The country's concurrence with the London united ministers in their late heads of agreement shewing the nature and advantages of a general union among Protestants : in two discourses ... / by Samuel Chandler ...
         Chandler, Samuel.
      
       
         
           1691
        
      
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             The country's concurrence with the London united ministers in their late heads of agreement shewing the nature and advantages of a general union among Protestants : in two discourses ... / by Samuel Chandler ...
             Chandler, Samuel.
          
           [9], 98, [2] p.
           
             Printed for John Dunton ... and John Salusbury ...,
             London :
             1691.
          
           
             Advertisement: [2] p. at end.
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Church -- Unity.
           Christian union -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           Country's
           Concurrence
           WITH
           THE
           
             London
             United
             Ministers
          
           In
           their
           late
           HEADS
           of
           AGREEMENT
           :
           SHEWING
           The
           Nature
           and
           Advantages
           of
           a
           General
           Union
           among
           PROTESTANTS
           .
        
         
           In
           Two
           Discourses
           ,
           Delivered
           before
           an
           Assembly
           of
           Ministers
           in
           the
           County
           of
           Southampton
           .
        
         
           By
           SAMVEL
           CHANDLER
           ,
           
             Author
             of
          
           The
           Excellency
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Iohn
             Dunton
          
           at
           the
           Raven
           in
           the
           Poultry
           ,
           and
           
             Iohn
             Salusbury
          
           at
           the
           Rising-Sun
           over
           against
           the
           
             Royal
             Exchange
          
           in
           Cornhil
           ,
           1691.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THE
           late
           
             happy
             Union
          
           between
           Two
           prevailing
           Parties
           among
           us
           ,
           is
           a
           fit
           Subject
           of
           
             Joy
             and
             Thankfulness
          
           :
           That
           Differences
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           managed
           with
           too
           much
           heat
           for
           so
           many
           Years
           ,
           should
           now
           be
           so
           happily
           composed
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Contending
             Parties
          
           should
           mutually
           condescend
           and
           concur
           together
           in
           
             so
             fair
             an
             Agreement
          
           ,
           is
           a
           Blessing
           
           we
           have
           reason
           gratefully
           to
           acknowledge
           ;
           that
           the
           Country
           should
           so
           readily
           and
           unanimously
           agree
           with
           their
           Brethren
           in
           the
           City
           on
           the
           same
           Terms
           ,
           and
           throughout
           the
           
             whole
             Nation
          
           there
           should
           be
           such
           a
           willing
           consent
           to
           lay
           aside
           those
           
             distinguishing
             Names
          
           and
           Terms
           which
           have
           hitherto
           so
           miserably
           divided
           us
           :
           These
           things
           afford
           sufficient
           matter
           for
           praise
           ,
           to
           that
           God
           who
           rules
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           stills
           the
           ragings
           of
           the
           People
           .
           I
           have
           long
           waited
           that
           some
           Abler
           Pen
           should
           publickly
           express
           the
           Countries
           Sense
           of
           this
           great
           Mercy
           ;
           I
           said
           ,
           
             Days
             should
             speak
             ,
             and
             Multitude
             
             of
             Years
             should
             teach
             Wisdom
             :
             But
             there
             is
             a
             Spirit
             in
             Man
             ,
             and
             the
             inspiration
             of
             the
             Almighty
             giveth
             them
             understanding
             ,
          
           Iob
           32.
           7
           ,
           8.
           
           Being
           invited
           by
           my
           Brethren
           to
           Preach
           before
           them
           on
           this
           occasion
           ,
           I
           composed
           the
           following
           Meditations
           ,
           and
           have
           now
           made
           them
           publick
           for
           more
           general
           use
           .
           I
           hope
           the
           honesty
           of
           the
           Intention
           will
           attone
           for
           the
           weakness
           and
           unskilfulness
           of
           the
           Manager
           .
           I
           am
           willing
           to
           believe
           that
           Irenicums
           will
           now
           be
           more
           acceptable
           than
           they
           have
           hitherto
           been
           in
           this
           
             wrangling
             ,
             divided
          
           Age
           ,
           and
           the
           Sons
           of
           Peace
           will
           be
           no
           longer
           liable
           
           to
           Reproach
           and
           Scorn
           .
           O
           how
           happy
           would
           it
           be
           if
           this
           
             Union
             were
             more
             extensive
          
           ,
           and
           an
           end
           were
           put
           to
           that
           
             Ceremonious
             War
          
           that
           hath
           infested
           our
           Borders
           ever
           since
           the
           Reformation
           !
           
             God
             seems
             by
             his
             Providences
             to
             make
             way
             for
             such
             a
             glorious
             work
          
           ;
           he
           hath
           not
           long
           since
           (
           by
           putting
           us
           in
           mind
           of
           our
           common
           danger
           ,
           )
           inclined
           us
           to
           be
           more
           favourable
           one
           towards
           another
           :
           He
           hath
           by
           
             surprizing
             Providences
          
           exalted
           to
           the
           Throne
           a
           Prince
           of
           
             known
             Piety
             and
             Moderation
          
           ,
           who
           hath
           placed
           such
           in
           the
           
             Episcopal
             Chairs
          
           as
           are
           Men
           Famous
           for
           their
           healing
           
             truly
             Christian
             
             Spirits
          
           ;
           happy
           endeavours
           have
           been
           used
           for
           stopping
           that
           inundation
           of
           Wickedness
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           which
           hath
           so
           wofully
           overrun
           our
           Land.
           All
           these
           are
           happy
           preparations
           for
           a
           
             general
             Union
          
           ,
           and
           blessed
           presages
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           yet
           Designs
           of
           Mercy
           towards
           us
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           suffer
           our
           Enemies
           to
           prevail
           against
           us
           .
           Let
           us
           all
           therefore
           help
           on
           so
           
             good
             a
             work
          
           by
           our
           Hearty
           Prayers
           ,
           Holy
           Lives
           ,
           and
           endeared
           Love
           :
           Let
           us
           maintain
           an
           unity
           in
           Love
           and
           Affection
           ,
           though
           we
           arrive
           not
           at
           
             Uniformity
             in
             Rituals
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Ceremonial
           parts
           of
           Religion
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           to
           conclude
           all
           
           with
           the
           Expressions
           of
           excellent
           
             Bishop
             Hall
          
           ,
           Let
           us
           be
           at
           Peace
           with
           our selves
           ,
           and
           at
           War
           with
           none
           but
           Hell
           and
           Rome
           .
        
         
           That
           these
           Discourses
           may
           be
           some
           way
           useful
           for
           the
           advancement
           of
           Love
           and
           Peace
           ,
           is
           the
           Hearty
           Earnest
           Prayer
           of
           a
           Lover
           of
           Peace
           and
           Truth
           ,
        
         
           
             Samuel
             Chandler
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             1
             Thes.
             5.
             13.
             
          
           
             And
             be
             at
             Peace
             among
             your selves
             .
          
        
         
           NOtwithstanding
           the
           frequent
           commands
           of
           our
           Lord
           to
           Love
           and
           Unity
           ,
           and
           the
           earnest
           Calls
           and
           Persuasions
           of
           all
           his
           Apostles
           ;
           yet
           how
           apt
           we
           are
           to
           forget
           and
           overlook
           them
           all
           ,
           our
           unpeaceable
           Strifes
           and
           censorious
           uncharitable
           Contentions
           ,
           are
           too
           sad
           a
           Witness
           .
           Though
           our
           God
           be
           the
           God
           of
           Love
           ,
           and
           our
           Saviour
           the
           Prince
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Love
           be
           the
           last
           Legacy
           and
           earnest
           Request
           of
           our
           dying
           Redeemer
           ;
           yet
           he
           that
           beholds
           the
           bitter
           malice
           and
           envy
           ,
           
           wrath
           and
           unchristian
           Jars
           of
           the
           Professors
           of
           the
           same
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Followers
           of
           the
           same
           Blessed
           Jesus
           ,
           must
           needs
           think
           it
           his
           great
           Duty
           to
           attempt
           the
           reviving
           that
           Love
           which
           is
           very
           much
           decayed
           ,
           and
           that
           Charity
           which
           hath
           almost
           forsaken
           the
           Earth
           :
           When
           we
           see
           the
           Blood
           ,
           and
           feel
           the
           Smart
           ,
           and
           hear
           the
           Noises
           of
           Professed
           Christians
           ,
           armed
           with
           Malice
           and
           Spite
           against
           each
           other
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           every
           Messenger
           of
           Peace
           to
           sound
           a
           Retreat
           from
           this
           unnatural
           War
           ,
           and
           persuade
           the
           furious
           Combatants
           to
           cease
           those
           Strifes
           ,
           and
           forbear
           those
           hot
           Contentions
           which
           do
           so
           much
           dishonour
           God
           ,
           disparage
           Religion
           ,
           grieve
           our
           Friends
           ,
           and
           make
           such
           ridiculous
           sport
           for
           our
           Enemies
           .
           That
           therefore
           I
           may
           endeavour
           to
           allay
           these
           unnatural
           heats
           and
           disorders
           ,
           I
           have
           chosen
           the
           Words
           read
           ;
           and
           if
           St.
           Paul
           
           had
           any
           reason
           in
           those
           early
           Ages
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           (
           when
           Love
           most
           flourished
           ,
           and
           Christians
           were
           most
           peacefully
           united
           together
           ,
           )
           to
           call
           upon
           them
           to
           be
           at
           Peace
           among
           themselves
           ;
           surely
           we
           have
           now
           far
           greater
           occasion
           to
           do
           so
           ,
           since
           Christianity
           is
           broken
           into
           so
           many
           odious
           fractions
           and
           by-names
           ,
           and
           every
           little
           difference
           is
           apt
           to
           provoke
           our
           Anger
           ,
           and
           cause
           our
           Passions
           to
           boyl
           up
           to
           too
           excessive
           heights
           .
           God
           hath
           indeed
           highly
           favoured
           us
           by
           his
           Providence
           ,
           by
           now
           calming
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           removing
           our
           Jealousies
           and
           Mis-understandings
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           and
           reconciling
           those
           Differences
           which
           have
           unhappily
           divided
           us
           many
           Years
           :
           So
           that
           now
           we
           can
           strengthen
           one
           anohers
           Hands
           in
           the
           work
           of
           our
           Lord
           ,
           and
           glory
           in
           the
           title
           of
           United
           Brethren
           :
           We
           are
           now
           come
           together
           solemnly
           to
           testify
           
           our
           Thankfulness
           to
           God
           for
           this
           happy
           Union
           ,
           which
           many
           of
           us
           have
           long
           sighed
           ,
           and
           prayed
           ,
           and
           waited
           ,
           and
           laboured
           for
           in
           vain
           .
           Suffer
           me
           therefore
           to
           shew
           you
           the
           nature
           and
           excellencies
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           direct
           my self
           and
           you
           to
           those
           Gospel
           methods
           whereby
           our
           Happiness
           may
           be
           continued
           and
           promoted
           ;
           
             Be
             at
             Peace
             among
             your selves
          
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           connexion
           of
           these
           Words
           ,
           we
           need
           look
           back
           no
           further
           than
           ver
           .
           12.
           where
           the
           Apostle
           having
           persuaded
           the
           Thessalonians
           to
           a
           due
           respect
           to
           their
           Ministers
           and
           Spiritual
           Guides
           for
           their
           Works
           sake
           ,
           exhorts
           them
           here
           as
           a
           means
           to
           this
           ,
           
             to
             be
             at
             Peace
             among
             themselves
          
           ;
           as
           if
           he
           should
           have
           said
           ,
           unpeaceable
           disorders
           will
           grieve
           your
           Ministers
           hearts
           ,
           detract
           from
           that
           just
           esteem
           ,
           which
           is
           due
           to
           their
           Office
           ,
           and
           render
           their
           labours
           often
           useless
           
           and
           unsuccessful
           ;
           therefore
           be
           at
           Peace
           among
           your selves
           .
        
         
           The
           Words
           are
           plain
           and
           easie
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           need
           rather
           an
           hearty
           Meditation
           ,
           and
           diligent
           improvement
           ,
           than
           any
           laborious
           Explication
           .
        
         
           The
           Observation
           I
           shall
           raise
           from
           the
           Words
           is
           this
           ,
        
         
           That
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           and
           should
           be
           the
           practice
           of
           Christian
           Churches
           to
           be
           at
           Peace
           among
           themselves
           .
        
         
           In
           handling
           whereof
           ,
           I
           shall
           use
           this
           Method
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Explain
             the
             nature
             of
             Peace
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Shew
             the
             Advantages
             of
             Peace
             in
             Christian
             Churches
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Add
             some
             Directions
             for
             the
             better
             maintaining
             and
             promoting
             it
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           nature
           of
           Peace
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Peace
           implies
           a
           command
           over
           
           irregular
           Passions
           ;
           ungovernable
           Lusts
           are
           the
           great
           Makebates
           and
           Dividers
           ;
           
           he
           that
           hath
           not
           attained
           a
           Government
           over
           his
           Passions
           ,
           is
           unprepared
           for
           Peace
           .
           Selfishness
           and
           Pride
           ,
           Covetousness
           and
           Ambition
           ,
           Envy
           and
           Malice
           and
           Revenge
           are
           the
           bitter
           Fruits
           that
           grow
           upon
           the
           stock
           of
           our
           Ill
           Natures
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           sad
           occasion
           of
           all
           the
           disturbances
           in
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           and
           have
           rendered
           Christendom
           a
           Field
           of
           Blood.
           'Till
           these
           Lusts
           are
           therefore
           subdued
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           gained
           a
           victory
           within
           ,
           outward
           Peace
           is
           impossible
           ;
           he
           that
           cannot
           rule
           his
           own
           Spirit
           ,
           will
           never
           long
           live
           at
           Peace
           with
           others
           .
           
             An
             Angry
             Man
             will
             stir
             up
             Strife
             ,
          
           Prov.
           29.
           22.
           
           
             Be
             ye
          
           therefore
           
             angry
             and
             Sin
             not
          
           ,
           Eph.
           4.
           26.
           
           Let
           not
           your
           Anger
           boyl
           up
           to
           any
           sinful
           Excesses
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Peace
           implies
           hearty
           Love
           ;
           't
           is
           very
           hard
           and
           difficult
           long
           to
           maintain
           Peace
           with
           those
           we
           do
           not
           heartily
           love
           ,
           and
           utterly
           impossible
           to
           keep
           it
           up
           with
           those
           we
           hate
           ;
           Peace
           without
           Love
           is
           is
           no
           better
           than
           politick
           Dissembling
           ,
           and
           Peace
           with
           Hatred
           an
           insidious
           cover
           of
           Enmity
           .
           Love
           is
           the
           only
           sure
           and
           lasting
           Bond
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Hatred
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Discord
           and
           Violence
           :
           If
           we
           would
           therefore
           forbear
           and
           forgive
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           let
           the
           Peace
           of
           God
           rule
           in
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           we
           must
           above
           all
           things
           put
           on
           Charity
           as
           a
           Rich
           Robe
           ,
           
           our
           best
           Ornament
           ,
           
           and
           the
           proper
           Livery
           of
           Christians
           .
           This
           is
           indeed
           the
           distinguishing
           badg
           of
           Christ's
           true
           Disciples
           ,
           whereas
           the
           Disciples
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           were
           known
           by
           the
           broadness
           of
           their
           Phylacteries
           ,
           
           and
           enlarging
           the
           Borders
           of
           their
           Garments
           ;
           and
           of
           Iohn
           Baptist's
           ,
           by
           their
           Leanness
           ,
           contracted
           by
           Austerities
           ,
           much
           Fasting
           and
           Abstinence
           :
           Christ
           would
           have
           ●
           known
           by
           their
           undissembled
           Love
           ,
           unfeigned
           Kindness
           ,
           and
           obliging
           Condescensions
           for
           each
           others
           good
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Peace
           implies
           a
           diligent
           performance
           of
           all
           Offices
           of
           Justice
           and
           Humanity
           ;
           we
           must
           
             not
             love
             in
             word
             and
             Tongue
             only
             ,
             but
             in
             deed
             and
             in
             truth
             ,
          
           1
           John
           3.
           18.
           
           Justice
           is
           the
           Guardian
           ,
           and
           Humanity
           the
           Nurse
           of
           Peace
           ;
           the
           only
           Sovereign
           Remedy
           to
           prevent
           Disorders
           ,
           and
           put
           an
           end
           to
           Strife
           .
           Punctual
           observance
           of
           Contracts
           ,
           truth
           in
           our
           Words
           ,
           and
           sincerity
           in
           our
           Promises
           ;
           injuring
           none
           in
           their
           Estates
           by
           fraudulent
           Incroachments
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           good
           Names
           by
           slanderous
           Reports
           ,
           is
           a
           great
           conserver
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           
           keeps
           off
           those
           Contentions
           which
           otherwise
           will
           unavoidably
           arise
           .
           A
           tender
           Compassion
           to
           those
           in
           Want
           ,
           and
           hearty
           readiness
           to
           advice
           and
           assist
           ,
           relieve
           and
           comfort
           one
           another
           according
           to
           our
           particular
           Exigencies
           and
           Wants
           ,
           
           is
           also
           very
           necessary
           in
           order
           to
           the
           advancing
           Peace
           among
           Brethren
           .
           
        
         
           4.
           
