Chap. 3g about the choice and of ofCompany. 4nfw. Fitsl, God commends it to us by his works of creation : For he hath t made us in our natures political, andSociable creatures,who take comfort incon- verfing together. Secondly, in his wife providence he bath fo difpofedof us that we Should not be abfolute,and able to liveof our felves,but need themutual help oneof another: So that the King needs the Subje& as much as the fubje l needs the King ; the rich help the poor, and the poor labour for the rich : the City needs the Country, as well as theCountry the City. Thirdly, Godhash linkedall men together into fociety, as it were particular membersof the fame bodies, andpath fo furnished them with áiverfty of gifts, and feveral abilities to fundry offices, that no fort of men can be wanting with- out a maime, nor any part utterly pulled from the whole , but he mull neceflari- ly become a dead and unprofitable member , and work his own ruine by this his Separation. Fourthly, in our renovation, we are, as it were,anew created into one body ; where of Christ is the Head, and as diverfe members have our several funLions, andoffices allotted to us, which are not onely for our own ufe, but for the good of the whole body , and every ofour fellow-members , r Corinrh, cz. r, t5,z5,26- Quell. TL hat are the benefits which redound to the whole body , and to all par- ricular members hereby ? Anfw. Firfl, hereby they are linked together by the fame Spirit , and in the bond of love to performe allmutual Offices ofChriihan charity which may ad- vance eachothersgood. Secondly, they communicate inthe fame blellings, and rejoycein one anothers good; having according to their numbers their joys redoubled:In their troubles, and aflitblions they alto communicate in one anothers grief, each comforting his fellow,and fo making the burden muchmore light by compatfion, and bearing it upon many shoulders. Thirdly, they tlire up Gods graces in one another, both by word, and good.example, helping to remove impediments_ that lie in the way , and ex- horting one another to cheerfulneffe in their journey, whereby they quicken their fpeed towards the Kingdomof Heaven. o efl. Howmull- we prepare osorfelves before we fro intocompany ? Anfw. Firli, whenwe are free , and left toour choice, we muff chafe fuch company as in all likelihoodmay either do us good , or at lealt receive fome good from us , and therefore we muff pray unto God to direél us in our choice, and make our meeting profitable for the advancement of his glory , and our good. Secondly , we mull alío pray to God togive us his grace , and holy Spirit whereby we may be enabled to profecute thefe ends. Thirdly, fecing the enemyofour falvacion layesnets and fnares to entrapus in all places, and cfpecially inour company , we mull therefore refolvebefore-hand to arme our felves against thefe dangers , and to keep anarrow watchthat we be not overcome by him. Fourthly, we mull not propound this asour end,to passe away the rime, and to folace our felves with carnal delights,but togo with this'refolution, that we will do our bell to receive good, cfpecially for our foules, or to do good to our companions by our words, examples, and anions, CO preventfin in them, or to quicken them.togood. Fifthly, we muffput off, and call from usturbulent paflions, and difordered af- feélions, andadorne ourfelves with the contrarygraces ofGods Spirit : We mull for this end fubdue our pride , and wrath, and frowardtaefle, envy towardsour fuperiours, anddifdaine towards our inferiours: and we mull put on brotherly Cec love: 376 II. IV. I. II. V.
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