A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 7. Of Rules for attaining to and abounding in Brotherly-love concerning Opinion.

THe Rules for attaining to and abounding in brotherly-love, may be reduced* 1.1 * 1.2 into three heads:

• 1. Opinion.
• 2. Meditation.
• 3. Practice.

For Opinion.

• 1. We must be well instructed in the truth of that Religion which we, and others, who are accounted brethren, do professe. Frequent reading of Gods Word, diligent attending to the preaching thereof, serious meditating there∣on, and mutual conference thereabout, are special means of instructing us in the true Religion. Knowledge hereof, and faith herein, will knit our hearts to the profession of the same, and hold us close to them. Religion hath its notation, a* 1.3 religando from knitting close, and binding fast together. Nothing is of more force to that end then Religion, especially the true Religion. Idolatrous, heretical and false religions knit the hearts of the Professors thereof together: yet they want that spirit of life which accompanieth the true Religion. True Religion therefore must needs be of more force to knit men together.
• 2. We must have a good opinion, and be well perswaded of the truth and* 1.4 soundness of our brothers profession. Other wise an external profession will be so far from uniting our hearts, as it will rather alienate them the more one from another. Hypocrites and dissemblers are detes•…•…ed of all. None will dare to trust them: none will care to be intimate with them. Now that we may have and retain a good opi∣nion of professours, we must judge of them according to the rule of charity (for* 1.5 we cannot judge of them according to the rule of certainty. That is his preroga∣tive who searcheth the heart and trieth the reins, Ier. 17. 10. and to whose eyes all things are naked and opened, Heb. 4. 13.) Charity judgeth not the hearts and consciences of men. It leaveth them to God, Charity believeth all things, and hopeth things (1 Cor. 13. 7.) that is, the best it can of all. It interpreteth all things in the better part. By this means is brotherly-love established.
• ...

• ...

  3. We must as much as lieth in us be perfectly joyned together in the same minde, and* 1.6 in the same judgement, 1 Cor. 1. 10. Union in minde and judgement is an effectual* 1.7 means of working and preserving union in heart and affection. They who continued 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Apostles Doctrine were of one heart and one soul, Act. 2. 42. & 4. 32. Under the heart, the affections are comprized; under the soul, the minde. Unani∣mity is a great cause of brotherly-love: Therefore we are oft exhorted to be of the same minde, Rom. 12. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Phil. 2. 2.

  Qu. What if all that professe the same faith cannot be brought to be in all points of one opinion: so as there must needs be differences in that kinde, as ever there were, and ever are like to be?

  Ans. In such cases let us dissent in love, and wait till God reveal the truth to the one or to the other. Differences in judgement must not cause alienations of heart and affection: especially if the difference be about inferiour and indifferent things, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 14. 2, 3.

• 4. We must be thorowly informed about Gods love to us, and get all the evi∣dences* 1.8 we can thereof. Gods love is as fire; it heateth where it is harboured. As fire kindleth fire, so love kindleth and enflameth love; especially when the soul is perswaded thereof. Now they, who truly love God, will undoubtedly love such as bear the Image of God; which Professors of the true faith doe, 1 Iohn 4. 20, 21. & 5. 1. Apprehension of Gods love to us, will the more enforce us to love the Brethren, if withall we be perswaded of their love to us; as we ought to be, un∣lesse we see apparent evidences of the contrary.

Thus farre of the Rules concerning Opinion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  XII. Rules.
• * 1.2

  1. Be well in∣structed in the truth of the Religion pro∣fessed.
• * 1.3

  A religando re∣ligio duci cre∣ditur, Aug. de vera r•…•…lig. c. 55.
• * 1.4

  2. Have a good opinion of Professors.
• * 1.5

  Judge by the rule of charity.
• * 1.6

  3. Be unani∣mous.
• * 1.7

  Cordis & anim•…•… uni•…•…s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 intelligitur sum∣matum in doctri∣natum in volun∣tatibus consensio. Beza in loc.
• * 1.8

  4. Be perswa∣ded of Gods and brethrens love to thee.