Have no league of Amity with them to have common friends and enemies as to help them against their enemies or crave their help against ours There be some that speak minsingly of the Religion of Rome as that there be indeed sundry differences between them and us but that they are petty and mean ones and of no great moment but such as if we would yield a little and they a little there might be a reconciliation made Wo be to such dawbers that would go about to reconcile God and the Devil Light and Darkness c. There are sundry differences which are main ones and against the foundation and such as except they will renounce we neither can nor must ever joyn with them So of the Papists themselves some will speak very favorably O they be good honest men and many good things they do if it were not a little for their Opinions c. Do such speak wisely they be abominable persons for they be Idolaters and those God calls abominable worshipping other Gods and the true in a false maner namely in Images If they were Murtherers and would take away our lives Adulterers and would abuse our wives Thieves and would take away our goods O we would cry out upon them and say They be abominable but we have no feeling of any thing which hurts our souls nor of that which is foully against God and his glory it s an Argument of self love and little grace It should go more to our hearts that its against GOD and his glory then any thing that were against our selves any way We ought to pray to God to convert them or remove them and that they may be curbed and their eyes may fail ere they have their desire of Toleration of their abominable Religion For the Idolatry among our selves Some conceive of God as of a God onely merciful and not just which emboldens them to go on in their sins without fear or care supposing that when they have abused him at their pleasure all their days if in the end they utter but a few good words to him he will be as well pleased as if they had served him all their time This is to conceive an Idol and not God for he is as just as merciful the one no more then the other Sundry also among us make a god of their Belly Profits Pleasures Honor Children Ease c. seeking onely these setting their heart and delight in these trusting in these yea to compass these not caring though they offend God for whatsoever a man loves more then God or trusts in besides God he makes it his god Thus the glutton makes his Belly as the covetous man his Wealth his god O vileness and extreme baseness We that live under the Word preached should learn to know God to be All-sufficient and to labor to make him our portion and inheritance our joy and our castle He that hath God hath all he that wants him in the midst of all hath nothing Blessed is the people so the person whose God is the Lord not who are wealthy have great friends c. and who accordingly love him above all set him up in their hearts trusting in him onely satisfying themselves in him yea him alone and loving all other things in and for and under him Others there are that profess Religion and worship God indeed but in a false maner they pray but depart not from iniquity hear the Word but hate to be reformed are baptized but keep no Covenant receive the Lords Supper but without Knowledge Faith and Repentance but God he is a Spirit and therefore will be worshipped in Spirit and Truth They that worship him as most do they worship an Idol namely Such a God as is content with the outside with Ceremonies but so is not the true God the service of such is abominable against such judgements have been both denounced and inflicted See 1 Sam. 15. 23. Psal. 50. 16. Isa. 1. 11. and 58. 5. Jer. 7. 4. Ezek. 14. 33 27. Mic. 6. 7. Our outward worshipping of God must proceed from our inward Knowledge Love Fear and Trust in God and must be joyned with obedience and Reformation If thou repentest not of thine Hypocritical service thy wages will be according to thy work This makes Gods enemies speak ill of our Religion and hold off even because though indeed we worship God and profess well yet our peoples lives be so far wide we that enjoy the Gospel and the true means of the right knowledge and service of God ought not to worship the true God onely but in a right maner What though we be not Idolaters we cannot almost be so though we would yet we may and without repentance shall certainly perish for our ceremonious and Hypocritical serving of God and so much the rather because we had the means to bring us to the true knowledge of him which is denyed to the common sort of the Papists Assuredly we shall lose all our labor if we use it to no better purpose and our souls too among the Hypocrites Verse 4. Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of ryot speaking evil of you HEre 's the prevention of an Objection If we should now break off might some say and no longer live as we have done but take the course that you prescribe we should be wondred at as an Owl among Birds They would think strangely of us as of fools and mad folks and hate us and speak evil of us that we should not be able to abide it Others also might say We which have followed your counsel have made our selves a gazing stock and pulled all men upon our tops even those that liked us well before speak ill of us and what we shall do we know not The Apostle Answereth I know it is so with some of you and will be so with the rest but be not dismaid for as it s set down in the following Verse they shall answer for this wickedness at the time which God hath appointed when we shall receive the Crown of glory for our well-doing and constant continuance therein In this Verse note 1. The minde of the wicked towards Gods children their course seems strange to them 2. The effect hereof in their words They speak evil of them 3. The ground or reason hereof For that they run not with them into the same excess of riot Wherein they think it strange Hence note that Such as mean to renounce their sins and take an holy course shall finde much opposition undergo the hatred and ill will of most Lot was wondred at in Sodom as doubtless the old world wondred at Noah for making the Ark and Pharaohs Courtiers at Moses his choyce Michol mockt despised David in her heart when he danced before the Ark Nebuchadnezzar wondred that the three children refused to bow to his Image which others did Festus thought Paul mad In
Professors oversight 2. It will depart from its own rather then break love as give way in conference and yield though we know we have the truth so it be in small matters after offences yield and sometimes seek Reconciliation though it were meet the other should seek to us for why it more prizeth and esteemeth love then small matters It will lay down the bucklers go on the lower ground yield the way or the wal when there 's no reason for it 3. It doth no hurt it s against the nature thereof so to do whether in life chastity goods and good name See it in God a perfect patern of love He doth all good no hurt to his Children It provokes not but strives by all means to please all as far as may be with a good conscience it seeks not its own things but others as well 4. It s not easily provoked but forbears forgives puts up c. It wil cover natural infirmities such things as be weaknesses in our brethren natural defects not done of set purpose or breaking out into extremities As some be a little too quick some a little too slow some seeing a fault are too ready to speak some a little too slow to speak or reprove some a little too fine earnest negligent merry solemn others a little too homely and plain remiss sad sullen c. If they were not so much on either hand it were better These love will cover or nothing love will not stand upon them rebuke or reproach them it will not deal hardly with them for these things but wisely bear them Thus will a loving husband bear with his wife that fears God though haply somewhat quick and curst haply not so cleanly or provident altogether as were to be desired So a wife with her husband though haply not so affable or whose nature will not suffer him to use such complements to his wife as some can with facility So if a servant be very trusty and careful to please onely somewhat slow the Master must not hereupon rebuke him too oft too openly too sharply sometime lovingly in private he may So a Neighbor confers with a Neighbor and the one is a little too quick love will not see it but consider its a natural infirmity it s not much out of the way though somewhat it is love will not exasperate him or answer him tartly but go on friendly in a maner not so much as taking notice thereof Love will also cover and put up wrongs done unto it not seeing small ones but forgiving and putting them up saying Thus ought I to do he is a man I am also subject to offend my Neighbor and would be forgiven and stand also in need that others should pardon me And as a Christian I must do For I sin daily against God and so crave to be forgiven of him as I forgive others If they be greater matters yet love will easily accept of any indifferent conditions of agreement and that unto Seventy seven times If they be so great that without great prejudice to our estate and reputation they cannot be passed by then its lawful to have recourse unto the Magistrate and use the benefit of the Law but so as there be no malice and the revenge be not in any case sought after Herein two Caveats must be observed It must not be for trifles which ought rather to be forgiven and it must be the last remedy when all other ways of more peaceable and quiet agreement have been tried as the cutting off of an arm or leg when no ways else will help Hereto belongeth also that love covers folks faults from the World except it hath cause and calling to speak thereof commonly it speaks of their vertues The contrary is most wofully common little of mens vertues except a word or two to make way to speak of their faults and these we delight to be much in As the Crow that likes the Carrion and the Hog that delights in mire rather then to lie on the green grass or the Flie that is more on a galled or sore place of a Horse then on his whole body or one that passing by sweet flowers in a garden gathers Hemlock onely 5. It s bountiful beneficial and helpful not having that to it self which it hath but ready to distribute and communicate to the good of others whether they be gifts Spiritual or Temporal Spiritual for love begins at the Soul and doth good to that first whether of our Children Servants or Neighbors Love taketh to heart their Spiritual wants giving counsel to the ignorant doubtful comfort to the afflicted admonition to them that be out of the way exhortation to them that be in the way and especially if they begin to slack adding prayer for all Temporal It will give to the poorest that are to be helpt by alms as it is able it will give in greater