Sacred Therapy, Book 3 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
Concerning the converts sinfull conniving at, and tolerating of, the errors and transgressions of others.
THe Law of love toward God and our neighbour, layeth a tye on us to procure and promove the well-fare and good of all men, according to our place and power, and to hinder the provocation of God and sins of our neighbour, according to our place and power. And to this end, the Lord hath said, Levit. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart, thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. …ains answer to God, saying, Am I my brothers keeper…s doth not beseem the child of God: and yet some of the Lords renewed children in some cases, do seem to themselves to have done their duty sufficiently, if they for themselves professe the truth, and do in their own personal carriage, what they conceive to be right, albeit they toleart others to professe, teach and practise what is false and dangerous, and pernicious to themselves and others. This fault may befall not only Magistrates and Pastors, Parents and Masters of families, Children and Servants, but also be found in all and every one, who do defend or excuse such an ungodly and dangerous toleration which may provoke God to wrath and insnare many in a course of sin. The pretences, excuses and deceits whereby men delude themselves in this sin, are the same which the Patrons of loose and licentious toleration of every error in religion do make use of, to wit, that mens consciences must be free in the mater of religion, and no wayes be urged to use all means which may give them right information, and restrain their expression and practice which may infect, pervert or insnare others among whom they live: for, say they, Gods people must be a willing people, and God only is Lord of the conscience: and a curbing of mens profession and practice, serves not to make men religious, but hypocrits also, and such like other pretences; but no excuse of this sort can justly hinder any, who is in any place of authority, or power, or relation, to be active or concur to extinguish the incendiary fire which may devour the house of God, and Kingdom wherein they live: for, whosoever have power over others, and do not put forth their power to curb and represse those who lay a stumbling block before others, do not only not impede the growing contagion and infection of the body wherein they live, but also in effect do countenance, protect and promove the spreading of the contagion of error & wickedness which they do tolerat, yea and private persons, who do not lament the sins of such as do destroy themselves and infect others, and do not mourn for the sins of them also who should represse the contagion, do make themselves accessory to these spreading evils. It is true, many excuses might here be a…ledged, which we leave to those who have answered the objections of ungodly toleration: but the truth is, the fear of wordly inconveniences oft-times doth more prevail for giving way to licentious toleration, then the fear of sin and wrath of God doth prevail for dischargeing of duty.
This was the sin of the Church of Pergamus, which did not take order with, and represse the, seducers of the Lords people and their followers within their jurisdiction, Rev. 2. 14, 15. I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balack to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans; which thing I hate. This was the sin which Christ did reprehend in the Church of Thyatira, Rev. 2. 20. I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jesabel, which calleth her self a Prophetesse, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
2. For remedy against this evil, 1. let us verse our selves well in the Law of the Lord revealed in holy Scripture, that we may know well what are the duties which God requireth of every man in his station, and what vices he forbids, lest we mistake vertue for a vice, or vice for a vertue. 2. Let us beware of rash censuring and licentious carping at mens infirmities, as the Apostle Iames giveth commandment; My brethren, be not many Masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation; for in many things we offend all. 3. Let us earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints, Iude, v. 3. lest seducers draw away the Lords people from the truth of Christ. 4. Let every one consider his station, place and power given to him, and prudently go about the amending of other mens faults and his own also: for otherwayes, a good duty may be marred in a mans hand by imprudent managing thereof. 5. Let a man resolve to meet with difficulties in curbing false doctrine and scandalous practices, and as a wise Wariour to behave himself so, as he may obtain the promises which Christ hath promised to the victorious, Rev. 2. 17. 26, 27. For, it is much better to displease man for his good and others, then to displease Christ, and make our selves partakers of other mens sin and judgment, and the true convert will easily make the choice.