mot

462

Of Brotherly Repruf. Dach which preach the Gospel

, should lei, out Spel. Rom.15.27. For if the Gentiles here ku dis partakers of their spiritual things

, tie o adr. is also to minister to them in canalilig an Gal.6.6. Let him that is taught in the Why the municate unto him that teachetb

, in me things. V.7. Be not deceived, God is not marku." foever a man sowes that shall be resp

, si Mar. 10 41. He that receiveto a Prophet and

name of a Prophet, shall receive a Part
ward, &c.

for

ing

Of Chriftian and Brotherly

Reproof

.
'Hat excellent and Chriftian Duty of

ving and admonifhing an offending is(in these daies Scoo much negle&ted, and and out of use; though it be the reality that can be done from one man to another Lei are forward enough to scoffe and deride the miscarriages of others behind their backs!

Mi few there are that make Conscience of reme chem feriousy and soberly to their faces: W people fall out and are angry, then arck

2

a

out comes all that they know (and perhaps more too ) in a rude and passionate manner to disgrace each other : But how seldom do they admonish one another in love, in order to their amendment and the saving of their souls ? Being therefore to treat of this duty in this chapter, lec me premise tbac there is a double admonition.

1. Paternal or authoritative. 2. Fraternal or charitative, Of this batter onely I intend to discourse here, and I shall shew,

1. What great and preffing Arguments there are for it.

2. Shall endeavour to remove the main préjudices and objections that lie against it.

3. Shall shew how, and in what manner it is to be performed.

4. Give some reasons why it ought to be exceed. ing kindly taken by those to whom it is performed, and whose benefit is thereby intended.

of the first, the Arguments for this Duty.

1. We have commands for ic , boch in the old and new Testamenr.

Levit, 1917. Thou shalt not hate thy Brother in

thine heart, thou shalt in any wife rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer fin upon

bim. Mar.18.15. Moreover if i hy Brother shall trepaß

azainst thee, 30 and tell him his fault between thee and him alone, if he shall hear thee, thou

haft

of Brotherly Reprost, och

of neec heart ende

men

464

haft gained thy Brother Eph.5.11. And have no felolip si fruitful works of darkneje

, barvaders

hear them.

ligh

filte II. Hereby we may much adventut for may discountenance fin, may promote Piya

nal world. Many fins may be suppresed, f

suc by would buc bear witnesse aguind

reli

IGE give check unto them by a wife and proof. If we can but perswade men to

brea fias, and embrace the waies of Hole Thall thereby bring much honour ancora God. And what thould not we posrius

toml do, to advance the Glory of fo Grade

bure ther:

1 III. 'Tis the most bleßed and charis.

parte we can possibly be employed in, viz.com ing of precious souls out of the bando and saving them from everlasting per lo de Jam.5.20. He which corverteth the final the errour of his way, shall save a foul front and shull hide a multitude of fons. We rent, i.

peris 23:4. If thou meet with thine enemies oxy Alle going astray, thou shalt surely bring in he's

of all him again. Vis. If thou see the Age of this hateth thee, lying under his burden,

Duty

08 in

dr

we 11

have

neighbours Oxe or Asse, (yea though it were our very enemies) and not of his soul? If thoa hearest men swear, tosse Gods Name vainly and lightly in their mouths, jest with his Word, talk filthily, deride Holineffe, fander good men, plead for propbannelse, or feest chem walk in unconscionable courses; Oughtest thou not to admonish such men, and to increar them to bethink themselves, and to consider whicher such courses tend? If thoa shouldest see a man tottering on the brink of some deep and dismal pit, where he must needs perish if he fall in, hadît not thou a hard heart, if thou wouldst not catch hold of him, and endeavour to stay him? Alas! Why do noc men consider then what it is to fall into the bot. tomlesse pit of Hell, and co lie there in everlasting burnings.

IV. We thall hereby keep our selves from partaking in other mens sons. By neglect of this Duty, we may become accessary to mens going on in finful courses, and dishonouring God; and to draw upon our selves the guilt of their fin and ruine. But if we faithfully admonish offenders, we shall hereby deliver our own foal, and if they perisb, they perifh to themselves. Parol could not have said, Acts 20.26. i am pure from the bloud of all mes, if he had not been a faithful reprover, as well as a diligent instructer.

V. If this Duty were conscientiously practild, t would rob Satan of ene of his greatest advan

it

tages to destroy souls, which is the fasbionablenes and creditablenesse of Sin. It would discredit for and bring Christianity into reputation: It would drive away that frivolous, impertinent , empt Conversacion, that wanton, noisoms discourse, that pasies for the only entertainment of this corrupe world. It would drive away backbiting judging ; ceasuring , rejoycing in the folly Jharse of others, which are the very bane aad shame of converse and society,

VI. The advantage is great that will acrue anto us, we discharge this Duy faithfully, Din.12. 3. Then that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of i he firmament, and they ihat turn many to righteousnesse, as the Stars for ever and ever. Prov. 24.25. To them that rebuke the wicked, balki delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. A great delight will arise in their souls from the testimony of their Consciences, chat they have endeavoured to discharge their Duty, and a good blessing from the Lord will come upon chem for ic.

So much of the Arguments for this Duty: I com now to the second thing; Namely, to remot the prejudices and answer the objections that are conceiv'd against ic.

obj.1. 'Tis hard and painful and uneafie flesh and bloud co practise chis Duty. I thall be thoughe uncivil, rude, impertinent in mo companies where I come : Tíhall be laughed a