A53689:337
Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan
Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the borders, for the encouragement of the saints, travelling thither-ward, with their faces towards Zion. Or, Rules of direction, for the walking of the saints in fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel. Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall, by John Owen their pastor.Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the borders, for the encouragement of the saints, travelling thither-ward, with their faces towards Syon. Or, Rules of direction, for the walking of the saints in fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel. Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall, by John Owen their pastor.
London: printed for Philemon Stephens, 1648
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
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.