An exposition upon the Epistle to the Colossians Wherein, not only the text is…An exposition vpon the Epistle to the Colossians Wherein, not onely the text is…

Now if we would distinctly know what it is to forbear one another, as it here imports a main part of Christian clemency; we must understand, that it is not an omission of holy duties to others, nor a refusing to satisfy others in their griefs or offences, nor a shunning of their company, nor yet a swallowing down of all sorts of injuries, committed with an high hand, without acknowledgement or satisfaction. But out of clemency to forbear others, hath in it such things as these. 1. A freedom from the thirst of revenge. 2. A bearing with the infirmities of others, which may be performed two ways; First, by covering them, and not blazing them abroad, if they be secret. And secondly, by silence, in not reproving them when they fail merely in frailty. Thirdly, it hath in it not only a bearing with them, but a bearing of them,^f and that I think may be two ways also. First, in not stirring or provoking their infirmities. Secondly, by pleasing our neighbours humour in that which is good to edification^g. Fourthly, there is a forbearance in matters of wrong to us, and thus to forbear, is not to prosecute every wrong, either by answers or by suits. And this forbearance is to be practised, when we are able to revenge, else it is no thanks to us to forbear, when we want either power or opportunity to do it. 2. Tis forbearance not to meet wrong with wrong.

Now if wee would distinctly know what it is to forbeare one another, as it here imports a maine part of Christian clemencie; we must vnderstand, that it is not an omission of holy duties to others, nor a refusing to satisfie others in their griefes or offences, nor a shunning of their company, nor yet a swallowing downe of all sorts of iniuries, committed with an high hand, without acknowledgement or satisfaction. But out of clemencie to forbeare others, hath in it such things as these. 1. A freedome from the thirst of reuenge. 2. A bearing with the infirmities of others, which may be performed two waies; First, by couering them, and not blazing them abroad, if they be secret. And secondly, by silence, in not reprouing them when they faile meerely in frailty. Thirdly, it hath in it not onely a bearing with them, but a bearing of them,^f and that I thinke may be two waies also. First, in not stirring or prouoking their infirmities. Secondly, by pleasing our neighbours humour in that which is good to edification