The Rules of a Holy Life, Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
Rules that shew vsus how to carry our selues towards godly men.
THus of our carriage toward the wicked: how we should carry our selues toward the godly, followeth to bee considered of:
The summe of all is, that wee must walke in louelove: If wee can soundly discharge our duety to the godly, in respect of louing them vnfaignedly & heartily, and constantly, wee performe all that is required of vsus toward them: And this louelove to the godly is so necessarie, as that it is imposed vponupon vsus, as the onelyonly Commandement giuen by Christ, who in one word tels vsus the substance of our duties, Ioh. 13. 34. Ephe. 5. 2. 1. Pet. 2. 17. 1. Cor. 16. 14.
Now the Rules which in particular binde vsus to the good behauiour in respect of our louelove to the godly, concerne either the manifestation of our louelove to them: or the preseruation of our louelove to them.
Wee must shew our louelove to the godly diuers waies:Six waies of manifesting our louelove to the godly.
First,1. By courtesie. by courtesie and kindnesse towards them, and that in a speciall manner, being affectioned toward them with a brotherly louelove and kindenesse. No brethren in nature should shew more kindnesse one to another, then Christians should, Eph. 4. 33. Rom. 12. 10.
Secondly,2. By receiuing them. by receiuing and entertaining them: we must receiue one another, and be harberous one to another; and this with intirenesse of affection: Negatiuely, it must bee 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; Wee 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, we should make much of them, and entertaine them gladly. Secondly, not thinking any thing too deare for them: Christ hath not enuied 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; 3. By bearing their burthens.for so we should fulfill the Law of Christ, Gal. 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 wee see a godly Christian mourne and lament his distresse in respect of his infirmities or temptations, wee 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, or to beare with their sinnes, but to helpe them out of their griefe by consolation, out of their sinne 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 take 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 we 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 help them.
Fourthly,4. By prouoking them to good duties. by considering one another, to prouoke unto louelove, and good workes, Heb 10. 24. Note the dutie and the manner how it is to be done: The duty is, to stirre vp others all wee can to the increase of louelove and aboundance of all good workes: the manner is shewed two waies; First, wee must prouoke them to it, both by example, and by exhortation, and all good waies, that might fire in them the desire of well-doing. Secondly, we must consider one another, wee 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 wee must meditate of it, and cast about, how, where, and when we must yeeld this helpe, and incouragement, and furtherance.
Fifthly,5. By faithfulnesse in all their businesse. by doing whatsoeuer wee do for the godly, heartily, and with all faithfulnesse, as if it were for our selues, or our owne brethren, or kinred in nature, not being slothfull in seruice; or such as disappoint the trust reposed in vsus: wee should doe all things wee vndertake for. them, with all fidelity and care, 3. Ioh. 5. Rom. 12. 6, 7, 8, 11. Yea, we should care for their good and profit, as wee would care for the good of the members of our owne body: for such are they to vsus in the Mysticall Body of Iesus Christ, as the former place to the Romanes sheweth.
Lastly,6. By imploying our gifts for their good. we should shew our louelove to the godly, by employing the gifts of our minde, as may be best for their good: As eueryevery man hath receiued the gift, 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 profite withall, 1. Pet. 4. 10. 1. Cor. 12. As for example, The lippes of the wise must disperse knowledge, Pro. 15. 7. So when Christians meete together, as any hauehave receiued a Doctrine, or a Psalme, or an Interpretation: so must hee minister it for the profite of others, 1. Cor. 14. 26. and so must we help one another by prayer, either absent, or present, 2. Cor. 1. 11.