t 3 Chap. 6. An Expofition upon the Book of j 0 B. Verf. 21 and from the law of friendíhip. Solomon (Prov. 17. 17. ) de- fcribes a true friend, to,be one who loveth at all timer, and a bro., :her it barnforadverfity. As if he had faid, this is the reafora God bath railed up relations, and madmennear one to another, becaufe himfelfordeis there [hall be times of adverfity when they [hall have need ofoneanother ; forne render the place, A brother is born in adverfity, as if the meaning were, that when aman is in trouble, God raifes up a brother to help him, or as the Septuagint bath it, A brother it born for this end andpur- pofe, to help in adverfity. Therefore a brother lofes the very end and purpofe whyhe was born, if he refufe to help thofc who are in adverfity. Ruth was a true patternofa faithful friend and bro..' they, though a daughter; I went outfull (faith her mother in law) but the Lord bath brought me home empty ; but though fhe was emptied of the world, yet Ruthr heart was full of love to her, Iwill not leave thee; God do fo to me, and more alfo, ifought but deathpart thee andme. So faith faithfulnefs in friends, efpecially in Chriflian friends ; it is one of the greatefi duties and commen- dations ofChriflian profcffiou, to flick to, and fland by oneano- ther,beit foul weather,orbe it fair,blow the windes highor low, let it be flormy or calm, ever to be the fame. The Heathens won- dered in the primitive times, at the great loveofthe Chritlians toone another. Let us take heed we do riot put Heathens, natural, carnal men to wonder, O howlittle doChrifiians love one another ! Let us not give occaíion to fay ,0 how the Chriltianr bate one another ! how like are they at bell to firearm of brooks, who fail when their friends and brethren need the benefit oftheir af= Talíapatitur [[lance. Deus¡u=rant- Let me only give you this caution, God fuffereth men to be dere,ne bomf- thus unfaithful-unto:men, yea fometitnes a Chritlian brother to nim,ir fi fail a Chrillian brother (which is their fm, and ought to be their for@tiá jpem forrow ;) I fay, God leaves them to this evil of theirown hearts, d4 fzdsicm in that wemay have a greater goodcut ofit,than the highetl wings ;pfop,lo ()vivo of their love and faithfulnefs, could eflate us in : Namely, that veroDee, we may learn to tauft upon God alone, and may better know plant, Lyn, what creatures are. Tratji not in a brother (jer, 9.4,)'fo,as to let put your hearts upon him t think not you are fate in the loveofa brother, no, not ofa godly brother:The Apo(lle (a Tim. 6.17.) to draw oil-richmen from trutling in their riches, ufeth t his ar= gument,Cbarge them tbat are rieb, that they :ruffnot in uncer- tain
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