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

Neither is it enough that we thus watch over our selves, but we must also with like care and circumspection watch over our brethren; seeing the Lord hath not committed us to our own single watch, but hath enjoined us to be mutual observers and keepers one of another; not curiously to pry out one another's faults, to censure and aggravate them, but charitably to take notice of them, that we may help to amend them. Thus the Apostle enjoineth us, to consider one another, to provoke unto love ¹and to good works, and that we should exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, lest any of us should be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For this care and watchfulness being an inseparable effect and fruit of Christian charity, extendeth it self, not only to our own persons (for this were nothing but self-love) but as far as it stretcheth, that is, to all our neighbours. Thus David took notice, not only of his own sins, to mourn for them, but saith that rivers of waters did run down his eyes, because ²other men did not keep Gods Law. Yea, this his care extended to his enemies; My zeal (saith he) hath consumed me, because mine enemies have ³not kept thy Word. But though our care must extend to all, yet we must keep this watch in a special manner over those who are committed to our special charge; as the Householder over his family, and the Pastor over his flock, according to that of the Apostle, Take heed to your selves