The Marrow of the Oracles of God, Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
Rules that shew vsus how to carry our selues towards godly men.
THus of our carriage towards the wicked. How we should carry our selues toward the godly, followeth to bee considered of.
The summe of all is, that we must walke in louelove. If wee can soundly discharge our duty to the godly, in respect of louing them vnfainedly, and heartily, and constantly, we performe all that is required of vsus toward them. And this louelove to the godly is so necessary, as that it is imposed vponupon vsus, as the only commandement giuen by Christ, who in one word tels vsus the substance of our duties, Ioh. 13. 34. Eph. 5. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 14.
Now the rules which in particular bind vsus to the good behauiour in respect of our louelove to the godly, concerne either the manifestation of our ioue to them; or the preseruation of our leue to them.
We must shew our louelove to Sixe waies of manifesting our louelove to the godly. 1 By courtesie.the godly diuers wayes:
First, by courtesie and kindnesse towards them, and that in a speciall manner, being affectioned towards them with a brotherly louelove and kindnesse. No brethren in nature should shew more kindnesse one to another, then Christians should, Eph. 4. 32. Rom. 12. 10.
Secondly, by receiuing and entertaining them: we must receiue 2. By receiuing themone another, and be barbarous one to another; and this with entirenesse of affection Negatiuely, it must be without grudging, 1. Pet. 4. 9. Affirmatiuely, we must receiue one another, as Christ receiued vsus into glory, that is, First, without respect of desert; We hauehave done nothing to deserue heauen; yet Christ hath receiued vsus to glory: So, though the godly hauehave not pleasured vsus any way greatly, yet because they are the children of God, wee should make much of them, and entertaine them gladly. Secondly, not thinking any thing too deare for them: Christ hath not ennied vsus the very glory of heauen, and therefore what can we doe to the brethren, that should answer the example of Christ? Rom. 15. 7.
Thirdly, by bearing their burthens; for so we should fulfill the 3. By bearing their bur. thens.Law of Christ, Galat. 6. 2. There are two sorts of burthens presse the godly: One inward, such as are temptations, and their owne corruptions; the other outward, such as are afflictions of all sorts. Now in both these, this rule holds; for when we see a godly Christian mourne and lament his distresse in respect of his …firmities, or temptations, we must beare his burthen, not by soothing him in his sinne, as if it were no sinne, but by laying his griefe to our owne hearts, and striuing to comfort him with the promises of God. This is not to make our selues guilty of their sinnes, but to helpe them out of their griefe by consolation, out of their sin by direction. Note, Note.that this is charged vponupon vsus, when sinne is a burthen to them, not before; for till then wee are rather to reprooue them, or admonish them: But then we are to ta… notice of this rule, when they confesse their sinnes, and are weary of them, and sorry for them. And thus also in their outward burthens wee must beare them, by comforting them, and aduising them, and helping them, and shewing our affection to them, as if it were our owne case, so farre as we hauehave a calling, and power to helpe them.
Fourthly, by considering one another, 4. By prouoking them to good duties.to prouoke vntounto louelove, and good workes, Heb. 10. 24. Note the dutie, and the manner how it is to be done: The dutie is, to stirre vp others all we can, to the increase of louelove and abundance of all good workes: the manner is shewed two waies; First, we must prouoke them to it, both by example, and by exhortation, and all good wayes, that might fire in them the desire of welldoing. Secondly, we must consider one another, we must study the estates of others, their wants, impediments, meanes, gifts, callings, &c. and accordingly apply our selues for the best aduantage to helpe them forward. It is not enough to doe it occasionally, but we must meditate of it; and castabout, how, where, and when we must yeeld this helpe, and incouragement, and furtherance.
Fiftly, by doing whatsoeuer we 5. By faithfulnesse in all their businesse.doe for the godly, heartily, and with all faithfulnesse, as if it were for our selues, or our owne brethren, or kindred in nature, not being slothfull in seruice; or such as disappoint the trust reposed in vsus: we should doe all things we vndertake for them, with all sidelity and care, 3 Ioh. 5. Rom. 12. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11. Yea, we should care for their good and profit, as we would care for the good of the members of our owne body, for such are they to vsus in the mysticall body of lesus Christ, as the former place to the Romanes sheweth.
Lastly, we should shew our 6 By enioying our.louelove to the godly, by employing gifts for their good.the gifts of our mind, as may be best for their good: As eueryevery man hath receiued the gife, hee must so minister the same, as good Stewards of the manifold grace of God. There are diuersity of gifts in the godly, as knowledge, vtterance, prayer, and the like. Now these are giuen to profit withall, 1 Pet. 4. 10. 1 Cor. 12. As for example, The lips of the wise must disperse knowledge, Prou. 15. 7. So when Christians meete together, as any hauehave receiued a doctrine, or a Psalme, or an Interpretation: so must he minister it for the profit of others, 1 Cor. 14. 26. and so must we help one another by prayer, either absent, or present, 2 Cor. 1. 11.