The historie of Adam, or the foure-fold state of man, vvell formed in his creation, deformed in his corruption, reformed in Grace, and perfected in glory. By Mr. Henry Holland, late preacher at Saint Brides Church in London.

Quest. 98. Thus farre of the persons admonishing and admonished: now what bee wee to obserue in the forme of an admonition?

Ans. First, that all Christian admonitions must proceed from faith and loue, and be performed with iudgement con∣siderately. Heb. 10.24. consider one another and prouoke vnto loue and good workes. The Godly must bee reproued with all meekenesse of spirit, as Abraham doth Lot. Gen. 13.8. Let there bee no strife I pray thee betweene thee and mee, neither be∣tweene thy heardmen and mine, for wee be brethren: yet if the matter so require sometime more roundly and effectually, as Gal. 2.11. The Apostle Paul did Peter: I withstood him to his face.

Secondly, wee may not reproue vpon vncertaine reports, without sure grounds, and good euidence, to conuince our brother iustly for his offence. Dauid herein offended in con∣demning so rashly good Mephibosheth. 2, Sam. 19.25.

Thirdly, inferiours may not reproue their superiours without speciall regard of time and place and all circumstan∣ces; but most consideratly with all submission and reuerence due vnto them▪ as young Elihu doth the ancient and graue friends of Iob. Chap. 32.6.10. And such an admonition no Christian superiour is to despise. Iob. 31.13.14. and as Na∣mans seruants admonished him. 1. King. 5.13. father if the Prophet &c.

Fourthly, consider well whether the offence be directly against thy selfe, or against another, or immediately against God: for if our admonition proceede from any priuate re∣uenge, it can not haue a blessing from God nor bee effec∣tuall for the good of our brother.

Fiftly, this dutie cannot bee performed effectually but by skilfull, righteous and knowen brethren: for that admoni∣tion is a binding, searching, curing and restoring of a mem∣ber

or part of the body loosed and fallen from his right place; and as a searching for a mote in a tender eye. Gal. 6.1. Psal. 141.5. Mat. 7.

Sixtly, the time must bee heedefully regarded, reproue not a dronken man in his dronkennesse, nor angry man in his choler. Prou. 25.11. a word spoken in his place is like an apple of gold with pictures of siluer. Dauid had his time for Shemei. 2. Sam. 16.10. Prou. 26.5. Answere a foole according to his foo∣lishnesse least he be wise in his owne conceit.

Seauenthly, wee must euer labour that the spirit of loue, meekenes and compassion appeare in all our reproofes, that wee may bee euer seene to desire, to winne and gaine, and so to saue our brother from destruction. Mat. 18.15. Gal. 6.1. Iames. 5.19.20. ver.

Notes

• 2. Rule for ad∣monition.
• 3. Rule for ad∣monition.
• 4. Rule.
• 5. Rule.
• 6. Rule.
• 7. Rule. A general rule