Rules for the Government of the Tongue, Text (3 of 6)

Rules for the Government of the Tongue · Text (3 of 6)

p. 124Secondly, Wee are required to confeſſe ſuch ſinnes to others as are open, or ſome way p. 125known to them; not ſuch as are ſecret or hidden from them; as

1 Boſome ſinnes need not bee confeſſed to men, but to God alone, to whom they are known as the injuries wee have done others intrinſecally, by hard thoughts, evil furmiſings, cauſeleſſe jealouſyes, revengeful deſires, or rejoycings, — by heart-theft, heart-murder; heart adultery. Theſe wee ſhould acknowledge with grief before the Lord (the ſearcher of all hearts) and pray with David, Cleanſe thou mee from ſecret faults.Pſal. 19.12Ps 19:12

2 Sinnes actually committed, but ſecretly, ſo as they are unknown to men (as ſecret murther, ſecret theft, ſecret uncleanneſſe) we may conceal them while

1 Providence covers them.

2 And Conſcience is quiet, and

doth not conſtrain us to confeſſe them, to men, but to God only who ſeeth in ſecret both our ſins and our ſorrow for them.

But when God in his providence brings our ſecret ſinnes to light, when our Conſciences being awakened (by Gods word or judgements) do ſo terrify and torment us for them, as wee can have no eaſe nor quiet in our ſpirits, till wee have acknowledged them; then wee ought to confeſſe our ſinnes, though wee ſuffer for them, as ſome have done many years after their ſinnes were committed; during which time, providence made no diſcovery of them, but let them lye covered with a vale of ſecrecy; and their Conſciences lying a ſleep were ſilent, or though awake, did not violently accuſe for them.

p. 126The moſt of the forementioned caſes of confeſſion to men, concern ſuch faults as are ſome way known to men, either

1 Openly in the Acts of them; ſuch are ſcandals given to the Church, or to particular perſons, ſo long as the ſame are kept ſecret, they are not ſcandalous; and the wrongs wee have done to others in word or deed, — and the evils we have done together with others, as companions in iniquity.

2 Or by the effect, conſequent, or ſome diſcovering mark thereof.

Achans theft was kept ſecret; for he hid what he had ſtoln in the earth, Ioſh. 7.21.Josh 7:21in the midſt of his Tent; but it was diſcovered, firſt, by the blow God gave Iſrael for this ſin of Achan, call'd the accurſed thing, — they were ſmitten at Ai; After by caſting of lots (a courſe of Gods preſcribing to find out the offender) and the lot fell upon Achans Tribe, family and perſon; thus his iniquity found him out, then he confeſſed his ſin to Joſhua, and died for it.

Jonahs flight from the preſence of the Lord, was a ſecret fault, known only to God and himſelf at firſt, but providence afterward brought it to light; by the Lords ſending a mighty tempeſt upon the Sea, ſo that the ſhip Jonah was in, and all that were in it, were in Jeopardie; and the Mariners caſting lots to find out who was the cauſe of that evil upon them, Jon. 1.6. Verſ. 10.Jonah 1:6the lot fell upon Jonah. Then Jonah confeſſed his fault to them, and was willing to bee caſt into the Sea, Verſ. 12, 15.to calm it, and to ſave them.

Let mee adde this, Though open confeſſion of ſecret wrongs done to others (unknown p. 127to them how or by whom) be not neceſſary, yet Reſtitution or Reparation thereof is neceſſary; which may be done as privately (ſcil. by the hand of a ſtranger, or the like) as the fault was committed; and it ſufficeth, though the perſon injured knows not who did him the wrong, nor who makes him amends.

3 Wee may confeſſe ſometimes even our ſecret ſins to others, to our own advantage, as in the particular caſes before ſpecified; to wit,

1 Of ſcruple, when they burden our conſciences.

2 Of Predominancy, when they tyrannize over us, and trouble us, or we are ſtrongly tempted to them.

3 Of affliction (be it ſickneſs, or any loſſe or croſſe) the cauſe whereof we conceive to be ſome ſecret luſt, infirmity, or failing in us.

