Yea, this Doctrine affordeth matter of reproof to divers that go for true Christians: and so for many faults. As first, it reproveth those that have the faith of Christ in respect of persons, Jam. 2.1, &c. This is a fault in the richer sort, and such as stand upon their worldly greatness: they rest in their show of respect and love to some Ministers, or to some great persons that answer to their own rank, but wholly neglect the acquaintance, and entertainment, and fellowship of poor Christians; and thereby not only displease God, but much darken their own evidence in this sign of the love of the brethren, because they show not their love to all the Saints, as they might and ought. Secondly, it reproveth intemperate Christians, that sin against brotherly love, by rash censuring and condemning of their brethren; especially when they become divulgers of censure, and stand out as accusers of their brethren. This is a devilish sin; for it is the devils special sin to be an adversary, and an accuser of the brethren, Rev. 12.10. so that he is a devil incarnate that useth this course, Rom. 14.3, 10, 13. Jam. 4.11, 12. & 5, 9. Thirdly, it reproveth the great worldliness that is discerned in divers Christians, that are so hardly drawn to show compassion and mercy to poor Christians when they are in ⟨p. 193⟩distress. They have this worldly goods, and yet shut up the bowels of their compassion from their brethren, though they see they have need, and therefore how dwelleth the love of God in them? 1. John 3.17. Fourthly, it reproves the great aptness to contention, that appears in many, that easily fall into discord, & from thence into suites of Law, against their brethren: which is clearly condemned in these Scriptures both by example and prohibition, Gen. 13.8. Act. 7.26. 1. Cor. 1.10. & 6.5. Fifthly, it greatly reproveth such as by their opinions or practise offend and grieve weak Christians, and cause them to stagger, or stumble, or be unsettled in the good way of God; and so endanger not only their present consolation, but (as much as in them lieth) their salvation also, Mat. 18.6.1. Cor. 8, 11, 12, 13. Thus of the use for reproof.
Yea, this Doctrine affordeth matter of reproofe to divers that goe for true Christians: and so for many faults. As first, it reprooveth those that have the faith of Christ in respect of persons, Iam. 2.1, &c. This is a fault in the richer sort, and such as stand upon their worldly greatnesse: they rest in their shew of respect and love to some Ministers, or to some great persons that answer to their owne ranke, but wholly neglect the acquaintance, and entertainement, and fellowship of poore Christians; and thereby not onely displease God, but much darken their owne evidence in this signe of the love of the brethren, because they shew not their love to all the Saints, as they might and ought. Secondly, it reprooveth intemperate Christians, that sinne against brotherly love, by rash censuring and condemning of their brethren; especially when they become divulgers of censure, and stand out as accusers of their brethren. This is a divellish sinne; for it is the divells speciall sinne to be an adversary, and an accuser of the brethren, Rev. 12.10. so that hee is a divell incarnate that useth this course, Rom. 14.3, 10, 13. Iam. 4.11, 12. & 5, 9. Thirdly, it reprooveth the great worldlinesse that is discerned in divers Christians, that are so hardly drawne to shew compassion and mercy to poore Christians when they are in ⟨p. 193⟩distresse. They have this worldly goods, and yet shut up the bowells of their compassion from their brethren, though they see they have need, and therefore how dwelleth the love of God in them? 1. Iohn 3.17. Fourthly, it reprooves the great aptnesse to contention, that appeares in many, that easily fall into discord, & from thence into suites of Law, against their brethren: which is cleerely condemned in these Scriptures both by example and prohibition, Gen. 13.8. Act. 7.26. 1. Cor. 1.10. & 6.5. Fiftly, it greatly reprooveth such as by their opinions or practise offend and grieve weake Christians, and cause them to stagger, or stumble, or bee unsetled in the good way of God; and so endanger not onely their present consolation, but (as much as in them lyeth) their salvation also,
