A50162:164
Small offers towards the service of the tabernacle in the wilderness four discourses accommodated…
Small offers towards the service of the tabernacle in the wilderness four discourses accommodated unto the designs of practical godliness : preached partly at Boston, partly at Charleston / by Cotton Mather ; published by a gentleman lately restored from threatening sickness as a humble essay to serve the interest of religion, in gratitude unto God for his recovery.
Boston: printed by R. Pierce, 1689
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Positive Rules are these Two.
First Reprove Reasonably. Let there be just Cause for it. When you reprove, it must be for a true cause. As it was said of our Saviour in Isai. 11. 3. He shall not reprove after the hearing of His ears. Thus, we may not go by mere Hear-say, when we reprove those that are under us. And it must be for a great Cause. Tis said of the Spirit in Jo•. 16. 8. He will reprove the world for SIN. The sinful thing, the thing for which the wrath of God comes, the thing which the soul of the Lord hates, this we are to reprove. We must not throw away Reproofs upon Nothing, or upon Every thing.
First Reprove Reasonably. Let there be just Cause for it. When you reprove, it must be for a true cause. As it was said of our Saviour in Isai. 11. 3. He shall not reprove after the hearing of His ears. Thus, we may not go by meer Hear-say, when we reprove those that are under us. And it must be for a great Cause. Tis said of the Spirit in Io•. 16. 8. He will reprove the world for SIN. The sinful thing, the thing for which the wrath of God comes, the thing which the soul of the Lord hates, this we are to reprove. We must not throw away Reproofs upon Nothing, or upon Every thing.
Secondly, Reprove Scripturally. Tis said in 2. Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is profitable for Reproof. A Reproof with a Scripture comes with a more than ordinary Majesty and Authority. When we Reprove those that are under us, First, make them read a Text which does Condemn what we would rebuke, and then set it home with a very warm lively vigorous Application.