— To obtain comfort, counſel, compaſſion and ſupplication from others, and thereby help and remedy againſt ſin and trouble, both of body and ſoul, as was ſhewed before. This is no more than for a patient to acquaint the Phyſician with his ſecret diſeaſe (unknown to others) that he may apply healing medicines, ſuitable and effectuall thereunto; or for a beggar to uncover his ſore, to move others to pitty him, and to contribute towards his healing. So much of the caſes in which confeſſion ſhould be made to others.

The ſecond Thing is, the perſons to whom we ſhould confeſſe our faults, to wit,

1 Our open faults to the perſons or ſocieties p. 128whom we have either 1 Injured, 2 Or ſcandalized, 3 Or conſociated in ſin.

2 Our ſecret faults wee ſhould confeſs to ſuch perſons (Miniſters or others) as we judge wiſe, godly and faithfull,

1 To keep our counſel, conceal our infirmities, lock up our ſecrets in their boſomes, and not divulge them to our prejudice.

2 To counſel us aright, concerning our boſome-caſes.

3 To pity us, and to pray for us.

Theſe are the properties of boſome-friends.

Object. Shall we not hereby loſe our Repute, and blemiſh our name?

Anſ. Confeſſion of our ſecret faults to ſuch, will not impair our credit, nor impeach our good name with them, becauſe

1 They will conſider themſelves that they alſo may be tempted, troubled and exerciſed ſo as wee are; and they will remember that Law of Juſtice and equity, of doing to others what they would have others do to them, Mat. 7.12.

2 The confeſſing of our ſecret ſins to them, upon ſuch an account, will repreſent us to them, to be tender in conſcience, ſoft in heart, humble in ſpirit, hating ſin, fearfull to offend.

Hereby we ſhall give them occaſion

1 To diſcern more of the grace of God (of the truth, and workings of it) in us.

2 To think better, yea more highly of us (as Chriſt did of the Centurion, and of the woman of Canaan) the worſe we think, and the more evill we ſpeak of our ſelves this will not leſſen, but greaten our eſteem with them.

p. 129The third thing is, from what Principles, or in what manner, we ſhould confeſſe our faults to others, ſcil. from Zeal, Hatred, Love, Humility.

1 Out of Zeal for God, 11Zeal.to give him glory before men of his 1 Omniſcience, knowing our ſins, even the moſt ſecret, and 2 Providence in detecting them.

2 Juſtice in puniſhing, or Righteouſneſſe and faithfulneſs in afflicting us for them.

3 Free grace in pardoning them, and in accepting, imploying and ſaving us from them, or notwithſtanding them.

4 Patience in ſparing us, and mercy in doing us good, notwithſtanding the evils we have done.

2 Out of hatred of ſin, 22Hatred.we ſhould confeſſe it with grief for it, and aggravation and deteſtation of it; as a man would ſpeak of the moſt loathſome, abominable things, as of eating or drinking Excrements, or touching of Toads; yea as we would tell or inform others of a moſt notorious Theef, Murderer, or Malefactor, that hee may be executed, or of a Toad or Snake, that it may be kill'd.

Yea ſo as by confeſſing our ſins, (to God or man) to caſt them up with loathing as nauſeous ſtuff, as men do meat which their ſtomacks cannot digeſt, but loathe. For confeſſion is a vomit of the ſoul, whereby it caſts up or ſpuos out ſin, and disburthens it ſelf of it, which lay heavy upon it, and made the ſoul ſick.

3 33Love.Out of love to others to make ſin odious and abominable to them; and to make them p. 130abhor and eſchew the ſins we have committed, and eſcape ſhame and ſorrow that wee have taſted for the ſame — alſo out of grief, for wronging or offending others, and from a juſt mind to give them ſatisfaction by confeſſion thereof to them, to obtain their pardon and favour.

4 44Humility.Out of humility, to humble our ſelves, for our faults even before men (in the caſes, or upon the occaſions premiſed) to take ſhame to our ſelves, in confeſſing them; and to make it appear how much we abhor ſin, and our ſelves for ſin, and how vile we are in our own eyes; alſo, to prevent others thinking too highly of us, which was Pauls deſire, who would not have others to think him better than he was, 2 Cor. 12.6.

