Be not high minded, nor swell one against another. 1Though in outward estate some may be higher than other, yet in Christ all are one whether bond or free: all members of one and the same body. Now consider the mutual affection (as I may so speak) of the members of a natural body one towards another: not any one of them will puff it self up, 2and rise against the other: the head which is the highest 3and of greatest honour will submit it self to the feet in performing the duty of an head, as well as the feet to the head in performing their duty; so all other parts. Neither is it hereby implied that they which are in place of dignity and authority should forget or relinquish their place, dignity, or authority, and become as inferiors under authority, no more than the head doth: for the head in submitting it self doth not go upon the ground and bear the body, as the feet; but it submitteth it self by directing and governing the other parts, and that with all the humility, meekness, and gentleness that it can. So must all superiors: much more must equals and inferiors learn with humility, and meekness, without scorn or disdain, to perform their duty: this is that which was before by the Apostle 4expressly mentioned, and is here again intimated; none are exempted and privileged from it. We know that it is unnatural, and unbeseeming the head to scorn the feet, and to swell against them, but more than monstrous for one hand to scorn another: what shall we then say if the feet swell against the head? Surely such scorn and disdain among the members, would cause not only great disturbance, but also utter ruin to the body. And can it be otherwise in a politic body? But on the contrary, when all of all sorts shall (as hath been before showed) willingly submit themselves one to another, the whole body, and every member thereof will reap good thereby: yea, by this mutual submission, as we do good, so we shall receive good.
Be not high minded, nor swell one against another. 1Though in outward estate some may be higher than other, yet in Christ all are one whether bond or free: all members of one and the same body. Now consider the mutuall affection (as I may so speake) of the members of a naturall body one towards another: not any one of them will puffe it selfe vp, 2and rise against the other: the head which is the highest 3and of greatest honour will submit it selfe to the feet in performing the dutie of an head, as well as the feet to the head in performing their dutie; so all other parts. Neither is it hereby implied that they which are in place of dignitie and authoritie should forget or relinquish their place, dignitie, or authoritie, and become as inferiours vnder authoritie, no more than the head doth: for the head in submitting it selfe doth not goe vpon the ground and beare the body, as the feet; but it submitteth it selfe by directing and gouerning the other parts, and that with all the humilitie, meeknesse, and gentlenesse that it can. So must all superiours: much more must equals and inferiours learne with humilitie, and meeknesse, without scorne or disdaine, to performe their dutie: this is that which was before by the Apostle 4expresly mentioned, and is here againe intimated; none are exempted and priuileged from it. We know that it is vnnaturall, and vnbeseeming the head to scorne the feet, and to swell against them, but more than monstrous for one hand to scorn another: what shall we then say if the feet swel against the head? Surely such scorne and disdaine among the members, would cause not only great disturbance, but also vtter ruine to the body. And can it be otherwise in a politique body? But on the contrarie, when all of all sorts shall (as hath beene before shewed) willingly submit themselues one to another, the whole body, and euery member thereof will reape good thereby: yea, by this mutuall submission, as we doe good, so we shall receiue good.
- 12. Use. Dehortation from swelling one against another.2. Vse. Dehortation from swelling one against another.
- 2Gal. 3. 28.
- 31 Cor. 12. 27.
- 4Ephes. 4. 2.
