John Trapp on Matthew 7:12

Verse 12. Therefore all things what soever ye would &c.] q. d. To winde up all in a word (for it would be too tedious to set down each particular [illegible: 1 word];) let this serve for a generall rule of direction in common conversation, and mutuall interdealings one with another: whatsoever ye would that men should doe to you, [illegible: 1 word] ye [illegible: 1 word] so to them. This is the royall Law, the standard of all [illegible: 1 word] in this kinde, a [illegible: 1 word] weight and rule, according to which we must converse with all men. Severus the Emperour had this sentence of our Saviour often in his mouth; and commanded it to be proclaimed by the Cryer, whensoever he punished such of his souldiers as had [illegible: 1 word] injury to others: For there is no doubt (saith Mr Calvin upon this text) but that perfect right should rule amongst us, were we but as faithfull disciples of active charity (if we may so speak) as we are acute Doctours of passive; did we but love our neighbour as our self. Charity (tis true) begins at home in regard of order, but not in regard of time: for so soon as thou [illegible: 1 word] to love thy self, thou must love thy neighbour as thy self; neither may any man at any time hide his eyes from his own flesh, that is from his neighbour, of the same stockIsa. 58 7., with himself. For this is the law and the Prophets.] i. e. This is as much as either of them have said touching love to our neighbour. Yea, this is the summe of all that Christ and the Apostles have spoken of it: For love (that seeketh not her own things) is both the complement 1 Cor. 13. 5. of the Law, and the supplement of the Gospel. Rom. 13. 8, 10. Gal. 5. 14. Ioh. 15. 12. & v. 14. Christ maketh love to our brethren, the same with keeping the Commandments. So Acts 15. 20. St [illegible: 1 word] in that sacred Synod gives this suffrage, to lay upon the [illegible: 1 word] Gentiles, no greater burden then these necessary things: that they abstain from pollutions of Idols, and from fornication, from [non-Latin text not transcribed] [illegible: 1 word] in loc. [non-Latin text not transcribed]. things strangled, and from bloud: And in certain ancient [illegible: 1 word], as also by Irenaeus and Cyprian, it is added, and what thing soever ye would not, that others should doe to you, that ye doe not the same to them. Timothy naturally cared for the Philippians, which was rare, Phillip. 2. 20. 22. So should all Christians [illegible: 1 word] for another, Gal. 5. 13. 1 Cor. 10. 24. Rom. 15. 1, 2. Self-lovers begin the black bed-role, 2 Tim. 3, 2.