express our love, should come from a sincere heart, with∣out dissimulation.
Abhorring] Precept 2. That wee so abhorre evil or sin, that wee suffer not our selves to bee drawn into fel∣lowship with it. And that wee so embrace goodness, or virtue, that wee suffer not our selves to bee drawn a∣way from it.
Vers. 10. Bee kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another.
Precept 3. That the love of Christians among them∣selves, which is founded by the bond of Grace, should bee as the love of Brethren, which is founded by the bond of nature, viz. constant and earnest.
In honour] Precept 4. That in the testifying our opi∣nion by outward signs, concerning the virtue or worth of any one, wee do not expect what is due to our selves, but that wee go before others, giving them the honour which belongs to them.
Vers. 11. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord:
Precept 5. Concerning diligence in the duties, which by our Calling are due to God, and our neighbour, That wee bee not slothful, dull, and cold, as if wee had no mind to the doing of the things, but that wee undergo those offices with fervency of spirit, and intenseness of zeal, taking the occasion of doing well in the just opportu∣nity; consecrating this ferventness of spirit to God, not to our own private affections.
Vers. 12. Rejoycing in Hope; patient in Tribulation, continuing instant in Prayer:
Precept 6. Concerning remedies to bee used in our afflictions. 1. That wee glory in the hope of deliverance. 2. If evils increase, that wee behave our selves patiently. 3. If help seem to bee delayed, that wee continue in prayers, and give not way to evil.
Vers. 13. Distributing to the necessity of Saints, given to hospitality.
Precept 7. That wee communicate of our goods to the necessities and want of the Saints, especially of those that live amongst us: and that wee (by our hospitality freely tendered to them) succour strangers, and those that are banished, which come unto us.
Vers. 14. Bless them which persecute you, bless, and curse not.
Precept 8. That wee do not recompence slanders and reproaches (the ordinary persecution of the world) with revilings again, but that wee dissolve them by patience, and blessing. And because this is very contrary to flesh, hee twice commands it, and the third time forbids the contrary.
Vers. 15. Rejoyce with them that do rejoyce, and weep with them that do weep.
Precept 9. Hee commends to us a brotherly sympathy or fellow-feeling, as well in the adversities, as prosperi∣tie of our neighbour, as it becomes the members of the same body.
Vers. 16. Bee of the same mind one towards another. Minde not high things, but condescend to men of low estate▪ Bee not wise in your own conceits.
Precept 10. That wee promote mutual concord, and bear ordinary infirmities in those that differ from us, and that wee do not proudly lift up our selves against, or above others, but that wee condescend to men of low de∣gree, so farre as the truth shall give way, alwaies be∣waring that wee bee not puffed up with an opinion of our own wisdome.
Vers. 17. Recompence to no man evil for evil, provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Precept 11. That wee do not recompence injuries with injuries, and because the flesh is ready to make excep∣tions, hee saith, Requite no man evil for evil.
Providing] Precept 12. That following after hone∣sty, and innocency of life, wee cut off all occasion, as well from our-selves of doing evil, as from our adver∣saries of ••urting us, or reviling us.
Vers. 18. If it bee possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Precept 13. That wee follow peace with all men, Whereunto is added a limitation, if it bee possible, and as much as lies in us, that wee use all means of peace, and if any thing falls out to the contrary, let it be by ano∣thers fault, not by ours.
Vers. 19. Dearly beloved, avenge not your selves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Ven∣geance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord.
Precept 14. Forbidding in particular, more than be∣fore, requiring like for like, because wee are more prone to revenge. Therefore hee friendly forbids private re∣venge, and commands that wee let our anger, and the anger of our adversary to cool, exciting neither by words or deeds, adding a grave Argument, because it belongs to God, either immediately by himself, or else by the Ma∣gistrate, to revenge all injuries offered unto us. What is to bee done in case of unblameable defence, is to bee in∣quired amongst common places.
Vers. 20. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if hee thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Precept 15. Of doing good to our enemies, when op∣portunity and their necessity requires it: And this Reason is subjoyned, because by this wee heap coals up∣on them, that they may either bee softened (as metal is melted in the fire) if there bee any ingenuity in them; or that their conviction and condemnation might bee made so much the more heavy, and that not by ours, but their own fault.
Vers. 21. Bee not overcome of evil, but overcome e∣vil with good.
Precept 16. Tending to the same purpose, but more generally, That in contending with our enemies, wee judge rightly of the victory; which is, not that wee re∣quite, or overcome evil with evil; for then wee are ra∣ther overcome of evil, than overcome; but this is the only victory, that by doing well we overcome evil, and this is the victory which here hee exhorts us to seek after.