We ſhould bewail the neglect of, and averſeneſſe to this duty, in all ſorts, even from young to old, the moſt are more forward

1 To commit ſin with others, or to incourage others unto ſin.

2 To deny, hide, or excuſe their ſins; even when they are taxed and reproved for them.

3 Or to outface their faults, and juſtifie them, than to confeſſe them to others.

It is the property of ſinners, and the infirmity of Saints (who are but as Infants in meaſure, and ſanctified but in part) to palliate and cover their ſins as much as they can; This hath been their manner from the beginning; or from ſins entrance into the World. See it in our firſt Parents. Adam layed the blame of his ſin upon Eve, and Eve of her ſin upon the Serpent, Sarah covered her laughter with a p. 131lye; ſhe feared a reproof for what ſhe had done, Gen 18.15.Gen 18:15but ſhe was not afraid to deſerve it by denying what ſhe had done.

What a miſerable ſort of excuſes will bee pleaded (ſaith one) when men are charged with ſin, for all are graven out of Adam.Mr. Greenham.

I have read a Proverb, that ſin ſeweth it ſelf a garment (being aſhamed to go naked) that is, excuſes, invented by Satan, but made by men and women, as the ſuit of fig-leaves were by Adam and Eve, who were the firſt offenders; but they cannot cover ſins nakedneſſe, nor keep it warm, nor put any comlineſs upon it, for the excuſe of ſin multiplies ſin, and makes addition thereunto.

Queſt. Why are men ſo backward to confeſſe ſin?

Anſ. 1. Becauſe confeſſion of ſin contains in it, or brings ſhame and grief along with it for ſin, which ſin cannot indure. They are as ſmoak to the eyes, Vinegar to the teeth, bitter as Gall and wormwood to the taſte of ſin.

Sin hath ſo perverted the ſoul, as to miſplace ſhame in acknowledging offences, which ſhould be placed in offending.

2 Confeſſion is an Ejection of ſin (as it is ſaid) where ſin is freely confeſſed, it is fully caſt out; It layes an ingagement upon men, not to commit ſin again, when they have confeſſed it, but abſolutely to hate it, to part with it, and put it away. This neither Satan nor ſin (its brat) can indure. They hate putting away, where they have gotten poſſeſſion, they deſire to hold it. Confeſſion ſeparates between ſin and ſoul, and makes a divorce.

p. 1323 Becauſe Confeſſion is a bringing of ſin (that horrid Monſter) to light; an open diſcovery of it in its ſhape and colours, which are moſt ugly and deformed. Now ſin hates the light, Joh. 3.20.John 3:20and hates comming to the light, and hates Confeſſion which cauſeth it; and hides it ſelf in the boſome of the ſinner. Satan imploys all his pollicy, and ſin all its power and intereſt it hath in us to conceal it, and to wave the confeſſion of it. Sin loves to wear a veil of ſecrecy, or a vizzard of counterfeit piety, or a Garment of excuſes, that the filth and ſhame of its nakedneſſe may not appear; or to wrap it ſelf like the Devil in Samuels mantle.

As falſe Prophets come to us in ſheep cloathing, ſo doth ſin in the guiſe, colour or ſhew of vertue, to deceive us.

Object. Sin is a filthy, ſhamefull thing, it becommeth Saints not once to name it, as Fornication, Ʋncleanneſſe, Covetouſneſſe, Epheſ. 5.3. why then ſhould we confeſſe it?

Anſ. 1. Though ſin bee filthy and abominable in it ſelf, yet the Confeſſion of ſin is clean and commendable.

2 There is difference between naming, and naming of ſin, ſcil.

1 With delight in it, boaſting of it, or indulgence to it, This naming of ſin is ſin.

2 Or with deteſtation of it, and indignation at it, and grief for it, This naming of ſin is good and gracious.

3 To conceal ſin, but not to confeſſe it (when there is occaſion) is ſinfull modeſty, (ſhamefull ſhamefaſtneſſe) to keep Satans counſell; to hide and harbour a Theef or murderer p. 133in our boſomes, that will rob our ſouls, and cut our throats; this argueth ſtubbornneſſe of ſpirit, and ſelf-hardening againſt reproof. Such a diſpoſition is the high-way to deſtruction. For he that covereth his ſins, Prov. 28.13Prov 28:13(that is, who will not confeſſe them, no not when he is called thereunto) ſhall not proſper — and he that being often reproved hardeneth his neck (refuſing to confeſſe or to amend his fault) ſhall ſuddenly be deſtroyed, and that without remedy.

