The former Rule concerned the carriage and frame of our spirits towards our Brethren in their failings, This in their miseries and afflictions; In this also, conformity to Christ is required, who in all the afflictions of his people is afflicted, Esa. 63. 9. and persecuted in their distresses, Act. 9. 4. could we bring up our spiritual union, to hold any proportion with the mutual union of many members in one body, to which it is frequently compared; this duty would be excellently performed: no man ever yet hated his own flesh; if one member be in pain, the rest have little comfort or ease; it is a rotten member ⟨p. 71⟩which is not affected with the anguish of its companions; they are marked particularly for destruction, who in the midst of plentiful enjoyments, forget the miseries of their brethren, Amos 6. 6. if we could not feel the weight of our brethren's afflictions, burdens, and sorrow; it is a righteous thing that our own should be doubled; the desolations of the Church makes Nehemiah grow pale in the Court of a great King, Neh. 1. 10. he who is not concerned in the troubles, sorrows, visitations, wants, poverties, persecutions of the Saints, and so far as to pity their wound dings, to feel their strokes, to refresh their spirits, help bear their burdens upon their own shoulders, can never assure ⟨p. 72⟩themselves, that they are united to the head of those Saints; now to a right performance of this duty, and in the discharge of it, are required;
THe former Rule concerned the carriage and frame of our spirits towards our Brethren in their failings, This in their miseries and afflictions; In this also, conformity to Christ is required, who in al the afflictions of his people is afflicted, Esa. 63. 9. and persacnted in their distresses, Act. 9. 4. could we bring up our spiritual union, to hold any proportion with the mutual union of many members in one body, to which it is frequently compared; this duty would be excellently performed: no man ever yet hated his own flesh; if one member be in pain, the rest have little comfort or ease; it is a rotten member ⟨p. 71⟩which is not affected with the anguish of its companions; they are marked particularly for destruction, who in the midst of plentifull enjoyments, forget the miseries of their brethren, Amos 6. 6. if we could not feel the weight of our brethrens afflictions, burdens, and sorrow; it is a righteous thing that our own should be doubled; the desolations of the Church makes Nehemiah grow pale in the Court of a great King, Neh. 1. 10. he who is not concerned in the troubles, sorrows, visitations, wants, poverties, persecutions of the Saints, and so farr as to pity their wound dings, to feel their strokes, to refresh their spirits, help beare their burthens upon their own shoulders, can never assure ⟨p. 72⟩themselves, that they are united to the head of those Saints; now to a right performance of this duty, and in the discharge of it, are required;
