Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

2. The Act or Duty towards these Objects. [Greek or Hebrew]. Let us Consider. 1. Bend your minds to observation of one another, that ye may understand how matters are with one another; concern your selves about the right knowledge of the principles, tempers, actions, circumstances and concerns of persons, so far as your duty towards them calls you to it. For this injunction doth not countenance what we find elsewhere forbidden, ii Thes. iii. 11, 12. i Tim. v. 13. i Pet. iv. 15. So far as you may do or get Good, prevent redress or allay evil, under such circumstances, relations and advantages as may notify that God then calls you to it, and so encourages your expectations and endeavours of doing Good, or preventing the sin and mischief which God would have prevented by you; So far may others be inspected, enquired after, and observed by you. But when it is and evidently appears to be to no purpose, to ill purposes, or to needless purpose, you must not do it. 2. And then seriously pause upon▪ and duly weigh, what you discern by your enquiry or your more immediate observation, and do not partially, passionately, rashly, and censoriously, form and fix your measures▪ Give what you hear or see concerning one another, your second, serious and Impartial thoughts, that so matters of fact being duly and truly stated, measures of prudence may be advisedly and safely taken up and sixth upon. So that when persons, matters of fact, your Christian rules and work, and way of managing this great concern, are duly laid in the balance of the Sanctuary and all this fixed in its just reference to this weighty end, you may proceed accordingly in the Sincerity, Tenderness and Wisdom of the right Christian Spirit. And ⟨image 153⟩then 3. Be well advised about the most taking way of managing what you thus instruct your selves about; the humour of the person, your ways & seasons of addressing your discourses to him, & the preserving or managing of your interest in him, or at least your own abilities to prove what you accuse him of, to demonstrate what arguments you advance and use, and to enforce the motives that you would press him with. And study your selves into a just measure of your own abilities, a thorough Mastery and Command of your own Passions, and good and clear discerning of and insight into the fittest seasons and occasions.