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

A second Rule is, To rejoice in the parts and gifts of others, as much as our own, when God is glorified by them, and to be compassionately affected in the weaknesses and failings of others. These two are necessarily joined together, and they are able to cement, and unite all differences. The former is to rejoice in other mens gifts, and abilities with that success accompanying them, as if they were our own. As we see John did, John's Disciples came with an envious spirit against Christ, and said, All men run after him. This was enough to leaven and sour John's heart, but see his excellent temper, I must decrease, and he must increase, John 3.30. he was willing that Christs light and glory should be exalted, though it darkened and obscured his. This is a good Reconciler, and the latter is a tender forbearing of one another, and suffering of one another's weaknesses, and a proneness to forgive others rashness, if the stones of Jerusalem were thus polished and smoothed, they would lie even and firm together.

A second Rule is, To rejoyce in the parts and gifts of others, as much as our own, when God is glorified by them, and to be compassionately affected in the weaknesses and failings of others. These two are necessarily joyned together, and they are able to cement, and unite all differences. The former is to rejoyce in other mens gifts, and abilities with that success accompanying them, as if they were our own. As we see John did, John's Disciples came with an envious spirit against Christ, and said, All men runne after him. This was enough to leaven and sour John's heart, but see his excellent temper, I must decrease, and he must increase, John 3.30. he was willing that Christs light and glory should be exalted, though it darkned and obscured his. This is a good Reconciler, and the latter is a tender forbearing of one another, and suffering of one anothers weaknesses, and a proneness to forgive others rashness, if the stones of Jerusalem were thus polished and smoothed, they would lie even and firm together.

A third Rule is, Love to the public good of the Church, if this did reign in our hearts, it would compose all differences. The true mothers bowels would not suffer her to have the child divided. It must be selfish revenge that shall make two enemies desire to see the ship sink in which they are, rather then they will agree to preserve it. What self-denial was that in Jonah, to give himself up to destruction, rather then have the whole ship endangered: Every one ought to say, If I be the Jonah, cast me out. Among the Romans they had a Temple dedicated Jovi depositorio, because there they would go and lay aside their mutual contentions before they entered into the Senate-house. What a shame is it when many Heathens have laid aside their mutual quarrels for the common good, and shall not the Ministers of the Gospel much more for the Churches safety?