           Peace
           implies
           courtesie
           and
           respectfulness
           ;
           this
           is
           not
           only
           an
           argument
           of
           a
           generous
           Education
           and
           good
           Reading
           ,
           but
           also
           a
           great
           ornament
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           required
           of
           every
           Christian
           :
           
           Christ
           indeed
           came
           into
           the
           World
           to
           sweeten
           our
           Passions
           ,
           calm
           our
           Natures
           ,
           abate
           the
           sourness
           ,
           and
           polish
           the
           roughness
           of
           our
           Humours
           .
           A
           sour
           Look
           ,
           sullen
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           scornful
           Carriage
           ,
           is
           very
           unbecoming
           a
           Christian
           ,
           is
           the
           
           indication
           of
           a
           Mind
           averse
           from
           Peace
           ,
           and
           provokes
           disdain
           in
           others
           :
           But
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           respectful
           Gestures
           ,
           courteous
           Language
           ,
           civil
           Salutations
           ,
           and
           an
           affable
           Behaviour
           ,
           are
           accompanied
           with
           such
           winning
           Charms
           as
           few
           can
           resist
           :
           And
           
             when
             a
             Mans
             ways
          
           thus
           
             please
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           they
           will
           please
           men
           too
           ,
           
             and
             our
             very
             Enemies
             will
             be
             at
             Peace
             with
             us
             ,
          
           Prov.
           16.
           7.
           
        
         
           5.
           
           Peace
           implies
           candid
           and
           favourable
           Opinions
           ;
           rash
           Censures
           ,
           uncharitable
           Surmises
           ,
           severe
           Reprehensions
           ,
           and
           unkind
           Misconstruction
           of
           our
           Neighbours
           Actions
           ,
           tend
           mightily
           to
           provoke
           Wrath
           ,
           and
           stir
           up
           Strife
           :
           whereas
           equity
           in
           our
           Censures
           ,
           mildness
           in
           our
           Reproofs
           ,
           putting
           the
           best
           Construction
           upon
           ,
           and
           making
           the
           most
           favourable
           interpretation
           of
           our
           Neighbours
           Carriage
           and
           Behaviour
           ,
           is
           the
           surest
           way
           to
           conciliate
           Peace
           and
           promote
           it
           .
           
           Christianity
           indeed
           teacheth
           us
           to
           be
           very
           severe
           in
           observing
           our
           own
           Sins
           ,
           but
           very
           favourable
           in
           reflecting
           on
           the
           Miscarriages
           of
           our
           Neighbours
           .
           Let
           others
           usurp
           God's
           Prerogative
           that
           they
           may
           do
           the
           Devils
           Work
           ,
           turn
           Searchers
           of
           Hearts
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           become
           Accusers
           of
           the
           Brethren
           .
           The
           true
           Christian
           hath
           so
           much
           to
           do
           at
           Home
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           very
           little
           leisure
           to
           look
           abroad
           ;
           is
           so
           imployed
           in
           covering
           his
           own
           Deformities
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           not
           time
           to
           gaze
           on
           the
           nakedness
           of
           others
           ;
           hides
           his
           Neighbours
           Faults
           with
           the
           Mantle
           of
           Love
           ,
           and
           makes
           all
           possible
           allowances
           that
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           action
           will
           bear
           ;
           will
           not
           conclude
           a
           Sin
           from
           an
           inevident
           sign
           ,
           as
           Eli
           from
           
           Hannah's
           Fervency
           concluded
           her
           Drunkenness
           .
           If
           our
           Neighbour
           be
           overtaken
           with
           a
           Fault
           ,
           the
           Peaceable
           Christian
           will
           not
           from
           
           one
           particular
           act
           conclude
           an
           Habit
           ,
           nor
           call
           that
           a
           Mortal
           Plague
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           only
           one
           of
           the
           Spots
           of
           God's
           Children
           :
           
           Nor
           will
           he
           pre-judge
           a
           Scandalous
           Sinners
           future
           State
           ,
           
           but
           pity
           and
           pray
           for
           him
           ,
           
           and
           seek
           to
           win
           him
           to
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           Peace
           implies
           restraint
           of
           Pragmaticalness
           ;
           if
           we
           would
           be
           quiet
           and
           at
           Peace
           ,
           we
           must
           
             mind
             our
             own
             Business
          
           ,
           1
           Thes.
           4.
           11.
           
           Those
           that
           impertinently
           meddle
           with
           things
           beyond
           their
           Sphere
           of
           Activity
           ,
           are
           
             disorderly
             Walkers
          
           ,
           2
           Thes.
           3.
           11.
           out
           of
           their
           proper
           rank
           and
           station
           ,
           are
           
             like
             him
             that
             taketh
             a
             Dog
             by
             the
             Ears
             ,
          
           Prov.
           26.
           17.
           may
           only
           irritate
           the
           anger
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           cause
           them
           to
           turn
           upon
           them
           and
           bite
           them
           .
           He
           is
           therefore
           no
           Peaceable
           Minded
           Man
           ,
           that
           
             plays
             the
             Bishop
             in
             another
             Diocess
             ,
          
           1
           Pet.
           4.
           15.
           
        
         
         
           2
           General
           .
        
         
           The
           advantages
           of
           Peace
           in
           Christian
           Churches
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           This
           renders
           the
           Church
           most
           like
           to
           God
           ;
           he
           is
           the
           God
           of
           Peace
           ,
           the
           Father
           of
           Mercies
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           full
           of
           Love
           ,
           but
           love
           it
           
             self
             ,
             1
             Iohn
          
           4.
           16.
           
           He
           is
           all
           that
           is
           good
           in
           the
           most
           eminent
           degree
           ,
           but
           he
           is
           love
           in
           a
           more
           especial
           and
           peculiar
           manner
           ;
           though
           all
           his
           Attributes
           be
           infinite
           ,
           yet
           his
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           is
           peculiarly
           Sovereign
           .
           The
           best
           description
           we
           can
           frame
           of
           him
           in
           our
           Minds
           ,
           or
           whereby
           we
           can
           represent
           him
           to
           others
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           Omnipotent
           ,
           Alwise
           ,
           Immutable
           Goodness
           ;
           under
           the
           old
           Testament
           ,
           a
           dispensation
           of
           Terror
           ,
           when
           the
           Riches
           of
           Divine
           Love
           were
           not
           displayed
           ,
           yet
           even
           then
           he
           accounts
           his
           Goodness
           as
           his
           greatest
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           charming
           Beauty
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           
           
           And
           now
           what
           better
           way
           is
           there
           for
           his
           Church
           to
           be
           like
           him
           ,
           
           than
           to
           be
           at
           Peace
           and
           abound
           in
           all
           mutual
           Offices
           of
           Kindness
           and
           Love
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Peace
           is
           the
           Churches
           greatest
           Beauty
           and
           Ornament
           ;
           
           't
           was
           this
           commended
           Christianity
           of
           old
           ;
           
           hence
           Christian
           were
           called
           not
           Christiani
           ,
           but
           Chrestiani
           ,
           from
           a
           Greek
           Word
           signifying
           their
           benignity
           and
           sweetness
           of
           Disposition
           :
           and
           
             Se●
             how
             the
             Christians
             love
             one
             another
          
           was
           a
           common
           Proverb
           in
           th●
           Mouths
           of
           Heathens
           themselves
           What
           can
           be
           more
           glorious
           than
           to
           behold
           the
           most
           harmoniou●
           Union
           and
           Communion
           of
           Saint●
           in
           the
           pleasant
           ways
           of
           true
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           !
           Rage
           and
           Fury
           may
           be
           the
           excellencies
           o●
           Beasts
           ,
           but
           Peace
           and
           Love
           is
           th●
           
           ornament
           of
           Men.
           How
           calm
           is
           the
           Mind
           ,
           how
           serene
           the
           Countenance
           ,
           how
           chearful
           the
           Discourse
           ,
           how
           sweet
           the
           Sleep
           ,
           and
           how
           full
           of
           Content
           is
           the
           whole
           Life
           of
           the
           Peaceable
           Minded
           Man
           !
           
             How
             lovely
             a
             melody
             in
             the
             Ears
             of
             God
             and
             Men
             ,
             doth
             an
             Assembly
             of
             such
             Christians
             make
             when
             united
             together
             in
             acts
             of
             Religious
             Worship
             !
          
           How
           much
           more
           pleasant
           are
           the
           smooth
           and
           even
           ways
           of
           Peace
           ,
           than
           the
           rugged
           Paths
           of
           Discord
           and
           Contention
           !
           Is
           it
           not
           much
           more
           delightful
           to
           behold
           the
           Heavens
           smiling
           upon
           us
           with
           a
           serene
           and
           chearful
           Countenance
           ,
           than
           frowning
           with
           Clouds
           ,
           or
           big
           with
           Storms
           and
           Thunder
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           much
           more
           sweet
           to
           sail
           in
           a
           quiet
           and
           calm
           Sea
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           tost
           about
           with
           a
           Tempest
           ,
           and
           be
           continually
           in
           fear
           of
           every
           rolling
           unruly
           Wave
           ;
           to
           hear
           Harmonious
           Sounds
           ,
           than
           
           grating
           Janglings
           ;
           and
           to
           dwell
           in
           a
           well
           ,
           Governed
           City
           ,
           than
           in
           a
           wild
           and
           savage
           Wilderness
           ?
           Peace
           is
           the
           way
           to
           the
           truest
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           indeed
           is
           itself
           the
           greatest
           Felicity
           :
           Hence
           the
           Angels
           in
           their
           holy
           Anthem
           ,
           when
           they
           wished
           the
           greatest
           Happiness
           to
           Men
           ,
           knew
           not
           how
           better
           to
           express
           their
           Sense
           ,
           than
           by
           saying
           ,
           
             On
             Earth
             Peace
             ,
             Good
             Will
             to
             Men
             ,
          
           Luke
           2.
           14.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           Peace
           is
           the
           Churches
           strength
           ;
           Peace
           is
           the
           sinew
           of
           Society
           ,
           as
           Mony
           is
           of
           War
           ;
           the
           Cement
           that
           holds
           the
           parts
           together
           ,
           and
           distinguishes
           the
           Congresses
           of
           Men
           from
           Herds
           of
           Beasts
           ,
           or
           which
           is
           as
           bad
           ,
           the
           tumultuous
           Confusions
           of
           the
           Rabble
           .
           Christian
           Churches
           might
           be
           immortal
           ,
           did
           they
           not
           kill
           themselves
           by
           Divisions
           ;
           the
           deepest
           Wounds
           have
           been
           given
           to
           Christianity
           in
           the
           Houses
           of
           its
           pretended
           
           Friends
           ,
           by
           Heresies
           and
           Schisms
           ,
           rending
           and
           tearing
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           Body
           .
           He
           must
           be
           a
           great
           Stranger
           in
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           knows
           not
           that
           it
           flourished
           while
           it
           walk'd
           in
           love
           ,
           and
           injoyed
           Peace
           among
           its
           Children
           ;
           but
           the
           adding
           to
           the
           Foundation
           the
           Wood
           and
           Hay
           ,
           and
           Stubble
           of
           their
           own
           Inventions
           ,
           and
           dividing
           thereupon
           ,
           gave
           occasion
           to
           the
           rise
           of
           Turk
           and
           Pope
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           dismal
           consequences
           thereof
           .
           Divisions
           stop'd
           the
           progress
           and
           cramp'd
           the
           growth
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           
           and
           hath
           so
           of
           Reformed
           Christianity
           to
           this
           day
           :
           
           The
           most
           successful
           policy
           of
           our
           Enemies
           whereby
           they
           have
           done
           us
           the
           greatest
           mischief
           of
           all
           ,
           hath
           been
           by
           fomenting
           ,
           incouraging
           and
           cursedly
           improving
           our
           intestine
           Feuds
           :
           We
           have
           foolishly
           put
           Weapons
           into
           
           their
           Hands
           ,
           or
           rather
           been
           destroying
           our selves
           ,
           while
           they
           have
           look'd
           on
           with
           Scorn
           and
           Laughter
           .
           Were
           we
           but
           peacefully
           united
           among
           our selves
           ,
           we
           should
           quickly
           dishearten
           our
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           laugh
           at
           all
           the
           attempts
           of
           Rome
           and
           France
           and
           Hell
           for
           our
           ruin
           and
           Destruction
           .
           Peace
           would
           be
           a
           mighty
           Bulwark
           to
           defend
           us
           ,
           and
           would
           better
           prevent
           the
           Invasions
           of
           our
           Foes
           ,
           than
           all
           our
           Wooden
           Walls
           on
           the
           Sea
           ,
           or
           Fortresses
           and
           Castles
           by
           Land.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           Peace
           tends
           to
           the
           comfort
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           there
           can
           be
           no
           comfortable
           communion
           of
           Saints
           ,
           no
           bearing
           each
           others
           burdens
           ,
           no
           communicating
           the
           experiences
           of
           the
           workings
           of
           Gods
           Spirit
           in
           one
           anothers
           Souls
           ,
           of
           the
           answer
           of
           our
           several
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           various
           methods
           of
           God's
           dealings
           with
           us
           in
           his
           different
           ways
           of
           Discipline
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           we
           
           are
           at
           variance
           among
           our selves
           .
           When
           Souls
           groan
           under
           the
           burden
           of
           Sin
           and
           Guilt
           ,
           never
           was
           Drink
           so
           welcom
           to
           the
           Thirsty
           Traveller
           ,
           as
           the
           converse
           of
           truly
           Spiritual
           Christians
           to
           restore
           such
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Meekness
           ,
           and
           speak
           Peace
           unto
           them
           from
           the
           Scripture
           and
           their
           own
           Experience
           .
           But
           where
           Divisions
           are
           ,
           this
           cannot
           be
           had
           ,
           or
           if
           it
           be
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           is
           often
           confined
           to
           an
           inconsiderable
           Party
           ,
           and
           each
           particular
           division
           wants
           the
           assistance
           of
           the
           rest
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           breach
           of
           their
           Catholick
           Love
           and
           Communion
           necessarily
           makes
           a
           breach
           in
           their
           comfort
           ,
           
           and
           hinders
           the
           mutual
           sympathizing
           assisting
           and
           comforting
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Peace
           tends
           to
           the
           increase
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           when
           our
           Lord
           repeated
           his
           Petitions
           for
           Unity
           ,
           
           he
           twice
           alledgeth
           one
           and
           the
           same
           reason
           ,
           
             that
             the
             World
             might
             know
             that
             God
             had
             sent
             him
          
           ;
           John
           17.
           21
           ,
           23
           :
           As
           if
           the
           union
           and
           love
           of
           his
           Followers
           were
           the
           strongest
           proof
           of
           the
           Divinity
           of
           their
           Master
           ,
           and
           the
           powerfullest
           perswasive
           to
           Jews
           and
           Heathens
           to
           acknowledge
           and
           receive
           him
           for
           their
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           ;
           as
           if
           his
           excellent
           Doctrin
           ▪
           admirable
           Precepts
           and
           extraordinary
           Miracles
           would
           not
           do
           without
           it
           ;
           and
           indeed
           though
           Instruction
           be
           necessary
           ,
           and
           People
           perish
           for
           want
           of
           Knowledge
           ;
           yet
           Instruction
           without
           Example
           will
           do
           little
           good
           ,
           and
           no
           Example
           is
           more
           open
           to
           observation
           than
           that
           of
           Peace
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           the
           want
           thereof
           in
           the
           Preachers
           of
           Truth
           makes
           the
           best
           Doctrin
           in
           their
           Mouths
           suspected
           ,
           hardens
           the
           Wicked
           in
           their
           sin
           ,
           and
           tempts
           many
           to
           Atheism
           :
           If
           you
           speak
           
           with
           disagreeing
           Tongues
           ,
           Unbelievers
           will
           say
           you
           are
           Mad
           ,
           and
           sit
           down
           in
           the
           Seat
           of
           the
           Scorner
           ,
           to
           allude
           to
           1
           Cor.
           14.
           23.
           
        
         
           6.
           
           Peace
           is
           a
           great
           means
           of
           Edifying
           by
           the
           means
           of
           Grace
           :
           The
           Apostle
           in
           Eph.
           4.
           16.
           speaks
           of
           the
           close
           and
           intimate
           Union
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           a
           necessary
           means
           to
           receiving
           increase
           from
           Christ
           ,
           and
           edifying
           it self
           in
           love
           ;
           and
           Col.
           2.
           2.
           being
           knit
           together
           in
           love
           ,
           is
           laid
           down
           as
           a
           means
           to
           the
           full
           assurance
           of
           understanding
           ,
           to
           the
           full
           practical
           perswasion
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           excellency
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           the
           want
           of
           this
           render'd
           the
           solemn
           Assemblies
           of
           the
           Corinthians
           fruitless
           and
           barren
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           11.
           17.
           
           St.
           Paul
           chargeth
           them
           with
           a
           sad
           miscarriage
           in
           their
           Spiritual
           Traffick
           ,
           growing
           worse
           in
           the
           use
           of
           what
           should
           have
           made
           them
           better
           ,
           the
           Holy
           Supper
           of
           the
           Lord
           ;
           and
           the
           
           reason
           is
           given
           
             Ver.
             18.
             
             I
             hear
             there
             be
             Divisions
             among
             you
             .
          
