C a A P.4. Eyiftle to theTheffalonians. Va n. t o ritie alwayes to heare ill in Scripture : as in Pharifes limi- ting their louec to friends, and fuch as were able,and wil- ling to retaliate l¿indneffe. As on the contrary , ldra- hams beneficence is hereby amplified, that it was almoft $promilcuous. Not but that in fome offices and mea- fures of loue,fotne may haue preeminence; but utterly it is a fault amongft vs, ifany,efpecially of Gods people,bc excluded. Reafons, Fir{i the neerer wee corne to our h patterne in louing, the more commendable is our charitie. Second - ly,and to be impartiall in loue, is no (mall eurdence, that our lout is without dißmulation. Be- jealous of loue limited to men eminent in Grace, or dignitie ; or linked veto thee in amide or cohabitation. Some preferment let them haue in meafures of loue. Yet thinke firft , the meaneft in Chrifls body are fetlow- members, i and neceffarie. S econd l y,a nd no beleeuer if now k an alien; Thirdly, and Religion makes vs i equal!, if it `findes vs not fo. Intenfìuely Charitie is conceiued to grow, when the feruour of it is increafed. Such adding to the degrees of Grace receiued, it neceffary in ail gift , moll in char:tie. As being, firfl, m moll ferrite of all good fruits. Secondly, ftrongefl bridle to corruption. Thirdly, that which f ea- foneth all other gifts and duties. . Meanes to increaf e it ; firft, Labour to° comprehend with all Saints, what is the height and depth ; and breadth and length of the Lone cf God. The more plentiful our ap- prehnuìon of Gods loue to vs is, the more are our hearts enlarged toloue God, and leis Saints. Secondly, Emptie thy heart of felfe -loue, the bane and breakenecke of Chriftìan Charitie Thirdly, Be not curious to prie into the infirmities of Brethren.° Loue mug cottera multitude of finnes; feldome is a charitable man curious,or a curious man charitable. VaRs. 307 e Mat.5:43s E Lc,k.6.34. g Heb.r3.z. h Mat.5.4f. lfe. i r.for.tz.za: k EDd e.z, 1 3. I gom.1z.16, Pfal. r x9.63. m r,COr,T3 tat, n EpbA,s:iB: o r,1'et.4.S.
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