But indeed, §21which is the Second Thing, It is not so hard a Matter to know what it is, as it is difficult conscientiously and faithfully to practise it. How few are there in the World, I will not say skilful enough to do it well, but zealous and conscientious enough to do it at all? Do we not every day see God fearfully dishonoured, observe his Name blasphemed, his Laws violated, his Worship denied? Do you not daily see multitudes of wretched Creatures, whose Crimes not only defy and outrage God, but stab and murder their own Souls; and yet who is there that hath that Zeal for God, or that Charity for his Brother, as to interpose, and by a serious and fitting Reproof, ⟨p. 16⟩vindicate the one from Dishonour, or rescue the other from Perdition? There are enow that will make up a sad Mouth, and whisper those things abroad, it may be out of very ill Ends and Designs: but where almost is the Person that will dare to maintain the Honour of God to the Face of those who boldly affront him; that will dare to open their Mouths before those that will dare to open them against Heaven? Certainly we can easily produce much more Reason for our Reproofs, than they can for their Wickedness; and it were very strange, if we should not be able to beat them off from their Confidence, when we have God and our own Consciences, nay and theirs also, to side with us. Yet so it is that we are generally apt to ⟨p. 17⟩sneak and slink away from so troublesome a Task, and to let Iniquity pass uncontrolled, yea triumphant. We are well content to let others sin quietly, so that we may live quietly without troubling our selves with so hard and difficult a Service. And that which makes it seem so difficult, is,
But indeed, §21which is the Second Thing, It is not so hard a Matter to know what it is, as it is difficult conscientiously and faithfully to practise it. How few are there in the World, I will not say skillful enough to do it well, but zealous and conscientious enough to do it at all? Do we not every day see God fearfully dishonoured, observe his Name blasphemed, his Laws violated, his Worship denied? Do you not daily see multitudes of wretched Creatures, whose Crimes not onsy defie and outrage God, but stab and murther their own Souls; and yet who is there that hath that Zeal for God, or that Charity for his Brother, as to interpose, and by a serious and fitting Reproof, ⟨p. 16⟩vindicate the one from Dishonour, or rescue the other from Perdition? There are enow that will make up a sad Mouth, and whisper those things abroad, it may be out of very ill Ends and Designs: but where almost is the Person that will dare to maintain the Honour of God to the Face of those who boldly affront him; that will dare to open their Mouths before those that will dare to open them against Heaven? Certainly we can easily produce much more Reason for our Reproofs, than they can for their Wickedness; and it were very strange, if we should not be able to beat them off from their Confidence, when we have God and our own Consciences, nay and theirs also, to side with us. Yet so it is that we are generally apt to ⟨p. 17⟩sneak and slink away from so troublesome a Task, and to let Iniquity pass uncontroul'd, yea triumphant. We are well content to let others sin quietly, so that we may live quietly without troubling our selves with so hard and difficult a Service. And that which makes it seem so difficult, is,
- 1Of the difficulty of Reproof.
