5. Let not the weak envy (though they may emulate) the strong, nor let the strong despise the weak, but be helpers of their faith and joy. Poor Babes are apt to suffer ⟨p. 15⟩their eye to be evil, because God is good, to grow sullen, if others speed better than themselves; but these things ought not to be so: for God may do with his own what he pleaseth, and give to every one as he will. Many of this form are like Davids Brother Eliab, who charged his inquisitive boldness upon the pride of his heart, and considered not that 'twas of the Lord, who had chosen and preferred him before himself who was the elder Brother, 1 Sam. 17.28. with 1 Sam. 16.6, 7. Which haply was (altâ meant repostum) the very reason of the grudge and pique against his Brother David. Saul also eyed him with an evil eye, when his Victories increased, and the ten thousands were attributed to David, and but thousands to himself, 1 Sam. 18.5,—9. Thus 'tis with weak Christians, they are apt to envy their superiors and betters the very grace of God: but let envyings as well as wrath be laid aside, which the Apostles speaks to Babes, 1 Pet. 2.1, 2. On the other hand, let not the strong despise the weak, but bear with and bear their infirmities, which is to fulfil the Law of love and of Christ, Gal. 6.2, 3. with Rom. 15.1,—7. this honour is due to these weaker Vessels, for God hath bestowed it upon them, he hath so tempered the body that the hand cannot say to the eye, I have no need of thee, nor again the head ('tis strange, for the head is Christ; yet his Church is his fullness, Ephes. 1.23. much less can any of the members) say to the feet, I have no need of you, nay much more those ⟨p. 16⟩members of the body, which seem to be most feeble, are (not only convenient, but) necessary. And not only we do, or ought to give, but God himself doth give more abundant honour to that part which lacketh, 1 Cor. 1.12.21,—24. 'Tis said, Prov. 22.2. The rich and poor meet together (in the same body) and the Lord is the maker of them all: he that made him poor, and thee rich, could have made him rich and thee poor: and as 'tis now, the rich need the poor as much as the poor need the rich; therefore despise not the poor and low. Job tells us that he despised not (nor durst to despise) the cause of his Man-servant; no, nor of his Maid-servant; no, though they contended with him;
5. Let not the weak envy (though they may emulate) the strong, nor let the strong despise the weak, but be helpers of their faith and joy. Poor Babes are apt to suffer ⟨p. 15⟩their eye to be evil, because God is good, to grow sullen, if others speed better than themselves; but these things ought not to be so: for God may do with his own what he pleaseth, and give to every one as he will. Many of this form are like Davids Brother Eliab, who charged his inquisitive boldness upon the pride of his heart, and considered not that 'twas of the Lord, who had chosen and preferr'd him before himself who was the elder Brother, 1 Sam. 17.28. with 1 Sam. 16.6, 7. Which haply was (altâ mente repostum) the very reason of the grudge and picque against his Brother David. Saul also ey'd him with an evil eye, when his Victories increased, and the ten thousands were attributed to David, and but thousands to himself, 1 Sam. 18.5,—9. Thus 'tis with weak Christians, they are apt to envy their superiors and betters the very grace of God: but let envyings as well as wrath be laid aside, which the Apostles speaks to Babes, 1 Pet. 2.1, 2. On the other hand, let not the strong despise the weak, but bear with and bear their infirmities, which is to fulfil the Law of love and of Christ, Gal. 6.2, 3. with Rom. 15.1,—7. this honour is due to these weaker Vessels, for God hath bestowed it upon them, he hath so tempered the body that the hand cannot say to the eye, I have no need of thee, nor again the head ('tis strange, for the head is Christ; yet his Church is his fulness, Ephes. 1.23. much less can any of the members) say to the feet, I have no need of you, nay much more those ⟨p. 16⟩members of the body, which seem to be most feeble, are (not only convenient, but) necessary. And not only we do, or ought to give, but God himself doth give more abundant honour to that part which lacketh, 1 Cor. 1.12.21,—24. 'Tis said,
