IT is the glory of God, to cover a matter, Prov. 25. 2. free pardon is the substance of the Gospel; the work of God in perfection, Esa. 55. proposed to us for imitation, Matth. 18. 26, 27, 28. Whilst me are clothed with flesh, we do all things imperfectly; freedom from failings is a fruit of glory; we see here darkly as in a ⟨p. 65⟩glass; know but in part, in many things we offend all: who knoweth how often; mutual failings to be born with, offences to be pardoned, weakness to be supported, may mind us in these pence, of the Talents forgiven us: Let him that is without fault throw stones at others; Some men rejoice in others failings; they are malicious and fail more in that sinful joy, then their brethren in that which they rejoice at. Some are angry at weaknesses and infirmities; They are proud and conceited; not considering that they themselves also are in the flesh. Some delight to dwell always upon a frailty; they deserve to find no charity in the like kind: For injuries, who almost ⟨p. 66⟩can bear until seven times? Peter thought it much. Some more study revenge then pardon; some pretend to forgive, but yet every slight offence makes a continued alienation of affections, and separation of converse; Some will carry a smooth face over a rough heart. Christ is in none of these ways; they have no savour of the Gospel; Meekness, patience, forbearance and forgiveness, hiding, covering, removing of offences, are the foot-steps of Christ; seest thou thy Brother fail, pity him; doth he continue in it, earnestly pray for him, admonish him; Cannot another sin, but you must sin too? If you be angry, vexed, rejoiced, alienated ⟨p. 67⟩from, you are partner with him in evil, instead of helping him; Suppose thy God should be angry every time thou givest cause, and strike every time thou provokest him? When thy Brother offendeth thee, do but stay thy heart, until thou hast taken a faithful view of the patience, and forbearance of God towards thee; and then consider his command to thee, to go and do likewise: Let then all tenderness of affection, and bowels of compassion towards one another, be put on amongst us, as becometh Saints. Let pity, not envy; mercy, not malice; patience, not passion; Christ, not flesh; Grace, not; nature pardon, not spite or revenge, be our ⟨p. 68⟩guides and companions in our conversations.
IT is the glory of God, to cover a matter, Prov. 25. 2. free pardon is the substance of the Gospel; the work of God in perfection, Esa. 55. proposed to us for imitation, Matth. 18. 26, 27, 28. Whilest me are cloathed with flesh, we do all things imperfectly; freedome from failings is a fruit of glory; we see here darkly as in a ⟨p. 65⟩glasse; know but in part, in many things we offend all: who knoweth how often; mutuall failings to be born with, offences to be pardoned, weaknesse to be supported, may mind us in these pence, of the Talents forgiven us: Let him that is without fault throw stones at others; Some men rejoyce in others failings; they are malicious and fail more in that sinfull joy, then their brethren in that which they rejoyce at. Some are angry at weaknesses and infirmities; They are proud and conceited; not considering that they themselves also are in the flesh. Some delight to dwell alwaies upon a frailty; they deserve to find no charity in the like kind: For injuries, who almost ⟨p. 66⟩can bear untill seven times? Peter thought it much. Some more studie revenge then pardon; some pretend to forgive, but yet every slight offence makes a continued alienation of affections, and separation of converse; Some will carrie a smooth face over a rough heart. Christ is in none of these waies; they have no savour of the Gospel; Meeknesse, patience, forbearance and forgivenesse, hidding, covering, removing of offences, are the foot-steps of Christ; seest thou thy Brother fail, pitty him; doth he continue in it, earnestly pray for him, admonish him; Cannot another sinne, but you must sin too? If you be angry, vexed, rejoyced, alienated ⟨p. 67⟩from, you are partner with him in evill, instead of helping him; Suppose thy God should be angry every time thou givest cause, and strike every time thou provokest him? When thy Brother offendeth thee, do but stay thy heart, untill thou hast taken a faithfull view of the patience, and forbearance of God towards thee; and then consider his command to thee, to go and do likewise: Let then all tendernesse of affection, and bowels of compassion towards one another, be put on amongst us, as becometh Saints. Let pitty, not envy; mercy, not malice; patience, not passion; Christ, not flesh; Grace, not; nature pardon, not spite or revenge, be our ⟨p. 68⟩
