Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan

RULE XIV.

Vigilant watchfulness over each others conversation, attended with mutual admonition, in case of disorderly walking; with rendering an account to the Church, if the party offending, be not prevailed with.

VIgilant watchfulnesse over each others conversation, attended with mutuall admonition, in case of disorderly walking; with rendring an account to the Church, if the party offending, be not prevailed with.

1 Thess. 5. 14. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them who are unruly.

1 Thess. 5. 14. Now we exhort you, brethren, warne them who are unruly.

Heb. 3. 12. Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. ver. 13. But exhort one another daily, whilst it is called to day; lest any of you be ⟨p. 114⟩hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Heb. 3. 12. Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evill heart of unbeliefe, in departing from the living God. ver. 13. But exhort one another daily, whilest it is called to day; lest any of you be ⟨p. 114⟩hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sin.

Heb. 10. 24. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works, exhorting one another, and so much the more, because you see the day approaching.

Heb. 10. 24. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good workes, exhorting one another, and so much the more, because you see the day approaching.

Heb. 12. 13. Make strait paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but rather let it be healed. ver. 15. Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled: ver. 17. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person among you, like Esau, who for one morsel of bread, sold his birth-right.

Heb. 12. 13. Make strait paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but rather let it be healed. ver. 15. Looking diligently, lest any man faile of the grace of God, lest any root of bitternesse springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled: ver. 17. Lest there be any fornicator, or prophane person among you, like Esau, who for one morsell of bread, sold his birth-rigbt.

Levit. 19. 17. Thou shalt ⟨p. 115⟩not hate thy brother in thy heart, thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

2 Thess. 3. 15. Yet account him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Rom. 15. 14. And I my self also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Rom. 15. 14. And I my selfe also am perswaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodnesse, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

James 5. 19. Brethren, if any of you do err from the faith, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

James 5. 19. Brethren, if any of you doe erre from the faith, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soule from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Prov. 29. 1. He that being often reproved stiffeneth his ⟨p. 116⟩neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

EXPLIC. XIV.

There is a three-fold duty included in this rule, the main whereof, and here chiefly intended, is that of Admonition; whereunto the first is previous and conducing; the latter, in some cases consequent, and attending Christians conversation; whether you consider the glory of God, and the Gospel, therein concerned; or the bonds of relation, with those mutual endearments wherein they stand engaged; and obligations that are upon them for the general good, and spiritual edification one of another, ought to be ⟨p. 117⟩watched, marked, and considered by each other: not that we should curiously pry into one another's failings; much less maliciously search into doubtful unknown things; for the trouble, or disparagement of our brethren; both which are contrary to that love; which thinketh not evil, but covereth a multitude of faults, but only out of a sense of the glory of God, the honour of the Gospel, and care of each others souls; to observe their walking, that what is exemplary therein, may be followed; what faileth may be directed; what is a miss may be reproved, that in all things God may be glorified, and Christ exalted.

THere is a three-fold dutie included in this rule, the maine whereof, and here cheifly intended, is that of Admonition; whereunto the first is previous and conducing; the latter, in some cases consequent, and attending Christians conversation; whether you consider the glory of God, and the Gospel, therein concerned; or the bonds of relation, with those mutnall endearments wherein they stand ingaged; and obligations that are upon them for the generall good, and spirituall edification one of another, ought to be ⟨p. 117⟩watched, marked, and considered by each other: not that we should curiously prie into one anothers failings; much lesse maliciously search into doubtfull unknown things; for the trouble, or disparagement of our brethren; both which are contrary to that love; which thinketh not evill, but covereth a multitude of faults, but only out of a sense of the glory of God, the honour of the Gospel, and care of each others soules; to observe their walking, that what is exemplary therein, may be followed; what faileth may be directed; what is a misse may be reproved, that in all things God may be glorified, and Christ exalted.

Now admonition is two-fold; 1. Authoritative, by ⟨p. 118⟩the way of power; 2. Fraternal, by the way of love. The 1. again is two-fold; 1. Doctrinal by the way of teaching. 2. Disciplinary, which belongeth to the whole Church; Of these we do not treat. The latter also is two-fold; Hortatory, to encourage unto good; and Monitory, to reprove that which is amiss: It is this last which is peculiarly aimed at, and intended in the rule. This then we assert, as the duty of every Church-member towards them with whom he walks in fellowship; to admonish any from the Word, whom they perceive not walking in any thing with a right foot, as becometh the Gospel, thereby to recover his soul to the right ⟨p. 119⟩way; that much caution and wisdom, tenderness and moderation is required in the persons performing this duty; for want whereof, it often degenerates from a peaceable remedy of evil, into fuel for strife and debate. Let them then, who are called to perform this duty, diligently consider these things; 1. That in the whole action he transgress not that rule of charity which we have, 1 Cor. 13. 7. Gal. 6. 2. 2. Let him have peace at home, by an assurance of constant labouring to cast out all beams and moats from his own eye, Mat. 7. 5. 3. Let him so perform it, that it may evidently appear, that he hath no other aim, but the glory of God, and the good of his brother reproved; all envy and rejoicing in evil being far away. 4. Let him ⟨p. 120⟩be sure to draw his admonitions from the Word, that the authority of God may appear therein, and without a Word let him not presume to speak. 5. Let all circumstances attending, time, place, persons, & the like, be duly weighed, that all provocation in the least manner, may be fully avoided. 6. Let it be considered as an ordinance, whereunto Christ hath an especial regard. 7. Let him carefully distinguish between personal injuries unto himself, whose mention must have far more of forgiveness, then reproof, and other offences tending to public scandal. Lastly, Let self-examination concerning the same or the like miscarriage, always accompany the brotherly admonition.

Now admonition is two-fold; 1. Authoritative, by ⟨p. 118⟩the way of power; 2. Fraternal, by the way of love. The 1. again is two-fold; 1. Doctrinall by the way of teaching. 2. Disciplinary, which belongeth to the whole Church; Of these we do not treat. The latter also is two-fold; Hortatory, to encourage unto good; and Monitory, to reprove that which is amisse: It is this last which is peculiarly aimed at, and intended in the rule. This then we assert, as the duty of every Church-member towards them with whom he walks in fellowship; to admonish any from the Word, whom they perceive not walking in any thing with a right foot, as becommeth the Gospel, thereby to recover his soule to the right ⟨p. 119⟩way; that much caution and wisdome, tendernesse and moderation is required in the persons performing this duty; for want whereof, it often degenerates from a peaceable remedy of evill, into fuell for strife and debate. Let them then, who are called to perform this duty, diligently consider these things; 1. That in the whole action he transgresse not that rule of charity which we have, 1 Cor. 13. 7. Gal. 6. 2. 2. Let him have peace at home, by an assurance of constant labouring to cast out all beams and moates from his own eye, Mat. 7. 5. 3. Let him so perform it, that it may evidently appear, that he hath no other aime, but the glory of God, and the good of his brother reproved; all envy and rejoycing in evill being farr away. 4. Let him ⟨p. 120⟩be sure to draw his admonitions from the Word, that the authority of God may appear therein, and without a Word let him not presume to speak. 5. Let all circumstances attending, time, place, persons, & the like, be duly weighed, that all provocation in the least manner, may be fully avoided. 6. Let it be considered as an ordinance, whereunto Christ hath an especiall regard. 7. Let him carefully distinguish between personall injuries unto himselfe, whose mention must have farr more of forgivenesse, then reproof, and other offences tending to publick scandall. Lastly, Let self-examination concerning the same or the like miscarriage, alwaies accompany the brotherly admonition.