We have thus largely considered the Duty here required, which the Apostle would further have to be such a Moderation as becometh them as Christians. And therefore the Precept is closed in on all sides of the Text with certain peculiarities of Christians, Rejoicing in the Lord, Verse 4. And ⟨p. 31⟩what can befall a man to shake and discompose his Heart, who hath a Lord always to rejoice in? nearness of that Lord, the Lord is at hand; And what is there in all the World, the beauty whereof can bewitch with Inordinate Love, the evil whereof can tempt to Immoderate Fears the Heart which can by Faith see Christ coming quickly with a far more exceeding and abundant weight of glory? An access in Prayer and Supplication unto the Throne of Grace, v. 6. And what Evils can disquiet the Heart of that Man with anxious, excessive, and discruciating Cares, who hath the bosom of a Father in Heaven to pour out his Requests into? Lastly, the peace of God which passeth all understanding; and what Perturbations are able to storm such a Soul as is garrisoned with Divine peace? There is a mere philosophical Moderation, quae mimice affectat veritatem, as Tertullian speaks. But Christian Moderation is that which is founded in the Law of Christ; which requireth us not to resist Evil, to love our Enemies, to Bless them that Curse us, to do Good unto those that Hate us, to recompense to no man Evil for Evil, to ⟨p. 32⟩weep as though we wept not, and to rejoice as though we rejoiced not. It is founded in the love of Christ, the sense and comfort whereof balanceth the Soul against the assault of any other Perturbations. It is Regulated by the Example of Christ, of whom we learn to be meek and lowly, to forbear and to forgive, who when he was reviled reviled not again, who prayed for his Persecutors, and saved them by that Blood which their own hands had shed. It is wrought by the spirit of Christ, the fruits whereof are Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Meekness, as the Apostle speaks. It is ordered to the glory of Christ, and honour of Christianity, when by our Moderation we adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour, being blameless, and harmless, the Sons of God without rebuke, shining as Lights in the World.
We have thus largely considered the Duty here required, which the Apostle would further have to be such a Moderation as becometh them as Christians. And therefore the Precept is closed in on all sides of the Text with certain peculiarities of Christians, Rejoycing in the Lord, Verse 4. And ⟨p. 31⟩what can befall a man to shake and discompose his Heart, who hath a Lord alwayes to rejoyce in? nearness of that Lord, the Lord is at hand; And what is there in all the World, the beauty whereof can bewitch with Inordinate Love, the evil whereof can tempt to Immoderate Fears the Heart which can by Faith see Christ coming quickly with a farr more exceeding and abundant weight of glory? An access in Prayer and Supplication unto the Throne of Grace, v. 6. And what Evils can disquiet the Heart of that Man with anxious, excessive, and discruciating Cares, who hath the bosome of a Father in Heaven to powre out his Requests into? Lastly, the peace of God which passeth all understanding; and what Perturbations are able to storm such a Soul as is garrison'd with Divine peace? There is a mere philosophical Moderation, quae mimice affectat veritatem, as Tertullian speaks. But Christian Moderation is that which is founded in the Law of Christ; which requireth us not to resist Evil, to love our Enemies, to Bless them that Curse us, to do Good unto those that Hate us, to recompence to no man Evil for Evil, to ⟨p. 32⟩weep as though we wept not, and to rejoyce as though we rejoyced not. It is founded in the love of Christ, the sense and comfort whereof ballanceth the Soul against the assault of any other Perturbations. It is Regulated by the Example of Christ, of whom we learn to be meek and lowly, to forbear and to forgive, who when he was reviled reviled not again, who prayed for his Persecutors, and saved them by that Blood which their own hands had shed. It is wrought by the spirit of Christ, the fruits whereof are Love, Ioy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Meekness, as the Apostle speaks. It is ordered to the glory of Christ, and honour of Christianity, when by our Moderation we adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour, being blameless, and harmless, the Sons of God without rebuke, shining as Lights in the World.
