568 An Expofition upon Chap. 4.; Dot7rine. verfe fecond theweth, fuch as were more rude and ignorant in this particular doarine, ( having not yet learned it ) are termed weak. T i :vt. What is our dottrine from hence ? S r t.In the Church of God militant, there is great difference betweene Chrifiian and Chrifian, as touching the mealure of their knowledge, and other of their graces which depend thereon. The Church Is like abody,a family,and an Orchard ; and as in the body fome members be more excellent and ttron- ger then others: in a family there be perlons of different ages and natures : in an Orchard there be force old trees, and young plants: So in the Church, force have more knowledge and faith, and Come have leffe, Tome be totally thong: beleeving firmely all the points of Chritlian doarine, (as Abraham ) and thefe be called perfea and fpirituall by Paul ; others be firong in part, whole underfianding is enlightned in Come fpeciall point, wherein others doubt, as the Romans here : fo force are wholly weak, as new begotten Chri- ftians ; others in part only , as thefe Jewes. The reafon of this difference is, becaufe force come fooner to Chrift, force later. Secondly, alto force have more illumination given them in their new birth, and tome leffer. Thirdly, force arc more fludious in the Scrip- tures, and give more time and diligence unto knowledge and godlineffe then others do. T 1 M. What it the fife of this doctrine ? S a L. Firft, it ferves to reprove fuch a s condemne the Church, becaufe all be not alike wife and holy, as if we would blame God becaufe he made force greater lights and Come leffer. Secondly, to admonith us not to be offended with this inequality,being the confiant dilate of the Church by the ma prudent ad- miniftration of God fo ordering it for moll excellent ends ; that the $ ronger may have greater matter of praife for their greater mea fore, and more ability to thew love in inftruaing the ruder : and the weaker have more caufe both of humility and indufiry, 'hiving to over- take better learned Chriftians. As in the Creation, the variety of Gods workes, fo in the regeneration of the ele &, the diverfity of his gifts do much commend the manifold and marvailous wifedome of Almighty God. T 1 m. What is jgnified by receiving the Weak) S 1 t. To receive, is to take one to us with an affe &ion of love, to the end to cure his weakneffe,and as a friend to care for his firengthening : In this fence is this word attributed to God, verfe 3. Alto to Philemon,ver. t 2,17. fee Gal. 6.1. where the meaning is expreffed in other words. It contained; three things, or aítions of charity. Firfi, to joyne them unto us, and not ao feparate our (elves from them. Secondly, with patience to bear them. Thirdly, with better inftru- &ion to confirme them. T 1 wr. What is our deltrine from hence ? S a L. That it is the part and duty of fuch as have better profited, to be very carefull to help, tolerate, and re- flore the weaker: as in the body the better and more worthy members doe guide and fuccour the more feeble, and in the Firmament the greaterlights lend thine unto the Stars ; in a family the el- der nourifh and cherith the younger : thus it ought to be in Gods houle as we are commanded, Gal. 6. 1. Rom. r;. 1. As Ch rift hath given an examplein his own perfon, Rom. 15.2. The reafon is, the communion of Saints, each hath a right in common , both in the benefits of C hri ft, and each in others gifts as fel- low members. T 1 M. What is the ufe to be made of this dottrine? S r t. It reproves the proud which difdain their inferiours. Secondly, fuch as inlead of bearing with, and buil- ding up , doe by fubtile quefiions and contentious difputes, labour to difcou- rage and pull down : therefore we are willed to take heed and avoyd fuch vain brablers, 1 Tim. f. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 2 3. 7it.3.9.and bere: for howfoever all reafoning by arguments andmoving of queftions be not unlawful! or hurtfull, yet in all idlejanglings and quarrelfome difputes 4
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