§. 124. Of circumspection over others.
THough this be a necessary and bounden duty for every one to be circumspect over himself: yet must not the duty of circumspection be bounded, limited and restrained only to mens selves; it must also be extended to others. Where the Apostle saith, Take heed unto your selves, he addeth, and to all the flock, Act. 20. 28. And where another Apostle saith, Keep your selves, &c. he addeth, And others save, &c. Iude v. 21, 23. This duty is more expresly extended to others, Deut. 13. 12, &c. Heb. 12. 15. Gal. 6. 1, 2. 1 Thess. 5. 11, 14.
Weighty reasons there are to presse this extent of this duty of circumspecti∣on: As,
- 1. The near union of all Christians. They are children of the same Father. Have we not all one Father? Mal. 2. 10. Of this union, see more §. 17.
- 2. The like common condition of all. Others as our selves are subject to mani∣fold infirmities, and to all sorts of temptations: they have also the same enemies that we have, and they are as prone to fall away as we are. Thus in these and sun∣dry other like respects, there is as great need of being carefull over others, as over our selves.
- 3. The extent of brotherly love. This is thus set down, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self, Matth. 22. 39. This is the Law and the Gospel, the Prophets and Apostles. This is the summe of that Doctrine which in the Law and Gospel, by the Prophets and Apostles is taught concerning one another. If you do this; you do well, Jam. 2. 8. Such an affection do men bear to themselves, as they will not stick at any pains or cost to do themselves good, or to prevent any hurt or damage that might befall themselves. Were the extent of brotherly love observed, we should be, we would be like minded to others.
- 4. The zeal that we ought to bear to the glory of God: For to keep men from falling from God, so as they may ever remain faithfull to him, addes much to his glory. Constant and continuall faithfulnesse in servants, is an evidence of his good∣nesse whom they serve. It gives proof that they serve a good Master, which makes much to his glory.
Hereby we see the scantinesse of their duty, who wholly cast off all care of keep∣ing* 1.1 others from falling from God, supposing it enough that they take care of them∣selves. This later of caring for themselves is commendable: but the other concern∣ing their brother ought not to be neglected.
Some will be ready to say, Am I my brothers keeper? Gen. 4. 9.
To these I answer, that That was the speech of a murdering Cain. The truth is, that we are every one our brothers keeper, and ought to take care of our brother. They therefore who are carefull over themselves, are to be exhorted to extend their care in this kinde to their brother also. This especially concerns them who have charge over others. See Chap. 2. v. 13. §. 126.
The Pronoun * 1.2 any, excludeth not any of what sex, age, degree, condition or distinction soever they be; if at least they may in charity come under the title of a* 1.3 brother. For this as other Christian duties is to be performed without partiality, 1 Tim. 5. 21. Iam. 3. 17. Herein we shall shew our selves like unto God, 2 Chron. 19. 7. See Chap. 6. v. 11. §. 78.