A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. Sect. 2 Of Christian admonition, and what is required to the right performing of this duty.

Sixthly, by admonishing those who are ready to fall, that we may uphold them, and such as are already fallen through ignorance, frailty, and infirmity, that we may raise them up again. And this the Apostle requireth; ⟨p. 311⟩Brethren (saith he) if any man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thy self, lest thou also be tempted. Unto which duty that it may be well performed, divers things are required. First, wisdom and knowledge in him that admonisheth. So the Apostle saith of the Romans; that they were filled with ¹all knowledge, and able to admonish one another. And first we must know, that the thing whereof we admonish our brother, be a sin, and not either lawful, or indifferent and rightly used of him. In which the Israelites failed, when they sent to admonish the Reubenites about building the Altar, ²and Eli in admonishing Anna to put away her drunkenness. Secondly, ³we must know, that being a sin, it is indeed committed by our brother, either upon that sure notice which our selves have taken, or by the credible testimony of others who are men of credit; and not when we have a ⁴blind jealousy or ungrounded suspicion, nor when we have heard it from busy-bodies and talebearers, who will not stand unto any thing they say; unless out of love and tenderness of his credit, we speak of it to this end chiefly, that he may the better clear himself of these false imputations, or that we may take occasion to admonish him if we find them true. Thirdly, we must have knowledge and wisdom to do it after a right manner, with observation of all due cautions and circumstances. As first, we must make choice of a seasonable time, not when our brethren are at their feasts, and desirous to be cheerful and merry; not when they are cast down with afflictions, the which themselves sufficiently admonish, unless we see that they make no use of them, nor are brought by them to a sight of their sins; but rather in their prosperity, when as they thrive in their evil courses. Not in the company of others, if the fault be secret, and not open and scandalous; in which case also Christian wisdom will find private admonition best for many persons, who out of their greatness and natural pride, will burst out into rage and impatience, when as in company we take notice of their faults.