A remedy against private contentions A godly and fruitful sermon on James, 4.1. &c.…A remedy against priuat contentions A godly and fruitfull sermon on Iames, 4.1. &c.…

Secondly, such as grieve for the faults of any, and are desirous to reform them, will use a good & discreet order in dealing with the parties, observing all circumstances for that end. As namely, first the circumstance of time, that they will not presently upon the committing of the offence fly in their faces in the view of all the standers by, seeking to disgrace them to the uttermost, but will wait the fittest opportunity, when with most benefit and least blemish to the party, they may help him against corruption. Secondly, as every sin is greater, so they will be more incensed against it: and herein doth the hypocrisy of many appear, that they will be more moved at some small offence. wherein they themselves are touched, then at a far greater matter, that nothing concerns their credit or commodity, though it do never so much concern Gods glory. Such may go masked under the veil of hypocrisy, but God will discover their false pretences in the end, neither let them ever look for comfort in the time of sickness or of death from such kind of zeal against sin.

Secondly, such as grieue for the faults of any, and are desirous to reforme them, will vse a good & discreet order in dealing with the parties, obseruing all circumstances for that ende. As namely, first the circumstāce of time, that they will not presently vpon the cōmitting of the offence flie in their faces in the view of all the standers by, seeking to disgrace them to the vttermost, but wil waite the fittest opportunitie, when with most benefit and least blemish to the party, they may help him against corruption. Secondly, as euery sin is greater, so they will be more incensed against it: and herein doth the hypocrisie of many appear, that they will bee more mooued at soome small offence. wherein they themselues are touched, then at a farre greater matter, that nothing concernes their credit or commoditie, though it do neuer so much concerne Gods glorie. Such may go masked vnder the vail of hypocrisie, but God will discouer their false pretences in the end, neither let them euer looke for comfort in the time of sicknesse or of death from such kind of zeale against sinne.

Indeed there is a corruption in all, and we are too sensible of injuries: but the godly do condemn it in themselves, & are never content till they can be more troubled at sins, whereby God is dishonoured, then at infirmities, and injuries, whereby they themselves are wronged.