§. Sect. 4 That we must watch ouer our brethren.
Neither is it enough that we thus watch ouer our selues, but wee must also with like care and circumspection watch ouer our brethren; seeing the Lord hath not committed vs to our owne single watch, but hath in∣ioyned vs to be mutuall obseruers and keepers one of another; not curi∣ously to pry out one anothers faults, to censure and aggrauate them, but charitably to take notice of them, that wee may helpe to amend them. Thus the Apostle inioyneth vs, to consider one another, to prouoke vnto loue and to good workes, and that we should exhort one another daily, while it is cal∣led to day, lest any of vs should be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sinne. For this care and watchfulnesse being an inseparable effect and fruit of Chri∣stian charity, extendeth it selfe, not onely to our owne persons (for this were nothing but selfe-loue) but as farre as it stretcheth, that is, to all our neighbours. Thus Dauid tooke notice, not onely of his owne sinnes, to mourne for them, but saith that riuers of waters did runne downe his eyes, be∣cause other men did not keepe Gods Law. Yea, this his care extended to his enemies; My zeale (saith he) hath consumed me, because mine enemies haue not kept thy Word. But though our care must extend to all, yet wee must keepe this watch in a speciall manner ouer those who are committed to our speciall charge; as the Housholder ouer his family, and the Pastour ouer his flocke, according to that of the Apostle, Take heed to your selues and to all the flocke, ouer the which the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers, &c. Which whoso neglecteth, and taketh care onely for himselfe, hee is worse then an Infidell, and plainely discouers that hee is of Cains speech and spi∣rit, thinking it enough to looke to himselfe, and scorning to bee his bro∣thers keeper.