§. 56. Of judging the best of others.
THat the Apostle might not seem to flatter those to whom he gave this title, •…•…∣loved, he plainly declares his opinion of them in these words, We are persua•…•… better things of you. &c.
Of this manner of expressing his minde in the plurall number thus, We are p•…•…∣swaded, see v. 3. §. 24.
The a 1.1 Greek word implieth such an opinion, as makes one confident that it i•…•… so, as he conceives it to be. Thus it is said, They be perswaded that John 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prophet, (Luk. 20. 6) Matthew speaking of the same thing, thus expresseth it, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 held John as a Prophet, (Matth. 21. 26.) and Mark thus, They counted John that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was a Prophet indeed, Mark 11. 32. By comparing these Evangelists together, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 see, that to hold, or to account a thing to be indeed so and so, is to be perswaded, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is so. Thus is this word frequently used, as Romans 15. 14. 2 Tim. 1. 5. It i•…•… translated to have confidence (Galat. 5. 10.) and to be confident. Phil. 1. 6. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 assure, 1 John. 3. 19. In this respect this word is joyned with another that •…•…∣eth to know, as Rom. 14. 14. Philip. 1. 25.
This comparative, b 1.2 better, which implyeth the things that he was perswaded of, hath reference to the forementioned case of Apostates; as if he had thus expr•…•…∣sed his mind, better then to be once onlightned, better then to have only tasted of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heavenly gift, better then to be made partakers of the common gifts of the Holy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 better then to have only tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and after all to fall clean away. We are perswaded, that you are better princip•…•… then so: and that you have laid a better and surer foundation, which will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sail.
By this pattern we learn in generall, to take heed of judging others over 〈◊〉〈◊〉:* 1.3 And particularly, of judging Professors to be Hypocrites, and such as will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apostates. This is that judging which Christ expresly forbids, Matth. 7. 1. And therefore another Evangelist adds this inhibition to us, condemn not, Luke 6. 37.
Rash judging, especially in this kinde, is first against Christs prerogative, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 14. 10, 11. 2. Against the rule of charity, 1 Corinth 13. 7. 3. It is a meanes to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the like judgement upon our selves, Matth. 7. 1, 2.
Yet notwithstanding it is too common in these our dayes thus to judge Pro•…•…∣sors. Many put no difference betwixt a Professor and an Hypocrite: for they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no mean betwixt profaness and Hypocrisie: if a man be not openly profane, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then counted an Hypocrite. Oh the subtilty of Satan! never had he any strat•…•…, whereby he got greater advantage then this. There is hardly any thing, wher•…•… true piety is sooner nipt in the head, then by this. Many seem to be more prof•…•… then their conscience tels them they should be, to avoid this brand of Hypocri•…•…. That we be no instruments of Satan in this kind, let us learn of our Apostle to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and think, to judge and speak the best of professors. It is necessary for Minist•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shew some good hope of their people. If they have not some hope, what •…•…∣rage can they have to Preach unto them? and if people conceive they have no 〈◊〉〈◊〉, what comfort can they have to hear them?
Of the two it is better to have a good perswasion of those, who inwardly are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sound (at least if we doe not wittingly wink at the evill which is apparent and evident to all) then unjustly to censure, and condemne the upright. In the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the rule of charity is expresly violated: but not so in the former.