2. As to the persons contending, there is a difference. The apostle, when he persuadeth this lenity and mutual forbearance, excepts those that raise troubles in the church, and distinguisheth between erring Christians and their factious guides: Phil. iii. 2, 'Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers, beware of the concision.' The poor seduced Christians he would have to be pitied, but the renders and cutters of the church, he would have them beware of such.
3. The forbeai-ance itself. It is not a forbearance out of necessity, because we dare do no otherwise, but voluntary choice oat of Christian pity and compassion, knowing that we need as much forbearance from God and others, for we all have our mistakes and failings ; not a for- bearance out of policy, till Ave get opportunity to suppress others : the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for us. God often layeth that restraint upon us by his providence ; and it is well he doth : but it should be the restraint of grace, not a respect to our own ease, lest we create trouble to ourselves, but upon Christian reasons. No ; the apostle showeth you Avhence this forbearance should come : Eph. iv. 2, 3, ' With all lowliness and meekness and long-suffering, forbearing one another in love ; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'
There are four graces enforce it: —
[1.] Lowliness, which is a grace and virtue, whereby a man, from
1 Qu. 'utter' ?— Ed.
72 A PERSUASIVE TO UNITY [I'mL. III. 15.
the sense of his own infirmities, doth esteem but meanly and soberly of himself, and all that is his.
[2.] ]\Ieckness, whereby we are rendered tractable, gentle, affable, and easy to be entreated and conversed withal, James iii. 17.
[3.] Long-suftering, which is nothing but meekness extended or continued, and not interrupted by length of time, or multiplication of offences.
[4.] Love to our Christian brother or neighbour, whereby our hearts are inclined or well-disposed towards them for their good. ' Love covereth a multitude of sins,' 1 Peter iv. 8. IMaketh us bear with many things in the person loved, 1 Cor. xiii. 4, ' Charity suffereth long, and is kind ; ' and ver. 7, ' Beareth all things, hopetli all things.' This is the forbearance we press, a forbearance out of meekness and humility and love for Christ's sake.
4. In this forbearance, both strong and weak have their part, and are much concerned, as having either of them much to do herein. Which, that we may clear to you, let us consider : —
First, What they are not to do.
1, Not to leave the truth, or to do anything against it. No; the apostle saith, ' Let as many as be perfect be thus minded ;' not change truth for error. Strings in tune nuist not be brought down to strings out of tune, but they brought up to them.
2. Not to connive at their sin or error, for that is not love but hatred : Lev, xix. 17, ' Thou slialt not hate thy brother in thine heart ; thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.' To let him go unconvinced is to harden him: 2 Thes. iii. 15, ' Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.' The sins of others must not be let alone under the pretence of for- beaiance ; and there must be no neglect of means to reclaim them from their sin, but meekly we are to hold our light to them, and use all holy means of convincing and satisfying their judgments.
Secondly, What they are to do.
1. The strong are not to deal rigorously with the weak, nor insult over them, nor pursue them with censures, but wait till God declare the truth unto them, and must promote their conviction with all gentle- ness and condescension. We are to feed Christ's lambs as well as his sheep, and for both we need love, John xxi. 15, IG. Among the flock of Christ there arc variety of tempers and degrees of strength, both lambs and sheep. We must imitate our Lord: Isa. xl. 11, ' He shall feed his flock like a shepherd ; he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.' We should condescend to the weak and feeble ones, as well as consider what the strong and confirmed can bear. Though we cannot love their weakness, yet we must love the weak, and bear with the infirmities of the weak, not break the bruised reed. Infants must not be turned out of the family because they cry, and are unquiet and troublesome ; though they be peevish and froward, yet we must bear it with gentleness and patience, as we do the fro- wardness of the sick ; if they revile, we must not revile again, but must seek gently to reduce them, notwithstanding all their censures ; to entertain them with contempt is to prejudice them quite against
Phil. III. 15.] in things indifferent. 73
all instruction. Job would not despise the cause of his man-servant or maid-servant when they contended with him, Job xxxi. 13.
2. The weak. But who will own this title and appellation ? Be- cause in controversies of religion, all seem to stand upon the same level, and another difFereth from me as much as I do from him ; their opinion is as far from mine, as mine from theirs ; who then shall be accounted weak ?