Christ the fountain of lifeChrist the fountaine of life

Object. But you say again, but if a man be thus willing to see ⟨p. 252⟩and observe the failings of his brethren. It may be he shall be counted a busy body in other mens matters, a Bishop in another mans Diocese, meddling in matters that concerns him not, and makes us to do there, where we have nothing to do?

Object. But you say againe, but if a man be thus willing to see ⟨p. 252⟩and observe the failings of his brethren. It may be he shall be counted a busie body in other mens matters, a Bishop in another mans Diocesse, meddling in matters that concerns him not, and makes us to do there, where we have nothing to doe?

Answ. We may be so counted, but it is not to be doing, where we have nothing to do, for God would have us to take notice of one another's failings, God and Christian love requires it, it is not out of our element and charge, but God lays a charge upon us to keep and look to this and that mans soul. As it was said to the King of Israel, keep this man, and if he be gone, thy soul shall go for his soul. It is for us to keep diligent watch, and to consider one another, and to take heed, there be not an evil heart of unbelief one in another, and therefore we must not only have respect to the ways, and words of our brethren, but to the healing of their hearts to see there be no deceitfulness in the bottom, God therefore requires that we should exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, If therefore you do but keep your selves within these terms, not meddling with other mens sins, with an hypocritical eye to condemn them and to justify our selves; nor with a censorious, envious, malicious, wanton eye, but with an eye of wisdom, faithfulness, and compassion, in such a case you do not go beyond your Commission.

Answ. We may be so counted, but it is not to be doing, where we have nothing to doe, for God would have us to take notice of one anothers failings, God and Christian love requires it, it is not out of our element and charge, but God layes a charge upon us to keepe and looke to this and that mans soule. As it was said to the King of Israel, keep this man, and if he be gone, thy soule shall goe for his soule. It is for us to keepe diligent watch, and to consider one another, and to take heede, there bee not an evill heart of unbeleefe one in another, and therefore wee must not onely have respect to the wayes, and words of our brethren, but to the healing of their hearts to see there be no deceitfulnes in the bottome, God therefore requires that we should exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, If therfore you do but keep your selves within these termes, not medling with other mens sinnes, with an hypocriticall eye to condemne them and to justifie our selves; nor with a sensorious, envious, malicious, wanton eye, but with an eye of wisdome, faithfulnesse, and compassion, in such a case you do not go beyond your Commission.