4 A ſerious and religious confeſſion of ſin, is a Remedy to cleanſe and heal ſoul-maladies. The firſt peece of amends for our ſinning is to confeſſe our ſins. The hiding of ſin is like the covering or skinning of a ſore, which will feſter inwardly, and break out dangerouſly. What a reſtraint would this be to ſin, to take liberty to do nothing (no not ſecretly) which we would not take boldneſſe to confeſſe even openly?

To Confeſſe ſinne aright is an Herb of Grace which grows not in natures Garden; when a man is condemned in himſelf through deep Conviction and ſenſe of ſinne, hee will bee free to accuſe himſelf before others; when hee feels the bitterneſſe of ſinne in his Soul, he will caſt it up as loathſome ſtuff, though hee ſwallowed it down as a ſweet morſel.

Many famous men (as Auſtine, Origen, and others) have been free to publiſh the Errors of their opinions to the world.

Why ſhould we be unwilling to confeſſe the Errors of our manners?

p. 134Rom. 10.10. — With the heart man believeth unto righteouſneſſe, and with the mouth confeſſion is made unto Salvation.

HEre is a double duty annexed to two principal parts of man.—

1 The Duty of the Heart, that is faith, and the effect thereof is Righteouſneſſe; that is, we are juſtified by faith, apprehending the righteouſneſs of Chriſt.

2 The Duty of the Mouth, that is, confeſſion, and the conſequent of it is Salvation.

Obſerve the order and Connexion of theſe two.

1 The order, the Heart goeth before the Tongue, and Believing before Confeſsing.

2 The Connexion of them, as of the cauſe with the effect, for Faith in the Heart is the Root, or principle of confeſſion with the Mouth; both ſhould go together as fire and flame, as ſpring and ſtream, as Tree and fruit.

Doctrine;

It is a Goſpel-Duty to confeſſe with the Mouth, as well as to beleeve with the Heart.

I deſire to open four things.

1 What this Confeſſion is, 2 When it ſhould be made, 3 Why, 4 How.

1 What it is. This Confeſſion is an open Profeſſion of Chriſt, What Confeſſion is.and his Goſpel, Truths and wayes and a pleading for the ſame.

1 Of Chriſt of whole Chriſt.

1 Of his Natures, or divinity and humanity. The woman of Canaan confeſſed Chriſt to bee Lord, and the Son of David, that is, to p. 135bee both God and aaMat. 15.22.Matt 15:22man. John the Baptiſt confeſſed him to bee the Son of bbJoh. 1.20, 27, 34.John 1:20John 1:27John 1:34God, the Eunuch did the like, Act. 8.37. Peter confeſſed him to be foreign, the Chriſt, the ſon of the living ccMat. 16.16.Matt 16:16God, Joh. 6.69.

2 Of his Offices, Rabbi, ſaid ddJoh. 1.49.John 1:49Nathaniel, Thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Iſrael. The Samaritan woman confeſſed Chriſt to be a Prophet, both to eeJoh. 4.19. Verſ. 29.John 4:19himſelf, Sir, foreign, I ſee that thou art a Prophet, and before the Samaritans — Come (ſaith ſhe) See a man which told mee all things that ever I did, Is not this the Chriſt? did not John confeſſe Chriſts Prieſtly Office when he ſaid, Joh. 1.29.John 1:29Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the ſins of the world. — All that confeſſed him to be the Chriſt, or Meſſiah, did implicitly (at leaſt) acknowledge his offices, (ſcil.) to be King, Prieſt and Prophet, to which he was anointed.

