And then likewise, If you have to deal with men, you 1must labour to draw them with the bonds of love; in Phil. 2. 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of Love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels, and mercies; fulfil ye my Joy, that ye be like minded, saith the Apostle. Oh! let it be through Love, that you come to be like minded; and do not think to force men into the same mind, to use bitter language and expressions to men if they differ in judgment from your selves: But if there 2be any Love, be of the same mind, labour to get into one another's hearts, if you would do good to one another. As a Minister, if he would do good to his People, he must labour to get into their hearts, that the people may love him: therefore it hath been observed that your wrangling Ministers, and bitter men, that if they be but crossed in 3any thing they presently went their own bitterness, they never do any good at all. But those that can be willing to deny themselves, and willing to suffer for the Case of the Gospel, they prevail most. And so, if you would do good for any of your kindred, do what you ca[…] get 4into their hearts that they may love you, and so […] may be a means to draw them to the ways of God: […]y Love ⟨p. 71⟩you may come to have any liberty in their hearts that you would, you may say what you will if once they be persuaded that you love them, then you may ask more liberty to reprove any thing that is evil in them, and to persuade them to any thing that is good, then they take nothing ill from you; and therefore 'tis a great disadvantage that men of sour and bitter spirits have in obtaining 5their own designs; if they once speak any thing though never so good, yet it is rejected, because that people think it is not out of Love: But on the other side, it is a mighty advantage that a sweet and loving disposition hath, let such an one speak never so, though the thing be never so harsh, yet the party will take it well, because he knows he loves him. Oh! these bonds of love, my brethren, they are mighty strong. When you meet together in any Society, if you would have any thing, do not seek to get your will by wrangling, and frowardness, but by bonds of Love. I confess there are some men that are of such perverse spirits, that the nearer one comes to them, the further they go from one, that they have even 6lost all ingenuity;
And then likewise, If you have to deal with men, you 1must labor to draw them with the bonds of love; in Phil. 2. 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of Love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels, and mercies; fulfil ye my Joy, that ye be like minded, saith the Apostle. Oh! let it be through Love, that you come to be like minded; and do not think to force men into the same mind, to use bitter language and expressions to men if they differ in judgment from your selves: But if there 2be any Love, be of the same mind, labor to get into one anothers hearts, if you would do good to one another. As a Minister, if he would do good to his People, he must labor to get into their hearts, that the people may love him: therefore it hath been observed that your wrangling Ministers, and bitter men, that if they be but crost in 3any thing they presently went their own bitterness, they never do any good at all. But those that can be willing to deny themselves, and willing to suffer for the Case of the Gospel, they prevail most. And so, if you would do good for any of your kindred, do what you ca〈…〉 get 4into their hearts that they may love you, and so 〈…〉 may be a means to draw them to the waies of God: 〈…〉y Love ⟨p. 71⟩you may come to have any liberty in their hearts that you would, you may say what you will if once they be perswaded that you love them, then you may ask more liberty to reprove any thing that is evil in them, and to perswade them to any thing that is good, then they take nothing ill from you; and therefore 'tis a great disadvantage that men of sowr and bitter spirits have in obtaining 5their own designs; if they once speak any thing though never so good, yet it is rejected, because that people think it is not out of Love: But on the other side, it is a mighty advantage that a sweet and loving disposition hath, let such an one speak never so, though the thing be never so harsh, yet the party will take it wel, because he knows he loves him. Oh! these bonds of love, my brethren, they are mighty strong. When you meet together in any Society, if you would have any thing, do not seek to get your wil by wrangling, and frowardness, but by bonds of Love. I confess there are some men that are of such perverse spirits, that the neerer one comes to them, the further they go from one, that they have even
- 12. Gain men with love in dealing with them. Phil. 2. 1, 2.
- 2The way to uniformity.
- 3Spleenful Ministers.
- 4Deal with kindred in Love.
- 5A sour disposition doth disadvantage much.A sowr disposition doth disadvantage much.
- 6But perverse spirits are otherwise to be dealt with.