And this is done four ways. First, when we reprove a man generally, as Nathan did David by a parable.1 ⟨p. 38⟩Secondly, when in the room of a reproof we put an exhortation: In the exhortation insinuating an oblique reproof, as when a man shall swear in his talk, I, shall not need always to say, Ye▪ do very ill to swear, and so to dishonour God: But, I w•ll lap it up in the form of an exhortation, as pills are lapped in sugar by saying, Yea and nay▪ yea and nay shall serve among us. Rebuke not an Elder, 2but exhort him as a father, and young men as brethren, sayeth▪ Paul to Timothy. Thirdly, when the reproof is propounded in a mans own person as though he were faulty which reproveth. Paul practised this: Now these things, brethren, 3(sayeth he) I have figuratively applied to mine own self and Apollos for your sakes, that ye might learn by us, that no man presume above that which is written. Fourthly, when the fault is directly reproved, but yet partly with prefaces, that we do it of love,4 that we wish well to the party, that we speak as ⟨p. 39⟩considering our selves, that we also are in danger of the same fault: and partly by framing the reproof out of the word of God, that the party may see him-self, rather to be reproved by God, then by us: after this manner the inferior may admonish his superior, especially when there is no other way of redress, and he is to listen, yielding himself tractable. Naaman is advised by his servant, who said, Father, if the Prophet had commanded thee a great thing, 5wouldest thou not have done it: how much rather then, when he sayeth to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down and washed him-self seven times in Jordan ▪
And this is done foure wayes. First, when wee reproove a man generally, as Nathan did David by a parable.1 ⟨p. 38⟩Secondly, when in the roome of a reproofe we put an exhortation: In the exhortation insinuating an oblique reproofe, as when a man shall sweare in his talke, I, shall not need alwaies to say, Yee▪ doe verie ill to sweare, and so to dishonour God: But, I w•ll lappe it up in the forme of an exhortation, as pilles are lapt in sugar by saying, Yea and nay▪ yea and nay shall serue among us. Rebuke not an Elder, 2but exhort him as a father, and young men as breethren, saieth▪ Paul to Timothie. Thirdly, when the reproofe is propounded in a mans owne person as though hee were faultie which reprooveth. Paul practised this: Novv these things, breethren, 3(saieth hee) I have figuratively applyed to mine owne selfe and Apollos for your sakes, that yee might learne by us, that no man presume above that which is vvritten. Fourthly, when the fault is directly reprooved, but yet partly with prefaces, that wee doe it of love,4 that wee wish well to the partie, that wee speake as ⟨p. 39⟩considering our selves, that wee also are in daunger of the same fault: and partly by framing the reproofe out of the worde of God, that the partie may see him-selfe, rather to be reprooved by God, then by us: after this manner the inferiour may admonish his superiour, especially when there is no other way of redresse, and hee is to listen, yeelding himselfe tractable. Naaman is advised by his servant, who said, Father, if the Prophet had commaunded thee a great thing, 5wouldest thou not have done it: how much rather then, when he saieth to thee, Wash, and be cleane? Then went hee downe and washed him-selfe seven times in Iordan ▪
- 12. Sam. 12.
- 21. Tim. 5.1.
- 31. Cor. 4.6.
- 4Galat. 61.
- 52. Kin. 5.13.
