March 5

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.—Romans 12:10.

Now, in this way of holy, spiritual affection, seeking the true good of one another, be kind in brotherly love; not upon design of particular interest, but by a natural propension, such as in creatures towards their young; such a tenderness as is among men of nearest relations, parents, and children, and brethren; and know that you are indeed brethren of the highest birth and parentage, and so beyond all brethren, Christians are obliged to love one another. Alas! that in them, likewise, it should prove so unhappily true, that the love of brethren is rare; that they should be so hardly drawn to acts of love, and so easily stirred to fits of anger and bitterness, one toward another! My beloved, are we Christians? Oh, where is the spirit of Christ? Where that great law of his, that badge of his followers, love one another, that by which the Christians of the first times, astonished the pagans about them? Yea, their very enemies and persecutors were amazed at it. It were well, and would be one considerable gain by our enemies, if their combinations and malice might drive them close together, and unite them more to one another in love.

In honor preferring one another. Putting all possible respect on one another: this is not in ceremony and compliment, though these civilities that are their due, and done without feignedness or affectation, are not disallowed, yea, are, I conceive, included; but in matter of real esteem each preferring one another. For though a man may see the weakness of those he converses with, yet, passing, and, as far as he can, covering these, he ought to take notice of what is good. All have something commendable, and no one hath all; so the meanest may in something be preferable to the highest. And Christian humility and charity will seek out for and espy that, and for it put all respect upon them, that their quality and station are able to bear: and in this, one should prevent one another, and strive who should do most in this kind, as a good and happy contention.

And the source of this is, love to God, which so mortifies the heart to all outward advantages, that, further than a man is tied by place and calling, he would not receive, much less desire, any kind of respect from any, but had rather be slighted and disregarded. What cares a soul enamored with the glory to come, for the vain passing air of preference and honor here? That it can easily bate to any, and so far as a man has any power of it, would put it upon others, far rather than own it himself. Such a one can sweetly please himself in being the meanest in all companies where he comes, and passing for each, and he is glad of respect done to others; still looking homeward, where there is no prejudging one another at all, but perfect unenvying and unenvied glory. Glory here is to be shunned rather than pursued, and if it will follow, yet is less to be regarded than thy shadow. Oh, how light and vanishing is it, and even things more solid than it! The fashion of this world passeth away.

"Us into closest union draw, And in our inward parts Let kindness sweetly write her law, And love command our hearts.

"Saviour, look down with pitying eyes; Our jarring wills control; Let cordial, kind affections rise, And harmonize the soul.

"O let us find the ancient way Our wond'ring foes to move, And force the heathen world to say,— See how these Christians love!"