Four godly and fruitful sermons two preached at Drayton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…Foure godlie and fruitful sermons two preached at Draiton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…

Wherefore we must crave this special grace at the hand of God by prayer, to be governed by a right zeal, and that we may truly discern the difference between fretting anger, and pining zeal. Which if all sorts of men would labour for, receiving this rule in judgement, and observing it in practise, it would breed a great deal more conscience in ministers, magistrates, and masters, when they are to admonish their inferiors. Alas we see many, who can mangle and martyr a man for some offence, who never learned for conscience sake to mourn for those in firmities, which so bitterly they inveigh against in others. The Apostle Paul was of another temper:¹ I fear (saith he) to the Corinthians, left when I come, my God abase me among you, and I shall bewail many of them, which have sinned already, &c: he knew nothing by himself, (as he telleth them in another place) yet could he not but lament and be humbled for their offences, who were a part of his Apostolic charge. So Samuel, in the zeal of Gods glory, spares not flatly to tell Saul of his sin, notwithstanding his great authority: and yet in love and compassion to his person,² he was always bent to lament Sauls case, and earnestly to pray for him, till the Lord forbade him to do so any longer, 1. Sam. 16. 1.

Wherefore wee must craue this speciall grace at the hand of God by prayer, to be gouerned by a right zeale, and that we may trulie discerne the difference betweene fretting anger, and pining zeale. Which if all sorts of men would labour for, receiuing this rule in iudgement, and obseruing it in practise, it would breede a great deale more conscience in ministers, magistrates, and masters, when they are to admonish their inferiours. Alas wee see manie, who can mangle and martyr a man for some offence, who neuer learned for conscience sake to mourne for those in firmities, which so bitterly they inueigh against in others. The Apostle Paul was of another temper:¹ I feare (saith he) to the Corinthians, left when I come, my God abase mee among you, and I shall bewaile many of them, which haue sinned already, &c: he knew nothing by himselfe, (as hee telleth them in another place) yet could he not but lament and be humbled for their offences, who were a part of his Apostolike charge. So Samuel, in the zeale of Gods glorie, spares not flatly to tell Saul of his sinne, notwithstanding his great authoritie: and yet in loue and compassion to his person,