The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…

So that if one have pity and compassion of his neighbours faults, and pray for him and admonish him, and use all means to bring him to repentance, he loves his neighbours credit, and he that can thus convert his brother from going astray he hath done the part of a good man and loving friend, for he hath healed the soul and cleared the name and covered a multitude ⟨image 192⟩of sins. And thus much for this inward duty, and the three notes and trials of it.

So that if one haue pittie and compassion of his neighbours faults, and pray for him and admonish him, and vse all meanes to bring him to repentance, he loues his neighbours credit, and he that can thus conuert his brother from going astray he hath done the part of a good man and louing friende, for hee hath healed the soule and cleared the name and couered a multitude ⟨image 192⟩of sinnes. And thus much for this inward dutie, and the three notes and trials of it.

Now follows the outward duties which are either general or special. And first, for the general. That is to speak the truth from ones heart as David in the 15. Psalm. Not to speak the truth alone but from our heart neither after a flattering & dissembling manner nor after a railing and reproachful manner, not for hope or fear, or that so it be wrested from one by any sinister affection, but heartily to speak just as the cause is, without serving ones self. This is one commendation of Christ and a chief commendation that no guile was found in his mouth. But yet these two rules must be kept in speaking the truth. First, that one speak with a good affection, for if one speak the truth in wrath and passion, in a distempered mind, the words indeed are not sinful, but the manner is wicked, and breaks the commandment. Many will have a care to speak nothing but that which they can justify & prove to be true, but for their affection it is altogether disordered, for in a revengeful mind, to ease themselves, what ever evil they know by a man, out it shall go without any regard of edifying others, or converting the persons, only in a rage they care not how they discredit their neighbour. Now this rude and ungodly speaking of the truth is sin against our neighbours name, as well as to lye and backbite. So that always truth must be bounded with a loving heart with a quiet and well tempered mind, if one speak unseasonably to hurt his neighbour he offends in speaking the truth. So for the end that is the second rule that one must look his end be good, that one do aim at Gods glory, and the edification of men, for so the Apostle saith Coloss. 4. What ever you do let all be done to the glory of God. If one be about to speak any thing let him first look what glory he may bring to God by speaking it. Secondly, see what profit may redound either to those to whom we speak or to the party of whom, else never speak of other mens faults, or of any thing else, but when we can say this profit will come, either to give warning to others that they may take