measure on solemn times yea of the main stock in persecution or hard times it will give cheerfully and such God loves it will also give quickly that is to give twice it will also lend to them that be a degree above the poorest which having a Trade Skill and will to follow their Trade onely want a stock to employ themselves and theirs These a man is as much bound in conscience to lend unto according to their ability and honestly to pay again as to give a piece of bread or a peny to a poor miserable creature by this help many have lived in good sort and brought up their Families To the wealthy that have no need of us yet we must be neighborly and friendly communicating in kindenesses with them inviting them also sometimes to us and going to them being invited so we must visit them in their sickness and heaviness and comfort them in the best maner we can Now love being such a thing and these being the properties thereof if we try the world by the same we must needs conclude that there 's little love in the world 1. Who takes not things in the worst part hardly construing mens words and actions the doubtful ones haply not bad they judge to be evil those that be evil indeed they make far worse then they are Thus did Ely judge amiss of Hannah when her lips onely moved the Jews with our Savior Christ when he said Destroy this Temple this is the cause of innumerable contentions and breaches among men 2. For departing from right who doth it who stands not out stifly to the uttermost This is an usual speech It s my right and I will have it I ask no more but my right and that I will not lose this is thought but reasonable and he is thought but an honest man that will have but his right but it s an ill speech and resolution whether it be in conference If a man know he hath the truth
to dye and that eternally 2. To answer the prophane world that wonders at people that take pains winter and summer to travel and take such journeys to the Word they think they be fools and laugh at them What do they mean say they What mean they they seek to have their Souls saved if you have any greater business in hand then that or know a better way to effect it then the preaching of the Word you should do well to set about it But if ye do neither of these as I know ye do not then cease marvelling at them and give them leave rather to marvel at you that can be so careful for toys and so careless of your Souls for the time to come 3. If we have the Word of God which is sufficient and appointed to save our Souls then how dare the Brownists separate themselves from us Peter would not from Christ when being asked of him whether he would go away Master saith he whether shall I go thou hast the words of eternal life yea though there may be some things amiss and where at they are offended yet seeing there is sufficient to the Salvation of our Souls we ought to take heed of departing from those places where such means are they will go farther and speed worse Again whereas they call our Ministers Antichristian and Bâ—alitical Priests c. what gross wrong is this will God bless the labors of such to the winning of Souls Have not sundry Ministers among us through Gods goodness been the instruments of converting many to God Paul took that as a good Seal of his Apostleship that he had been so blessed Of the Lord This is to exclude all mens Traditions false Scriptures c. which have no such power and to stop the mouthes of Enthusiasts that depend upon immediate Revelations from God as though the Scriptures were insufficient And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you Where is the Word might they say and how must it be handled to make it thus effectual He answereth If it be effectually preached as it is among you this is the means it s not in heaven but among you and by preaching its made the instrument of Regeneration For How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe The Eunuch having that by preaching opened and applied to him which he read was thereupon converted that which could not be done by bare reading was done by preaching It s true the Word read and preached are both alike apt to convert in respect of themselves but not in respect of us as whole loaves and bread cut in pieces and made small have like nature and aptness to nourish in respect of themselves but not in respect of us for whole loaves will not enter into the mouth nor into the stomack or if they could be there so fit to digest as when cut small yea and chewed for then its fit So a sentence of Scripture must be broken and divided into Doctrine and Use then its fit and not till then to nourish us so that the cause why the Word read is not so apt to Regenerate and nourish us as the Word preached is not in the Word it self but in us in respect of our weakness that cannot conceive it nor yet apply it to our selves Therefore they that would have bare reading in Congregations and that as sufficient for the Salvation of a Congregation they are Enemies to the Souls of Gods people True it is the reading of the Word as well privately as publikely in the Congregation is an exercise both holy and profitable and hath ever been used in the Church of God and is to this day but yet not as sufficient as the other to Salvation Preached This he addeth that they might not look that God should speak to them from Heaven or by an Angel he hath thought good to speak unto us by men whom he sends to preach unto us Unto