           Divisions
           abate
           the
           fervency
           of
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           blunt
           the
           edge
           of
           our
           Devotions
           ,
           seize
           on
           the
           vitals
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           evaporate
           the
           life
           and
           power
           of
           Religion
           in
           impertinent
           squabble
           ;
           and
           unless
           Almighty
           Grace
           prevent
           ,
           will
           quickly
           spread
           like
           a
           Gangrene
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           eat
           out
           the
           heart
           thereof
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           Peace
           in
           Christian
           Churches
           is
           an
           Emblem
           of
           Heaven
           ;
           the
           more
           that
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           which
           is
           Militant
           here
           below
           doth
           abound
           in
           Love
           and
           Peace
           ,
           the
           more
           it
           resembles
           that
           part
           which
           is
           triumphant
           above
           :
           This
           is
           indeed
           the
           great
           difference
           between
           Angels
           and
           Devils
           ,
           Heaven
           and
           Hell
           ;
           the
           Devils
           have
           great
           degrees
           of
           Power
           and
           Knowledge
           ,
           perhaps
           not
           much
           below
           what
           Angels
           have
           ;
           but
           Angels
           and
           Glorified
           Saints
           abound
           in
           Love
           ,
           Sweetness
           
           Benignity
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           the
           joyful
           uninterrupted
           exercise
           of
           mutual
           Endearments
           ;
           whereas
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Malice
           and
           Envy
           ,
           Hatred
           and
           Revenge
           ,
           is
           the
           very
           complexion
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           temper
           of
           Hell.
           But
           O
           how
           happy
           will
           it
           be
           to
           dwell
           in
           that
           Society
           ,
           where
           there
           's
           no
           Mistake
           or
           Envy
           ,
           Ignorance
           or
           Prejudice
           ,
           or
           carnal
           Interest
           to
           occasion
           the
           least
           Jar
           or
           Discord
           ,
           but
           all
           pure
           Peace
           ,
           Seraphick
           Love
           and
           perfect
           Harmony
           ,
           as
           with
           God
           ,
           so
           also
           between
           themselves
           ;
           where
           the
           strange
           Fire
           of
           misguided
           Zeal
           is
           extinguished
           by
           the
           more
           powerful
           Flames
           of
           Heavenly
           Love
           ,
           and
           the
           unhappy
           names
           of
           dividing
           Sects
           are
           no
           more
           known
           ;
           where
           dark
           and
           deep
           Mysteries
           ,
           little
           doubtful
           Truths
           ,
           and
           ambiguous
           Words
           and
           Phrases
           no
           longer
           occasion
           any
           Brawls
           or
           Contentions
           ;
           where
           Luther
           and
           Calvin
           and
           all
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           perfectly
           accord
           
           together
           ,
           speak
           the
           same
           Language
           ,
           join
           in
           the
           same
           Praises
           ,
           and
           pleasingly
           entertain
           and
           embrace
           one
           another
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           endearments
           of
           intimate
           Friends
           and
           Companions
           .
           And
           as
           we
           long
           for
           this
           Blessed
           State
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           our
           great
           Duty
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           our
           Happiness
           to
           let
           down
           as
           much
           of
           Heaven
           on
           Earth
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           to
           anticipate
           our
           future
           joys
           by
           an
           enlarged
           love
           towards
           all
           Saints
           ,
           and
           being
           at
           Peace
           among
           our selves
           .
        
         
           III.
           General
           .
        
         
           Directions
           for
           the
           maintaining
           and
           promoting
           of
           Peace
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Remove
           the
           Causes
           of
           unpeaceableness
           ;
           the
           Effects
           will
           not
           be
           taken
           away
           ,
           except
           the
           Causes
           cease
           .
           This
           Disease
           will
           prove
           Mortal
           ,
           and
           still
           Torment
           us
           ,
           except
           the
           Fuel
           that
           feeds
           it
           be
           taken
           away
           ;
           except
           that
           Generation
           of
           Vipers
           be
           slain
           ,
           which
           hath
           for
           so
           many
           Ages
           torn
           out
           the
           Bowels
           of
           
           our
           Common
           Mother
           ,
           the
           Church
           ,
           we
           must
           never
           expect
           our
           wide
           breaches
           will
           be
           healed
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           take
           a
           short
           view
           of
           those
           Distempers
           ,
           that
           have
           so
           miserably
           infected
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           discovery
           may
           help
           to
           their
           Cure
           ,
           and
           restore
           the
           primitive
           healthful
           Temper
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           and
           while
           I
           mention
           the
           Achans
           that
           have
           sickned
           our
           Camp
           ,
           and
           infected
           our
           Israel
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           cast
           them
           out
           of
           your
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           fellowship
           with
           these
           unfruitful
           Works
           of
           Darkness
           .
           Be
           ashamed
           of
           complaining
           for
           want
           of
           Peace
           ,
           if
           you
           wilfully
           cherish
           that
           poysonous
           Brood
           ,
           that
           will
           otherwise
           prove
           your
           ruin
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Unmortifyed
           Sin.
           Ungodliness
           is
           the
           great
           Divider
           ▪
           and
           till
           we
           are
           partakers
           of
           the
           same
           sanctifying
           Spirit
           ,
           't
           is
           impossible
           we
           
           should
           love
           as
           Brethren
           .
           
           'T
           is
           as
           possible
           for
           the
           Wolf
           to
           lie
           down
           with
           the
           Lamb
           ,
           as
           for
           Wicked
           Men
           to
           love
           the
           truly
           Godly
           .
           While
           we
           will
           not
           work
           in
           the
           same
           Vineyard
           ,
           nor
           walk
           in
           the
           same
           way
           ,
           nor
           chuse
           the
           same
           Imployment
           ,
           nor
           delight
           in
           the
           same
           Spiritual
           Duties
           ,
           how
           can
           it
           be
           possible
           to
           agree
           together
           ?
           'T
           is
           a
           vain
           thing
           to
           pretend
           agreement
           in
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           ,
           while
           we
           will
           not
           lovingly
           agree
           in
           practical
           Holiness
           .
           
           'T
           is
           highly
           unreasonable
           for
           wicked
           Wretches
           to
           rail
           against
           Christians
           (
           like
           Ahab
           against
           Elijah
           )
           as
           Troublers
           of
           Israel
           ,
           when
           they
           themselves
           are
           the
           Grand
           Incendiaries
           :
           These
           Men
           ,
           like
           Nero
           of
           old
           ,
           cast
           Firebrands
           into
           the
           Sanctuary
           ,
           and
           then
           lay
           their
           guilt
           at
           true
           Christians
           Doors
           :
           They
           hold
           the
           most
           damnable
           Errors
           ,
           and
           practical
           Heresies
           ,
           and
           thus
           render
           
           Union
           impossible
           :
           They
           pretend
           pity
           to
           the
           Wounded
           Church
           ,
           and
           yet
           throw
           away
           the
           Salve
           and
           Plaister
           that
           should
           cure
           it
           :
           They
           complain
           that
           the
           Garment
           of
           Christ
           is
           rent
           ,
           and
           yet
           throw
           away
           the
           Needle
           that
           should
           sow
           it
           up
           :
           They
           pretend
           to
           be
           grieved
           to
           see
           the
           spiritual
           Building
           shaking
           ,
           yet
           throw
           away
           the
           Lime
           and
           Mortar
           ,
           the
           Pins
           and
           the
           Nails
           that
           should
           cement
           and
           join
           the
           Parts
           together
           .
           Thus
           do
           they
           who
           cry
           up
           Love
           and
           Unity
           ,
           and
           yet
           hate
           Holiness
           wherein
           Christian
           Union
           consists
           :
           To
           hear
           an
           Ungodly
           Man
           ,
           who
           is
           really
           of
           no
           Religion
           at
           all
           ,
           but
           against
           the
           life
           and
           practice
           of
           all
           ,
           cry
           out
           of
           the
           many
           ways
           of
           Religion
           among
           Christians
           ,
           is
           as
           if
           a
           Blackmoor
           should
           blame
           another
           for
           a
           Spot
           in
           his
           Face
           ,
           or
           a
           Murderer
           rebuke
           a
           Man
           for
           an
           angry
           Word
           ,
           
             Follow
             Peace
          
           therefore
           
             with
             all
             Men
             ,
             
             and
             Holiness
             ,
             without
             which
             no
             Man
             shall
             see
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           Heb.
           12.
           14.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           Pride
           :
           This
           we
           find
           already
           arraigned
           by
           the
           wisest
           of
           Men
           as
           the
           great
           Makebate
           and
           Troubler
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           
             Prov.
             13.
             10.
             
             Only
             by
             Pride
             cometh
             Contention
             .
          
           As
           this
           is
           true
           of
           Civil
           Strifes
           ,
           so
           more
           especially
           of
           Religious
           or
           rather
           Irreligious
           Jars
           and
           Contentions
           ;
           Men
           are
           so
           Wise
           in
           their
           own
           Conceits
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           angry
           with
           every
           one
           that
           is
           not
           of
           the
           same
           level
           ,
           and
           impatient
           of
           Contradiction
           ;
           while
           many
           are
           very
           hot
           in
           Exclamations
           against
           the
           Political
           Antichrist
           ,
           they
           observe
           not
           this
           Antichristian
           Temper
           in
           themselves
           ;
           they
           are
           justly
           offended
           at
           others
           for
           usurping
           God's
           Prerogative
           ,
           sitting
           in
           his
           Throne
           ,
           and
           claiming
           a
           Title
           of
           Infallibility
           ;
           but
           do
           not
           these
           Fools
           envy
           the
           Pope
           ,
           and
           like
           Adam
           desire
           to
           be
           God's
           that
           their
           Name
           may
           be
           
           honour'd
           ,
           and
           their
           Will
           be
           done
           through
           the
           Earth
           ?
           Let
           us
           therefore
           entertain
           an
           humble
           suspicion
           of
           our
           own
           Understandings
           ,
           remembring
           that
           an
           over
           confident
           persuasion
           of
           our
           own
           Knowledge
           is
           a
           certain
           sign
           of
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           thinks
           he
           knows
           most
           ,
           is
           commonly
           most
           mistaken
           :
           'T
           was
           not
           for
           nothing
           that
           the
           wisest
           of
           Men
           doth
           so
           frequently
           give
           that
           caution
           ,
           
             Be
             not
             Wise
             in
             thy
             own
             Conceit
             ,
          
           Prov.
           3.
           3.
           26.
           12.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           Censoriousness
           :
           The
           censorious
           Backbiter
           is
           the
           Devils
           Minister
           to
           Preach
           down
           Love
           ,
           abate
           Charity
           ,
           and
           exhort
           to
           the
           hatred
           of
           the
           Brethren
           .
           Have
           not
           our
           unnatural
           heats
           been
           owing
           to
           this
           original
           ?
           Are
           not
           we
           too
           apt
           to
           censure
           those
           that
           agree
           not
           with
           us
           in
           every
           punctilio
           ,
           and
           readily
           take
           up
           an
           evil
           Report
           against
           them
           ?
           Is
           not
           this
           contrary
           to
           the
           lovely
           Grace
           of
           Charity
           ,
           
           which
           thinketh
           no
           Evil
           ,
           misconstrues
           not
           the
           Actions
           and
           Intentions
           of
           others
           ,
           rejoyceth
           not
           in
           Iniquity
           ,
           but
           believeth
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           hopeth
           all
           things
           ,
           
           is
           unapt
           to
           believe
           ill
           without
           apparent
           grounds
           ,
           
           and
           hopes
           as
           long
           as
           there
           is
           any
           reason
           for
           hope
           ?
           
        
         
           4.
           
           Undue
           admiration
           of
           particular
           Persons
           or
           Parties
           :
           This
           was
           the
           Corinthian
           Error
           that
           divided
           and
           miserably
           shattered
           that
           flourishing
           Church
           ;
           one
           liked
           the
           powerful
           plainness
           of
           Paul
           ,
           another
           the
           eloquence
           of
           Apollos
           ,
           
           and
           a
           third
           the
           perspicuity
           of
           Peter
           ,
           and
           a
           fourth
           was
           above
           all
           outward
           Ordinances
           ,
           pretending
           to
           the
           immediate
           Teachings
           of
           Christ.
           Upon
           this
           ,
           they
           vilified
           all
           others
           ,
           except
           those
           that
           they
           had
           set
           up
           for
           an
           Oracle
           :
           We
           may
           
           suppose
           them
           disputing
           one
           with
           another
           after
           this
           manner
           .
        
         
           One
           ,
           I
           am
           of
           Paul
           ,
           did
           you
           ne'er
           hear
           Paul
           Preach
           ?
           how
           clearly
           doth
           he
           unfold
           the
           deep
           Mysteries
           of
           Salvation
           !
           how
           sweetly
           doth
           he
           display
           the
           unsearchable
           Riches
           of
           Christ
           !
           how
           convincingly
           doth
           he
           argue
           ,
           and
           how
           excellently
           doth
           he
           direct
           in
           the
           way
           to
           Salvation
           !
           As
           for
           Apollos
           ,
           he
           guilds
           over
           his
           Discourses
           with
           specious
           Eloquence
           and
           gaudy
           Bravery
           ;
           but
           Paul
           shews
           the
           truth
           in
           the
           plainest
           Dress
           ,
           which
           best
           becomes
           her
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           Cephas
           ,
           he
           is
           indeed
           fit
           to
           Catechize
           weak
           and
           ignorant
           Christians
           ,
           but
           he
           tells
           me
           nothing
           but
           what
           I
           knew
           before
           ;
           they
           therefore
           shew
           themselves
           Men
           of
           small
           Judgment
           ,
           that
           are
           for
           Apollos
           or
           Cephas
           ;
           I
           am
           for
           Paul.
           Another
           I
           am
           of
           Apollos
           :
           Let
           who
           will
           be
           for
           Paul
           and
           Cephas
           ,
           could
           I
           sit
           alway
           under
           Apollos
           
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           how
           happy
           should
           I
           be
           ?
           How
           movingly
           doth
           he
           Preach
           ,
           with
           what
           a
           happy
           fluency
           doth
           he
           insinuate
           himself
           into
           his
           Hearers
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           Pathetical
           Eloquence
           almost
           constrain
           attention
           !
           One
           while
           he
           cloaths
           his
           Speech
           in
           a
           Silken
           Dialect
           ,
           dips
           each
           Word
           in
           a
           Tear
           ,
           and
           steeps
           each
           Phrase
           in
           Hony
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           win
           on
           his
           Auditors
           ;
           another
           while
           ,
           he
           breaths
           out
           Flames
           and
           Terrors
           ,
           and
           causes
           the
           stoutest
           Heart
           to
           quake
           and
           tremble
           .
           As
           for
           Paul
           he
           is
           rude
           in
           Speech
           ,
           homely
           in
           his
           Expressions
           ,
           and
           hath
           no
           Majesty
           nor
           Presence
           in
           a
           Pulpit
           :
           I
           admire
           therefore
           their
           Ignorance
           that
           are
           for
           him
           ;
           I
           am
           for
           Apollos
           .
           A
           Third
           ,
           I
           am
           for
           Cephas
           :
           How
           doth
           he
           stoop
           to
           the
           lowest
           and
           meanest
           capacity
           !
           doth
           not
           Preach
           about
           such
           deep
           Mysteries
           as
           Paul
           ,
           nor
           with
           such
           flaunting
           Eloquence
           as
           Apollos
           ,
           but
           feeds
           
           us
           with
           the
           sincere
           Milk
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           teaches
           so
           plainly
           that
           the
           most
           Ignorant
           may
           understand
           him
           :
           I
           wonder
           therefore
           he
           is
           no
           more
           followed
           ,
           and
           that
           Paul
           and
           Apollos
           are
           preferred
           before
           him
           :
           I
           am
           for
           Cephas
           .
           Thus
           we
           may
           suppose
           the
           Corinthians
           might
           jangle
           among
           themselves
           ,
           for
           which
           St.
           Paul
           so
           sharply
           reproves
           them
           ;
           and
           may
           not
           we
           take
           his
           Reproofs
           to
           our selves
           ?
           are
           not
           we
           apt
           to
           heap
           up
           to
           our selves
           Teachers
           ,
           and
           have
           Mens
           Persons
           in
           admiration
           ,
           so
           to
           value
           some
           ,
           as
           unreasonably
           to
           scorn
           and
           slight
           others
           ,
           forgetting
           that
           they
           are
           all
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           ,
           deputed
           and
           sent
           by
           him
           ,
           that
           in
           much
           Wisdom
           and
           Mercy
           hath
           given
           them
           various
           Gifts
           for
           the
           Edification
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           that
           as
           one
           is
           eminent
           in
           some
           respects
           ,
           so
           in
           others
           〈◊〉
           Brethren
           may
           exceed
           them
           〈◊〉
           must
           consider
           they
           all
           Preach
           〈◊〉
           
           same
           Doctrin
           ,
           and
           direct
           to
           the
           same
           way
           to
           Salvation
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           more
           the
           fault
           of
           our
           own
           corrupt
           Hearts
           ,
           than
           of
           the
           Minister
           ,
           if
           we
           profit
           not
           by
           their
           Labours
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Be
           much
           in
           Contemplation
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           in
           Christ
           :
           This
           will
           blow
           up
           a
           holy
           Flame
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           and
           all
           his
           Members
           ;
           when
           we
           remember
           how
           dearly
           and
           tenderly
           Christ
           loves
           all
           his
           Saints
           ,
           this
           will
           constrain
           us
           to
           lay
           aside
           all
           Wrath
           and
           Bitterness
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           Peace
           ;
           such
           a
           glorious
           precedent
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           cogent
           Argument
           ,
           and
           can
           hardly
           be
           resisted
           .
           Love
           and
           Peace
           is
           the
           very
           Image
           of
           our
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           the
           Copy
           Christ
           hath
           set
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           Lesson
           he
           hath
           written
           for
           our
           Learning
           in
           Lines
           of
           his
           own
           Blood.
           
