Of Censure and Correction.

pp. 651–65214 passages

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.

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CHAP. XVI. Of Censure and Correction.

:4059p. 651

Many think to privilege themselves from the name of Sinners, by reading largely and reprehending plentifully the sins of other men, counting it a compendious way to credit by building gorgeously on another mans discredit and ruin.

MAny thinke to priuiledge themselues from the name of Sinners, by reading largely and reprehending plentifully the sinnes of other men, counting it a compendious way to credite by building gorgeously on another mans discredit and ruine.

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3 As an house being on fire, if it may be quenched, it is best to¹ use water only; but if it be like to endanger and set on fire the houses round about, it is best to pull down the house quickly: so if offence being raised, it may be quenched with water, use water, and let the house stand still; but if fire burst out on every side, then pull it down. When the Viper will still be a² Viper, and retain his poison, though the charmer charm never so wisely, the Apothecary takes him, and makes a Treacle of him, to expel poison out of others: so if a brother will not be admonished, if he will not leave his poison, make treacle of him; that he that would not take heed of others, should be made a preservative for other to beware by him: if evil will not be taken from one in Israel, then take away the evil out of whole Israel, If we must needs see somewhat dead, it is better to see a dead arm than a dead ⟨p. 652⟩corps. When men will harden themselves, God in his judgement makes them as an adamant: and when they grow so hard, it is good to cast them out.

3 As an house being on fire, if it may bee quenched, it is best to¹ vse water onely; but if it bee like to endanger and set on fire the houses rounde about, it is best to pull downe the house quickely: so if offence being raised, it may bee quenched with water, vse water, and let the house stand still; but if fire burst out on euery side, then pull it downe. When the Viper will still bee a² Viper, and retaine his poyson, though the charmer charme neuer so wisely, the Apothecary takes him, and makes a Triacle of him, to expell poyson out of others: so if a brother will not be admonished, if he will not leaue his poyson, make triacle of him; that he that would not take heede of others, should bee made a preseruatiue for other to beware by him: if euill will not be taken from one in Israel, then take away the euill out of whole Israel, If we must needes see somewhat dead, it is better to see a dead arme than a dead ⟨p. 652⟩corpes. When men will harden themselues, God in his iudgement makes them as an adamant: and when they grow so hard, it is good to cast them out.

1Simile.
2qui non corrigit seipsum, alij corrigent s• per ipsum. Simile. Melius est ut pereat unus quàm unitas.qui non corrigit seipsum, alij corrigent s• per ipsum. Simile. Melius est vt pereat vnus quàm vnitas.

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13 Although the wicked speak evil of us, let us be content: indeed a good name is better than a precious ointment, but remember that the Lord had made us all priests, and therefore let us offer up our good name to his glory, and if the wicked will bring coals of juniper, let us sacrifice up our good names, and with Paul let us say, I esteem it the least¹ thing in the world to be judged of you: it is the Lord that judgeth, and there is a blessing propounded for them that are so evil spoken of. But there are four hundred Prophets that speak against you, are they all deceived? Many eyes see more than one. True, if it be spoken of the like: for one Eagles eye seeth more than a thousand owls eyes: and as Solomon ²saith, One man that feareth God, is better than a thousand sinners. And Paul saith, what have I to do with them that are without? God shall judge them. Upon which words a learned man biddeth us observe, how the Apostle accounts evil men as nothing: wherefore seeing the wicked are so vile and so vain, one is better then many of them, therefore their censures and calumniations not to be regarded.

13 Although the wicked speake euill of vs, let vs be content: indeede a good name is better than a precious ointment, but remember that the Lord had made vs all priests, and therefore let vs offer vp our good name to his glory, and if the wicked will bring coales of iuniper, let vs sacrifice vp our good names, and with Paul let vs say, I esteeme it the least¹ thing in the world to be iudged of you: it is the Lord that iudgeth, and there is a blessing propounded for them that are so euil spokē of. But there are foure hundred Prophets that speak against you, are they all deceiued? Many eyes see more than one. True, if it be spoken of the like: for one Eagles eye seeth more than a thousand owles eyes: and as Salomon ²saith, One man that feareth God, is better than a thousand sinners. And Paul saith, what haue I to doe with them that are without? God shall iudge them. Vpon which words a learned man biddeth vs obserue, how the Apostle accounts euil men as nothing: wherefore seeing the wicked are so vile and so vaine, one is better then many of them, therfore their censures and calumniations not to be regarded.

1Evil reports.Euil reports.
2Simile.

CHAP. XVI. Of Censure and Correction.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

CHAP. XVI. Of Censure and Correction.