you In that it was preached as to others so also to them note That the Word ought to be preached in every particular Congregation They that have it not must seek it elsewhere for it will not avail them that its preached in the same Land Countrey or corner except they also have it preached nor yet will this serve for their excuse We had it not in our Town If light be come into the world we must seek after it as men go from Market to Market for provision And if the Word be truly preached in any Congregation the people ought in any wise to attend there and wait for a blessing thereon They must not discourage their Ministers through their absence but rather by their presence and prayers for them in preaching and themselves in hearing help them forward And this is the word c. Peter boldly avoucheth it was the Word of God that was preached among them and therefore that they which resisted it resisted not him but God So must we preach that we may boldly say thus and avouch it Those Ministers that broach Errors and corrupt Opinions or that plead for Baal for this and that Disorder or they that bend the edge of their Ministery against the forward and better sort and so weaken their knees and strengthen the hands of the wicked these cannot thus say This is the Word of God that is preached unto you God would not have said thus neither saith Gods Word thus and they that resist not God but man nay the Devil that moves him to utter these things We ought to take heed not daring to utter any thing but that whereof we may boldly avouch Thus saith the Lord He that speaketh let him speak as the Oracles of God But if we speak nothing but the Truth and as God would let all take heed how they shall dare to resist or gainsay it or not yield obedience thereto for he that resisteth it despiseth his own Salvation and resisteth not a mean man but Almighty God whose Word and Ordinance it is to save the Elect and be sure if it save you not it will condemn you For as the rain cometh down and the snow from Heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower So shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth saith the Lord it shall not return unto me void but shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it CHAP. II. WE have finished the former Chapter through Gods goodness many that heard the beginning thereof dyed ere we came to the end many dead since We set now upon this second hoping for the same assistance and I pray le ts all attend to the beginning with carefulness for no doubt sundry
the King of Heaven That your prayers be not hindred The third Reason Using them ill will breed Contention and so make them unable to pray at all or pray amiss Here note 1. That the husband should pray with his wife God takes it here for granted and that also constantly the course of their prayers must by no means be broken off This is their daily homage to God they have daily need of pardon grace protection direction in all their affairs all which must be prayed for This hath promise of blessing and herein all Religion is contained This condemneth most husbands that never pray with their wives they have no skill nor will hereto an argument of a prophane man void of all Religion dead in sin for where there is the least spark of grace there will be crying to God How do these live as much Religion in their Hogs-coats as in their houses they live like Swine most Families in stead of being little Churches be Heards of Swine which live as if there were no God How do these look for a blessing God hath promised none but to them that ask it what common blessings they enjoy they enjoy not as fruits of their Prayers If we desire to be accounted religious and would have any blessing of God let 's learn to pray 2. That whatsoever would interrupt our Prayers is carefully to be avoided Thus as we are to avoid worldliness an ill conscience and the like so also contention and wrangling both with our neighbors and wives That party is unfit to Pray whose heart is poysoned with wrath and malice the Prayers of such are loathsom being thus our Sacrifices will not be accepted at Gods altar O what a grievous thing is it to lose our prayers What else have we to help our selves with What judgements doth not prayer remove What blessing doth it not obtain greatly doth he lose that loseth the benefit of his prayers Therefore let us beware of contention and strife especially with our wives Let us always keep our hearts calm and fit to pray Who knows what need he may have of prayer and that more then ordinary As men keep their Horses for service in plight and breath so keep we our prayers in good tune keep we them as a Pinnace ready to send out speedily and come home laden else we may miss many a good purchase Verse 8. Finally be ye all of one minde having compassion one of another love as brethren be pitiful be courteous Verse 9. Not rendring evil for evil or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing NOw he comes to certain general Exhortations that concern all sorts and states whatsoever and they tend to love and a peaceable and comfortable living together one with another Be ye all of one minde Not that he would have these Jews to be of one minde with the Idolatrous and prophane Gentiles amongst whom they lived but that being converted and believing Jews they would all consent and agree together in the matters of Faith and Religion of Christ that they would all embrace