Medulla theologiæ, or, The marrow of divinity contained in sundry questions and cases of conscience, both speculative and practical : the greatest part of them collected out of the works of our most judicious, experienced and orthodox English divines, the rest are supplied by the authour / by Sa. Clarke ...

CHAP. XXXVII. Questions, and Cases of Conscience about communicating in other mens sins.

Quest. HOw many wayes may we communicate in other mens sins?

Answ. First, by Counsel, and advise, when [ I] though another is the hand, yet thou art the Head, and adviser, 2 Sam. 16.21. Ab∣solom committed incest, but Achitophel counselled it, Mark 6.25. The Damsel desired John Baptists head, but her mother ad∣vised her, v. 24.

Secondly, by command, whether by word or writing, 1 Sam. 22.18. [ II] Doeg murthered the Priests, but Saul commanded him, Act. 23.3. the servant struck Paul, but the High-Priest commanded it: The Judges condemned Naboth, but Jesabel commanded them by her Letters: So David by Letters killed Uriah. So, 2 Sam. 1••.28. 1 King. 12.30. and 13.34. Jer. 28.16.

Thirdly, by permission: Thus all Governours are guilty▪ when their inferi∣ours, [ III] whom they should restraine, commit sinne: So in Eli, 1 Sam. 3.13. Qui non prohibet malum cum potest, facit. He that forbids not sinne when its in his power, commits it: Pilate was guilty, because he re∣strained not the Jewes from putting Christ to death: So, Nehem. 13.17. Numb. 35.31.

Fourthly, by provocation. Gal. 5.26. Ahab was most wicked whom Jesabel [ IV] provoked, 1 King. 21.25.

Fifthly, by consent, and countenancing wicked actions: as Saul, Act. 8.1. by [ V] consenting to Stevens death. So Num. 16.19.

Quest. How many wayes is sinne countenanced?

Answ. First, by participation in the action: as the Receiver to the Thief, the [ I] Baud to the Harlot, the Broker to the Usurer.

Secondly, by silence and concealment: when a man hath a calling publick, [ II] or private to reprove, and doth not. So Ezek. 3.17, 18. or when we conceal sin from such as should reforme it.

[ III] Thirdly, by connivence and indulgence, when we will not take notice of sin in such as we over-love, not correct it as we ought: This cost Eli deare, 1 Sam. 2.29.

[ IV] Fourthly, by abetting sin: and that,

• 1. When we undertake to justifie and defend it; Or, 2. To extenuate it.

Fifthly, by praising and flattering men in sin, Prov. 29.5.

[ V] Quest. Why are Superiours guilty of such sins as they permit?

Answ. First, because every man is commanded to reprove his brother, Lev. [ I] 19.17. much more must Superiours do it.

Secondly, every man is bound to prevent sin so much as lies in him, especial∣ly [ II] the sins of those under his charge. But he that reproves not, corrects not, &c. prevents not sinne.

[ III] Thirdly, they are made keepers of both Tables, and therefore sin if they see them not both kept.

Quest. How then may such keep our selves free from other mens sinnes?

[ I] Answ. First, they must pry, and enquire into the lives of those that are com∣mitted to them, that they may see what is amisse; this a private man is not bound to, but publick are, Prov. 27.23.

[ II] Secondly, When they cannot prevent sinne, they must according to their pow∣er punish it; and not think it enough to serve God themselves, but cause others to do it; as Abraham, Gen. 18.19. Joshuah, chap. 24.13. so its com∣manded. Exod. 20.10. Masters must come with their train to the House of God, Psal. 42.4.

Quest. What motives may provoke us to avoid communicating in other mens sinnes?

Answ. First, we must be responsible to God for all our own sinnes, and [ I] they are enow, and too many, and therefore we have no need to load our selves ther mens sins.

[ II] Secondly, amongst many wicked men, and motions, remember Jacobs resolu∣tion: Into their secret let not my soul come, Gen. 49.6. so we are exhorted, Prov. 1.10. If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Nicodemus stands up for Christ when all were against him, Joh. 4.51.

[ III] Thirdly, Remember that in Gods esteeme to run with thieves is to be a thief, Psal. 50.18. the Actors and consenters are in the same case; and its all one whe∣ther we be defiled with our own, or others filthinesse.

[ IV] Fourthly, God hath ordained humane society to better us, and help us out of sin, not to pollute and strengthen one another in sin.

Fifthly, the harder this duty is, by reason of the deluge of sin, and the scorns that [ V] are cast upon it, if we walk alone, and crosse the times, by so much the more ac∣ceptable it is to God; as we see in Noah, Lot, &c.

Sixthly, the want of conscience in this duty sets, and continues all things out [ VI] of frame in all estates; as when the Magistrate punishes not: Ministers reprove not: Masters, and Parents restraine not, and so make themselves guilty of most sins of their inferiours.

Dr. Tho. Tailor.

Quest. How else may we communicate in other mens sins?

Answ. According to Mr. Baines on Ephes. it may be done eight wayes.

1. By provoking to sin; as such as stirre up lust, anger, pride, &c. in others. These are worse sinners then they which commit it; as the devil tempting our first parents, was deeper in the sin and judgement then they. Ring-leaders in sin shall be ring-leaders in judgement.

2. By commanding sin: For he that commands it, is the chief offender. Thus David murdered Uriah.

3. By counselling: As Jonadab to Ammon, 2 Sam. 13.5.

4. By consenting; as Ahab in the murther of Naboth, 1 King. 21.19. So Hosea 5.11.

5. By carelesseness to prevent sinne: We must not say as Cain: Who made me my brothers Keeper? but we must watch over, exhort, reprove, &c. For when Achan sinned, all Israel is said to sinne, Jos. 7.1. and the whole body of them was punished.

6. By not suppressing sin: Thus Eli sinned, 1 Sam. 3.13.

7. By applauding sinne: so, Rom. 1.32. This strengthens the armes of the wicked.

8. By not testifying against it, Lev. 5.1.

Quest. Are not all men guilty some way or other of the sinnes of the times?

Answ. Yea truly, we all receive some taint, and soile from the times we live in, either our zeal is weakened, or we do not grieve so much for the sins of the times as we should, This made the Corinthians guilty of the sin of the incestuous person, 1 Cor. 5.2.

Quest. Whether is it lawfull for a man to rejoyce at another mans sinne?

Answ, We may never rejoyce at sinne as it is sin: but as God turnes it to an occasion of good, so we may rejoyce: as when a proud man by falling into some shameful sinne, is thereby brought to repentance, and humbled; or when by the occasion of some soule impiety, a good Law is made against it, which other∣wise would not have been made, Phil. 1.15, 16, 17, 18.

Ames. Cas. Consci.