IT is, I apprehend, a grievous thing to you, to be destitute of the wonted solace, you have taken in those your most delectable Relatives, the Father, and the elder ⟨image 3⟩Brother of a Family, whereof you were the genuine, or the ingrafted Branches. Whether Nature or Choice gave you your Interest, you had a common concern, and Comfort in it. And indeed, from a Love too little common to the rest of the World. The Love that hath so observably flourished among you, and been your Collective, Unitive Bond, as it hath shown it self to be of an higher, than the Common, kind; demonstrated its own Divine Original, and that it had its root in Heaven; so have its effects been a Demonstration, what such a Love can do, for the Cherishing of Union, not only in a private Family, but in the Church, and Family of the Living God also. And how little necessary it is unto an Union, even ⟨image 3⟩there, that there be a sameness of sentiments, and Practices in every little punctilio; for a disagreement wherein, too many have thought themselves licensed to hate, and even destroy one another. As God himself was the Fountain, so he was the first object of that Love with you. And as your Love to him caused your entire devotedness to his Interest, so your mutual Love united your Hearts (according to your several Capacities) in serving it; without grudging, or hard thoughts, that each one served it not exactly in the same way. By that Love you have been undivided in your Joys, and Sorrows in reference to one another. While your very eminent Father Survived, how gladly did you pay a joint Reverence ⟨image 4⟩and Duty to him! what a glory was his hoary Head unto you! This your worthy Brother was the next resort and centre of your united respect, and delight. I doubt not you feel your loss as to both; which (though God had made a former breach upon you) the longer continuance, as well as the pleasantness of the enjoyment, cannot but have made the more sensible unto you. We are somewhat apt to Plead a Prescription for our more continued Comforts. But you know how little that avails against a Statute, as that (for instance) by which it is appointed that all must dye: Nor is it to be regretted that the absolute Lord of all, should pluck in pieces our earthly Families, for the Building and Completing ⟨image 4⟩his own in Heaven.
IT is, I apprehend, a grievous thing to you, to be destitute of the wonted solace, you have taken in those your most delectable Relatives, the Father, and the elder ⟨image 3⟩Brother of a Family, whereof you were the genuine, or the ingrafted Branches. Whether Nature or Choice gave you your Interest, you had a common concern, and Comfort in it. And indeed, from a Love too little common to the rest of the World. The Love that hath so observably flourished among you, and been your Collective, Unitive Bond, as it hath shewn it self to be of an higher, than the Common, kind; demonstrated its own Divine Original, and that it had its root in Heaven; so have its effects been a Demonstration, what such a Love can do, for the Cherishing of Union, not only in a private Family, but in the Church, and Family of the Living God also. And how little necessary it is unto an Union, even ⟨image 3⟩there, that there be a sameness of sentiments, and Practices in every little punctilio; for a disagreement wherein, too many have thought themselves licensed to hate, and even destroy one another. As God himself was the Fountain, so he was tbe first object of that Love with you. And as your Love to him caused your entire devotedness to his Interest, so your mutual Love united your Hearts (according to your several Capacities) in serving it; without grudging, or hard thoughts, that each one serv'd it not exactly in the same way. By that Love you have been undivided in your Joyes, and Sorrows in reference to one another. While your very eminent Father Survived, how gladly did you pay a joint Reverence ⟨image 4⟩and Duty to him! what a glory was his hoary Head unto you! This your worthy Brother was the next resort and center of your united respect, and delight. I doubt not you feel your loss as to both; which (thô God had made a former breach upon you) the longer continuance, as well as the pleasantness of the enjoyment, cannot but have made the more sensible unto you. We are somewhat apt to Plead a Prescription for our more continued Comforts. But you know how little that avails against a Statute, as that (for instance) by which it is appointed that all must dye: Nor is it to be regretted that the absolute Lord of all, should pluck in pieces our earthly Families, for the Building and Compleating ⟨image 4⟩his own in Heaven.