           An
           hearty
           Love
           to
           God
           will
           engage
           us
           to
           be
           at
           peace
           with
           the
           whole
           fraternity
           of
           Christians
           ,
           
           and
           
           love
           them
           without
           Dissimulation
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Make
           the
           great
           design
           of
           Religion
           yours
           ,
           viz.
           the
           advancement
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           recovery
           of
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           :
           Remember
           Religion
           is
           not
           designed
           meerly
           to
           fill
           your
           Heads
           with
           airy
           notions
           ,
           to
           tip
           your
           Tongues
           for
           Discourse
           ,
           or
           enable
           you
           to
           talk
           plausibly
           for
           the
           truth
           ;
           that
           it
           consists
           not
           in
           little
           Speculative
           Opinions
           ,
           or
           Ceremonious
           Trifles
           ;
           but
           the
           great
           design
           of
           it
           is
           to
           direct
           us
           in
           the
           government
           of
           our
           Passions
           ,
           subduing
           our
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           conquering
           the
           Impediments
           that
           hinder
           our
           Recovery
           and
           Salvation
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           Religion
           consists
           in
           a
           penitent
           return
           to
           God
           by
           Faith
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Gospel
           ;
           let
           us
           take
           this
           to
           be
           our
           main
           business
           ,
           then
           we
           shall
           have
           so
           much
           work
           to
           do
           at
           home
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           have
           little
           inclination
           to
           pry
           into
           the
           Infirmities
           of
           others
           ,
           or
           quarrel
           with
           them
           .
           That
           Man
           would
           
           be
           esteemed
           by
           all
           as
           bereav'd
           of
           his
           Wits
           ,
           that
           should
           be
           picking
           causless
           Quarrels
           with
           his
           Neighbours
           about
           a
           Chip
           of
           Wood
           ,
           or
           a
           broken
           Hedge
           ,
           when
           a
           Fire
           in
           his
           House
           is
           consuming
           his
           Goods
           and
           Children
           .
           We
           all
           stand
           on
           the
           Borders
           of
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           Confines
           of
           Eternity
           ;
           our
           great
           business
           is
           to
           quench
           the
           Flames
           of
           Lust
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           will
           prepare
           us
           for
           Everlasting
           Burnings
           ,
           and
           therefore
           surely
           we
           should
           not
           waste
           our
           precious
           Minutes
           in
           strife
           and
           contention
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Avoid
           Extreams
           in
           disputable
           Points
           .
           Every
           Truth
           lyes
           in
           the
           middle
           between
           two
           Falshoods
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           goes
           far
           from
           one
           is
           apt
           to
           slip
           into
           the
           other
           .
           After
           all
           the
           confidence
           and
           boast
           of
           disputers
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           uncertainty
           in
           lesser
           Points
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           travel
           in
           uncertain
           Roads
           ,
           't
           is
           best
           to
           chuse
           the
           middle
           ;
           here
           we
           may
           
           be
           sure
           to
           meet
           with
           Charity
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           very
           probably
           Truth
           in
           their
           Company
           .
           The
           great
           occasion
           of
           our
           Differences
           hath
           been
           that
           Men
           have
           look'd
           so
           much
           at
           the
           evil
           of
           one
           Extream
           as
           to
           forget
           the
           Error
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ;
           like
           an
           ignorant
           Physician
           ,
           who
           to
           Cure
           a
           Man
           of
           a
           dead
           Palsie
           casts
           him
           into
           a
           Phrenzy
           .
           I
           dare
           with
           some
           confidence
           affirm
           ,
           that
           most
           of
           those
           Disputes
           ,
           that
           are
           so
           hotly
           agitated
           among
           Protestants
           ,
           are
           in
           the
           Extreams
           ,
           and
           consist
           more
           in
           words
           than
           things
           ,
           because
           the
           Curse
           of
           Babel
           has
           so
           confounded
           our
           Languages
           ,
           that
           though
           our
           Sentiments
           are
           much
           the
           same
           ,
           we
           understand
           not
           one
           anothers
           meaning
           :
           And
           if
           Men
           would
           but
           hearken
           to
           calm
           dispassionate
           Reason
           ,
           they
           might
           soon
           find
           out
           such
           healing
           Reconciling
           Principles
           ,
           as
           would
           quickly
           make
           us
           one
           among
           our selves
           ,
           and
           a
           terror
           to
           our
           Romish
           
           Adversaries
           .
           Let
           the
           Apostles
           Counsel
           be
           in
           this
           sense
           therefore
           obeyed
           ,
           
             Phil.
             4.
             5.
             
             Let
             your
             Moderation
             be
             known
             unto
             all
             Men.
             
          
        
         
           5.
           
           Avoid
           unpeaceable
           Dividers
           ▪
           those
           who
           make
           it
           their
           work
           to
           soment
           Differences
           ,
           and
           stir
           up
           Strife
           ,
           and
           sow
           Seeds
           of
           Discord
           among
           Brethren
           ,
           
           are
           said
           to
           be
           an
           abomination
           to
           the
           Lord
           ;
           take
           upon
           them
           a
           very
           ill
           imployment
           ,
           and
           carry
           on
           a
           design
           quite
           contrary
           to
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Peace
           and
           therefore
           are
           to
           be
           avoided
           that
           they
           may
           be
           ashamed
           :
           I
           speak
           not
           this
           of
           my self
           ,
           but
           the
           Apostle
           Paul
           is
           very
           earnest
           in
           the
           same
           Advice
           ,
           
             Rom.
             16.
             17
             ,
             18.
             
             Now
             I
             beseech
             you
             Brethren
             ,
             mark
             them
             which
             cause
             Divisions
             and
             Offences
             contrary
             to
             the
             Doctrin
             which
             ye●
             have
             learned
             ,
             and
             avoid
             them
             ;
             for
             they
             that
             are
             such
             serve
             not
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             but
             their
             own
             Belly
             ,
             and
             
             by
             good
             Words
             and
             fair
             Speeches
             deceive
             the
             Hearts
             of
             the
             Simple
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           Frequently
           joyn
           together
           in
           the
           same
           Exercises
           of
           Religious
           Worship
           :
           When
           Christians
           come
           together
           in
           the
           same
           Assemblies
           ,
           this
           naturally
           tends
           to
           abate
           their
           strangeness
           ,
           calm
           their
           Spirits
           ,
           remove
           unreasonable
           Jealousies
           and
           Suspicions
           ,
           and
           inclines
           them
           to
           a
           Cordial
           Endeared
           Love.
           This
           was
           one
           great
           means
           of
           promoting
           that
           hearty
           affection
           ,
           which
           was
           among
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           primitive
           Church
           ,
           
             They
             continu'd
             stedfastly
             in
             the
             Apostles
             Doctrin
             and
             Fellowship
             ,
             and
             breaking
             of
             Bread
             and
             Prayer
             :
             Acts
          
           2.
           42.
           
           And
           the
           same
           method
           would
           retrieve
           that
           love
           and
           peace
           ,
           the
           want
           of
           which
           hath
           crumbl'd
           us
           into
           parties
           ,
           and
           been
           the
           unhappy
           occasion
           of
           so
           many
           woful
           Effects
           .
           Did
           we
           but
           more
           frequently
           resort
           to
           the
           House
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           more
           diligently
           hearken
           
           to
           ,
           and
           more
           faithfully
           improve
           Ministerial
           Instructions
           ,
           more
           readily
           submit
           to
           Pastoral
           Discipline
           ,
           more
           carefully
           watch
           over
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           more
           tenderly
           advise
           ,
           and
           reprove
           ,
           and
           edifie
           one
           another
           ;
           more
           solemnly
           pray
           with
           and
           for
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           more
           constantly
           celebrate
           that
           uniting
           Ordinance
           ,
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           together
           ,
           we
           should
           soon
           see
           the
           Blessed
           peaceful
           effects
           of
           so
           doing
           .
           Did
           Neighbouring
           Churches
           counsel
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           maintain
           mutual
           correspondences
           for
           the
           advancement
           of
           Love
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           occasionally
           communicate
           together
           ,
           when
           convenient
           ,
           and
           look
           upon
           themselves
           ,
           not
           as
           divided
           Bodies
           ,
           or
           carrying
           on
           separate
           Interests
           ,
           but
           all
           united
           under
           the
           same
           Head
           ,
           acting
           according
           to
           the
           same
           Rule
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           same
           end
           ,
           this
           would
           engage
           us
           to
           mutual
           offices
           of
           peace
           ,
           and
           we
           should
           
           readily
           comply
           with
           the
           Apostle's
           Counsel
           ,
           
             Eph.
             4.
             3.
             
             Keep
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             the
             Bond
             of
             peace
             .
          
        
         
           Many
           more
           Directions
           might
           be
           added
           ,
           but
           these
           ,
           if
           well
           practis'd
           ,
           would
           quickly
           extinguish
           those
           Heats
           and
           Animosities
           ,
           which
           have
           made
           Earth
           so
           like
           to
           Hell
           ;
           and
           produce
           those
           Heavenly
           Fruits
           of
           peace
           ,
           which
           might
           create
           a
           Paradise
           here
           below
           ,
           make
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           in
           a
           very
           sad
           sense
           is
           now
           Militant
           ,
           nearly
           resemble
           the
           Church
           Triumphant
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           Men
           and
           Brethren
           ,
           what
           remains
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           put
           in
           practice
           the
           Duties
           recommended
           ?
           Then
           might
           we
           hope
           our
           Land
           would
           become
           a
           Goshen
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           respect
           of
           Spiritual
           Light
           ,
           but
           also
           of
           its
           freedom
           from
           those
           Locusts
           and
           Caterpillars
           ,
           dividing
           Lusts
           ,
           that
           have
           so
           long
           wasted
           and
           consumed
           us
           .
           Blessed
           be
           God
           that
           he
           hath
           in
           so
           great
           a
           measure
           heal'd
           
           our
           Breaches
           ,
           and
           thus
           far
           united
           us
           together
           :
           May
           not
           we
           hope
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           but
           the
           beginning
           of
           what
           God
           designs
           for
           us
           ,
           like
           the
           dawning
           of
           the
           Morning
           in
           order
           to
           a
           perfect
           day
           ?
           May
           not
           we
           hope
           ,
           that
           those
           Glorious
           Times
           are
           hastning
           ,
           when
           
             the
             Lord
             shall
             be
             one
             ,
             and
             his
             Name
             one
          
           ;
           Zach.
           14.
           9.
           and
           that
           that
           Promise
           is
           near
           its
           accomplishment
           ,
           
             Ier.
             32.
             39.
             
             I
             will
             give
             them
             one
             Heart
             ,
             and
             one
             way
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             fear
             me
             for
             ever
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             Children
             after
             them
             ?
          
           May
           not
           we
           hope
           ,
           that
           the
           Philadelphian
           state
           ,
           which
           some
           expect
           ,
           now
           draws
           nigh
           ,
           when
           Brotherly
           Love
           shall
           flourish
           ,
           and
           be
           more
           enlarg'd
           .
           How
           happy
           would
           it
           be
           ,
           if
           this
           Union
           were
           yet
           more
           extensive
           ,
           if
           the
           Name
           of
           Reformed
           Christian
           were
           only
           known
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           divided
           Names
           laid
           aside
           ,
           whereby
           we
           have
           been
           unhappily
           distinguish'd
           !
           By
           Mutual
           
           Compliances
           and
           Condescentions
           this
           is
           no
           impossible
           Task
           .
           And
           who
           knows
           but
           this
           beginning
           may
           issue
           in
           so
           happy
           a
           Conclusion
           ?
           This
           may
           well
           be
           the
           subject
           of
           our
           Wishes
           ,
           and
           earnest
           constant
           Prayers
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             John
             13.
             34.
             
          
           
             A
             new
             Commandment
             I
             give
             unto
             you
             ,
             that
             ye
             love
             one
             another
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             loved
             you
             ;
             that
             ye
             also
             love
             one
             another
             .
          
        
         
           AMong
           all
           the
           advantages
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           wherein
           it
           exceeds
           the
           defective
           Rules
           of
           Pagan
           Philosophy
           ,
           and
           obscure
           Institutions
           of
           Moses
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           wherein
           it
           more
           excels
           than
           in
           the
           Doctrin
           of
           Love
           and
           Charity
           ;
           a
           Duty
           which
           is
           urg'd
           in
           the
           plainest
           Words
           ,
           and
           pressed
           by
           the
           strongest
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           made
           not
           the
           high
           qualification
           of
           some
           eminent
           Saints
           ,
           but
           a
           necessary
           essential
           part
           of
           the
           
           new
           Creature
           :
           A
           Duty
           not
           only
           necessary
           to
           some
           inferior
           uses
           ,
           but
           to
           all
           the
           great
           ends
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           dispensed
           with
           on
           any
           pretence
           :
           A
           Duty
           that
           is
           made
           the
           Badg
           and
           Character
           of
           Christ's
           Disciples
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           our
           dying
           Redeemer
           strictly
           charged
           his
           Followers
           to
           observe
           ;
           as
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             A
             new
             Commandment
             I
             give
             unto
             you
             ,
             that
             ye
             love
             one
             another
             .
          
        
         
           Our
           Saviour
           knowing
           the
           time
           of
           his
           Departure
           was
           near
           at
           hand
           ,
           in
           this
           Chapter
           gives
           his
           Disciples
           an
           admirable
           instance
           of
           his
           condescending
           Love
           in
           stooping
           to
           that
           servile
           Office
           of
           washing
           their
           Feet
           :
           And
           this
           he
           did
           on
           purpose
           that
           they
           should
           imitate
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           think
           the
           lowest
           Offices
           of
           Charity
           for
           their
           Brethrens
           good
           ,
           
           too
           mean
           and
           base
           for
           them
           .
           Afterwards
           having
           given
           the
           
           Sop
           to
           Iudas
           who
           went
           out
           with
           an
           intention
           to
           betray
           him
           ,
           he
           tells
           his
           Disciples
           of
           his
           speedy
           Separation
           from
           them
           ;
           and
           lest
           they
           should
           be
           too
           much
           cast
           down
           at
           hearing
           of
           his
           Departure
           ,
           he
           tells
           them
           that
           he
           should
           be
           Glorified
           ,
           
           and
           God
           the
           Father
           in
           him
           ;
           
             i.
             e.
          
           that
           he
           should
           give
           great
           discoveries
           of
           his
           Deity
           ,
           and
           God
           the
           Father
           would
           discover
           the
           unsearchable
           depths
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           inconceivable
           heights
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           infinite
           strictness
           of
           his
           Holiness
           and
           Justice
           by
           his
           Death
           ,
           and
           advance
           him
           straightway
           to
           the
           highest
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           :
           And
           then
           being
           filled
           with
           an
           affectionate
           love
           to
           them
           ,
           he
           speaks
           as
           an
           indulgent
           Father
           to
           the
           Sons
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           
             Little
             Children
             ,
             yet
             a
             little
             while
             I
             am
             with
             you
             ,
          
           ver
           .
           33.
           and
           as
           if
           he
           should
           have
           said
           ,
           O
           my
           Disciples
           whom
           I
           love
           with
           
           no
           less
           ardent
           affection
           than
           a
           Father
           doth
           his
           darling
           and
           tender
           Infant
           ;
           there
           remains
           but
           a
           small
           space
           wherein
           I
           shall
           make
           my
           abode
           with
           you
           in
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           therefore
           as
           I
           said
           to
           the
           Hardened
           
             Iews
             ,
             Whither
             I
             go
             ,
             ye
             cannot
             yet
             come
             :
          
           One
           Request
           and
           Command
           I
           your
           dying
           Lord
           leave
           with
           you
           ,
           Let
           my
           Love
           to
           you
           be
           the
           rule
           and
           measure
           of
           your
           Love
           to
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           A
           New
           Commandment
           I
           give
           unto
           you
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           some
           difference
           among
           Expositors
           concerning
           the
           Sense
           of
           this
           Expression
           .
        
         
           Some
           render
           it
           this
           renewed
           Commandment
           ,
           this
           Command
           that
           hath
           been
           almost
           obliterated
           by
           the
           corrupting
           Doctrins
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           and
           false
           Glosses
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Teachers
           ,
           I
           now
           by
           my
           Doctrin
           and
           Example
           renew
           unto
           you
           .
           Some
           by
           New
           ,
           understand
           
           most
           excellent
           :
           Thus
           we
           read
           of
           a
           New
           Song
           ,
           
           a
           most
           excellent
           Song
           ,
           
           of
           New
           Wine
           ,
           of
           the
           most
           delicious
           sort
           and
           kind
           ;
           
             q.
             d.
          
           Whatever
           Commands
           you
           neglect
           ,
           be
           sure
           to
           comply
           with
           this
           the
           most
           excellent
           of
           all
           .
           Subjects
           take
           care
           to
           observe
           the
           New
           Commands
           of
           their
           Princes
           ;
           let
           your
           careful
           Obedience
           to
           this
           be
           as
           if
           it
           were
           newly
           promulged
           :
           So
           others
           understand
           it
           .
        
         
           A
           New
           Commandment
           ,
           say
           others
           ,
           because
           we
           must
           be
           still
           renewing
           it
           ;
           
             Owe
             no
             Man
             any
             thing
             but
             to
             love
             one
             another
             ,
          
           Rom.
           13
           8.
           
           Pay
           all
           your
           Debts
           ,
           but
           this
           Debt
           ▪
           of
           Love
           you
           must
           be
           always
           paying
           and
           yet
           always
           owing
           .
        
