Chapter 315 of 325

←2036

←2036

←2036

Bowles gives some judicious rules for forming this interesting bond. 1. Kindness of speech and manners, Eccl. 10.12. 2. Sympathy with the trials and perplexities of our people. 2Cor. 11.29. 3. Readiness to communicate to their necessities. Acts 10.38. 4. Condescension to their infirmities. 1Cor. 9.19-22; 10.33. 5. Social habits of intercourse, with a strict regard to the main designs of our office. Luke 5.30: 15.2,3, 6. Watching against incidental occasions of irritation. Further, to maintain this union, he recommends—1. To avoid, as much as possible, worldly connexion or business with our people, as a fruitful source of contention. Jer. 15.10. 2. In the necessary intercourse of this world with them, to have a careful guard over our own spirit. 3. To bury all remembrance of any ill-natured speeches or injuries, in giving an ear or thought to which, we may broil ourselves in endless and most hurtful disputes. Lib. i. c. 22.

↑ Back to top

↑