Exposition of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5 · Verse 12,13
VERS. 12, 13.
And we beſeech you, Brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are ouer you in the Lord, and admoniſh you:
And to eſteeme them very highly in louelove for their workes ſake, and bee at peace among your ſelues.
COnnexion. The Apoſtle had giuen aduice to exhort and edifie one another: leſt any ſhould inferre; Theſe duties being mutually performed in priuate, there will bee no great vſe of the Miniſterie; ſayth the Apoſtle, Miſtake not: though the duties bee enioyned you for priuate exerciſe, yet muſt the publike Miniſtery hauehave its due honour and reſpect. Know them, &c.
Obſer. Priuate Chriſtian duties of exhortation, admonition, &c. must bee performed, that in no caſe the publike Miniſterie be neglected. dHeb. 10.24, 25Prouoke one another to louelove and good workes: yet forſake not the gatherings together of the Saints. It is their fault, ſayth the Apoſtle, that are growne in that kind diſſolute. To the Hebrewes, Paul had written a large Epiſtle, full of heauenly Doctrines and Admonitions; by reading whereof, they might attaine a comfortable meaſure of knowledge, and other grace: yet I beſeech you (ſayth he)eHeb. 13.22. ſuffer the words of Exhortation; he meanes from their Paſtors ordinarie, whom God had ſet ouer them.
Need I adde Reaſons?
Firſt, I ſay as Iames, Hee that ſaid, Admoniſh, exhort, &c. in priuate, ſaid alſo,f1. Theſſ. 5.20. Deſpiſe not Prophecie. If then thou attend to Admonitions priuate, and neglecteſt the publique Miniſterie, art thou not a Tranſgreſſour of the Law? Chriſtian dueties are all ſubordinate: They fight not; neyther may wee thinke, the performance of one, diſpenſeth for neglect of another.
Secondly, Though, no doubt, a gracious bleſſing may be expected by priuate Admonitions, &c. yet a greater wee hauehave cauſe to hope for by the publique Miniſterie, wherewith God hath promiſed, in a ſpeciall manner,gMark. 16.16. to be preſent.
Thirdly, The Lord hath appointed the Miniſterie publique, to be a generall guide and direction for performance of all priuate duties: and of purpoſe leaues the people of greateſt gifts, doubtfull and vncertaine in many things, that there may be continuall vſe of the publique Miniſterie.hMal. 2.7. The people muſt ſeeke the Law at the mouth of the Priest. And who of the people muſt not ſay, as the Eunuch, in ſundrie points of knowledge, vponupon like queſtion propounded; Vnderſtandeſt thou? &c.iAct. 8.30, 31. How can I, without a Guide? Beſides, in eueryevery dutie there is as well a Modus, as the Action; circumſtances many, to be obſerued in exhorting, admoniſhing, &c. euerie dutie. It ſufficeth not to ſay, as the cuſtome is, they know as well as Preachers can tell them, what they muſt doe: the manner of doing, muſt be withall attended.
Vſe. It iuſtly reprooues that vſuall diſ-ioyning of theſe two in practice, which God, in his Preſcript, hath coupled together. Some yee may obſerue thus minded: It ſufficeth, they ſay, to heare in the Congregation; God hath giuen Miniſters to teach vsus, what need wee be ſo carefull of Conference, Admonition, &c? By this meanes we ſhall hauehave as many Teachers, as men. Nay, euen for neceſſarie duties in the Familie, that goes for a currant excuſe, They bring their people to the Congregation, to heare. I would that were as conſcionably performed, as is pretended; vſually it is true of moſt, their ſeruants are their owne men on the Lords day.
But wee muſt remember, that God requires it as a dutie in all that hekGen. 18.19. commends in ABRAHAM. And if Paul, ſo great an Apoſtle, thought he might belRom. 1.12. comforted by the peoples Faith; who are wee, to diſdaine the helpe of priuate men?
Another ſort there are, ſo highly conceited of the ſufficiencie of priuate ſtudie, meditation, &c. that they thinke the publique Miniſterie all-out, as needleſſe; and they, forſooth, chuſe to ſerue God at home. But thinke you, the Lord hath ſaid in vaine, Deſpiſe not Prophecie, mHeb. 10.25.Forſake not the Aſſemblies? Are thy gifts greater then were they of Primitiue Chriſtians, that continued nAct. 2.42.daily in the Apoſtles Doctrine? Surely, though I know it is true; priuate helpes, ſeaſonably vſed, are accompanied with a gracious bleſſing from God: yet this I may boldly ſay with SALOMON, Neglect of the Publique, brings a Curſe vponupon the Priuate. oPro. 28.9.He that turnes his eare from hearing the Law, his very prayer ſhall be abominable.
In the words are preſcribed duties concerning them towards Miniſters: The particulars are, firſt, the deſcription of the Obiect of theſe Duties: They are, firſt, ſuch as labour, that is their Worke; ſecondly, ſuch as are ouer vsus, that is their Dignitie; thirdly, that admoniſh, that is a ſpecialtie of their Office. Secondly, the duties the people owe to ſuch, are, firſt, Reuerence, know them; ſecondly, LoueLove; whoſe, firſt, meaſure, and ſecondly, ground, is propounded: It muſt be ſingular louelove, and that for their Workes ſake.
To know, ſignifies not a ſimple notice or knowledge of our perſons, but a knowledge ioyned with reuerence, and high eſteeme. I will not pPſal. 101.4.know a wicked perſon; that is, ſuch ſhall be extremely contemptible in his eyes. Not to know, in this ſence, is to contemne; To know, is to reuerence, and hauehave in honour.
Obſer. The firſt Dutie pointed at, due from people to their Miniſters; is Reuerence, and high eſteeme, in reſpect of their Calling, and the Worke thereof. This is that, as ſome thinke, that Paul meanes by q1. Tim. 5.17.double honour: A ſingle reuerence and reſpect is not ſufficient; eueryevery good office muſt be doubled to them.
The Lord hath euerie way endeuoured to make them reuerend.
Firſt, Giuing them Titles of higheſt reſpect:rMal. 2.7. Meſſengers they are called of the Lord of Hoſtes, ſ2. Cor. 5.20.Embaſſadours of Chriſt, Angels of the Churches, Fathers of their People.
Secondly, Their Authoritie wonderfull: To them are giuentMat. 16.19. the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heauen, to open and ſhut Heauen; not as they pleaſe: yet ſo, as the Lord ratifieth their regular proceedings in the Court-of Heauen.uIoh. 20.23. Power to remit and retaine ſinnes: So that the Conſcience vſually receiues not the aſſurance of Pardon, but by their teſtimonie and declaration.
Thirdly, Their Gifts ordinarily aboue the common rate; as Knowledge, Experience, Comfort; what not? The xPſal. 25.14.ſecret of the Lord is with them that feare him Yet a greater inſight into the ſecrets of Gods Kingdome, is giuen to Miniſters: Their lips, the yMal. 2.7.Treaſure-houſe of Knowledge and Ʋnderſtanding.
Fourthly, What ſhould I ſpeake, how the Lord by them, as Inſtruments, conueyeth to his children all grace that accompanies Saluation? In ſuch ſort, that what the people receiue not by this Hand, as it were, of God, cauſe enough they hauehave to ſuſpect, that it is not ſuch as accompanieth Saluation.z1. Cor. 3.5. By Miniſters he workes Faith; by them he conuerts, ſanctifieth, comforteth,a1. Tim. 4.16. ſaueth.
Hence hauehave their perſons beene euer venerable in the eyes of the Saints. CORNELIVSbAct. 10.25. giues PETER more then ſociall reuerence; Galatians receiue PAVL as an Angell from Heauen; IOASH, an Idolater, ſalutes ELISHA;c2. King. 13.14 His father, the Horſemen and Chariots of Iſrael. Of Alexander, the Great Monarch and Conqueror of the World,Antiquit. lib. 11. cap. 8. writes Ioſephus; that he was ſo moued with the preſence of Iaddus the High Prieſt, that hee diſ-mounts himſelfe to doe him reuerence; and in fauour of him, ſpares the ſacking of Ieruſalem. Thus hath God done, to make them reuerend; thus hauehave Saints and Pagans done, to teſtifie their reuerence.
Vſe. Theſe then are curſed times; and they are curſed hearts of men, to whom, I dare ſay, for the generalitie, no mens Perſons or Calling are more deſpicable, then they are of Miniſters. A horrible Confuſion it was, fore-told by Iſay to come vponupon Iſrael:dIſai. 3.5. Children ſhould preſume againſt the Ancient, and the vile againſt the Honourable; no leſſe, that in HOSHEA, The people were as they eHoſh. 4.4.that rebuked the Prieſt.
This Confuſion is come vponupon this generation, and I dare ſay, is fore-runner of a heauie Vengeance. No man almoſt ſo vile, but thinkes himſelfe a better to the ableſt Miniſter: yea, the name it ſelfe wee hauehave caſt, as a terme of Rep…och and Contempt, vponupon our faces.
Reaſons, ſome may not be denyed to ſticke in Miniſters:
Firſt, In many, their ſlender, or no gifts to diſcharge ſo high a Calling:Bernard. de Conuerſ. ad Cler. cap. 29. Curritur paſſim ad Sacros ordines & reuerenda ipſis quoque Spiritibus Angelicis Miniſteria apprehenduntur, ſine reuerentiâ, ſine conſideratione. As in Ieroboams dayes, Who would fill his hand, might conſecrate himſelfe, though hee were of the loweſt of the people. Woe to the hands that admit them, and thereby caſt contempt vponupon the reuerend Calling.
Secondly, Another, the lewd life of many in place of Miniſters, whereby they loſe all Authoritie in their peoples Conſcience, though gifts be otherwiſe neuer ſo reuerend. The Lord in his iuſt IudgementfMal. 2.3, 9. caſts Dung in ſuch mens faces, and makes their perſons as vnſauourie Salt, to be troden vnderunder foot of men. Through their occaſion, the whole Calling is expoſed to contempt.
There are others in the people: firſt, That they ſee not the neceſſitie of their Miniſterie; nor therefore know to prize the worth thereof; ſpecially, their no experience of the comfort and power of it. Secondly, It were ſtrange, the plentie of the Bleſſing ſhould make it contemptible: but true it is, in all experience, familiaritie euen with ſuch fauours of God, breeds contempt. The Word of God g1. Sam. 3.1.was precious, while it was geaſon: Now wee hauehave eueryevery day Manna, though it be Bread from Heauen, and Food meet for Angels, wee grow to loath it; and with the Word, the Meſſengers that bring it.
Now God be mercifull to the ſinnes of this Land; and pray all for merciemercy at Gods hand for this, beſides all our other ſinnes; The contempt and vile eſteeme of the Calling and Perſons of Miniſters; with it is entwyned the contempt of the Word of God, yea, of Chriſt himſelfe. And we hauehave cauſe to feare, leſt for it, together with our diſobedience, the Lord ſendhAmos 8.11. a Famine of hearing the Word of God.
The ſecond dutie inioyned in reſpect of Miniſters, is LoueLove. Where, is firſt to be conſidered, the meaſure of it; it muſt be LoueLove in abundance; in an ouer-flowing meaſure; an ouer-ouerplus of LoueLove for our Worke ſake. The Notes here are two:
Firſt, That there is a lawfull preferring of one before another in the meaſure of LoueLove. They call it vſually, the order of Louing. Paul makes profeſſion, His LoueLove was i2. Cor. 2.4.more abundant to Corinthians, then to ſundrie other Churches. And left any thinke, it might be his infirmitie; what hee practiſed towards them, hee here preſcribes to be done to Miniſters. Gods owne Example wee hauehave herein, for ought I know, as a patterne to be imitated: Hee hates nothing that hee hath made; yet is his LoueLove kTit. 3.4.to Man aboue many, yea,lPſal. 8.4. aboue all Creatures, celebrated. Amongſt men, Iſrael is ſingled out with that ſpeciall Encomium, GODSmExod. 19.5. peculiar People, the People of his LoueLove. Accordingly, the effects and fruits of LoueLove towards them, abound in the meaſure.
If that Example may ſeeme tranſcendent, that of his Sonne, in dayes of his Fleſh, is beyond exception. His owne he nIoh. 13.1.loued, all: But there was a Diſciple that had the ſpecialtie of his Affection, IOHNo23. the Diſciple, whom he loued; that is, more then others.
In LoueLove are three things; firſt, Well-wiſhing; ſecondly, Pleaſure or delight-taking in the partie loued; thirdly, Beneficence, or actuall well-doing. In all theſe may be a preferment giuen to one aboue another. Of the firſt: what the people ſpeake to Dauid, diſſwading his going to Battell, muſt be holden of all ſuch like publique perſons:o2. Sam. 18.3. they are worth thouſands of others; their ſafetie and welfare to be preferred in our well-wiſhing. And for Delight-taking; who knowes not, but thoughpMat. 5.44. enemies muſt be prayed for, yea, though enemies vntounto God; yet muſt ourqPſal. 16.3. delight be in the Saints that are vponupon Earth, and ſuch as excell in Ʋertue. For Beneficence, the place is plaine, Doe good to all, rGal. 6.10.eſpecially to them of the houſehold of Faith.
To ſet downe particular rules of direction, according whereto to guide the meaſures of LoueLove, is not my purpoſe. This once, as a generall pertinent to that which followeth, let be remembred; Perſons, on whoſe welfare depends the common good, are in all degrees and kinds of LoueLove to be preferred.
Vſe. It affoords anſwere to that common Exception of worſt men againſt courſes of Miniſters, and others, in this kind; allowing vsus no order in LoueLove; requiring a promiſcuous and prepoſterous kind of Charitie in all towards all.
In Almes, and workes of MercieMercy, the prophaneſt thinkes much, if they be not equalled to the holyeſt. In Companie and Familiaritie, they that, I dare ſay, hate the companie of ſuch, as runne not to the ſame exceſſe of Riot; yet make it matter of Crime, that they are not admitted, on equall termes, with men, whoſe graces are moſt amiable and louely.
I am of Ambroſe his mind; In Charitie, Peccat qui praeposterè agit; Hee ſinnes, that is prepoſterous in louing; ſetting that firſt, that ſhould be laſt. The worſt I wiſh ſuch men as enuie other mens preferment, in the intireneſſe of our affections; That they would ſtore themſelues with the amiable graces of Gods Spirit; thatſPſal. 45.13. Beautie within, as the Pſalmiſt calls it. In the meane time, they muſt giuegive vsus leaue, as the Lord chargeth IEREMIE, to tIer. 15.19.take away the precious from the vile.
The next point of notice, is the Particular; Who they are, Paul here commends to the ſpecialtie of our LoueLove. They are Miniſters. They then, by Gods Ordinance, ſhould hauehave a ſpecialtie in the peoples LoueLove. The Scripture points vsus to three ſorts or degrees of LoueLove.
Firſt, foreign, LoueLove of Men, as Men, for the nature of Man, and common gifts of Humanitie they are endowed withall. This may not be denied to enemies, no, not to enemies of God. Nature is Gods worke, in whomſoeuer.
Secondly, foreign, LoueLove of Neighbours; that is, as I now interprete, ſuch as are neere vsus in Societie, Nature, or friendly Affection.
Thirdly, foreign, LoueLove of Brethren, for Sanctitie ſake, and fellowſhip in the Spirit of Adoption and Regeneration.
The Apoſtle here points to a fourth; wherein hee will hauehave our LoueLove ouer-flowing, and, after a ſort, exceſſiue. It is to the perſons of Miniſters. Doth any man aske Reaſons? Beſides the generall tye of like humane Nature; beſides that of Societie and neere Coniunction; yea, beſides that Brother-hood and participation of like precious Faith; they hauehave yet ſomething more, that layes clayme to a ſingular meaſure of LoueLove. Beſides eminence of Grace, and Office, they are Inſtruments by which the Lord reacheth to vsus all Bleſſings that concerne Life and Godlineſſe. Whereout grew that queſtion in Schooles, whether the fathers of the fleſh, or the Spirituall Parents, ſhould bee preferred. And though they confeſſe, in matter of Beneficence, the Naturall hath preferment aboue the Spirituall Parent, becauſe hee is more properly cauſe of our being in Nature, then the other of our being in Grace; yet for that point of wel-wiſhing, it is accorded; it muſt bee more then to any priuate man ioyned to vsus in the neereſt bond of affinitie or bloud. So AQVILA and PRISCILLA preferre uRom. 16.4.PAVLS ſafetie before their owne. Good Obadiah, not without aduenture of his life,x1. King. 18.4. hides the Prophets in Caues from the rage of IEZABEL. So precious in former times were the perſons of Miniſters.
Ʋſe. How are theſe degenerated whereinto we are fallen? wherein Miniſters are made the chiefe Butt of mens malice; no ſort of men, I dare ſay, more odious to men vnreformed, whom yet the Lord hath commended to a ſpecialtie of our louelove.
The Reaſon generally is no other, then that was of Achab for Micaiah. Of all the reſt, he y1. King 22.8.was moſt odious, becauſe hee dealt moſt plainly. See alſo Reuelation 11.6. Gal. 4.16.
It is ſtrange to ſee, how eueryevery act of their life is ſifted, how tender ſome men pretend their Conſciences to bee, in a Miniſters omiſſions but of circumſtances; when Gods Commandements are, without ſcruple, ſeene, and ſuffered to be contemned. The truth is, not their Conſcience, but their malice is more to a Miniſters honeſty, then to the peoples greateſt prophaneneſſe. Of it I ſay no more; onelyonly I wiſh ſuch men to conſider, how tender care the Lord hath taken for the perſons of Miniſters. See, ſaith PAVL, that they may bee z1. Cor. 16.10without feare amongst you: Touch not mine Anoynted, doe my Prophets no harme. And what is done to them, is interpretedaLuke 10.16. as done to Chriſt, whether in good or euill; and ſo will be recompenced at the Day of generall retribution.
The motiue or ground of this ſingular LoueLove followeth, LoueLove for their Worke ſake.
Obſer. Not eueryevery louelove of a Miniſters perſon, is that wherein a man hath comfort, but that especially which is for his worke ſake. There are, as it fals out, ſundry amiable gifts concurring in a Miniſters perſon; ſuppoſe points of Nature, and Art, Vrbanitie, Liberalitie, ſociable Conuerſation and the like; but the comfortableſt Load-ſtone of LoueLove is his worke.
What is that? Firſt, His labour. Secondly, That which reſults from his labour. His labour in the b1. Tim. 5.17.Word and Doctrine; which elſe-where hee cals, The worke of an Euangeliſt. His gouerning and guiding the Flocke by Diſcipline, and godly example: this is his labour.
The worke reſulting out of his labour, when God is pleaſed to bleſſe it vntounto the people, is Repentance, New-birth, Faith, Comfort; Or if there be any other Grace, or comfortable bleſſing of God, whereof the ſoules of the people are made partakers; this is the fruit of his labour. Wherfore alſo God is not aſhamed to call them hisc1. Cor. 3.9. foreign; giuing vsus, after a ſort, our partnerſhip with him in the ſaluation of his people.
Ʋſe. Take notice of it, I beſeech you, as a helpe to diſcerne the comfortable ſoundneſſe of louelove, you pretend and profeſſe to Miniſters. Sure it is, in eueryevery dutie, the worke is not ſo comfortable, as is the motiue and inducement to performance.
In this it is true, as in any, louelove to Miniſters and Saints. To louelove the Saints and to doe them good, is not ſo much: except the very Saint-ſhip bee the Load-ſtone of louelove. To louelove a Miniſter is not much; except his worke bee that that drawes affection. It is that our Sauiour points at:dMat. 10.42. A Diſciple in the name of a Diſciple: a Prophet in the name of a Prophet. It is noted of Iehoaſh a curſed Idolater, that hee had much reſpect to the Prophet Eliſha; and at his death weepes ouer him with that bitter lamentation:e2. King. 13.14 Oh my father, my father, the Horſemen and Charets of Iſrael! what was the reaſon of his louelove? queſtionleſſe not his worke: but the helpe hee found in him for ſupport of his Kingdome. Of the people it is noted, they followed Chriſt, and were ſometimes zealous for his ſafetie: the Reaſon was; he fed their bellies by miracle, and cured their bodily diſeaſes; his Doctrine, in the meane time, ſoundsfIohn 6.66. harſh, and occaſions many to forſake him. His reproofes ſo bitter and diſtaſtfull, that theygIohn 8.59. goe about to ſtone him.
In like ſort, I doubt not, but there may bee found amongſt men carnall, ſome euen louing reſpect to the perſon of a faithfull Miniſter; as perhaps, for that they are wel-vſed in their payments, and that which chiefly drawes the brutiſh multitude, the feeding of their bellies. Perhaps the gifts GOD hath beſtowed on ſome, may draw not only reuerence, but louelove to their perſons. In all this yet they hauehave no comfort: except the worke bee it that drawes affection. He that can ſay, I louelove a Miniſter, becauſe hee teacheth me to know God; becauſe hee informes mee of dutie; and reprooues my ſteppings aſide; that is the man that hath comfort in his louelove.
What thinke you then of them, to whom the worke is the thing that is moſt odious? To ſay nothing of the baſer people, whoſe complaint profeſſed is, that the merrie World is gone, ſince preaching came vp: euen amongſt them that would ſeeme wiſe, this is heard ſometime as reaſon of their leſſe louelove; They could louelove the Miniſter well, were it not for his double diligence in preaching. His honeſtie, and peaceableneſſe, and learning they ſeeme to louelove; the worke is that they profeſſe to hate. Oh curſed ſtate of ſuch mens ſoules! I conclude it thus; He that loues not a Miniſter, euen for admonition and reproofe ſake, hath no comfort in his louelove. Iewes heare with patience Stephens narration; his reproofe is Gall and Worme-wood;hActs 7.54. Therefore they gnaſh with their teeth and ſtone him.
And be at peace among your ſelues. The dutie concernes the people, not onelyonly towards their Miniſters, though ſome ſo conceiue, but each towards another. Peace is of three ſorts. Firſt, Fayned, as that of Iudas. Secondly, Inordinate, as that of Herod and Pilate. Thirdly, Chriſtian; the bond and limit whereof is Sanctitie. A dutie eueryevery-where commended vntounto vsus, Heb. 12.14. Iames 3. Pſal. 141.
And ſo how manyiEpheſ. 4.4, 5, 6 Ʋnities the Apoſtle remembers vsus of, that wee might bee perſwaded to this vnity of mindes and affections. It were long to number the reaſons, the Scripture giues to preſſe the ſtudy, and indeuour of it. It is good and pleaſant: kPſal. 133.1.how good and pleaſant? ſome things are good that are not pleaſant; as patience, and tolerance of euils. Some are pleaſant, but not good; as Epicuriſme, Vanitie, and voluptuous Liuing; ſome neyther good, nor pleaſant; as Enuie, a torturing euill. But of Peace and brotherly Concord, ſaith DAVID, It is good and pleaſant. It were long to tell, how God delights to ſtile himſelfe, The l2. Cor. 13.11.God of Peace; how Chriſt camemEpheſ. 2.14. to make our Peace. How the Goſpell is called the Gospell of Peace; Gods Children,nLuke 10.6. Children of Peace. Would God, wee could once frame our ſelues to liue at Peace, I meane Peace with Holineſſe. For of vnholy peace, I ſay as HIEROME; Melius eſt diſſidium pietatis ortum cauſâ, quàm vitioſa Concordia. And that thoſe vnquiet ſpirits amongſt vsus, would once turne themſelues to more amiable courſes of Vnitie.
Surely, I muſt needes ſay, I ſometimes thinke with DAVID, My ſoule hath too long dwelt with them that are Enemies vntounto Peace; and cry, Wo is mee, that I am conſtrayned to dwell with Meſhech. I am loth to ſay, as PAVL, Ʋtinam excindantur, that trouble vsus; but I pray GOD giuegive them more peaceable ſpirits; or elſe as hee, If any delight to dwell in Meſhech, I would, for my part, hee had a Tabernacle there.
But ſure, ſo long as thoſe three Enemies to Peace bee found amongſt vsus, wee muſt neuer expect it.
Firſt,oPro. 13.10. Pride, by which, ſaith SALOMON, men make contention: whiles eueryevery man delights to ſeeme ſomebodie; a ruler euen of thoſe, that God hath ſet ouer them. The Sheepe in Iudea were wont to follow their. Shepheard. Their guize in England is to goe before him. It is as true of the Myſticall, as of the Naturall Sheepe.
The ſecond is Selfe-louelove; and this in things of this life, is ſtill the Mother and Nurſe of Contentions; whiles eueryevery man vrgeth extremitie of right, and parts with no penny profit, to purchaſe this peereleſſe bleſſing of Peace.pGen. 13.9. Thus did not ABRAHAM.
The third is, buſie meddling in things that concerne vsus not. Saint Paul doth not for nothing couple theſe two together;q1. Theſſ. 4.11. Studio to bee quiet and doe your owne buſineſſe.
Curioſitie is a turbulent euill. They are reſtleſſe ſpirits, that are ſo buſie and meddling with things impertinent to them. Bee exhorted, I beſeech you, in the Apoſtles wordes,rPhilip. 2.3, 4. to doe nothing by contention and vaine glorie: labour for Humilitie: Looke not eueryevery man on his owne things, but on the things alſo of another. Doe your owne buſineſſe. In a word: If it bee poſſible, as much as in vsus lyes, ſRom. 12.18.let vsus hauehave Peace with all men: ſo the God of Peace ſhall be with vsus.