         
           I
           rather
           think
           it
           is
           called
           a
           New
           Commandment
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           expounded
           after
           a
           New
           manner
           ,
           directed
           
           according
           to
           a
           new
           Rule
           ,
           
           and
           required
           in
           higher
           measures
           and
           degrees
           than
           ever
           before
           ;
           for
           though
           this
           Duty
           was
           not
           wholly
           unknown
           to
           Mankind
           before
           ,
           yet
           never
           was
           it
           so
           taught
           or
           encouraged
           ;
           never
           was
           such
           an
           illustrious
           example
           given
           of
           it
           ,
           nor
           such
           weight
           and
           stress
           laid
           upon
           it
           in
           any
           former
           Institution
           ;
           
           and
           special
           Measures
           of
           Assistance
           proper
           to
           Gospel
           times
           are
           vouchsafed
           to
           work
           it
           in
           our
           Hearts
           .
           So
           that
           it
           is
           as
           if
           our
           Saviour
           should
           have
           said
           ,
           
             Whereas
             it
             hath
             been
             said
             ▪
             by
             them
             of
             old
             time
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             love
             thy
             Neighbour
             as
             thy self
             ,
             I
             give
             you
             a
             new
             Rule
             ,
             
               as
               I
               have
               loved
               you
               ,
               so
               love
               one
               another
               ,
            
             after
             a
             more
             indearing
             manner
             than
             the
             Iews
             ,
             that
             the
             World
             may
             see
             the
             excellency
             
             of
             my
             Doctrin
             above
             that
             of
             Moses
             Love
             ;
             bear
             an
             hearty
             esteem
             one
             for
             another
             ,
             and
             imploy
             your selves
             in
             mutual
             Offices
             of
             Kindness
             ,
             as
             acknowledging
             one
             another
             to
             be
             Brethren
             and
             Fellow
             Disciples
             .
             
               As
               I
               have
               loved
               you
            
             ;
             though
             you
             cannot
             love
             one
             another
             to
             such
             a
             degree
             ,
             yet
             testify
             your
             love
             by
             such
             instances
             ,
             and
             to
             such
             degrees
             as
             your
             nature
             is
             capable
             of
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           Text
           ;
           Christ
           came
           into
           the
           World
           to
           demonstrate
           and
           exercise
           his
           Father's
           Love
           and
           his
           own
           :
           Love
           he
           came
           to
           kindle
           in
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           therefore
           gives
           us
           this
           excellent
           Commandment
           .
        
         
           The
           Words
           being
           thus
           explained
           ,
           the
           Observation
           I
           shall
           raise
           from
           them
           is
           this
           ,
        
         
           That
           the
           last
           and
           great
           Command
           of
           our
           dying
           Saviour
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           
           Christians
           should
           love
           one
           another
           ,
           as
           Christ
           hath
           loved
           them
           .
        
         
           In
           Handling
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           observe
           this
           Method
           :
           
             
               1.
               
               I
               shall
               inquire
               who
               are
               the
               Objects
               of
               this
               Love.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               In
               what
               respects
               must
               we
               love
               one
               another
               as
               Christ
               hath
               loved
               us
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Make
               some
               Practical
               improvement
               of
               the
               whole
               Discourse
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Objects
           of
           this
           Love.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           There
           is
           a
           common
           Love
           due
           to
           Men
           as
           Men
           ;
           all
           Men
           are
           God's
           Workmanship
           ,
           bearing
           his
           natural
           Image
           ,
           and
           capable
           of
           being
           serviceable
           to
           his
           Glory
           :
           Thus
           ,
           
             Thou
             shalt
             love
             thy
             Neighbour
             as
             thy self
          
           ;
           all
           Men
           are
           our
           Neighbours
           ,
           as
           partakers
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           and
           capable
           of
           the
           same
           Happiness
           .
           Special
           love
           to
           Christians
           
           doth
           not
           diminish
           ,
           but
           enlarge
           our
           common
           love
           to
           Men
           :
           Wherever
           we
           see
           any
           part
           of
           Gods
           Image
           ,
           we
           must
           love
           it
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           when
           he
           beheld
           that
           rich
           young
           Gentleman
           ,
           Mark
           10.
           21.
           he
           loved
           him
           ;
           he
           could
           not
           but
           be
           well
           pleased
           with
           his
           Morality
           ,
           though
           he
           was
           displeased
           he
           went
           no
           further
           .
           Thus
           all
           the
           footsteps
           of
           Divine
           Goodness
           must
           be
           lov'd
           :
           Vertue
           even
           in
           an
           Heathen
           is
           to
           be
           admired
           :
           This
           will
           constrain
           us
           to
           Pity
           ,
           Pray
           for
           ,
           and
           h●lp
           all
           in
           distress
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           ability
           .
           We
           must
           not
           be
           like
           the
           unconcerned
           Priest
           and
           merciless
           Levite
           in
           the
           Parable
           ,
           Luke
           10.
           30.
           who
           passed
           by
           the
           wounded
           Man
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           relieve
           him
           ,
           but
           like
           the
           good
           Samaritan
           ,
           who
           spoke
           comfortably
           to
           him
           ,
           supplied
           his
           Wants
           ,
           and
           bound
           up
           his
           Wounds
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           There
           is
           a
           Love
           due
           to
           Enemies
           .
           Other
           Mens
           Faults
           and
           Sins
           against
           us
           ,
           give
           us
           no
           dispensation
           for
           the
           non-payment
           of
           this
           great
           Debt
           of
           Natures
           Law
           ,
           Loving
           all
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           .
           Christ
           came
           to
           mortifie
           all
           Inclinations
           to
           Rage
           and
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           commands
           Affections
           and
           Words
           ,
           and
           Actions
           of
           Kindness
           and
           Benignity
           ,
           to
           those
           that
           have
           expressed
           the
           contrary
           unto
           us
           :
           
             We
             must
             love
             our
             Enemies
             ,
             Mat.
          
           5.
           44.
           be
           cordially
           affected
           towards
           them
           ;
           wish
           them
           all
           the
           good
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           especially
           when
           they
           most
           need
           ,
           the
           good
           of
           their
           Souls
           ;
           Their
           Conviction
           ,
           Reformation
           and
           Amendment
           .
           Other
           Mens
           Enmity
           must
           not
           pervert
           or
           blind
           our
           Judgments
           ,
           or
           hinder
           us
           from
           discerning
           what
           is
           amiable
           in
           them
           ;
           nor
           must
           it
           corrupt
           our
           Affections
           ,
           or
           hinder
           us
           from
           loving
           what
           is
           truly
           lovely
           .
           We
           must
           
             bless
             them
             that
             curse
             us
          
           .
           Not
           render
           
           reviling
           for
           reviling
           ,
           but
           give
           them
           friendly
           courteous
           words
           ,
           though
           they
           rail
           against
           us
           .
           We
           must
           
             do
             good
             to
             them
          
           ,
           feed
           and
           cloth
           them
           ,
           if
           hungry
           or
           naked
           ;
           rescue
           them
           if
           in
           danger
           ;
           comfort
           them
           if
           in
           distress
           ,
           and
           all
           without
           the
           least
           Tincture
           of
           Malice
           or
           Revenge
           .
           We
           must
           
             pray
             for
             them
          
           :
           Forgive
           them
           our selves
           ,
           and
           pray
           to
           God
           to
           forgive
           them
           too
           .
           Thus
           did
           our
           Saviour
           ;
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           dying
           Agonies
           forgets
           not
           this
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           his
           imbitter'd
           Adversaries
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           generosity
           beyond
           Example
           ,
           pleads
           excuses
           for
           their
           Sin
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Father
             forgive
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             know
             not
             what
             they
             do
             ,
          
           Luke
           23.
           34.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           There
           is
           a
           special
           Love
           due
           to
           all
           whom
           we
           charitably
           hope
           to
           be
           true
           Christians
           .
           To
           this
           we
           are
           directed
           by
           the
           Text.
           Whoever
           makes
           a
           seemingly
           serious
           profession
           of
           Faith
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           doth
           
           not
           disprove
           it
           by
           a
           contrary
           practice
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           allow'd
           the
           Name
           and
           special
           Love
           of
           a
           Christian.
           'T
           is
           Gods
           Prerogative
           to
           see
           the
           Heart
           ;
           'T
           is
           our
           Duty
           to
           observe
           the
           Life
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           makes
           a
           credible
           Profession
           ,
           and
           doth
           not
           live
           in
           wilful
           Sin
           is
           charitably
           to
           be
           esteemed
           as
           a
           Member
           of
           Christ.
           Though
           he
           differ
           from
           us
           in
           many
           Points
           ,
           yet
           if
           he
           holds
           the
           Foundations
           of
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           and
           manifests
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Life
           ,
           't
           is
           uncharitable
           for
           us
           to
           judge
           he
           is
           not
           the
           object
           of
           Gods
           special
           Love
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           unreasonable
           he
           should
           not
           be
           the
           object
           of
           ours
           .
           Though
           he
           be
           weak
           in
           Parts
           and
           Gifts
           ,
           subject
           to
           many
           Passions
           and
           Infirmities
           consistent
           with
           real
           Grace
           ;
           though
           his
           Profession
           reach
           not
           to
           that
           heigth
           as
           to
           make
           him
           Eminent
           ,
           and
           his
           Conversation
           be
           not
           so
           exact
           as
           to
           make
           you
           confident
           of
           his
           Sincerity
           ,
           
           yet
           if
           he
           profess
           to
           be
           a
           true
           Christian
           ,
           and
           live
           not
           in
           any
           Sin
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           certain
           mark
           of
           an
           unbeliever
           ,
           he
           is
           to
           be
           lov'd
           as
           Christ
           hath
           loved
           us
           .
           Gods
           Love
           indeed
           is
           Guided
           by
           Infallibility
           ,
           he
           loves
           none
           with
           a
           special
           Affection
           but
           sincere
           penitent
           Believers
           ;
           but
           our
           Love
           must
           be
           guided
           by
           our
           own
           weak
           and
           fallible
           discerning
           .
           Where
           we
           see
           the
           Fruits
           of
           Piety
           in
           Mens
           Lives
           ,
           we
           must
           judge
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           their
           Graces
           according
           to
           the
           probability
           which
           those
           signs
           discover
           .
           Though
           all
           be
           not
           so
           Eminent
           in
           Grace
           as
           
             Peter
             ,
             Iames
          
           and
           Iohn
           ,
           yet
           as
           the
           weakest
           Disciples
           it
           sincere
           are
           accepted
           by
           God
           ,
           so
           ought
           they
           to
           be
           embrac'd
           by
           us
           .
           Christ
           will
           not
           break
           the
           bruised
           Reed
           ,
           nor
           quench
           the
           smoaking
           Flax.
           Nor
           ought
           we
           to
           despise
           the
           Babes
           in
           Christ
           ,
           but
           love
           them
           as
           Members
           of
           the
           same
           Body
           ,
           and
           Heirs
           of
           the
           same
           Inheritance
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           In
           what
           respects
           must
           we
           love
           one
           another
           ,
           as
           Christ
           hath
           loved
           us
           ?
        
         
           Ans.
           Not
           in
           all
           Respects
           ▪
           Christ
           so
           loved
           us
           as
           to
           purchase
           Grace
           and
           Glory
           for
           us
           .
           But
           we
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           thus
           Loving
           one
           another
           .
           We
           cannot
           pay
           down
           a
           valuable
           satisfaction
           for
           our
           own
           Sins
           ,
           much
           less
           can
           we
           super-erogate
           or
           purchase
           pardon
           for
           others
           .
           Our
           own
           Oyl
           must
           be
           perfum'd
           with
           the
           Incense
           of
           Christs
           Merits
           ,
           before
           it
           can
           make
           our
           Faces
           shine
           before
           God
           ;
           and
           we
           have
           so
           little
           for
           our selves
           that
           we
           have
           none
           to
           spare
           for
           our
           Brethren
           .
           Christ
           alone
           paid
           down
           a
           compleat
           satisfaction
           for
           them
           and
           us
           ;
           nor
           can
           we
           love
           our
           Brethren
           with
           an
           equal
           degree
           of
           Love
           to
           what
           Christ
           did
           .
           He
           had
           not
           the
           Spirit
           by
           measure
           ,
           but
           the
           fulness
           of
           the
           Godhead
           dwelt
           in
           him
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           lov'd
           us
           without
           any
           
           sinful
           mixture
           or
           imperfection
           ;
           but
           our
           Love
           as
           well
           as
           other
           Graces
           admit
           of
           very
           great
           defects
           .
           The
           word
           (
           As
           )
           therefore
           doth
           not
           denote
           equality
           in
           degree
           ,
           but
           likeness
           in
           kind
           .
           Our
           Love
           to
           one
           another
           must
           bear
           some
           likeness
           and
           resemblance
           of
           Christs
           Love
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           the
           Inward
           Properties
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           the
           outward
           Expressions
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           the
           inward
           Properties
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Our
           Love
           must
           be
           sincere
           and
           unfeigned
           as
           Christ's
           was
           .
           Christ
           did
           not
           Hypocritically
           pretend
           Love
           ,
           or
           Dissemblingly
           feign
           Affection
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           sincerely
           lov'd
           us
           .
           His
           Protestations
           of
           Love
           were
           all
           real
           and
           hearty
           ;
           not
           in
           Word
           and
           in
           Tongue
           only
           ,
           but
           in
           Deed
           and
           in
           Truth
           .
           Thus
           ought
           our
           Love
           to
           be
           
             without
             Dissimulation
             ,
             Rom.
          
           2.
           9.
           
           
           A
           pretended
           Disciple
           indeed
           may
           like
           Iudas
           kiss
           and
           betray
           ,
           make
           large
           Protestations
           of
           kindness
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           under
           this
           pretext
           of
           Affection
           hide
           a
           malicious
           heart
           ,
           and
           contrive
           their
           ruin
           .
           But
           the
           true
           Christians
           Professions
           of
           Love
           as
           well
           as
           Prayers
           to
           God
           proceed
           not
           from
           feigned
           Lips.
           
           
        
         
           2.
           
           Our
           Love
           to
           one
           another
           must
           be
           fervent
           as
           Christ's
           was
           .
           'T
           was
           Love
           incomprehensibly
           great
           and
           ardent
           ,
           that
           brought
           our
           Lord
           from
           Heaven
           to
           Earth
           ,
           carry'd
           him
           through
           the
           difficulties
           of
           Poverty
           ,
           Reproach
           and
           Scorn
           ,
           enabled
           him
           to
           bear
           the
           contradiction
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           and
           the
           pain
           and
           shame
           of
           the
           Cross
           ;
           herein
           Christ
           as
           well
           as
           God
           the
           Father
           
             commended
             his
             love
             towards
             us
          
           ,
           Rom.
           5.
           8.
           rendred
           it
           great
           and
           admirable
           beyond
           all
           expression
           or
           parallel
           ,
           
             In
             that
             while
             we
             were
             yet
             Sinners
             Christ
             
             died
             for
             us
             .
          
           We
           must
           act
           according
           to
           this
           pattern
           ,
           
             Love
             one
             another
             with
             a
             pure
             heart
             fervently
             ,
          
           1
           Pet.
           1.
           22.
           
           Our
           Love
           must
           not
           be
           cold
           and
           indifferent
           ,
           frozen
           or
           congeal'd
           ;
           but
           we
           must
           entertain
           a
           fervent
           Affection
           one
           for
           another
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Our
           Love
           must
           be
           prevailing
           as
           Christ's
           was
           .
           Christ
           lov'd
           us
           above
           Gold
           or
           Silver
           ,
           or
           Earthly
           Pomp
           and
           Greatness
           ,
           above
           his
           own
           Temporal
           Ease
           and
           Delight
           ;
           and
           was
           ready
           to
           wade
           through
           Storms
           and
           Dangers
           ,
           and
           Difficulties
           for
           our
           sakes
           .
           So
           must
           we
           love
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           above
           our
           Carnal
           Interest
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           Wealth
           and
           Pleasure
           .
           Thus
           Moses
           evidenc'd
           his
           Love
           to
           the
           people
           of
           God
           by
           forsaking
           the
           dazling
           Honours
           and
           bewitching
           Pleasures
           of
           
           Pharaoh's
           Court
           ,
           
           and
           chusing
           Affliction
           with
           them
           rather
           than
           Sin.
           Thus
           
           must
           we
           be
           willing
           to
           renounce
           our
           own
           Ease
           and
           Liberty
           for
           their
           sakes
           ,
           when
           God
           and
           his
           Honour
           calls
           .
           Nay
           we
           must
           Love
           them
           better
           than
           the
           nearest
           ungodly
           Relations
           .
           Christ
           lov'd
           those
           that
           were
           related
           to
           him
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           far
           better
           than
           the
           nearest
           ungodly
           Relations
           according
           to
           the
           Flesh.
           
           There
           is
           indeed
           a
           natural
           sensitive
           Love
           and
           Propension
           towards
           near
           Relations
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           ordinarily
           bound
           in
           the
           first
           place
           to
           provide
           for
           them
           ,
           supply
           their
           wants
           ,
           and
           give
           them
           these
           outward
           effects
           of
           our
           Love
           :
           But
           still
           we
           must
           have
           a
           higher
           rational
           esteem
           of
           the
           godly
           and
           value
           their
           Graces
           above
           the
           most
           lovely
           natural
           perfections
           of
           others
           ;
           and
           the
           best
           must
           be
           prefer'd
           in
           point
           of
           Honour
           ,
           though
           others
           may
           be
           prefer'd
           in
           point
           of
           Maintenance
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Our
           Love
           must
           be
           impartial
           
           and
           universal
           as
           Christ's
           was
           .
           He
           did
           not
           confine
           it
           to
           his
           own
           Countrymen
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           die
           to
           procure
           Pardon
           ,
           Grace
           and
           Glory
           for
           them
           only
           ,
           but
           for
           us
           Gentiles
           also
           ,
           while
           he
           was
           upon
           Earth
           :
           The
           Faith
           of
           the
           Centurion
           ,
           and
           importunity
           of
           the
           Canaanitish
           Woman
           (
           tho'
           Aliens
           from
           the
           Common-wealth
           of
           Israel
           )
           attracted
           his
           Esteem
           and
           Admiration
           ;
           and
           where-ever
           he
           beheld
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           and
           Image
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           he
           lov'd
           it
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           very
           observable
           ,
           he
           is
           more
           sharp
           and
           severe
           in
           his
           Invectives
           against
           the
           Pharisees
           than
           any
           other
           Persons
           ;
           because
           of
           their
           stingy
           narrow
           Spirit
           ,
           confining
           Religion
           to
           their
           own
           particular
           Sect
           ,
           and
           scorning
           and
           despising
           all
           that
           were
           not
           of
           their
           own
           Party
           ;
           as
           if
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           Mankind
           were
           in
           a
           Reprobate
           Damnable
           State.
           
