560 CIIAISACTER OF A SOUND, as Christ, is betrayed by the covetous Judases of his own family. And the servants of the world, the flesh, and the devil, that take up the livery of Christ, and usurp the name and honor of Christian, do more effectually hinder the concord and prosperity of the church, than any open enemies do. And those that are indeed no Chris- tians, do cause Christianity to be reproached ; even as spies and traitors that are hired by the ehemy to take up arms.in the army which they tight against, that theymay betra}i it by their fraud, and do more harm to,it by raising mutinies, and by false conduct, than a multitude of professed enemies could have done. It is proud, ansl worldly, carnal hypocrites, that hinder most the concord of believers. LIV. 1. A confirmed Christian is of a peaceable spirit. He is not masterly, domineering, turbulent, hurtful, cruel, seditious, fac- tious, or contentious. He is like ripened fruits that are mellow and sweet, when the younger, greener fruits are sour and harsh. He is not wise in his own conceit; (Rom. xii. 16.) and therefore not over-urgent in obtrudinghis conceitson others, not quarrelsome with all that cannot entertain them, nor will he easily lay men's salvation or damnation, no, nor the church's peace, upon them. He is " kindly affectioned toothers with brotherly love ; yea, loveth. his neighbor as himself;" ver. 10. xiii. 9, 10.. And therefore he doth to others as he would they should do to him, and uses them as he would be used by them, And themhow far they are like to suffer byhim, yíi may easily judge. For "love worketh no ill to his neighbor ; ver. 10. He is above the portion of the world- ling, and a contemner of that vanitywhich carnal men account their felicity ; and therefore he preferreth love and quietness before it, and can lose his right when the interest of love and peace re- quireth it. He is become as a little child in hisconversion, (Matt. xviii. 3.) and is low and little in his own eyes, and therefore con- tendeth not'for superiority or preeminence, either in place or pow- er, or reputation of his learning, wisdom, or piety; but "in honor preferreth others before himself ; "'Rom. xii. 10. " He mindeth not high things, but condescendeth tomen of low estate ; " (Rom. xii. 16.) and therefore will not contend for estimation and prece- dency, nor scramble to be highest, though he rise by the mina of men's bodies and souls. "If it be possible, as miach as lieth in him, he will live peaceably with all men ; " yer. 18. For he is not one that by word or deed will avenge himself ; but when the wrath of others is up like a blustering storm, he giveth place to it, he ßoweth before it, or goeth out of the way. "If his enemy hunger, he feedeth him; if he thirst, he giveth himdrink;" (ver. 19.) when oppressors would deprive not only an enemy, but the righteous, oftheir meat and drink ; and thus he melteth hishardened
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