the Lord Jesus the onely Foundation and that some onely should not look for Salvation by him some by the Law and some by both but that all should seek unto him alone And as they were thus to agree in matters of Faith so also in their Civil affairs avoiding contention and strife The vertue then which is here exhorted unto is Unanimity a joyning together in one minde and one heart in one judgement and one affection For Unity in Religion though Errors be many yet there 's but one Truth which every one must know believe and walk in to Salvation Other foundation besides Christ there 's none all that believe in him shall be saved as they that miss of him building beside the foundation fall to the ground shall be ashamed and confounded We were all created in the Truth but since the fall become prone to error Christ is the Truth the Way and the Life and this are we to buy this is contained in the Scriptures for which we are to search Some foolishly imagine that every one shall be saved by his own devotion but its life eternal to know God and Christ Jesus whom he hath sent To be thus in one judgement in Religion is a great mean of peace as the contrary a great cause of dissention even disagreement in small matters makes alienations of affections much more in Religion This Jeroboam knew well he would not suffer the ten Tribes to come up to Jerusalem to worship as God commanded lest agreeing together they should fall from him but chose to set up a new kinde of worship at Dan and Bethel thereby to set them at oddes It s lamentable that so many are distracted into divers and innumeral Heresies and but a very handful have the Truth and be of one minde Some disagree from the Truth in the very foundation as 1. Heathens and Pagans living in strange kindes of idolatry being altogether ignorant of God and Christ. 2. The Jews that look for another Savior acknowledging the Father but not the Son but he hath that not the Son hath not the Father 3. The Turks that acknowledge the Old not the New Testament the Father not the Son 4. The Papists that hold some not all points tending this way as in the matter of our salvation parting the same between Christ and our selves 5. The Arrians and that base Atheistical Sect of the Family of Love c. Some though they differ not in foundation yet erre from the truth Such were the Donatists Novatians and such like of old as in our times the Lutherans beyond the Seas and amongst our selves the Separatists Those are led with a Spirit of pride and preposterous Zeal They were bred up in the Church and as soon as they were able to shift for themselves they spit in their Mothers face and call her Strumpet These be ungracious children they were never thus taught of Christ or his Apostles As we are to pity and pray for the former and that the Lord would deliver his poor people from the tyranny of the Turk and Antichrist giving the Gospel a free passage among them that with one minde and mouth they may glorifie God in Christ Jesus so for these Seeing there is little to prevail with them as having a proud conceit of themselves and their opinions le ts take heed we be not led away with them for herein they hazard their souls greatly that they forsake the means the Ministery of the Word and so may revolt or at least stand at a stay Whiles they be so quarrelling about matters of Controversie they neglect matters of Sanctification and Government of their lives Besides even among our selves that tarry in the Church there is odds and difference and thereby carnal worldlings
acknowledge Christ Jesus and our Faith and Hope of Salvation in him as of whom the Prophets foretold and who did every way for time place maner c. fulfil their prophecies of him This we must believe with our hearts and confess with our mouthes in this Faith we must both live and dye The like might be instanced about Justification if by Papists we should be called to an account Thus Moses came often before Pharaoh to justifie his demand thus Elias did acknowledge and maintain the true God and his pure worship against Ahab and his false Prophets so Daniel and the three Children so the Apostles so the Apostle Paul so the Church of Pergamos so the holy Martyrs they could not be drawn from the truth either by promises threats or torments so in this Land in the days of Queen Mary Gods servants shewed good skill in the Word and made known their Christian courage Reasons hereof may be these 1. That it may appear God hath some that know and love and will defend his Truth as the Devil also the contrary 2. That we may declare we be not ashamed nor afraid of men to confess the cause of God 3. That we may confirm our own consciences and may also if possible win others to the truth as Paul had almost done Agrippa No doubt many standers by were won by Pauls defences and the Martyrs and not a few weak ones confirmed the rest being left without excuse 1. This condemneth that horrible wicked practice of the Church of Rome in keeping the people in miserable blindeness and holding it a deadly fin for them to read any part of Scripture in a tongue they understand or any book touching the true Faith and Religion nay read both Scriptures and Prayers to them in an unknown tongue and lock up all knowledge from them and means thereof like the Scribes and Pharisees that took away the Key of Knowledge How shall they then be ready to give an account of their Faith They must believe as the Church believes