3 Of his beauty, excellency and dignity. What a large confeſſion did the Spouſe make of Chriſts beauty to the Daughters of Jeruſalem, when they asked her, what is thy Beloved more than another Beloved? Cant. 5.9.Song 5:9— my Beloved is white, and ruddy, the chiefeſt among ten thouſand. — John confeſſed the dignity, Verſ. 10, &c.and excellency of Chriſt, when he ſaid, I am not the Chriſt, but his praecurtor, Joh. 1.20.John 1:20or harbinger — and he is preferred before mee, whoſe ſhooes latchet I am not worthy to unlooſe, Ver. 27.— and in his laſt teſtimony of Chriſt, in Joh. 3.28. to 33.—he ſaith, that Chriſt is the Bridegroom of his Church, he was but the Bridegroomes friend; that Chriſt muſt increaſe, hee decreaſe; this was Johns joy, that Chriſt came from Heaven p. 136above, and is above all, and therefore hath juſtly moſt high preheminence.— This is held forth in that Catholick confeſſion of Chriſts divine Nature, Power, Soveraignty and Excellency; that he is worthy to receive all honour, glory and bleſſing, in Rev. 5.11, 12, 13.

4 Eſpecially of thoſe things concerning Chriſt which others deny, or doubt of; as his reſurrection from the dead. In the times of the Goſpel the Jews and Gentiles confeſſed Chriſts death, Act. 4.2.Acts 4:2but would not acknowledge his reſurrection; the Prieſt, and Sadduces were grieved that the Apoſtles preached it; Therefore Chriſtians were required to make confeſsion of this Truth in thoſe times (ſcil.) that God raiſed Chriſt from the dead; Rom. 10.9.Rom 10:9and they ſhould be ſaved. — Therefore Paul boldly confeſſed the reſurrection of the dead, Act. 24.15.Acts 24:15before the Council, Act. 23.6. and before Felix.

2 Confeſsion is an open profeſsion of our ſelves in reference to Chriſt, in five Particulars.

1 Of our Faith in Chriſt, and his Goſpel: as the Father of the Child, in Mar 9.24. cryed out and ſaid with tears, Lord I beleeve, help thou mine unbelief, and the blind man, in Joh. 9.38. Lord, I beleeve;— Paul confeſſed his Faith and Hope before Felix, Act. 24.15.Acts 24:15— I beleeve all things which are written in the Law, and the Prophets, and have hope towards God. — Surely ſhall one ſay (that is, confeſs) ſaith the Lord by the Prophet Iſaiah, chap. 45.23, 24. in the Lord have I Righteouſneſs and ſtrength, — and of our intereſt in God, and in Chriſt by Faith, as David did upon all occaſions, — He is my p. 137God, my portion. — Job made an excellent confeſsion of his Faith in Chriſt (as his Redeemer) before his Friends, Job 19.25, 26, 27. — as Thomas did when he ſaid, My Lord, Joh. 20.2….John 20:2and my God; and the Spouſe, my wel-beloved is mine, and I am his, Cant. 2.16. This is the Name whereby Chriſt ſhall be called (i. e. confeſſed by us) Jehovah our Righteouſneſs, Jer. 23.6.

2 Of the grace of Chriſt in us, of the work and workings of it. Such a confeſsion Paul made to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 15.10. By the Grace of God, I am that I am (q. d) that gives mee my ſpecifical being, life, and operation, as I am a Chriſtian) and his grace in mee was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with mee.

And he made the like to Timothy, 1 Tim. 1.13, 14.1 Tim 1:131 Tim 1:14that hee had been a blaſphemer, and a perſecutor, &c. but the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with Faith and love which is in Chriſt Jeſus, q. d. God wrought a wonderfull change in mee by Grace, to make mee a new Creature; by Faith and Love, to form Chriſt in mee, and to conform mee unto Chriſt. And when he declared his converſion before the people, in Acts 22. 1 King. 18.12.1 Kgs 18:12Obadiah profeſſed his fear of God to Elijah — I thy Servant fear the Lord from my youth. Peter profeſſed his love of Chriſt, yea Lord, thou knoweſt that I love thee, Joh. 21.16. and David profeſſed God to be his exceeding joy, Pſal. 43.4, and Paul his glorying in the Croſs of Chriſt, Gal. 6.14. 2. Cor. 12.10.

