This duty being in general made out from, and included in other former rules, we shall need to speak▪ the less into it; especially, seeing that upon consideration and supposition of our fellow-Membership, it is no more then very ⟨p. 110⟩Nature requireth and calleth for. God delighteth, as in the thankful praises, so in the fervent prayers of his Churches; Therefore he variously calleth them by several dispensations to the performance of these duties: Now this ofttimes, to spare the whole Church, he doth by the afflictions of some one or other of the Members thereof; Knowing that, that near relation, which by his institution and Spirit is between them, will make the distress common, and their prayers closely combined. Spiritual union is more noble and excellent then natural; And yet in this it were monstrous, that either any Member in particular, or the whole in general, should not ⟨p. 111⟩both suffer with, and care for the distress of every part and Member. That Member is rotten and to be cut off, for fear of infecting the body, which feels not the pain of its associates: If then any Member of the Church, do lie under the immediate afflicting hand of God, or the persecuting rage of man, it is the duty of every fellow-Member, and of the Church in general, to be sensible of, and account themselves so sharers therein, as to be instant with God by earnest supplication, and helpful to them by suitable assistance, that their spiritual concernment in that affliction, may be apparent; and that because, First, the will of God is thereby fulfilled. Secondly, ⟨p. 112⟩The glory of the Gospel is thereby exalted. Thirdly, preservation and deliverance to the whole Church procured. Fourthly, conformity with Christs sufferings in his Saints attained. Fifthly, an inestimable benefit of Church-fellowship enjoyed, &c.
THis duty being in generall made out from, and included in other former rules, we shall need to speak▪ the lesse into it; especially, seeing that upon consideration and supposition of our fellow-Membership, it is no more then very ⟨p. 110⟩Nature requireth and calleth for. God delighteth, as in the thankfull prraises, so in the fervent prayers of his Churches; Therfore he variously calleth them by severall dispensations to the performance of these duties: Now this ofttimes, to spare the whole Church, he doth by the afflictions of some one or other of the Members thereof; Knowing that, that neer relation, which by his institution and Spirit is between them, will make the distresse common, and their prayers closely combined. Spirituall union is more noble and excellent then naturall; And yet in this it were monstrous, that either any Member in particular, or the whole in generall, should not ⟨p. 111⟩both snffer with, and care for the distresse of every part and Member. That Member is rotten and to be cut off, for feare of infecting the body, which feels not the pain of its associates: If then any Member of the Church, do lie under the immediate afflicting hand of God, or the persecuting rage of man, it is the duty of every fellow-Member, and of the Church in generall, to be sensible of, and account themselves so sharers therein, as to be instant with God by earnest supplication, and helpfull to them by sutable assistance, that their spirituall concernment in that affliction, may be apparent; and that because, First, the will of God is thereby fulfill'd. Secondly, ⟨p. 112⟩The glory of the Gospel is thereby exalted. Thirdly, preservation and deliverance to the whole Church procured. Fourthly, conformitie with Christs sufferings in his Saints attained. Fiftly, an inestimable benefit of Church-fellowship injoyed, &c.