        
         
           Our
           Christian
           Love
           must
           thus
           resemble
           our
           Saviours
           .
           It
           must
           be
           
           enlarg'd
           to
           all
           Saints
           ,
           to
           the
           whole
           Fraternity
           of
           Christians
           .
           
           To
           be
           partial
           in
           our
           Love
           is
           a
           sign
           't
           is
           unsound
           ;
           
           to
           make
           our
           own
           Opinions
           the
           Shiboleth
           to
           distinguish
           between
           a
           true
           and
           counterfeit
           Christian
           ,
           
           is
           very
           unreasonable
           .
           Where
           there
           is
           a
           Profession
           of
           the
           Baptismal
           Covenant
           ,
           the
           Essentials
           of
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           and
           a
           Life
           in
           some
           measure
           answerable
           ;
           we
           must
           love
           such
           as
           Christians
           ,
           not
           withstanding
           their
           mistakes
           and
           erroneous
           Principles
           in
           lesser
           points
           .
           We
           justly
           condemn
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           for
           confining
           Salvation
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           Damning
           all
           the
           World
           besides
           :
           Let
           us
           take
           heed
           how
           we
           condemn
           our selves
           by
           contracting
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           into
           a
           narrower
           compass
           ,
           lest
           we
           censoriously
           damn
           those
           whom
           Christ
           will
           save
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           place
           on
           higher
           Seats
           of
           Glory
           than
           our selves
           .
           We
           know
           
           who
           it
           was
           that
           said
           ,
           Lord
           ,
           
           I
           thank
           thee
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           as
           this
           Publican
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           really
           in
           a
           far
           worse
           condition
           :
           Our
           Love
           to
           a
           Party
           must
           not
           blind
           our
           Judgments
           ,
           or
           pervert
           our
           Affections
           as
           to
           all
           the
           rest
           :
           Keep
           up
           therefore
           an
           impartial
           universal
           Love
           to
           all
           professed
           .
           Christians
           as
           such
           ,
           and
           hate
           a
           dividing
           Spirit
           .
           
           Take
           heed
           how
           you
           ▪
           stigmatize
           those
           with
           the
           Name
           of
           Hereticks
           ,
           who
           shall
           stand
           at
           the
           Right
           Hand
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           take
           not
           up
           the
           Devils
           accursed
           Imployment
           to
           become
           Accusers
           of
           those
           that
           are
           really
           your
           Brethren
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Our
           Love
           must
           be
           proportion'd
           to
           the
           degrees
           of
           their
           Grace
           ,
           as
           Christ's
           was
           .
           Christ
           ,
           that
           certainly
           knows
           who
           are
           most
           furnish'd
           with
           Divine
           Grace
           ,
           must
           needs
           love
           these
           with
           an
           higher
           degree
           than
           
           others
           of
           a
           lower
           Form
           and
           Classis
           in
           Christianity
           .
           St.
           Iohn
           who
           it
           seems
           had
           the
           most
           ardent
           love
           and
           Eminent
           degrees
           of
           Grace
           among
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           was
           his
           peculiar
           Favourite
           and
           Darling
           Disciple
           ,
           had
           the
           highect
           ,
           place
           next
           his
           Lord
           ,
           lay
           in
           his
           Bosom
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           custom
           of
           those
           ▪
           Eastern
           Countreys
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           lye
           and
           not
           to
           sit
           at
           Meals
           ,
           and
           is
           call'd
           
             the
             Disciple
             whom
             Iesus
             loved
          
           ,
           John
           13.
           23.
           
           Christs
           love
           was
           not
           a
           fond
           unaccountable
           Passion
           ,
           but
           the
           result
           of
           his
           Reason
           and
           Judgment
           .
           Because
           he
           lov'd
           him
           best
           we
           may
           therefore
           justly
           conclude
           he
           was
           really
           above
           the
           rest
           in
           Piety
           .
           Thus
           must
           our
           love
           be
           proportion'd
           :
           Some
           are
           but
           weak
           Christians
           ,
           and
           we
           can
           have
           but
           small
           and
           doubtful
           perswasions
           of
           their
           sincerity
           :
           Others
           are
           stronger
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           be
           more
           confident
           as
           to
           them
           .
           The
           one
           must
           
           be
           lov'd
           as
           Christians
           ,
           but
           the
           other
           with
           an
           higher
           degree
           ,
           as
           bearing
           more
           lively
           representations
           of
           the
           holy
           God
           :
           We
           must
           not
           respect
           the
           Persons
           of
           any
           ,
           but
           their
           goodness
           ;
           and
           love
           those
           best
           that
           are
           really
           so
           .
           This
           Property
           will
           discover
           the
           Hypocrisie
           of
           many
           ,
           who
           will
           bear
           with
           Holiness
           in
           a
           lower
           degree
           ,
           and
           speak
           well
           of
           those
           who
           (
           though
           Godly
           in
           the
           main
           )
           are
           too
           remiss
           and
           careless
           in
           their
           Conversations
           ,
           but
           swell
           with
           Rage
           and
           Malice
           against
           those
           that
           are
           most
           Eminent
           for
           Piety
           .
           What
           doth
           this
           Temper
           shew
           but
           a
           Graceless
           Heart
           ?
           if
           we
           bear
           not
           the
           highest
           Love
           to
           the
           best
           Christians
           how
           dwelleth
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           in
           us
           ?
           Alas
           !
           can
           infinite
           perfect
           Holiness
           be
           lov'd
           by
           him
           ,
           that
           loves
           not
           the
           best
           Representations
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           this
           imperfect
           ▪
           state
           affords
           ?
           If
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Moon
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           without
           its
           spots
           ,
           doth
           offend
           
           us
           ;
           how
           can
           we
           bear
           the
           far
           more
           resplendent
           brightness
           of
           the
           Sun
           it self
           ?
        
         
           How
           unmeet
           is
           he
           for
           the
           Communion
           of
           Angels
           and
           perfected
           Spirits
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           pleas'd
           ;
           much
           more
           that
           is
           offended
           with
           the
           highest
           degrees
           of
           Holiness
           in
           this
           state
           of
           Imperfection
           ?
           The
           true
           Christian
           having
           a
           prevailing
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           will
           Love
           his
           Image
           where-ever
           he
           finds
           it
           ;
           and
           where
           it
           is
           more
           clear
           and
           unsullied
           ,
           and
           drawn
           out
           in
           more
           Beautiful
           Characters
           ,
           his
           Love
           will
           be
           proportionably
           greater
           and
           more
           affectionate
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           Our
           Love
           must
           be
           compassionate
           and
           sympathizing
           .
           Christ
           could
           not
           refrain
           from
           weeping
           when
           he
           beheld
           Ierusalem
           ,
           
           where
           was
           the
           then
           visible
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           laments
           her
           foreseen
           destruction
           :
           When
           Peter
           .
           deny'd
           him
           
           not
           once
           ,
           but
           thrice
           ,
           with
           Curses
           and
           Imprecations
           :
           He
           did
           not
           disregard
           him
           ,
           as
           he
           might
           justly
           do
           ,
           such
           a
           perfidious
           Servant
           ;
           but
           though
           he
           was
           unconcern'd
           for
           himself
           ,
           and
           silently
           bore
           the
           slanders
           of
           the
           Witnesses
           ;
           yet
           he
           manifests
           his
           concern
           for
           Peter
           ;
           by
           his
           compassionate
           looks
           ,
           testify'd
           his
           sorrow
           for
           his
           Sin
           ,
           and
           drew
           not
           his
           Eyes
           away
           till
           he
           had
           look'd
           him
           into
           Repentance
           .
           Nay
           ,
           tho'
           our
           Head
           be
           now
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           yet
           he
           hath
           a
           compassionate
           sense
           of
           the
           Extremities
           of
           his
           Members
           ,
           and
           accounts
           all
           the
           Affronts
           ,
           Persecutions
           and
           Reproaches
           offer'd
           to
           them
           ,
           as
           done
           to
           himself
           .
           Thus
           when
           Saul
           (
           then
           a
           Persecutor
           )
           breath'd
           out
           nothing
           but
           Blood
           and
           Slaughter
           against
           the
           Churches
           ,
           He
           cries
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           
             Saul
             ,
             Saul
             ,
             why
             persecutest
             thou
             me
             ,
          
           Acts
           9.
           4.
           
           He
           is
           a
           merciful
           faithful
           High-Priest
           that
           is
           touch'd
           with
           a
           feeling
           
           of
           our
           Infirmities
           ,
           and
           bears
           a
           compassionate
           Love
           to
           all
           his
           Members
           in
           Misery
           :
           And
           the
           same
           mind
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           us
           that
           was
           in
           him
           ;
           we
           ought
           to
           sympathize
           with
           our
           Fellow
           Members
           in
           distress
           ,
           and
           remember
           the
           afflicted
           ,
           as
           being
           our selves
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           Heb.
           13.
           2.
           liable
           to
           the
           same
           Tryals
           and
           Parts
           of
           the
           same
           Mystical
           Body
           of
           Christ.
           If
           any
           Member
           be
           in
           pain
           ,
           all
           the
           rest
           are
           discompos'd
           ,
           and
           when
           some
           of
           the
           Members
           of
           Christ
           are
           discompos'd
           ,
           't
           is
           natural
           for
           the
           rest
           to
           sympathize
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           be
           compassionately
           sensible
           of
           their
           trouble
           .
           Thus
           we
           are
           commanded
           
             to
             weep
             with
             them
             that
             weep
             ,
          
           Rom.
           12.
           15.
           
           
             To
             bear
             one
             anothers
             Burdens
             ,
             and
             so
             fulfil
             the
             Law
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           Gal.
           6.
           2.
           
        
         
           7.
           
           Our
           Love
           must
           be
           constant
           and
           abiding
           as
           Christ's
           love
           was
           ;
           Christ's
           love
           to
           us
           was
           not
           for
           a
           small
           space
           of
           time
           ,
           but
           lasting
           
           and
           uninterrupted
           ,
           
             He
             loved
             his
             own
             ,
             and
             he
             loved
             them
             to
             the
             end
             ,
          
           John
           13.
           1.
           
           And
           the
           nearer
           his
           end
           appeared
           ,
           the
           higher
           marks
           of
           his
           Love
           did
           he
           give
           them
           ;
           the
           failings
           and
           miscarriages
           of
           his
           Disciples
           did
           not
           remove
           his
           Love
           ,
           or
           cause
           him
           to
           withdraw
           his
           affection
           ;
           their
           ignorance
           and
           unbelief
           after
           all
           his
           Teachings
           and
           Instructions
           ,
           their
           fiery
           unseasonable
           Rage
           against
           the
           Samaritans
           ,
           their
           Pride
           and
           Ambition
           ,
           Rashness
           and
           Cowardise
           ,
           and
           the
           base
           Perfidiousness
           of
           Peter
           did
           not
           incline
           him
           to
           lay
           aside
           his
           Thoughts
           of
           Love
           ,
           or
           leave
           the
           work
           of
           our
           Redemption
           unfinished
           ;
           but
           he
           still
           loved
           them
           to
           the
           Death
           :
           Thus
           must
           we
           love
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           overlook
           their
           Failings
           ,
           pass
           by
           their
           Infirmities
           ,
           admire
           what
           is
           lovely
           ,
           and
           neglect
           what
           may
           cool
           our
           Affections
           .
           This
           new
           Commandment
           must
           be
           every
           day
           renewed
           
           by
           us
           ;
           this
           is
           a
           Lesson
           we
           must
           be
           always
           Learning
           ,
           and
           a
           Duty
           we
           must
           be
           always
           imploying
           our selves
           about
           .
           We
           must
           still
           be
           abiding
           in
           our
           Love
           ,
           till
           we
           enter
           among
           that
           happy
           Society
           ,
           where
           all
           Sins
           and
           unlovely
           Imperfections
           shall
           be
           done
           away
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           always
           solace
           our selves
           with
           pleasing
           views
           of
           the
           Divine
           Purity
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           the
           numerous
           Pictures
           and
           Representations
           of
           it
           among
           Angels
           and
           Glorified
           Saints
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Our
           Love
           to
           one
           another
           must
           resemble
           Christ's
           Love
           to
           us
           in
           the
           outward
           Expressions
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           the
           intimacies
           of
           our
           Friendship
           and
           Familiarity
           one
           with
           another
           ;
           Christ
           so
           loves
           all
           true
           Christians
           ,
           as
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           strictest
           bands
           of
           amity
           with
           them
           ;
           he
           is
           nearly
           united
           to
           them
           as
           their
           Head
           and
           Husband
           ,
           and
           calls
           them
           his
           Friends
           and
           his
           
           Spouse
           ;
           he
           is
           the
           Head
           and
           they
           are
           the
           Members
           ;
           the
           Vine
           ,
           
           and
           they
           are
           the
           Branches
           ;
           
           the
           Foundation
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           the
           Building
           ;
           
           the
           Root
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           the
           Fruit.
           The
           Communications
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           the
           quickening
           assistances
           and
           influences
           of
           his
           Spirit
           are
           imparted
           to
           them
           ;
           he
           writes
           his
           Law
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           causeth
           them
           to
           run
           in
           the
           way
           of
           his
           Commandments
           ;
           sanctifies
           their
           Natures
           ,
           pardons
           their
           Sins
           ,
           prevailingly
           intercedes
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           prepares
           them
           by
           Grace
           for
           Glory
           :
           He
           hath
           communion
           with
           them
           in
           his
           Ordinances
           ,
           familiarly
           converseth
           with
           them
           in
           his
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           is
           continually
           sitting
           them
           for
           that
           happy
           Fellowship
           with
           Father
           Son
           and
           Holy
           Spirit
           which
           glorified
           Saints
           injoy
           .
           While
           he
           was
           on
           Earth
           ,
           he
           selected
           some
           few
           Persons
           ,
           prepared
           them
           by
           
           Grace
           for
           his
           Society
           ,
           and
           then
           made
           them
           his
           familiar
           Friends
           .
           To
           them
           he
           clearly
           revealed
           the
           Mind
           and
           Will
           of
           God
           ;
           to
           them
           he
           unfolded
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           Commands
           of
           his
           Father
           ;
           to
           them
           he
           explained
           what
           was
           spoken
           to
           others
           in
           Parables
           ;
           these
           he
           blessed
           with
           his
           Heavenly
           Discourses
           and
           Pious
           Instructions
           with
           the
           special
           tokens
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           familiar
           Expressions
           of
           his
           Friendship
           .
           Indeed
           he
           did
           entertertain
           a
           Iudas
           in
           his
           Family
           ,
           but
           he
           made
           a
           strict
           Profession
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           Disciples
           ,
           and
           was
           not
           known
           to
           be
           Hypocritical
           by
           any
           but
           Christ
           himself
           ;
           and
           had
           not
           the
           wisdom
           of
           God
           designed
           by
           his
           means
           to
           bring
           about
           the
           great
           work
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ,
           no
           doubt
           but
           this
           Son
           of
           Perdition
           would
           have
           been
           discarded
           and
           disown'd
           .
           He
           did
           indeed
           eat
           with
           Publicans
           and
           Sinners
           ,
           but
           
           though
           for
           this
           he
           was
           falsly
           accused
           as
           their
           Friend
           and
           Companion
           ,
           yet
           he
           was
           not
           so
           ;
           he
           eat
           with
           them
           as
           their
           Physician
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           their
           Companion
           ;
           did
           not
           own
           them
           for
           his
           Friends
           ,
           but
           sought
           by
           his
           holy
           Discourse
           and
           obliging
           Carriage
           to
           make
           them
           so
           :
           And
           the
           same
           Mind
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           us
           that
           was
           also
           in
           him
           .
        
         
           Though
           Christianity
           allows
           not
           moroseness
           and
           incivility
           towards
           others
           ,
           yet
           all
           needless
           familiarity
           with
           Wicked
           Men
           is
           forbidden
           :
           Our
           Eyes
           (
           with
           Davids
           )
           ought
           to
           be
           upon
           the
           
             Faithful
             in
             the
             Land
          
           ,
           Psal.
           101.
           6.
           
           To
           delight
           in
           wicked
           Company
           may
           justly
           fill
           us
           with
           doubts
           of
           our
           own
           sincerity
           ;
           we
           may
           know
           
             we
             are
             passed
             from
             Death
             to
             Life
             ,
             if
             we
             love
             the
             Brethren
             ,
          
           1
           John
           3.
           14.
           
           And
           we
           have
           just
           reason
           to
           fear
           we
           are
           yet
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Death
           if
           we
           delight
           in
           the
           Ungodly
           .
           Common
           
           civilities
           may
           be
           paid
           to
           Wicked
           Men
           ,
           but
           special
           friendship
           is
           to
           be
           reserved
           only
           for
           those
           who
           we
           hope
           are
           the
           Friends
           of
           God.
           If
           we
           love
           God
           above
           all
           ,
           surely
           we
           shall
           associate
           most
           with
           them
           that
           may
           warm
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           raise
           our
           Affections
           ,
           and
           provoke
           us
           by
           their
           Example
           to
           an
           holy
           imitation
           .
           We
           ought
           to
           imitate
           the
           Royal
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             who
             was
             a
             Companion
             of
             all
             them
             that
             feared
             God
             ,
          
           Psal.
           119.
           63.
           