and that is all they can get onely they preach to them in their own language which yet is but lyes and errors for truth This is most gross robbery of the people Christ bid Search the Scriptures they charge the contrary and curse them that do It s cruel tyranny and murther of their souls they take away their weapons that they may make a prey of their souls as the Philistines did from the Israelites to keep them under Those are not of Moses his minde that wished That all Gods people might prophesie nor of St. Pauls That the Word of Christ might dwell in them richly in all wisdom c. None have need to be discouraged from seeking knowledge for most be too careless and lazy 2. This rebuketh the gross ignorance of most part of people that notwithstanding this light that we have and so many helps of preaching liberty of reading and so many Books of all kindes and of the grounds of our Religion yet know not what they hold nor what be the points of their Religion but as Market news they hear they must serve God and come to Church and must be saved by Jesus Christ but to prove that he is the true Christ or that they must be saved by him and by no other in whole nor in part or that the Scripture is the Word of God they are altogether ignorant and so might be carried away to any Religion This is an horrible sin especially considering the helps and liberty which we enjoy What notorious carelesness is this must we not buy the truth prize the truth know it hold it fast not part therewith Most have such skill in worldly businesses that they are altogether unskilful in the Word regard not the means of their Salvation This is condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darkness more then the light O how many perish for want of knowledge yet are there some which having knowledge but not the love of the truth nor Faith in God will flinch from it if ever they be tryed for there is no hold of him that loves not the truth though he have never so much knowledge as we may read of Dr. Pendleton and others in Queen Mary's time Such if they be in company of Papists of Cavillers or Railers they can stand or sit still and say nothing How would these confess the truth with peril of their lives when they be affriad of a great man c Let such know that Christ esteems them as his enemies For he that is not with him is against him they being ashamed of him in this world he will be no less ashamed of them on the last and great day 3. O then let all of us labor for knowledge and to be grounded in our Religion and to know the points of Catechism and be able to prove them by some place of Scripture so as we may be bold to believe them and stand to the defence of them To this end we must give ear to Catechizing read the grounds of Religion and study the Scriptures in humility and with Prayer having a care to know the will of God and to be guided by it and to stand in the defence of it to Gods glory against such as oppose it This is the glory of a man of a Christian to make confession of his Faith in Christ and stand to the defence of it this God may justly expect of us it hath been performed by them which had not the hundredth part of the means which we have O let us both love and live in the Truth sticking close thereto whatsoever it cost us And if at any time we shall hear it spoken against we must have the zeal of God in us to stand in the defence thereof Thus confessing Christ here among men he will confess us before his Father in Heaven and his holy Angels Of the hope that is in you Faith and hope must be rooted in our hearts ere we utter the same with our tongues In vain do we talk of things whereof we have not the inward feeling With meekness and fear Here 's the maner for good things must be done in a right maner we must temper our courage and zeal in setting out the truth with meekness and fear we must avoid pride and insolency by forgetting our places or those we have to speak to or breaking out into violent speeches mockings gibings or such like for so we may do much hurt and this is unbeseeming the Spirit of Gods Servants Besides the things we speak of being the matters of God our speech and behavior must be sutable thereunto This rebuketh the preposterous zeal of some which defending the truth and a good cause forget duty and respect to their Superiors and break out into violent and unseemly speeches and be at defiance by and by and straight condemn
though it be but in small matters yet he will hold it out though the other be never so peremptory till in conclusion they fall flat out this is nought in small matters it were better to yield so in Dealings Covenants Bargains Bonds men will have their right herein right may be extream wrong always provided that we give not away anothers right especially Gods Moses would not yield an hoof yet most men are stiff in their own will yield enough of Gods right as they will not suffer their Servants to play one hour in the week day but for the Lords day they will suffer them therein to play as much as they will 3. Whereas love does no hurt to any Whence comes all the hurt and mischief in the world Stabbing Fighting Quarrelling Railing Reviling Scolding Crying all the defiling of mens Wives Children Servants So for Oppression Bribery Thievery Cousenage false Weights deceitful Wares So Slandering Defaming Backbiting Mocking All these abound in the World I am sure they come not of Love it was never at the doing of them