3 Of our worſhip of God after a Goſpell mode, purely and ſpiritually without humane p. 138Inventions or ſuperſtitious vanities. This we ſhould openly own, and profeſſe, though others diſlike it, and call it Schiſm or Noveliſm. … 24.13, 14.So did Paul before Felix, — They cannot prove the things whereof they now accuſe me, — but this I confeſſe unto thee, that after the way that they call Hereſie, ſo worſhip I the God of my Fathers.

4 Of our Practice, or manner of life, what is the conſtant Bent, Act. 24.16.Acts 24:16or Bias of our Reſolutions and indeavours — Paul alſo confeſſed this before Felix — Herein do I exerciſe my ſelf, to have alwayes a conſcience void of offence towards God, Act. 23.1.Acts 23:1and towards men,—and before the Council — I have lived in all good conſcience before God until this day.

5 Confeſsion is an open Profeſsion of our experiences of God, and of his gracious dealings with us; of Chriſt and of his Grace in us, love to us, and of our fellowſhip with him. — The account David gave to them that feared God was a confeſsion of his experiences, Pſal. 66.16.Ps 66:16— Come and hear all yee that fear God, and I will declare what hee hath done for my ſoul — Such was Johns firſt Epiſtle, wherein he declares to all, 1 Joh. 1.1, 3.1 John 1:11 John 1:3that which the Apoſtles have ſeen, heard, and felt. — Relations of experiences are Confeſsions of Chriſt before men. I may adde, that to bear witneſſe againſt ſin, is to give Teſtimony for God, which is good and acceptable ſervice to God, though wee ſuffer for it, as John the Baptiſt loſt his head for witneſsing againſt Herods Adultery, and Inceſt, Mar. 6.18, 27.

p. 139The ſecond thing. 22When.When this Confeſſion ſhould bee made, to wit, when wee are called thereunto, either publickly or privately.

1 Publickly, either by a Church, or by a Magiſtrate.

1 By a Church of Chriſt, either

1 At the Conſtitution of it.

2 Or at our admiſſion into it.

1 At the Conſtitution of it; for the Lord Jeſus makes the confeſsion of faith to be the Rock or foundation upon which his viſible Church is built, Mat. 16.16. to 19. Therefore when he firſt was about to tell his Apoſtles of building his Church of a new frame or model under the Goſpel, the old Fabrick of the Jewiſh Church being then to be taken down about the time of Chriſts paſsion, and the new to be ſet up after his aſſenſion, according to his commiſsion and direction given to his Apoſtles to that purpoſe, Act. 1.2, 3. — beeing ſeen of them forty dayes, (after his Reſurrection) and ſpeaking (to them) of the things pertaining to the Kingdome of God, that is, his Church, hee firſt requires an account or confeſsion of their Faith. Whom ſay yee that I am? Verſ. 15.Then Peter anſwered in the name of all the Apoſtles, (as our ſound, Orthodox Divines conceive) Thou art Chriſt the Son of the living God, Therefore Peter ſaith, in John 6.69. not I only, but wee (Apoſtles) beleeve and are ſure that thou art that Chriſt, the Son of the Living God, and Chriſt replyed, thou art Peter, foreign (that is a ſtone in this ſpiritual building, yea a pillar in the Church, p. 140Gal. 2.9.) and upon this rock, foreign, Mat. 16.18Matt 16:18that is, upon this confeſsion made of mee to be the Chriſt, or upon mee the rock as confeſſed, I will build my Church and the gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it — Hence we may collect two things.

1 That a good confeſsion of Faith in Chriſt ſhould bee made and laid as a foundation at the gathering or conſtituting of Churches (to build them upon) which may bee effectual to keep them ſound in the faith, and free from errours, and to ingage them to hold faſt their principles, and not to ſwarve from the ſame; but to preſerve the doctrin of Religion pure therein, and to ſtrengthen the whole building that is raiſed upon it —

2 That thoſe are the fitteſt ſtones for the building of a Church, that can give the beſt account of their faith in Chriſt.

2 At our Admiſsion into a Church of Chriſt, to which wee deſire to joyn our ſelves, and they require us to give an account of our faith and holineſſe, that wee are Saints and Beleevers — This we ſhould be free and ready to do.