           The
           Poverty
           and
           Meanness
           of
           such
           did
           not
           lessen
           his
           delight
           ;
           he
           priz'd
           a
           Saint
           in
           Rags
           ,
           beyond
           a
           Wicked
           Man
           though
           cloathed
           in
           Princely
           Robes
           ,
           or
           Imperial
           Purple
           .
           We
           ought
           to
           have
           a
           friendly
           regard
           to
           all
           true
           Christians
           ;
           and
           though
           some
           because
           of
           their
           eminency
           in
           Grace
           ,
           suitableness
           to
           our
           Temper
           ,
           Neighbourhood
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           reasons
           ,
           may
           be
           our
           more
           intimate
           Friends
           :
           Yet
           must
           not
           we
           despise
           any
           because
           
           of
           their
           meanness
           ,
           but
           as
           we
           have
           opportunity
           ▪
           give
           them
           the
           special
           tokens
           of
           our
           Friendship
           too
           .
           Vile
           Persons
           must
           be
           contemned
           ,
           and
           Scandalous
           Professors
           must
           especially
           be
           avoided
           ;
           
           but
           our
           intimate
           Acquaintance
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           Servants
           of
           God
           ;
           
           and
           the
           more
           Holy
           any
           are
           ,
           the
           more
           ambitious
           should
           we
           be
           of
           their
           Friendship
           and
           Converse
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           our
           hearty
           Prayers
           one
           for
           another
           .
           Christ
           was
           very
           earnest
           in
           his
           Prayers
           for
           true
           Believers
           ;
           they
           were
           the
           peculiar
           objects
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           purchase
           of
           his
           Death
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           prays
           for
           them
           in
           a
           peculiar
           manner
           :
           For
           Peter
           ,
           he
           prays
           for
           strengthening
           confirming
           Grace
           ,
           Luke
           22.
           31.
           and
           he
           put
           up
           a
           famous
           Prayer
           for
           his
           .
           Disciples
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           should
           believe
           on
           him
           ,
           Iohn
           17.
           that
           they
           
           might
           persevere
           in
           the
           Faith
           ,
           live
           in
           Unity
           ,
           increase
           in
           Grace
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           be
           translated
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           abide
           with
           him
           in
           Glory
           .
           And
           he
           hath
           laid
           a
           special
           Obligation
           on
           us
           to
           do
           likewise
           .
           Hence
           in
           that
           excellent
           Form
           and
           Directory
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           Mat.
           6.
           9.
           he
           teaches
           us
           to
           say
           ,
           Our
           Father
           ,
           intimating
           that
           if
           we
           would
           gain
           acceptance
           for
           our selves
           ,
           we
           must
           come
           to
           God
           as
           in
           union
           with
           Christ
           and
           his
           universal
           Church
           .
           Our
           Prayers
           must
           not
           be
           only
           for
           our selves
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           whole
           Church
           of
           God
           throughout
           the
           World
           ;
           we
           must
           hold
           Communion
           with
           all
           Christians
           in
           Faith
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           an
           holy
           Profession
           thereof
           ;
           and
           while
           absent
           in
           Body
           ,
           must
           be
           as
           present
           with
           them
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           still
           beg
           of
           God
           for
           them
           a
           freedom
           from
           the
           same
           Spiritual
           Evils
           ,
           and
           enjoyment
           of
           the
           same
           Spiritual
           Priviledges
           we
           would
           desire
           for
           our selves
           .
        
         
         
           If
           the
           Psalmist
           under
           the
           old
           Law
           pray'd
           for
           the
           Peace
           of
           Ierusalem
           ,
           Psal.
           122.
           6.
           137.
           5
           ,
           6.
           and
           makes
           such
           solemn
           Protestations
           never
           to
           forget
           her
           ;
           surely
           it
           is
           our
           great
           duty
           ▪
           now
           the
           Church
           is
           surrounded
           with
           Enemies
           so
           potent
           and
           numerous
           ,
           never
           to
           forget
           Spiritual
           Zion
           ,
           but
           always
           be
           mindful
           of
           our
           Ierusalem
           .
           If
           the
           legal
           Priests
           and
           Watchmen
           were
           bound
           to
           be
           God's
           Remembrancers
           ,
           and
           give
           him
           no
           rest
           till
           he
           establish
           and
           make
           Ierusalem
           a
           Praise
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           Isa.
           62.
           6
           ,
           7.
           
           Then
           surely
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           Spiritual
           Watchmen
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           put
           up
           their
           Petitions
           with
           fervour
           for
           the
           distressed
           Christian
           Churches
           and
           Servants
           of
           God.
           We
           ought
           with
           the
           Apostle
           to
           
             give
             Thanks
             to
             God
             always
             for
             all
             Saints
             ,
             and
             make
             mention
             of
             them
             in
             our
             Prayers
             ,
          
           Eph.
           1.
           16.
           
           Be
           compassionately
           sensible
           of
           all
           
           their
           Troubles
           ,
           and
           continually
           bow
           our
           Knees
           before
           God
           ,
           that
           all
           his
           dealings
           may
           tend
           to
           their
           good
           ;
           that
           their
           Lives
           may
           be
           a
           credit
           to
           their
           Profession
           ;
           and
           that
           their
           Faith
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Patience
           and
           Humility
           ,
           and
           Self-denial
           ,
           may
           be
           effectual
           to
           convince
           Unbelievers
           ,
           enlarge
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           add
           new
           Inhabitants
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Glory
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           In
           forgiving
           one
           another
           .
           Christ
           so
           loved
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           forgive
           all
           the
           injuries
           and
           affronts
           we
           have
           offered
           to
           him
           ;
           pardon
           of
           Sin
           is
           the
           great
           purchase
           of
           his
           Death
           .
           And
           though
           our
           Sins
           be
           more
           numerous
           than
           the
           Hairs
           of
           our
           Head
           ,
           and
           exceed
           the
           Sands
           of
           the
           Sea
           for
           Multitude
           ,
           yet
           if
           we
           sincerely
           repent
           of
           them
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           assured
           they
           shall
           be
           forgiven
           .
           And
           as
           Christ
           doth
           thus
           testify
           his
           love
           to
           us
           ,
           so
           must
           we
           
           testify
           our
           love
           to
           one
           another
           :
           Have
           they
           wrong'd
           and
           injur'd
           us
           ?
           we
           must
           not
           bear
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Revenge
           ,
           but
           freely
           forgive
           them
           :
           God
           will
           not
           forgive
           us
           except
           we
           forgive
           others
           ,
           Mat.
           6.
           11
           ,
           14
           ,
           15.
           
           Where
           God
           pardons
           any
           ,
           he
           gives
           them
           a
           heart
           to
           forgive
           others
           .
           That
           Servant
           in
           the
           Parable
           was
           very
           disingenuous
           ,
           who
           when
           his
           Lord
           forgave
           him
           Ten
           Thousand
           Talents
           ,
           cast
           his
           Fellow
           Servant
           into
           Goal
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           forgive
           him
           an
           Hundred
           Pence
           .
           Mat.
           18.
           23.
           
           And
           are
           not
           we
           guilty
           of
           the
           same
           disingenuity
           ,
           who
           when
           we
           know
           what
           numerous
           Talents
           God
           hath
           forgiven
           us
           ,
           cannot
           pass
           by
           a
           small
           injury
           of
           our
           Brother
           against
           us
           ?
           This
           act
           of
           Christian
           Love
           you
           see
           is
           strictly
           required
           ,
           and
           a
           special
           degree
           of
           it
           ▪
           is
           due
           to
           true
           Christians
           above
           all
           others
           .
           We
           are
           bound
           indeed
           to
           forgive
           Enemies
           while
           continuing
           and
           remaining
           
           such
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           not
           to
           return
           Evil
           for
           Evil
           ,
           to
           entertain
           no
           revengeful
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           perform
           all
           general
           Offices
           of
           Justice
           and
           Charity
           towards
           them
           .
           But
           a
           Friend
           and
           true
           Christian
           that
           hath
           offended
           us
           ,
           and
           returns
           to
           his
           Fidelity
           ,
           must
           be
           forgiven
           and
           again
           treated
           and
           entrusted
           as
           a
           Friend
           ,
           if
           he
           gives
           sufficient
           Evidences
           of
           his
           Sorrow
           and
           Repentance
           for
           former
           Faults
           :
           For
           is
           he
           the
           Friend
           of
           God
           ,
           
           and
           shall
           he
           be
           esteemed
           as
           our
           Enemy
           ?
           Is
           God
           reconciled
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           shall
           we
           still
           retain
           our
           Enmity
           against
           him
           ?
           Surely
           if
           God
           be
           his
           reconciled
           Father
           ,
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           his
           reconciled
           Brethren
           also
           :
           Account
           him
           no
           longer
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           but
           a
           
             Brother
             beloved
          
           ,
           Philem.
           16.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           In
           our
           Alms
           and
           Bounty
           to
           the
           Necessitous
           .
           Christ
           though
           he
           himself
           lived
           on
           the
           Charity
           of
           
           others
           ,
           and
           had
           not
           a
           sufficient
           supply
           for
           himself
           and
           Disciples
           ,
           yet
           we
           find
           he
           did
           out
           of
           that
           small
           pittance
           give
           something
           to
           the
           Poor
           ;
           for
           in
           this
           Chapter
           Iudas
           who
           was
           the
           Steward
           of
           Christ's
           Family
           ,
           bore
           the
           Bag
           ,
           and
           was
           to
           disburse
           Mony
           for
           those
           uses
           for
           which
           his
           Lord
           designed
           it
           :
           When
           he
           went
           out
           after
           his
           receiving
           the
           Sop
           ,
           the
           Disciples
           thought
           he
           was
           gone
           either
           to
           buy
           Provisions
           for
           the
           approaching
           Passover
           ,
           or
           
             to
             give
             something
             to
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           John
           13.
           29
           ;
           thereby
           implying
           it
           was
           our
           Saviour's
           custom
           to
           give
           to
           the
           Poor
           .
           And
           if
           he
           thus
           loved
           his
           poor
           Members
           ,
           surely
           we
           ought
           to
           do
           so
           likewise
           :
           Those
           who
           have
           a
           fruitless
           love
           to
           others
           ,
           have
           but
           a
           fruitless
           Faith
           to
           themselves
           :
           
           They
           who
           pretend
           love
           to
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           
           and
           yet
           relieve
           them
           
           not
           according
           to
           their
           ability
           ,
           their
           Professions
           of
           Religion
           are
           vain
           :
           We
           are
           bound
           indeed
           to
           supply
           the
           Wants
           of
           all
           ,
           even
           of
           Strangers
           and
           Enemies
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           ability
           and
           opportunities
           .
           But
           to
           true
           Christians
           ,
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           open
           our
           hands
           more
           wide
           ,
           and
           be
           more
           liberal
           and
           bountiful
           :
           
             Do
             good
             to
             all
             ,
             especially
             to
             the
             Houshold
             of
             Faith
             ,
          
           Gal.
           6.
           10.
           
           God
           hath
           made
           us
           but
           Stewards
           of
           the
           Earthly
           Blessings
           we
           injoy
           ,
           and
           given
           us
           our
           Stock
           of
           Worldly
           Goods
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           lay
           them
           out
           on
           those
           whom
           Providence
           hath
           made
           the
           Objects
           of
           our
           Charity
           ;
           he
           interprets
           that
           as
           done
           to
           himself
           ,
           which
           is
           done
           to
           his
           Servants
           and
           Christ's
           distressed
           Members
           .
           Christ
           is
           resolved
           at
           the
           day
           of
           Judgment
           to
           insist
           on
           this
           Duty
           more
           than
           on
           any
           other
           .
           
           The
           true
           Christian
           is
           himself
           
           devoted
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           therefore
           will
           devote
           all
           he
           hath
           to
           him
           ;
           will
           honour
           him
           with
           his
           Substance
           ,
           and
           the
           first
           Fruits
           of
           his
           Increase
           ;
           expend
           the
           Blessings
           received
           ,
           to
           Cloath
           ,
           Feed
           and
           Supply
           the
           Naked
           ,
           Hungry
           and
           Distressed
           .
           If
           God
           hath
           intrusted
           him
           with
           many
           Talents
           ,
           he
           will
           not
           be
           so
           unreasonable
           as
           to
           think
           he
           hath
           therefore
           liberty
           given
           to
           pamper
           his
           Lusts
           ,
           or
           gratify
           his
           Fleshly
           Appetite
           ;
           but
           like
           a
           Wise
           Steward
           will
           seek
           out
           fit
           Objects
           for
           his
           Charity
           ;
           and
           seeing
           his
           Lord
           Redeemer
           out
           of
           that
           little
           which
           he
           had
           ,
           gave
           to
           the
           Poor
           ,
           will
           imitate
           his
           great
           Example
           3.
           and
           because
           much
           is
           given
           ,
           will
           be
           proportionably
           liberal
           and
           bountiful
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           In
           our
           Counsels
           and
           admonitions
           :
           Christ
           was
           very
           frequent
           and
           earnest
           in
           his
           pious
           Counsels
           and
           Instructions
           ,
           he
           did
           not
           only
           
           heal
           the
           Diseases
           of
           Mens
           Bodies
           ,
           but
           the
           chief
           design
           of
           his
           coming
           was
           to
           free
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           from
           all
           their
           Spiritual
           Maladies
           and
           Distempers
           .
           Throughout
           his
           whole
           Life
           he
           was
           still
           explaining
           to
           Men
           the
           whole
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Disciples
           more
           plainly
           than
           to
           others
           ,
           Mat.
           13
           11.
           
           This
           evidence
           of
           Brotherly
           Love
           we
           ought
           to
           give
           also
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           only
           the
           duty
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           but
           of
           every
           private
           Christian
           
             in
             his
             Station
          
           ,
           to
           counsel
           and
           instruct
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           to
           inform
           the
           Ignorant
           ,
           and
           seek
           their
           Conversion
           ;
           tell
           them
           their
           duty
           and
           danger
           ,
           and
           shew
           them
           how
           they
           may
           flee
           from
           the
           wrath
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           will
           be
           their
           wisdom
           and
           interest
           thus
           to
           win
           Souls
           to
           Christ
           ,
           
           and
           save
           Sinners
           from
           Death
           and
           Hell.
           
           This
           must
           we
           do
           to
           the
           most
           vicious
           as
           
           we
           have
           opportunity
           :
           But
           as
           we
           owe
           a
           special
           degree
           of
           Love
           to
           Fellow
           Christians
           ,
           so
           we
           are
           especially
           to
           counsel
           and
           admonish
           them
           :
           To
           advise
           them
           in
           difficulties
           ,
           explain
           what
           they
           do
           not
           understand
           ,
           endeavour
           to
           impart
           our
           Light
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           increase
           their
           knowledge
           ,
           make
           additions
           to
           their
           Grace
           ,
           and
           further
           their
           Happiness
           .
           He
           that
           loves
           his
           Brother
           will
           seek
           to
           help
           his
           Ignorance
           ,
           rectifie
           his
           Mistakes
           ,
           free
           him
           from
           Error
           ,
           and
           communicate
           his
           own
           Experiences
           to
           preserve
           him
           from
           Sin
           ,
           encourage
           him
           in
           Duty
           ,
           and
           make
           his
           passage
           to
           Heaven
           more
           pleasant
           and
           delighful
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           In
           kind
           and
           friendly
           Reproofs
           .
           Christ
           frequently
           gave
           this
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           reproved
           the
           smallness
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           Pride
           and
           Ambition
           ,
           
           and
           unbecoming
           Passions
           ,
           
           
           and
           the
           like
           Sins
           .
           Thus
           must
           we
           also
           act
           :
           Smooth
           Flattery
           is
           an
           Argument
           of
           Hatred
           ,
           and
           neglecting
           Reproofs
           when
           necessary
           is
           a
           piece
           of
           negative
           Flattery
           ;
           but
           a
           smart
           rebuke
           is
           oftentimes
           a
           great
           Argument
           of
           Love
           ,
           Le●it
           .
           19.
           17.
           
           When
           therefore
           we
           see
           our
           Brother
           erring
           from
           his
           way
           ,
           we
           must
           seek
           by
           moderate
           Reproofs
           to
           stir
           up
           his
           dying
           Graces
           ,
           and
           bring
           him
           back
           to
           his
           Duty
           .
           Here
           indeed
           much
           Christian
           Prudence
           and
           Discretion
           is
           necessary
           :
           We
           are
           too
           apt
           to
           aggravate
           the
           failings
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           extenuate
           our
           own
           far
           greater
           offences
           .
           Therefore
           let
           us
           be
           more
           ready
           to
           behold
           our
           own
           stains
           ,
           than
           the
           lesser
           spots
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           first
           cover
           our
           own
           nakedness
           before
           we
           cast
           the
           Stones
           of
           Reproof
           at
           our
           Brother
           .
           Neither
           must
           we
           reprove
           upon
           bare
           Rumors
           and
           
           Suspicions
           ,
           without
           certain
           knowledge
           of
           our
           Brothers
           offence
           :
           
           This
           is
           to
           shoot
           the
           Arrow
           before
           we
           see
           the
           mark
           .
           If
           we
           are
           not
           certainly
           assur'd
           either
           from
           our
           own
           personal
           Knowledge
           ,
           or
           the
           undoubted
           Testimony
           of
           credible
           Witnesses
           ,
           that
           our
           Brother
           is
           guilty
           ,
           our
           reproofs
           will
           be
           but
           Slanders
           ,
           and
           our
           Charity
           in
           offering
           the
           Cure
           will
           not
           be
           half
           so
           great
           as
           our
           uncharitableness
           in
           believing
           the
           Disease
           .
           Neither
           must
           we
           reprove
           sharply
           for
           small
           offences
           ,
           for
           every
           unvoluntary
           slip
           and
           failing
           :
           To
           dip
           our
           Reproofs
           in
           Gall
           and
           Satyr
           upon
           every
           little
           miscarriage
           ,
           is
           a
           piece
           of
           impertinent
           officiousness
           ,
           and
           shews
           we
           are
           very
           much
           in
           Love
           with
           the
           Office.
           Further
           ,
           our
           Reproofs
           must
           be
           seasonable
           ,
           Prov.
           15.
           23.
           
