The new command renewed, or, Love one another being an endeavour after the unity…The new command renew'd, or, Love one another being an endeavour after the unity…

The fifth Principle.

5. ¹Weigh not who speaks, nor how it is spoken, but what is spoken; you should not overvalue, nor undervalue a truth, because ye like or dislike the party or his manner of speaking. Sometime (according to the Proverb) we dandle the child for love of the Nurse, and take up an opinion for his sake that brings it; ^*and others refuse an opinion because such a one holds it.

1. 15 Principle, weigh what is spoken.
2. *Maldonate said of the explication of a place of Scripture, that it was most agreeable to antiquity, but because Calvin h•d so interpreted it, he would choose a new one. Phil. 4.15Maldonate said of the explication of a place of Scripture, that it was most agreeable to antiquity, but because Calvin h•d so interpreted it, he would chuse a new one. Phil. 4.15

But Christians, consider what you do; would a man take poison, though from a Father, or refuse a Cordial though from an enemy? It was better said, Amicus Plato, and Amicus Aristoteles, sed magìs amica veritas. And the Apostle rejoiced that Christ was preached, though they that preached him did it out of envy and to add to his bonds; go from any man to go to truth; but go from no truth to go to any man. As Christ said; the pollution is not from without, neither indeed (in this sense) the purity. What is the word the better for being in Pauls mouth, or the worse for being in Apollos? What is the Heavenly treasure the worse for being brought in an earthen vessel? or the better when handed to us by an Angel? is the word of Wisdom the better for the Wisdom of words? or is truth the less beautiful because naked and not arrayed with Satin words, and silken phrases? what though a man have neither silver nor gold to give you, is not Christ worth the receiving?