3 Spiritual Communion, that is, mutual dispensing of help one to another, of Exhortation, Admonition, Consolation, and Reproof, Levit. 19.17. 1 Thes. 5.14. and for temporal things we should be helpful one to another, take up quarrels, 1 Cor. 6.5, 6. pardon one another's failings, be helpful to the poor brethren, Rom. 15.15. we must not neglect, or despise one another, or carry our selves as strangers one to another, is this brotherly love, to carry our selves strangely towards them, or not care for their communion or company, never to help them? this is not brotherly love. And indeed the Sacrament invites us to brotherly love, for we are moulded as it were up into one Loaf, and drink of the same Cup, 1 Cor. 10.17. therefore if there be any strangeness, or quarrelling, or contempt between us, it is to sin against this Ordinance; if God be the God of peace, then Satan is the author of discord; how comely a thing is it for brethren to live together in unity? Psal. 133.1, 2, 3. he compares ⟨p. 76⟩it to the most precious Ointment that was poured on the head, and ran down upon Aaron's beard, and the skirts of his garments; and so what grace is poured on the eminentest Christian, must run down to the lowest, and as the Mountains let the drops of Dew which fall upon them to fall down upon the Valleys, so where God hath mounted any blessing, where God hath bestowed eminent Gifts, every one should so use his Gifts, as the lower Valleys may be the more fruitful, they the more helpful.
3 Spiritual Communion, that is, mutual dispensing of help one to another, of Exhortation, Admonition, Consolation, and Reproof, Levit. 19.17. 1 Thes. 5.14. and for temporal things we should be helpful one to another, take up quarrels, 1 Cor. 6.5, 6. pardon one anothers failings, be helpful to the poor brethren, Rom. 15.15. we must not neglect, or despise one another, or carry our selves as strangers one to another, is this brotherly love, to carry our selves strangely towards them, or not care for their communion or company, never to help them? this is not brotherly love. And indeed the Sacrament invites us to brotherly love, for we are moulded as it were up into one Loaf, and drink of the same Cup, 1 Cor. 10.17. therefore if there be any strangeness, or quarrelling, or contempt between us, it is to sin against this Ordinance; if God be the God of peace, then Satan is the author of discord; how comely a thing is it for brethren to live together in unity? Psal. 133.1, 2, 3. he compares ⟨p. 76⟩it to the most precious Oyntment that was poured on the head, and ran down upon Aarons beard, and the skirts of his garments; and so what grace is poured on the eminentest Christian, must run down to the lowest, and as the Mountains let the drops of Dew which fall upon them to fall down upon the Vallies, so where God hath mounted any blessing, where God hath bestowed eminent Gifts, every one should so use his Gifts, as the lower Vallies may be the more fruitful, they the more helpful.
