Reason 1. Because otherwise we should wrong God himselfe, in violating his honour.
2. Because we should diminish at least our greatest comfort, which depends upon our prayers.
Vse. This may serve to admonish us, to take heed therefore, not only of the grosser sort of sins, but also of contentions, injuries, perturbations, and all those vanities, by which we are made unfit to call upon the name of God aright.
Verse 8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pittifull, be courteous.
Verse 9. Not rendring evill for evill, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
The Analysis.
The Apostle doth in these two verses briefely comprehend those duties, which belong unto all sorts of men. For because it would be too long particularly to describe all the particular vertues, nor can there be such a doctrine delivered, that should direct *every particular man in his duty,* singulos qua singulos, as such a particular man, as before it was delivered touching masters and servants, wives and husbands, therefore he doth here commend some generall duties unto all, from which all particular ones will easily follow. And the first of these is Concord. 2. Mutuall sympathy. 3. Brotherly love. 4. Pitty. 5. Courteousnesse. 6. Christian Patience, whereby we doe not only forbeare to curse those that curse us, but also blesse them; of which last duty, as being the difficultest of all, he gives a speciall reason, which is taken from the end of our calling, whereby we come to the possession of all blessings, and as much as in us lyes, ought we to communicate it unto others.
The Doctrines arising herehence.
Doctrine 1. Concord is a vertue, which all Christians should mightily labour for.