Secondly, by setting a spiritual edge upon our affections towards men; not to consider them after the flesh, but after the spirit, as they are, or may be in Christ Jesus our Brethren. That is to say, to walk in all things towards them, by the Law of Christian Brotherhood, and make the positive rules thereof bear the only sway in all our resolutions. For by these principles, and by these alone, we shall be enabled both to free our selves from the trouble which otherwise will fall upon us for small and inconsiderable matters of difference in judgement and practise, and also to cause all outward concernments fall flat before the Majesty of Gods will in the duties of peace and Brotherhood, but without these we shall be found void of all strength to do any such thing, and every little trifle will make us fall from our own steadfastness. Whence it is, that because these principles and duties have been and are disrespected in our work of reformation amongst those that undeniably are Brethren; therefore the scandals which are given to the weak, and observed by the wicked, to discredit our proceedings, are multiplied, to the fading of the hearts of all that are godly; nor is there any other way imaginable as I conceive, relating to conscience, fit to remove them, and to heal the breaches which follow thereupon, but ⟨p. 30⟩this, to manifest unto those that are faithful to their principles and conscionable in the Ministry, that the relation wherein God hath set them one towards another, is a brotherly Unity, which in it self is so full and satisfactory, and by his commandment is so strict and obligatory, that whosoever doth not take up the profession thereof, and endeavour to observe the duties belonging thereunto, shall not only be found a transgressor, but even inexcusable and unworthy of the name of a Christian. For this cause I have laid to heart this subject of Brotherly Unity and Forbearance, that if God permit, it may clearly, though briefly be laid open to some of the Ministry, that seem wholly to neglect the consideration thereof. For my scope is only to name the chief heads of their agreement, to show how full & satisfactory it is in my opinion to settle the profession and practise of a Christian Brotherhood between them:
Secondly, by setting a spirituall edge upon our affections towards men; not to consider them after the flesh, but after the spirit, as they are, or may be in Christ Iesus our Brethren. That is to say, to walke in all things towards them, by the Law of Christian Brotherhood, and make the positive rules thereof beare the onely sway in all our resolutions. For by these principles, and by these alone, wee shall bee enabled both to free our selves from the trouble which otherwise will fall upon us for small and inconsiderable matters of difference in judgement and practise, and also to cause all outward concernments fall flat before the Majestie of Gods will in the duties of peace and Brotherhood, but without these wee shall bee found void of all strength to doe any such thing, and every little trifle will make us fall from our own stedfastnesse. Whence it is, that because these principles and duties have been and are disrespected in our work of reformation amongst those that undeniably are Brethren; therefore the scandalls which are given to the weak, and observed by the wicked, to discredit our proceedings, are multiplied, to the sadding of the hearts of all that are godly; nor is there any other way imaginable as I conceive, relating to conscience, fit to remove them, and to heale the breaches which follow thereupon, but ⟨p. 30⟩this, to manifest unto those that are faithfull to their principles and conscionable in the Ministery, that the relation wherein God hath set them one towards another, is a brotherly Unitie, which in it self is so full and satisfactory, and by his commandement is so strict and obligatory, that whosoever doth not take up the profession thereof, and endeavour to observe the duties belonging thereunto, shall not only be found a transgressour, but even inexcusable and unworthy of the name of a Christian. For this cause I have laid to heart this subject of Brotherly Unitie and Forbearance, that if God permit, it may cleerly, though briefly bee laid open to some of the Ministery, that seeme wholly to neglect the consideration thereof. For my scope is onely to name the chief heads of their agreement, to shew how ful & satisfactory it is in my opinion to settle the profession and practise of a Christian Brotherhood between them:
