Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 2 · Lecture 25
LECTƲRE XXV.
PHILIP. 2. Verſe 2.
That yee be like minded, hauing the ſame louelove, being of one accord, and of one iudgement: that nothing bee done through contention, &c.
WE hauehave heard the manner of the Apoſtles exhortation, and therein foure very patheticall arguments couched, to perſwade the things whereunto hee exhorteth: all ſo cloſely followed, and ſo paſſionately vrged, as that the manner of the exhortation could not be deuiſed more effectuall to perſwade the things whereunto hee exhorteth, If there bee, &c. It remained to ſpeake of the matter of the Apoſtles exhortation. Wee ſpake only of that which I tooke to be onelyonly a motiue prefixed before the matter of the exhortation, in theſe words, Fulfill my ioy. Now wee are to proceed vntounto the maine matter of the Apoſtles exhortation, which is, that they be like minded, hauing the ſame louelove, &c. By which matter of the exhortation, this in generall appeareth, that ſome things were amiſſe amongſt them, there was not that louelove and concord amongſt them, duplicate page duplicate page nor that humilitie which ſhould he in them; many things were done amongſt them through contention, through vain-glory, through ſelfe-ſeeking of their owne things: ſo that though many things were to be much commended in them, yet were ſome things likewiſe to be reformed in them, which hindered the courſe of that Chriſtian conuerſation which becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus.
Whence I obſerue in generall, what the ſtate euen of the beſt reformed Churches, and ſo of the moſt holy men is: no Church ſo reformed, no men ſo ſanctified, but that many things are amiſſe amongſt them; though many things bee much to be commended in them, yet ſome things likewiſe are ſtill to be reformed in them. Looke into all thoſe Churches vntounto which our Apoſtle wrote his Epiſtles: yee ſhall not finde any of them ſo commended for embracing the truth, and for ſtanding faſt in the truth, as this Church of Philippi. Hee giueth indeed teſtimonie vntounto the Galathians, that they were ſometimes ſuch as (if it had beene poſſible) would hauehave pluckt out their owne eyes, and hauehave giuen them vntounto him: ſo loued they him, and the truth which he taught. But quickly were they remoued to another Goſpell,Gal. 1.6. as the Apoſtle witneſſeth, whereas the Philippians ſtill ſtood ſo faſt, that the Apoſtle was perſwaded, that he that had begunne that good worke in them, would performe it, vntill the day of Ieſus Chriſt. Yet here ye ſee, that ſome things were amiſſe amongſt them. Againe, looke into thoſe ſeuen Churches, vntounto which Iohn writeth in the Apocalyps, and there yee ſhall ſee that ſome were fallen, others decayed, ſome were proud, others negligent. Of all the reſt of thoſe Churches, the Church of Smyrna and the Church of Philadelphia, are there moſt commended. Yet in both thoſe Churches, by the right vnderſtanding of thoſe Epiſtles that were written to them, it will appeare that there were ſome amongſt them, who profeſſed themſelues to be good Chriſtians, whereas indeed they were no better than a Synagogue and ſinke of Satan. Againe, looke into the reformed Churches euer ſince that time vntounto this day, and at this day, and ſtill yee ſhall ſee, that as in thoſe ſeuen Churches of Aſia, ſo in theſe there were and are, as many things to bee commended, ſo likewiſe many things to be reprehended. And ſo long as the Church is militant vponupon earth, it cannot be but that ſhee ſhould be blacke; blacke I ſay not onelyonly in reſpect of her afflictions whereby her beloued doth ſometimes proue her, and ſometimes chaſtiſe her, but blacke alſo in reſpect of her blemiſhes, imperfections, and ſinnes which are the cauſes of her afflictions. For all men while they carry about with them the earthly houſe of this tabernacle, vntounto what degree of perfection in faith, knowledge, or other graces of the ſpirit ſo euer they be growne, had ſtill neede to pray, O Lord increaſe our faith, our knowledge and vntounto what perfection in innocencie, obedience, or the like they be growne, yet ſtill they are taught to pray, O Lord forgiue vsus our debts and treſpaſſes. For here we know in part, we beleeue in part, we louelove in part, we obey in part, and our greateſt perfection is but great imperfection whiles we liue here at home in the bodie, 1 Cor. 13.9.as that of the Apoſtle ſheweth. And ſo long as we are clothed with corruption, if we ſay we hauehave no ſinne we deceiue our ſelues, 1 Ioh. 1.8.and truth is not in vsus. That which is in part either in knowledge, or in louelove, or in obedience, or in the like graces of the ſpirit ſhall be aboliſhed, our imperfections ſhall be taken away, and we ſhall be made perfit. But where and when? Not here otherwiſe then by imputation, but then and there when and where corruption ſhall put on incorruption, and mortalitie ſhall put on immortalitie, as the former place to the Corinthians ſheweth:ver. 10. and the Church ſhall be preſented vntounto Chriſt Ieſus her beloued, not hauing ſpot, or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, but pure, and holy, and without blame; but then when ſhee ſhall bee made glorious, when her vile bodie ſhall be changed and be faſhioned like vntounto his glorious bodie, Eph. 5.27.as that place to the Epheſians ſheweth.
This then ſhould teach vsus to long to be of that triumphant Church, to long to enter into the holieſt of holies, to long to be looſed and to be with Chriſt. Here the father of the faithfull, holy Abraham; here the man after Gods owne heart, holy Dauid; here that vpright and iuſt man, holy Iob; here that choſen veſſell to beare Chriſt his name before the Gentiles, our holy Apoſtle ſhall hauehave their faults, and their falls. Here Abraham and Lot will bee ſometimes at variance, here Paul and Barnabas will ſometimes not be of one accord, here Paul and Peter will ſometimes not be of one iudgement; here we ſhall hauehave our falls, we ſhall hauehave our imperfections whatſoeuer we be. Only in the Citie which is aboue ſhall all teares be wiped from our eyes, all wanes ſupplied, all imperfections perfited, all ſinne ceaſe, and all enemies be vtterly deſtroyed: only there our knowledge, our iudgment, our louelove, our peace, our ioy ſhall be perfit. How ſhould we not long then to remoue out of the bodie, and to dwell with the Lord? And yet to earthly minded are we many of vsus, that here we could bee content to pitch our tabernacles, and neuer to remoue hence euen as if we loued darknes better then light, and had rather dwell in the valley of teares then in the valley of bleſſing, where we are but ſtrangers then at home in our owne Citie. Let vsus, beloued, remember that here the beſt of vsus hauehave our blemiſhes, and that when it is it the beſt with vsus, we are but in the way vntounto that which is beſt of all for vsus; that the beſt reformed Church on earth is not thorowly reformed, and that the moſt ſanctified man on earth is but onelyonly in part ſanctified: And let vsus make this benefit hereof daily more and more to grow out of louelove with this life, and in louelove with that life in which there ſhall be no more death; daily more and more to weyne our ſelues from the vanities of Ieruſalem which is on earth, where many things will be done through contention, and vaine-glory, and to hauehave our conuerſation in heauen, where we ſhall all be like minded, hauing the ſame minde, and being of one accord, and of one iudgement. And let this ſuffice to be obſerued in generall from the matter of the Apoſtles exhortation, whereby ye ſee the ſtate euen of the beſt reformed Churches, and ſo of the moſt holy men, and what vſe is to be made of the imperfections which follow the moſt perfit in this life. Now let vsus come vntounto the ſeuerall points whereunto the Apoſtle exhorteth the Philippians, and in them vsus.
The firſt thing wherevnto hee exhorteth them is, in generall that they be like minded, or like affectioned, as the ſame phraſe is tranſlated elſe where,Ro. 12.16. hauing their affections, likings, and deſires ſet on the ſame things: for in this as in the generall are compriſed, as I take it, thoſe particulars which follow in this verſe. So that when he exhorteth them to be like minded, it is in generall that their affections be ſet on the ſame things, louing the ſame things, according in deſire of the ſame things, and according in iudgment of the ſame things, but all in the Lord. Whence I obſerue a neceſſarie dutie in all Chriſtians called to the knowledge of God by the Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus, which is that they be like minded in the Lord, ſetting their affections, likings, and deſires on the ſame things in the Lord. A duty which our Apoſtle preſcribeth almoſt as oft as any other duty.1 Cor. 1.10. In the beginning of his former to the Corinthians he beſeecheth them by the name of our Lord Ieſus Christ, that they all ſpeake one thing, and that they be knit together in one minde, and in one iudgement. Where yee ſee he beſeecheth them and in them vsus, euen by the name of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, to be all of one minde; and becauſe diſagreeing in words engendreth diſſenſion of minde, therefore that wee may the rather be all of one minde, hee beſeecheth vsus all to ſpeake one thing. In the end likewiſe of his latter to the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 13.11.he commendeth this dutie vntounto them, ſaying, Finally brethren, fare yee well, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one minde: as thinking this dutie ſo neceſſarie, that both in the beginning, and in the end, and at all times they were to be put in minde of it. In this place likewiſe yee ſee how roundly and deeply he adiureth and chargeth the Philippians, and in them vsus to be …ike minded, ſaying, If there be any conſolation in Chriſt &c. fulfill my ioy, that yee be like minded. And in the laſt chapter ſaue one to the Romanes, Rom. 15.5.he maketh a moſt earneſt praier vntounto God for them, that they might be like minded one towards another, ſaying, Now the God of patience and conſolation giuegive you that yee …e like minded one towards another according to Chriſt Ieſus, that …ee may with one minde, and with one mouth praiſe God euen the Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Where firſt the Apoſtle im…lieth that if they be like minded, God muſt giuegive them this to …e like minded, and therefore hee praieth vntounto God to giuegive …hem this grace, that they be like minded one towards another. Secondly, he noteth how he would hauehave both them and vsus …o bee like minded one towards another, viz: according to Chriſt Ieſus, to conſent in that truth which hee hath taught, and in that louelove which hee hath commanded: for otherwiſe if we be like minded but not according to Chriſt Ieſus, not in the Lord, what great thing doe we doe? Are not the Iewes like minded among themſelues, the Turkes amongſt themſelues, the aduerſaries of the truth amongſt themſelues? Were not the Prieſts, Scribes, and Phariſies of one minde, when they condemned the innocent bloud; and the whole multitude of the Iewes when they cried all at once ſaying, Crucifie him, crucifie him, away with him, and deliuer vntounto vsus Barrabas? And are not they all of one minde that caſt their heads together with one conſent, and conſult to worke wickedneſſe in what kinde ſoeuer it be? And to conſent and be like minded in theſe and the like things, is it not rather a conſpiracie then an vnitie? We a…e not then onelyonly to be like minded, but to bee like minded in the Lord, to be like minded according to Chriſt Ieſus. And laſtly, the Apoſtle ſheweth to what end he would hauehave vsus to be like minded, namely that with one minde, and one mouth we may praiſe God euen the Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, not onelyonly with one minde, but alſo with one mouth; nor onelyonly with one mouth, but alſo with one minde. Thi… then yee ſee it to be a dutie ſo neceſſarie in vsus and in all Chriſtians that wee be like minded in the Lord, that the Apoſtle ſtill commendeth it vntounto vsus, beſeeching vsus to be like minded, charging and adiuring vsus to be like minded, and praying vntounto God that we be like minded.
But why is it ſo neceſſarie a dutie that we be like minded i… the Lord? Many reaſons might be alleaged, but I will one… mention two. As firſt becauſe we hauehave one Lord, one faith, one baptiſme, one God and Father of vsus all: for meete it i… that ſo many as are ioyned together in the vnitie of theſe, be alſo knit together in one minde, and in one iudgment according to Chriſt Ieſus,Eph. 4.5. euen as our Apoſtle vrgeth this ſame reaſon to this ſame purpoſe elſe where. Secondly, becauſe there is not a better remedie againſt diſſenſions and ſchiſmes the… to be like minded in the Lord, as without which it cannot be but that there be diſſenſions and ſchiſmes. For what was the cauſe of the diſſenſions & contentions wherewith the Church of Corinth was troubled? Was it not becauſe they were not like minded in the Lord? One held of Paul, another of Apollos, one of Cephas, another of Chriſt; one would pray and prophecie bare-headed, another with his head couered, and when they came vntounto the Lord his Supper one was hungry, and another was drunken. And how can it bee but that there ſhould bee diſſenſions and contentions, when one likes this, and another that, one would hauehave this, and another that, one drawes this way, and another that way? In a little houſe, yee know, if the husband be of one minde, and the wife of another; the Parents of one minde, and the children of another; the maſter of one minde, and the ſeruants of another, and eueryevery of them will needs follow their owne minde, and fancie their owne way, how troubled muſt needs that houſe be? And therefore our bleſſed Sauiour being now ready to be offered, in that holy praier for all his children praied, that we might be all one euen as He and the Father were one, Ioh. 17.21.that wee might all be one in the Father and in him, euen that we might bee like minded in the Lord.Phil. 3.16. And in the next chapter our Apoſtle preſcribeth it as a remedie againſt diſſenſions in the Church to proceede by one rule, and to minde one thing. If then we will walke as becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt, we are not onelyonly to bee ioyned in one faith, and in hope, but in all things wee are to be like minded one towards another according to Chriſt Ieſus; we are to louelove and like, affect and fancie, will and deſire the ſame things as they are pleaſing vntounto the Lord; being at one with God, wee are to be of one minde amongſt our ſelues.
Here then our aduerſaries will aske of vsus, if this be ſo neceſſarie a dutie, how happens it that ye are not all like minded? What meane the tearmes of Zuinglians, Lutheranes,Bez. epiſt. 5. Caluiniſts amongſt you? How is it that amongſt you ſome are Browniſts, ſome Baroiſts, ſome Puritanes, ſome Proteſtants? How is it that touching ceremonies, touching diſcipline, and the like there is ſuch difference amongſt you? Doth not theſe things plainely argue that yee are not like minded amongſt yourſelues? For anſwere whereunto, 1. Of them that aske vsus theſe queſtions I demand of them the like: are they all like minded? What meane then the tearmes of Thomiſts, Scotiſts,Vide Par. in Iren. cap. 26. Ockamiſts, Canoniſts, and Diuines amongſt them? How is it that amongſt them ſome are White, ſome Blacke, ſome Gray Friers, ſome Franciſcans, ſome Dominicans, ſome Ieſuits, ſome barely Prieſts? How is it that not touching ceremonies, or diſcipline alone, but touching maine and great points of doctrine there is ſuch difference amongſt them? Touching the Scriptures, doth not Arius Montanus ſay, that the bookes of the old Teſtament not found in the Hebrue Canon are Apocryphall; and doth not Bellarmine denie it? Doth not Canus ſay, that the Hebrue text is wholy corrupt by the malice of the Iewes, and doth not Bellarmine denie it? Doth not Bellarmine himſelfe for expounding of the Scriptures ſometimes referre vsus to the fathers of the Church, ſometimes to generall Councels, ſometimes to the Pope and Cardinals, ſometimes to the Pope himſelfe? It would be too long to runne through the reſt of many points of doctrine where in they diſſent among themſelues. They neede no other to note this vntounto the whole world then Bellarmine himſelfe, who in the beginning of the diſcuſſing of eueryevery controuerſie betwixt vsus and them, ſheweth how not onelyonly we diſſent therein from them, but how they diſſent amongſt themſelues. Firſt therefore, let them plucke out the beame of their owne eye that ſo they may ſee clearely the mote which is in our eie, le… them cleare the point that they are like minded amongſt themſelues, and then let them tell vsus that we are not all of one minde.
But how doe they ſhew that wee are not all of one minde? If ye be, ſay they, then what meane the tearmes of Zuinglians, Lutherans, Caluiniſts, amongſt you? But I ſay vntounto them, what doe they meane to note vsus by ſuch tearmes? The memories of theſe men we honour and reuerence, as alſo we doe other notable lights which hauehave beene in the Church, and are at this day. But if we be named after any other name then only the name of Chriſt Ieſus, it is through their malice not by our deſire. Yea, but how is it ſay they, that ſome amongſt you are Browniſts, ſome Baroiſts, ſome Puritans, ſome Proteſtants, that touching ceremonies, and outward diſcipline there is ſuch difference amongſt you? I anſwere, that if there be any Browniſts or Baroiſts amongſt vsus wee hold them not to be of vsus, and therefore their diſtraction from vsus ought not to be obiected vntounto vsus. Now for our difference about ceremonies, and outward diſcipline, I wiſh we were all like minded in theſe things, and it is a fault and blemiſh of ſome in our Church, that we are not like minded in theſe things. But for the ſubſtance of doctrine, and grounds of religion wherein is it that we are not like minded? If they could, no doubt they would taxe vsus in the ſubſtance as they doe in the accident; and as they cannot in the ſubſtance, ſo I wiſh they could not taxe vsus in the accident. So ſhould the ioy of our Sion be full, if we were all like minded, both for the ſubſtance, and for the accident, and ſo many as louelove the peace of Sion, and wiſh her proſperitie, pray alſo that this her ioy may be fulfilled.
Againe, this may ſerue to reproue a fault too too common amongſt vsus. For if we be ioined together in one faith, and in one hope, if we agree in the ſubſtance of truth, we thinke it a ſmall matter to diſſent amongeſt our ſelues about ſmaller matters. And indeed it is the leſſe matter. But yet it is a thing which we ought to labour, euen to be like minded in the Lord in all things. Which our Apoſtle ſufficiently ſheweth when in his exhortations vntounto vsus to be like minded, he doth not limit vsus vntounto theſe or theſe things, but indefinitely hee would hauehave vsus to be like minded, according to Chriſt Ieſus. In matters of faith, and in matters of ceremonie, in matters of doctrine, and in matters of diſcipline, in matters of life, and in matters of learning, in matters of religion, and in matters of ciuill conuerſation he would hauehave vsus to be like minded, as in the Lord it may be warranted. Let vsus therefore beware how we ſooth vp our ſelues in diſſenting about matters of leſſe moment, when we agree in matters of greater importance. The more like minded we are in the Lord, the more is our conuer…ation ſuch as becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt. Let our care …herefo…e be, that both in matters of leſſe moment, and likewiſe in matters of greater importance we may be like minded …n the Lord, as becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt.
But how may we be like minded in the Lord? This our Apoſtle ſheweth in the next words, and that is, 1. If we hauehave the ſame louelove, i. If we louelove the ſame things in the Lord. 2. If we be of one accord, i. If we agree in our wills and deſires in the Lord. And 3. if we be of one iudgement, i. If we agree in one truth of Chriſt Ieſus. For theſe the particulars are as I take it compriſed vnderunder, and meant in that generall; ſo that i… we thus louelove and agree in the Lord then are wee like minded in the Lord, and our conuerſation in a great part is ſuch as becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt. Becauſe I hauehave ſtood long vponupon the generall, I ſhall the leſſe neede to ſtand vponupon theſe particulars, which in effect hauehave beene handled in the generall. Briefly therefore of theſe as time will giuegive leaue.
The 1. thing then, which in theſe particulars I note is, that the Apoſtle would hauehave them to hauehave the ſame louelove, the ſame I ſay, in reſpect of the obiect, that they ſhould louelove the ſame things, the ſame Church, the ſame Goſpell, the ſame truth euen as we ſay that they hauehave the ſame faith, who belieue in the ſame Chriſt. Hence then I obſerue, that if we will be like minded, and walke as becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt, the… muſt we louelove the ſame things in the Lord, not one one thing and another an other thing, but the ſame things, as ſimply the ſame things. For we may louelove the ſame things, and yet be f… from that louelove of the ſame things which becommeth vsus, as namely, if we louelove the ſame delights of the fleſh, the ſame ſins or corruptions whatſoeuer; but the ſame things in the Lord and in the louelove whereof hee is delighted, and well pleaſed. Thus it is commaunded vsus eueryevery where in the booke of God that we all louelove the ſame God, the ſame truth, the ſame meanes of our ſaluation in Chriſt, and generally the ſame things whatſoeuer they be that belong vntounto our peace. And the reaſon of it is plaine. For where one loues one thing, and another another thing; as for example, one Chriſt, and another Antichriſt, when one hateth that which another loueth; where eueryevery man loues that which himſelfe liketh, and ſcarce two louelove the ſame things, what louelove can there be, nay what diſtractions muſt there not needes be, nay what deſolation are not likely to enſue? In the Church of Corinth they loued not the ſame things, but one loued this man, another that ma… and what diſſentions bred it in that Church? In our neighbor kingdome of France they louelove not the ſame things, but one ſort louelove the light of the word, another ſort louelove darkeneſſe better then light, and what bloud hath it ſhedde in that kingdome? Amongſt our ſelues we louelove not the ſame things in the Lord, but one ſort louelove their pleaſures, another ſort their profits, another ſort their promotions, the feweſt ſort the things that they ſhould louelove, and what but a iudgement likely to enſue?
Nay beloued here is the miſerie, and like to be the ruine of our Land, in our Land wee louelove not the ſame things in the Lord, but we louelove too many of vsus that man of ſinne, and the poyſoned cuppes of the fornications of that whore, and too few of vsus the ſimplicitie of the truth of Chriſt Ieſus, to ſpeake plainely we louelove too many of vsus the Pope and his marchandize, and too few of vsus Chriſt and his truth, we ſpeake not the …anguage of Canaan, but halfe in the ſpeach of Aſhdod, and halfe in the language of Canaan. Hereupon it is that Pope and his adherents conceiue courage againſt vsus to ſubdue vsus and our Land, and to make vsus a prey vntounto their teeth.
Beloued, if we will not for the louelove of the Lord, and becauſe the holy Ghoſt hath commanded vsus, yet for the louelove of our owne liues, and that we be not made a prey vntounto our enemies, let vsus louelove the ſame truth of Chriſt Ieſus, and generally the ſame things in the Lord. Let vsus no longer halt betweene God and Baal, Chriſt and Antichriſt, religion and ſuperſtition; but with religious hearts let vsus louelove the ſame truth, the ſame God, the ſame things in the Lord, that ſome may be …ike minded according to Chriſt Ieſus.
The 2. thing which in theſe particulars I note is, that the Apoſtle would hauehave the Philippians to be of one accord, i. to …gree in their wils and deſires touching eueryevery thing that is good, belong it vntounto religion, or vntounto ciuill life and conuerſa…ion. Whence I obſerue another neceſſarie dutie for vsus that we be like minded, and walke as becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt, and that is, that we agree in our wills and deſires in the Lord, that vnitie and concord amongſt vsus bee preſerued and maintained. To agree in miſchiefe we are ready enough, neither neede we any to moue vsus thereunto. For, as it is in the Prophet,Pſal. 50. If we ſee a theefe we conſent vntounto him, and we are partakers with the adulterers, we runne with the wicked to doe euill, and we eaſily ioyne hands with the wicked and vngodlie. But to bee of one accord in the Lord we are not ſo eaſily drawne, albeit this be the agreement that the holy Ghoſt requireth of vsus, and commendeth vntounto vsus.Pſ 133.1. Behold, ſaith the Prophet, how good and ioyfull a thing it is brethren to dwell together in vnity, i. to liue together in that concord, and good agreement which is acceptable to the Lord. And the more to ſhew the precious worth of holy agreement amongſt the ſonnes of God, be likeneth it vntounto the oyntment preſcribed for Aaron, which was ſo ſweete that when Aaron was annointed therewith,Ex. 30.23. the ſmell of it was moſt pleaſant vntounto all that were by. And euen ſo ſweete and pleaſant a thing it is to ſee brethren to be of one accord in the Lord. This is that which is commended in the faithfull in the Acts,Act. 4.32. that they were of one heart, and of one ſoule agreeing in their mindes, wills, deſires, and affections. And where this agreement in the Lord is not, there the Lord is not.
And yet in matters wherein wee differ one from an other, how hardly are we brought to bee of one accord in the Lord? If we differ in matters of religion, either we will not vouchſafe one to talke with an other in them, or if we doe, we will be ſure to ſet that downe with our ſelues, that howſoeuer wee be conuinced, yet we wil neuer yeeld to agree with them that would perſwade vsus. We hauehave too too lamentable experience of it. For when we talk with them that are popiſhly affected, though they be conuinced, yet will they not yeelde to agree with vsus. Likewiſe if we differ in matters of ciuill life, how hardly are we brought one to yeeld vntounto another, and all to agree on that which is moſt euidently good? Nay if wee hauehave once taken a ſtitch againſt it, we will neuer agree to it whatſoeuer come of it. But beloued, this becommeth not the Goſpell of Chriſt. If we will walke worthy of Chriſt, let vsus be like minded, hauing the ſame louelove, being of one accord.
The 3. thing which I note is, that the Apoſtle would hauehave them to bee of one iudgement, i. to agree in one truth of Chriſt Ieſus. Whence I obſerue a threefold neceſſarie dutie for vsus, that we be like minded, and walke as becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt, and that is, that wee agree in one truth of Chriſt Ie…us, euen in that truth which the Prophets and Apoſtles hauehave …aught vsus. All agreement without this is but diſagreement. This alone knits the knot of good agreement. Let our aduerſaries looke how they agree in this, in thoſe manifold poſitions which they maintaine beſides and repugnant vntounto this.