To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
Sixthly, by admonishing those who are ready to fall, that wee may vp∣hold them, and such as are already falne through ignorance, frailty, and infirmity, that wee may raise them vp againe. And this the Apostle requi∣reth;
Brethren (saith he) if any man be ouertaken in a fault, ye which are spiri∣tuall, restore such an one in the spirit of meekenesse, considering thy selfe, lest thou also be tempted. Vnto which dutie that it may be well performed, di∣uers things are required. First, wisedome and knowledge in him that ad∣monisheth. So the Apostle saith of the Romanes; that they were filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another. And first we must know, that the thing whereof we admonish our brother, be a sinne, and not either lawfull, or indifferent and rightly vsed of him. In which the Israelites fai∣led, when they sent to admonish the Reubenites about building the Altar, and Eli in admonishing Anna to put away her drunkennesse. Secondly, we must know, that being a sinne, it is indeed committed by our brother, either vpon that sure notice which our selues haue taken, or by the credi∣ble testimony of others who are men of credit; and not when wee haue a blinde iealousie or vngrounded suspition, nor when we haue heard it from busie-bodies and talebearers, who will not stand vnto any thing they say; vnlesse out of loue and tendernesse of his credit, wee speake of it to this end chiefly, that he may the better cleare himselfe of these false imputati∣ons, or that we may take occasion to admonish him if we finde them true. Thirdly, we must haue knowledge and wisedome to doe it after a right manner, with obseruation of all due cautions and circumstances. As first, we must make choyce of a seasonable time, not when our brethren are at their feasts, and desirous to be cheerefull and merry; not when they are cast downe with afflictions, the which themselues sufficiently admonish, vnlesse we see that they make no vse of them, nor are brought by them to a sight of their sinnes; but rather in their prosperity, when as they thriue in their euill courses. Not in the company of others, if the fault be secret, and not open and scandalous; in which case also Christian wisedome will finde priuate admonition best for many persons, who out of their great∣nesse and naturall pride, will burst out into rage and impatiencie, when as in company we take notice of their faults. Especially, we must take heed that we doe not admonish them of their faults, before those vnto whom they desire chiefly to bee approoued, and to maintaine their credit; for this will make them either to deny the fault, or to defend it, or to excuse and extenuate it; or if they can doe none of these, to burst out into chol∣ler, as holding themselues to be much disgraced. Neither is admonition seasonable towards others, when they haue begun first to admonish vs, be∣cause it will seeme to proceed, not from loue, but from spleene; not from any dislike of their faults, but too much liking of our owne; not out of a friendly liberty to doe them good by reclaiming them from their sinne, but out of impatiencie to beare reproofe, which maketh vs to returne like for like, because we would haue both lye vnder the same guilt; whereas if we take admonition well, and performe the like dutie at another time to our neighbour, it will be imputed to the friendly liberty of loue, which seeketh to reforme the faulty, and not to anger and reuenge, which vp∣braideth the like faultinesse to countenance our owne. Secondly, there is required, that we take fit occasions to admonish; as when our neighbours, either by their words and speeches, or their actions and behauiour doe offer vnto vs some fit opportunity; for if it come thus by accident, if fin∣deth
more easie entrance, whereas if we seeme to come of purpose prepa∣red and armed, it will seeme more harsh to them whom wee admonish, and but cause them to prepare also to make resistance. Or when being sharpely taunted for their faults by their enemies, they are vexed and grie∣ued with their reproches, then may wee take fit occasion to giue them ad∣monition for them, that they may not be lyable to such disgraces; for this will seeme to spring out of loue, which seeketh their credit, and will mooue them to take it well, when as we of the poyson of other mens ray∣lings and reuilings, doe make an antidote by our friendly admonitions, to preserue them from taking any hurt from them for the time to come. Thirdly, we must be carefull in admonishing others, that we our selues be not guilty of the same faults which we taske in them, lest they pay vs in our owne coyne, mete vnto vs by the same measure, and bring vs vnder the same condemnation. Yea perhaps we may incurre thereby the suspi∣tion of hypocrites, who tell others of their sinnes to hide our owne, or like subtill theeues, raise a clamour against our neighbours, that wee may the better escape in the Hiew and Cry; or of disliking their person more then their sinne, seeing we nourish the like in our owne bosome. Or if Christian loue mooue vs to admonish them in this kinde, because such sinnes beare more sway in them then in vs, being committed by them wilfully and with settled resolution, by vs through frailty, infirmity, and at vnawares, seeing they defend them, and we bewaile them, they cherish and nourish them, we condemne and labour to mortifie them; we may, being our selues faulty in this case, admonish others: but then it is best to preuent their vp∣braiding by confessing our owne frailty, and by applying our admonition to our selues together with them, as thereby seeking our mutuall reforma∣tion. Fourthly, our admonitions must proceed from brotherly loue, the which being a grace hidden in our hearts, wee must make knowne by the fruits of it. To which end we must vse all lenity, meekenesse of spirit, com∣passion in the sense of the like infirmities in our selues, with milde and gentle speeches, shewing in our hatred