Doctrine 5. Together with our love and mercy we should joyne courteousnesse.
Reason 1. Because true love and mercy proceeding from the enlargement of the heart, fits and disposeth the whole man for the doing of good.
2. Because a benefit bestowed in a rough and harsh manner, doth in some sort cease to be a benefit.
Vse. This may serve to admonish us, more and more to lay aside all severity, and to have a care to beautifie that good which we doe, in the manner of doing it.
Doctrine 6. Christians should not render evill for evill, or railing for railing.
This is gathered out of the 9. verse. So Romans 12.17. and Matthew 5.39.
Reason 1. Because the railing or ill-doing of another, doth not loose the bond, or take away the duty of our love.
2. Because this is to be overcome of evill. Romans 12.21.
3. Because this derogates from Gods fidelity, and takes that, which belongs unto him, out of his hands, Romans 12.19. Proverbs 22.23.
Use. This may serve to reprove those men, that are easily provoked, and when they are provoked by any injury, thinke that they may doe any thing, and so give themselves liberty to exercise all kind of revenge: and that they doe not this from the hatred of sinne, but from too much love of themselves, it doth sufficiently appeare by this, that when more hainous and grievous offences are committed against God, and the same wrongs done unto others; they can heare it and behold it, and never be troubled at it.