and those that will so readily provoke one another by words and deeds they care not how are far enough from love 4. For being provoked O Lord be merciful to us who can bear any thing but taunt for taunt quip for quip he shall have as good as he brings is common with every one How do men stand upon every small trespass Hence the innumerable Contentions and Suits in the Land thousands in a year for meer trifles wherein ten times as much is spent then is sued for which is a shame for England having had the Gospel of Peace so long Oh mens stomacks be up straight all their blood in their faces or looking as pale as ashes or secretly practising to revenge hand on the Dagger straight straight on the top of the house fly in our Neighbors face by and by so little love is there to forgive till Seventy I may say till Seven times so short Spirited as we can bear nothing and that which is worse if we have once taken up a displeasure it s not easily laid down but Sun after Sun Moon after Moon yea Year after Year it continueth quickly provoked hardly pacified especially truly It may be we live not in open enmity yet in secret grudging the heart not sound but ready to break out upon every occasion can abide nothing but Revenge which is fearful 5. Where is communicating of Spiritual good things Parents bring up their children brave but how few Catechize Counsel and Instruct them pray with or for them So for Servants They give them Meat Drink and Wages with work enough on the six days little caring how they spend the Lords day neither instructing them examining them or drawing them to hear the Word or Read and Pray What love call you this shew you not as much to your Beasts So for our Neighbors who admonisheth them that be out of the way do we not rather let them run on talking of their Infirmities behinde their backs and spreading them to their grace Nay do not many yea most rejoyce thereat what consolation to the heavy who takes it to heart how few are able to comfort fitly but utter vain idle if not more hurtful words to to such nay many rather laugh and jest at heavy conscienced persons every man saith Is he is Brothers keeper Nay alas so far from communicating Spiritual grace to them which they ought or to call one another to go to the house of God as they rather use all means by jesting at them troubling them c. to discourage them yea how many have given lewd and wicked counsels to others to the dishonor of God For outward things how backward are most from giving any more then they needs must What contentions at making of Rates For lending where is this but rather as if God had never given precept for it or as if it were like a Statute repealed which is of no use so is this duty That cursed Trade of Lending upon Usury hath eaten up and banished out of the Countrey this Christian duty of free lending What rich man hath almost at any time any thing to lend Some are so grim and austere as a poor man dares not speak to them for such a thing Some put so much to Usury as they neglect their Trading set none a work nor have ought to lend at any time but rather borrow and if a poor man happen to do any work for them they cannot pay him in a good while they are so bare for as soon as any money comes in it must out straight to Use as if it would burn a hole in their Cupboard if it lay there two or three days or a week Others are ever Purchasing and are ever in debt and will be then wrangle at Rates grudge at this and that are never fit to lend such bring a curse upon themselves willingly which is to borrow when as they might else lend Others are so miserable that though they have wherewith yet will not lend So for Neighborly dealing inviting visiting c. Love is very cold Here I may adde That there 's a great deal of counterfeit love Pot-companionship and joyning in vanity a deal of fawning crouching conguing c. a great deal of self-love making others faults great and their own small or none nay sometimes extenuating and making light of the vertues of others highly esteeming their own being ready to provoke and wrong others but bearing nothing straight provoked seeking their own in all their dealings and courses so making sure for themselves without regard to their Neighbors These be the times Now let every man examine himself and see how it s with himself in these who findes not himself ready to take things at the worst and have we not often done so when as afterward having heard that it was nothing so but quite otherwise we have been put to shame and forced to say for our own excuse We heard or thought it had been so The like might be particularized in the rest 3. The causes of the want of love 1. Want or weakness of Faith when our Savior taught his Apostles this Duty they said Lord encrease our Faith Assurance of pardon makes us forgive 2. Pride whereby men think highly of themselves meanly of others think they may speak or do any thing but that others may say or do nothing to them Onely by Pride comes contention but humbleness causeth love Pride makes men think themselves so wise and good as every body should say as they say and yield in all things to them when they do not they break the peace as Haman with Mordecai Pride cannot endure a reproof therefore could not Herod abide John Ahab Elijah and Micaiah Pride makes men think so highly of themselves and meanly of others that they will not bear any wrong but take the least in scorn 3. Covetousness this makes