of their sinne, the loue of their per∣son. And though the party may discerne them, yet if we would doe any good, we may not vse any insulting speeches, contumelious words, scoffes, scornes, or byting iests; and howsoeuer in some cases for lesser faults, or when we haue to deale with a froward nature, we may sweeten our admo∣nition, by speaking merrily, and in a pleasant manner, yet wee must take heed that we retaine our grauity, lest it bee turned into a iest, and so lose all its force and efficacy. But especially wee are to take heed that our ad∣monitions doe not appeare to haue risen out of selfe-loue, and respect to our owne particular, but out of our loue of them whom we admonish; for if this be but suspected, it will neuer take any place, because wee seeke not their good, but our owne. And secondly, that they proceed not from anger and choller, which will make it seeme a chiding and brawling, ra∣ther then an admonition; and an action of rauing, rather then of loue. In which respect, our admonitions will be the more powerfull, when as they haue no reference to our selues, either of profit or hurt, but rather such as by the faults which we reprooue, accrew vnto others. Againe, to shew our loue, we are with the notice which we take of their faults, to acknow∣ledge
their good parts, and to giue them due praise for their well-deser∣uing. Or if their defects will affoord no such occasion, wee may inter∣mixe the vertues of their parents or deare friends; both which will swee∣ten our admonition, and serue like sugar to take away the distaste of their bitternesse. Neither must wee bee alwayes beating vpon one string, nor vse this soueraigne Salue for euery slight scratch; but vpon some vrgent necessitie and waighty occasion, passing by petty matters of small value, as not seeing them, or at least reseruing them, like little pieces of coyne, till they bee come to a summe. For to bee still admo∣nishing for euery trifle, will make vs seeme curious busie-bodies and harsh censures, to bee voyde of loue, which maketh vs passe by infirmi∣ties, and will cause our company to bee tedious and irkesome, and our admonitions by their frequencie vnrespected and of no force. Fifthly, if the parties wee admonish bee of stout spirits, and are bold enough to beare it, wee may deale plainely and particularly with them for their sinnes; but if they haue tender foreheads, and are so ingenuously bash∣full, that they are apt to bee daunted, and put out of countenance, by our taking notice of their faults; it is Christian wisedome to nourish this modestie and shamefastenesse, seeing there is no great danger, that such will bee hardened in their sinnes. And to this end, it is good to ad∣monish them of their faults in other mens persons, which are alike knowne vnto them, and to let them see the foulenesse of their vices, when, like vnpartiall beholders, they take a view of them in other subiects. The which course also is sometimes good, when it is propounded by way of Parable in another person, as when wee haue to deale with our superiours (as Nathan with Dauid) or such as will not by plaine and di∣rect dealing bee so easily conuinced of their sinnes. Againe, to cherish ingenuity, and to preserue men from boldnesse and impudency, it is not good in our admonitions to presse our reproofes too farre, but to giue them some little euasion, that they may not turne againe as despe∣rate, and flie in our faces. And therefore wee are sometimes to admit of their excuses and extenuations; yea, sometimes our selues after a charitable manner, to doe it for them, giuing the best interpretation we can, either of the matter or manner of their actions, or their minde in doing them; but in the meane time these extenuations and excuses must bee referred to the person, but not to the sinne it selfe, which must bee mainely beaten downe, euen whilest wee keepe the party from sincking vnder it. Finally, as with our admonitions wee must intermixe louing and kinde speeches; so especially our care must be, that we alwayes make a friendly conclusion; and not let the admonished depart discontented and exasperated, but so winne him by our kinde vsage, that (if it be pos∣sible) he may depart, as farre in loue with our persons, as in hatred of his owne sinne; like a Patient cured of some grieuous wounds, who lo∣ueth his skilfull and faithfull Chyrurgion, when the cure is perfected, though hee complained of his rough handling him, when hee was sear∣ching them to the quicke. But if when wee haue done our best by admo∣nition, wee cannot reclaime our neighbours from their sinnes, but that they still wilfully commit them, and continue in them without
repentance; then is it our dutie, with due respect had to our place and calling, and also their persons and condition, freely to rebuke and re∣prooue them. And this the Lord commandeth as a testimonie of our bro∣therly loue; Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sinne vpon him. And our Sauiour Christ requireth it as an action that concerneth our selues as well as them, seeing if wee neglect it when wee haue a calling to performe it, wee also are accessary vnto their sinnes. Take heede (saith he) to your selues: If thy brother trespasse against thee, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgiue him. But howsoeuer here more seuerity and sharpenesse is to be vsed then in our ad∣monitions, and these old festered sores are to bee handled with a rougher hand, then if they were greene wounds, yet we must take heede, that loue shine through these cloudes of iust anger, that it may appeare to the par∣tie reproued, that wee intend the cure, and not to hurt the person. To which end all scolding and brawling, rayling and reuiling speeches are vtterly to bee auoided, which neuer doe good, but worke in them spleene and malice towards them that vse them, rather then any reformati∣on of their faults, or hatred of their sinnes.
Rom. 15. 14.
Ios 22. 16.
1. Sam. 1. 14.
1. Sam. 2. 22.
Matth. 7. 1, 2.
Leuit. 19. 17.
Luke 17. 3.