           When
           our
           Brother
           is
           most
           calm
           and
           sedate
           ,
           his
           Passions
           
           hush'd
           and
           still
           ,
           and
           his
           reason
           Reseated
           on
           the
           Throne
           ,
           as
           Water
           falling
           on
           a
           Red
           hot
           Iron
           only
           causes
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           noise
           and
           disturbance
           ,
           so
           Reproofs
           just
           upon
           the
           very
           act
           of
           Sin
           ,
           when
           our
           Brothers
           Passions
           are
           in
           disorder
           ,
           will
           only
           cause
           him
           to
           fume
           and
           fret
           the
           more
           .
           Moreover
           our
           reproofs
           must
           be
           given
           in
           gentle
           Language
           ,
           Gal.
           6.
           1.
           
           Rebukes
           in
           reviling
           words
           look
           like
           the
           upbraidings
           of
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           not
           like
           the
           kindness
           of
           a
           displeased
           Friend
           .
           Nay
           ,
           let
           not
           your
           Reproofs
           be
           before
           others
           ,
           lest
           it
           alienate
           thy
           Brothers
           Heart
           ,
           and
           make
           him
           suspect
           't
           is
           hatred
           and
           not
           love
           that
           puts
           thee
           upon
           this
           ungrateful
           Imployment
           ;
           but
           let
           them
           be
           between
           him
           and
           thee
           alone
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           secresie
           and
           privacy
           possible
           :
           That
           he
           may
           see
           't
           is
           thy
           love
           that
           urgeth
           thee
           to
           this
           Office
           of
           Kindness
           ;
           and
           good
           Men
           will
           
           hearken
           and
           endeavour
           to
           amend
           whatever
           is
           amiss
           ,
           
             Psal.
             141.
             5.
             
             Rebuke
             a
             Wise
             Man
             and
             he
             will
             love
             thee
             ,
          
           Prov.
           9.
           8.
           
        
         
           8.
           
           In
           dying
           for
           one
           another
           .
           The
           greatest
           Testimony
           of
           Christs
           Love
           was
           his
           dying
           for
           us
           ,
           Iohn
           15.
           13.
           
           
             Rom.
             5.
             8.
             
             Hereby
             perceive
             we
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             that
             he
             laid
             down
             his
             Life
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             we
             ought
             to
             lay
             down
             our
             Lives
             for
             the
             Brethren
             ,
             1
             Iohn
          
           3.
           16.
           
           If
           Christ
           who
           was
           so
           much
           exalted
           above
           us
           in
           Glory
           and
           Majesty
           ,
           did
           lay
           down
           his
           Life
           for
           us
           ,
           much
           more
           ought
           we
           to
           dye
           for
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           the
           same
           mould
           by
           Nature
           ,
           partakers
           of
           the
           same
           precious
           Faith
           by
           Grace
           ,
           and
           heirs
           of
           the
           same
           Inheritance
           in
           Glory
           .
           If
           Christ
           dyed
           for
           Enemies
           and
           Strangers
           ,
           Slaves
           to
           Satan
           ,
           and
           Rebels
           against
           Heaven
           ,
           surely
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           account
           it
           hard
           to
           dye
           for
           Friends
           link'd
           to
           us
           by
           the
           nearest
           
           Bonds
           of
           Union
           ,
           Members
           of
           the
           same
           Body
           ,
           and
           belonging
           to
           the
           same
           Glorious
           Head
           ;
           seeing
           Christ
           did
           not
           account
           his
           Life
           too
           dear
           for
           us
           ,
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           account
           this
           command
           an
           hard
           saying
           ,
           or
           burden
           too
           difficult
           to
           be
           born
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           Duty
           is
           only
           to
           be
           perform'd
           when
           we
           are
           specially
           call'd
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           publick
           good
           of
           Christianity
           requires
           it
           ;
           to
           lay
           down
           our
           Lives
           without
           such
           a
           Call
           is
           to
           become
           Murderers
           of
           our selves
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           to
           the
           wrong
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           benefit
           of
           our
           Brethren
           :
           For
           thereby
           we
           are
           incapacitated
           from
           doing
           them
           any
           further
           service
           in
           this
           World.
           The
           great
           instance
           wherein
           we
           are
           to
           lay
           down
           our
           Lives
           for
           our
           Brethren
           is
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           call'd
           to
           seal
           the
           Truth
           with
           our
           Blood.
           The
           Glory
           of
           God
           and
           Spiritual
           Good
           of
           our
           Brethren
           ought
           to
           be
           so
           dear
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           willingly
           to
           
           Sacrifice
           our
           Lives
           ,
           rather
           than
           by
           any
           base
           and
           sinful
           compliances
           harden
           Unbelievers
           ,
           unsettle
           weak
           and
           wavering
           Christians
           ,
           or
           grieve
           the
           Hearts
           of
           confirm'd
           Saints
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Some
           Practical
           Improvement
           .
           I
           shall
           conclude
           all
           with
           a
           word
           of
           Exhortation
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           my
           Brethren
           in
           the
           Ministry
           .
           I
           have
           taken
           upon
           me
           the
           Office
           of
           putting
           you
           in
           remembrance
           of
           your
           Duty
           .
        
         
           We
           all
           call
           our selves
           the
           Messengers
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Ambassadors
           of
           the
           God
           of
           Love
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           come
           together
           to
           testifie
           our
           Love
           to
           one
           another
           .
           Let
           us
           now
           therefore
           take
           up
           an
           unanimous
           Resolution
           ,
           that
           we
           will
           live
           together
           as
           united
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           imitate
           the
           great
           Example
           of
           our
           Lord
           Redeemer
           ,
           who
           hath
           given
           us
           our
           Commission
           .
           Let
           us
           not
           be
           strange
           or
           shy
           ,
           or
           suspicious
           one
           of
           another
           ;
           harbour
           any
           envy
           ,
           ill-will
           or
           hard
           
           thoughts
           ;
           Take
           up
           any
           evil
           reports
           ,
           or
           hearken
           to
           the
           Tales
           of
           Whisperers
           and
           Backbiters
           ,
           who
           make
           it
           their
           Business
           to
           sow
           Seeds
           of
           Discord
           among
           Brethren
           :
           While
           we
           all
           profess
           the
           same
           Holy
           Religion
           ,
           worship
           God
           after
           the
           same
           manner
           ,
           and
           pursue
           the
           same
           design
           of
           winning
           Souls
           to
           Christ
           ;
           why
           should
           we
           be
           angry
           or
           displeas'd
           ,
           if
           perhaps
           we
           have
           not
           the
           same
           Sentiments
           in
           some
           lesser
           Matters
           of
           difficulty
           ;
           any
           more
           than
           because
           we
           are
           not
           of
           the
           same
           Age
           ,
           Stature
           or
           Complexion
           ?
           Why
           should
           we
           envy
           one
           anothers
           Parts
           ,
           or
           Gifts
           ,
           or
           Success
           ;
           Or
           be
           offended
           because
           perhaps
           the
           Assemblies
           of
           others
           may
           be
           larger
           than
           our
           own
           ?
           It
           ought
           to
           be
           our
           Joy
           if
           our
           Lord
           and
           Masters
           Work
           be
           carried
           on
           by
           others
           better
           than
           by
           our selves
           ;
           and
           we
           ought
           to
           embrace
           our
           Brethren
           for
           their
           Piety
           ,
           Warmth
           and
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           be
           
           highly
           pleas'd
           that
           God
           makes
           them
           Glorious
           Instruments
           for
           the
           Conversion
           of
           Souls
           .
        
         
           The
           Apostle
           Paul
           could
           say
           that
           though
           some
           preached
           Christ
           out
           of
           envy
           and
           strife
           ,
           Phil.
           1.
           15
           ,
           18.
           yet
           Christ
           was
           preached
           ,
           and
           therein
           he
           did
           rejoice
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           would
           rejoice
           :
           We
           all
           preach
           Christ
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           perswaded
           none
           of
           us
           with
           contentious
           Spirits
           :
           Let
           us
           therefore
           rejoice
           in
           one
           anothers
           success
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           Ministy
           ;
           and
           make
           it
           our
           business
           to
           strengthen
           one
           anothers
           Hands
           in
           the
           service
           of
           our
           Lord
           :
           Let
           not
           our
           Love
           be
           Complemental
           and
           Ceremonious
           ,
           but
           let
           it
           be
           real
           and
           hearty
           ,
           as
           becomes
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           :
           Let
           it
           be
           express'd
           in
           all
           the
           instances
           forementioned
           ,
           by
           the
           Intimacies
           of
           our
           Friendship
           ,
           by
           our
           earnest
           and
           hearty
           Prayers
           ;
           by
           a
           readiness
           to
           forbear
           and
           forgive
           one
           another
           
           by
           our
           kind
           Counsels
           and
           Admonitions
           ,
           communicating
           to
           each
           other
           that
           Light
           and
           Knowledge
           we
           think
           we
           may
           have
           gain'd
           in
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           Religion
           ,
           by
           our
           friendly
           and
           gentle
           Reproofs
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           occasion
           ;
           by
           our
           hearty
           faithfulness
           in
           informing
           each
           other
           of
           our
           faults
           ,
           and
           directing
           how
           we
           may
           best
           discharge
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           Ministry
           committed
           to
           us
           .
           These
           ,
           my
           Brethren
           ,
           are
           the
           great
           Duties
           God
           expects
           from
           us
           ;
           and
           the
           obligations
           of
           Christianity
           forcibly
           engage
           us
           to
           the
           performance
           of
           them
           .
           As
           we
           have
           therefore
           begun
           to
           do
           thus
           ,
           let
           us
           hold
           on
           ,
           that
           our
           Union
           together
           may
           be
           for
           the
           advancement
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           enlargement
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           an
           earnest
           and
           happy
           presage
           of
           a
           yet
           larger
           and
           more
           extensive
           Union
           among
           all
           the
           Faithful
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           throughout
           
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           (
           if
           it
           be
           Gods
           will
           )
           throughout
           the
           whole
           Christian
           World.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           indeed
           to
           us
           all
           in
           general
           .
           Let
           us
           all
           be
           perswaded
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           this
           Duty
           .
           The
           Plague
           of
           Uncharitableness
           hath
           dangerously
           Infected
           the
           generality
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           concerns
           every
           Messenger
           of
           peace
           to
           cry
           aloud
           and
           perswade
           Men
           to
           Love
           and
           Union
           .
           This
           was
           the
           dying
           command
           of
           our
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           shall
           we
           neglect
           it
           ?
           How
           can
           we
           expect
           the
           Legacies
           and
           Benefits
           he
           hath
           bequeath'd
           ,
           if
           we
           omit
           the
           commands
           he
           hath
           given
           ?
           That
           must
           be
           a
           very
           unnatural
           Son
           that
           despises
           the
           last
           words
           and
           commands
           of
           his
           Father
           pronounced
           with
           his
           dying
           Breath
           ;
           and
           are
           not
           we
           very
           unnatural
           if
           we
           neglect
           
           the
           dying
           Admonitions
           of
           our
           Dear
           Redeemer
           ?
           When
           Men
           are
           just
           departing
           out
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           (
           especially
           good
           Men
           )
           they
           use
           not
           to
           spend
           their
           Breath
           about
           Trifles
           ,
           but
           speak
           what
           they
           apprehend
           of
           greatest
           moment
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           desire
           may
           be
           more
           especially
           regarded
           .
           Our
           Lord
           Jesus
           did
           not
           trifle
           with
           us
           when
           he
           was
           leaving
           the
           World
           :
           And
           therefore
           seeing
           this
           was
           one
           of
           his
           last
           Commands
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           assur'd
           he
           laid
           great
           weight
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           earnestly
           desired
           it
           might
           be
           principally
           observed
           by
           his
           Followers
           .
           Nay
           ,
           he
           himself
           makes
           it
           the
           distinguishing
           Character
           of
           his
           Disciples
           whereby
           they
           may
           be
           known
           from
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           World.
           
             By
             this
             shall
             all
             Men
             know
             that
             ye
             are
             my
             Disciples
             if
             ye
             have
             love
             one
             to
             another
             ,
          
           John
           13.
           35.
           
           Do
           you
           therefore
           shew
           
           your
           respect
           to
           your
           Dying
           Lord
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           appear
           to
           the
           World
           that
           you
           are
           his
           true
           Disciples
           by
           a
           constant
           unintermitted
           Exercise
           of
           Love
           to
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Books
           lately
           Printed
           for
           John
           Dunton
           .
        
         
           PRactical
           Discourses
           on
           Sickness
           and
           Recovery
           ,
           in
           several
           Sermons
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           lately
           preached
           in
           a
           Congregation
           in
           London
           .
           By
           
             Timothy
             Rogers
          
           ,
           M.
           A.
           after
           his
           Recovery
           from
           a
           Sickness
           of
           near
           two
           Years
           continuance
           .
        
         
           —
           His
           Treatise
           Intitled
           ,
           
             Early
             Religion
          
           .
        
         
           The
           Vanity
           of
           Childhood
           and
           Youth
           .
           By
           
             Daniel
             Williams
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           The
           Life
           and
           Death
           of
           the
           Renowned
           
             Iohn
             Eliot
          
           ,
           the
           first
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           the
           Heathens
           in
           America
           .
           Written
           by
           Mr.
           
             Cotton
             Mather
          
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           Barkers
           Book
           ,
           Intituled
           ,
           
             Flores
             Intellectuales
          
           ,
           or
           Select
           Notions
           ,
           Sentences
           and
           Observations
           .
           Collected
           out
           of
           several
           Authors
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           Lees
           Joy
           of
           Faith.
           
        
         
           Casuistical
           Morning-Exercises
           ,
           the
           4
           th
           Volume
           .
           By
           several
           Ministers
           in
           and
           about
           London
           ;
           preached
           in
           October
           1689.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           Books
           Printed
           for
           ,
           and
           Sold
           by
           John
           Salusbury
           .
        
         
           THE
           Certainty
           of
           the
           Worlds
           of
           Spirits
           ;
           fully
           evinced
           by
           unquestionable
           Histories
           of
           Apparitions
           and
           Witchcrafts
           ,
           Operations
           ,
           Voices
           ,
           &c.
           
           Proving
           the
           Immortality
           of
           Souls
           ,
           &c.
           By
           
             Richard
             Baxter
          
           .
        
         
           An
           end
           of
           Doctrinal
           Controversies
           ,
           which
           have
           lately
           troubled
           the
           Churches
           by
           Reconciling
           Explication
           ,
           without
           much
           Disputing
           .
           By
           
             Richard
             Baxter
          
           .
           In
           Octavo
           .
        
         
           A
           Rational
           Defence
           of
           Nonconformity
           :
           Wherein
           the
           Practice
           of
           Nonconformists
           is
           vindicated
           from
           promoting
           Popery
           ,
           and
           ruining
           the
           Church
           ;
           imputed
           to
           them
           by
           Dr.
           Stillingfleet
           ,
           in
           his
           
             Vnreasonableness
             of
             Separation
          
           .
           By
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           ,
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           In
           Quarto
           .
        
         
           The
           Harmony
           of
           the
           Divine
           Attributes
           ,
           in
           the
           Contrivance
           and
           Accomplishment
           of
           Man's
           Redemption
           by
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ.
           By
           
             T.
             Cruso
          
           .
           In
           Twelves
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A31660-e520
           
             Iames
             4.
             1.
             
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Iohn
             13.
             36.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             6.
             10.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             13.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             3.
             8.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             7.
             1.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             14.
             4.
             
          
           
             Iames
             3.
             1.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             34.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             1.
             2.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             20.
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             133.
             1.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             12.
             26.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             5.
             15.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             2.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             4.
             
             ●
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             3.
             
          
           
             Cor.
             13.
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             15.
             3.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             14.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             12.
             3.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Iohn
             4.
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             6.
             16
             ,
             19.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A31660-e2100
           
             Ver.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             31
             ,
             32.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             33.
             3.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             26.
             29.
             
          
           
             Bishop
             
             Tillotson's
             Sermon
             on
             this
             Text.
             
          
           
             1
             Thes.
             4.
             9.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             8.
             8.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             25
             ,
             26.
             
          
           
             Mark
             3.
             35.
             
          
           
             Philem.
             9.
             
          
           
             Col.
             1.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             17.
             
          
           
             Luke
             18.
             12.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             Luke
             .
             19.
             41
             ,
             42.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             32.
             
          
           
             Iohn
             15.
             
             ●
             .
          
           
             Ioh.
             14.
             22.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             15.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             5.
             11.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             17.
             3.
             
          
           
             Ium
             .
             1.
             27.
             
          
           
             1
             Iohn
             3.
             17.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             25
             ▪
             34.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             11.
             30.
             
          
           
             Iam.
             5.
             20.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             8.
             26.
             18.
             1.
             
          
           
             Luke
             9.
             55
             ,
             56.
             
          
           
             Bishop
             Hopkins
             Serm.
             on
             Lev.
             19.
             17.