2. The Possible Equality of all Men as to Condition, and as to State of Life: They are equal by Nature, and it is possible they may be in the same State of Life. You stand to Day, another is fallen; you are liable to the same Corruption, and the same Calamities. To the same Corruption, Gal. 6. 1. If any one be fallen, ye that are Spiritual restore such a one with a Spirit of Meekness, considering thy self lest thou also be tempted. Rigid Censurers may fall into like Sins, or worse themselves. Alas the Devil is very assiduous in tempting, and the Lord permits him to surprise those that are severe to others: Therefore you should show Pity and Compassion to the fallen. And then as to possibility of Calamities, Heb. 13. 3. Remember them that are in Bonds, as bound with them, and them which suffer Adversity, as being your selves also in the Body. There's a twofold Interpretation of that Place; some understand it of the Mystical Body of Christ; but I think rather it is meant of the Body of Flesh, while we are here in the present Life: Strange changes may come before we go out of the Body: they that are highest may be lowest. In 2 Kings 4. 13. We read of the Shunamite that had given Harbour and Entertainment to the Prophet, and the Prophet said, What is to be done for thee? wouldst thou be spoken for to the King, or to the Captain of the Host? and she answered, I dwell among mine own People. She was well and needed nothing, she was able to dwell at Home, ⟨p. 362⟩and to maintain her self well enough, and needed not the Prophet to speak to the King for her: but afterwards, there comes a great Famine, and her Inheritance was invaded, and she that would not be beholden to the Prophet, was beholden to Gehazi the Prophets Man. Compare 2 Kings 4. 13. with 2 Kings 8. 3.
2. The Possible Equality of all Men as to Condition, and as to State of Life: They are equal by Nature, and it is possible they may be in the same State of Life. You stand to Day, another is fallen; you are liable to the same Corruption, and the same Calamities. To the same Corruption, Gal. 6. 1. If any one be fallen, ye that are Spiritual restore such a one with a Spirit of Meekness, considering thy self lest thou also be tempted. Rigid Censurers may fall into like Sins, or worse themselves. Alas the Devil is very assiduous in tempting, and the Lord permits him to surprise those that are severe to others: Therefore you should shew Pity and Compassion to the fallen. And then as to possibility of Calamities, Heb. 13. 3. Remember them that are in Bonds, as bound with them, and them which suffer Adversity, as being your selves also in the Body. There's a twofold Interpretation of that Place; some understand it of the Mystical Body of Christ; but I think rather it is meant of the Body of Flesh, while we are here in the present Life: Strange changes may come before we go out of the Body: they that are highest may be lowest. In 2 Kings 4. 13. We read of the Shunamite that had given Harbour and Entertainment to the Prophet, and the Prophet said, What is to be done for thee? wouldst thou be spoken for to the King, or to the Captain of the Host? and she answered, I dwell among mine own People. She was well and needed nothing, she was able to dwell at Home, ⟨p. 362⟩and to maintain her self well enough, and needed not the Prophet to speak to the King for her: but afterwards, there comes a great Famine, and her Inheritance was invaded, and she that would not be beholden to the Prophet, was beholden to Gehazi the Prophets Man. Compare 2 Kings 4. 13. with 2 Kings 8. 3.