1 Becauſe as to beleeve with the heart, makes a man a member of the inviſible Church, ſo to confeſſe with the mouth; or open profeſsion of faith, qualifies him to bee a member of a viſible Church of Chriſt.

2 This will give the Church knowledge of us, and ſatisfaction in us, yea move them to glorify God for us, and to receive us in the Lord unto fellowſhip with them in all Chriſts p. 141Ordinances, without which they may bee afraid of us, as the Church of Jeruſalem was of Paul, when hee aſſaied to joyn himſelf to it until Barnabas had ſatisfied them concerning him, Act. 9.26, 27.

3 This ſeems to have been the practice of the Primitive Church (as now it is of the reformed Churches) — The 3000 converted at Peters Sermon, did not they confeſſe Chriſt, Act. 2.Acts 2or make a profeſsion of their faith, and of a change wrought in them? Elſe how could the Apoſtles know that they gladly received the word (to wit, of faith, repentance, Verſ. 41.and obedience to the Goſpel) and diſtinguiſh them from all others, and upon that account baptiſe them? — I am apt to think that thoſe who beleeved at Epheſus, confeſſed their Saviour, as well as their ſinnes, and their Faith as well as their Repentance.

4 What is done at the planting of a Church is proper and ſuitable to bee done in the augmentation of it, that is, confeſsion of Faith — whoſoever would bee a Peter, that is, 1 Pet. 2.51 Pet 2:5a lively ſtone, fit to be laid in this building, ſhould be a confeſſour of Chriſt.

2 When wee are called thereunto by a Magiſtrate, or ſecular powers, or brought before Rulers, and Governours for Chriſts ſake, and examined about our Religion; then wee ought to bear witneſſe to Chriſt, and his Truth, as Chriſt and his Apoſtles did. —

1 Chriſt who witneſſed a good confeſſion before Pontius Pilate (then Preſident in Judea) recorded in John. 18.37. 1 Tim. 6.11 Tim 6:1— when Pilate ſaid unto him art thou a King? Jeſus anſwered; p. 142Thou ſayeſt that I am a King. This is an Hebrew manner of confeſſion, aequivalent to an affirmation, q. d. that thou ſayeſt is true, I am ſo indeed; Chriſt did the like before the Council, Luk. 22.70.Luke 22:70when they all ſaid, art thou the Son of God? and he ſaid unto them, ye ſay that I am, q. d. I am what you ſay — and before the High-Prieſt when hee asked him, Art thou the Chriſt the Sonne of the bleſſed? Mark. 14.61, 62Mark 14:61Mark 14:62And Jeſus ſaid, I am.

2 The Apoſtles witneſſed a good confeſsion of Chriſt, and of that main truth, ſcil. that Salvation is onelyonly by Chriſt, as Peter and John before the Council, Act. 4.5. to 16. and cap. 5.27. to 33. and Steven, Act. 6.12.15. and 7. chapter, and Paul before Felix the Governour, Act. 24.14. to 22. before King Agrippa, Act. 26.2. &c. eſpecially 22, 23. verſ. and before Feſtus, 24, 25, to 30. verſ.

2 When wee are called to it privately; eſpecially in three caſes.

Firſt, When wee are asked by a ſingle perſon, who deſires to bee informed by us, and ſeeks not to lay a ſnare for us.

Bee ready always, 1 Pet. 3.151 Pet 3:15to give an anſwer to every man that asketh you a reaſon of the hope that is in you with meekneſſe and reverence. Now to give a reaſon of our hope what is it, but to yield an account of our faith? which wee are bound to do upon a private demand: or when juſt occaſion is given, though but by a private perſon, as Chriſt made confeſsion of himſelf to the Samaritan woman, and to a blind man. Iohn 4.25.John 4:25— When ſhee made confeſsion of the p. 143Meſsiah to Chriſt, as, 1 That he would come. 2 That he was now upon comming. 3 That when hee is come, hee will tell us all things. i. e. teach his Church more fully and perfectly — though ſhee was a woman, Trap in John 4.7.John 4:7and a Samatan, and a poor Tankerd-bearer; a ſinner, one that lived in fornication, yet Chriſt rejects her not, but takes occaſion from her Confeſſion of the Meſſiah, John 4.26John 4:26to confeſſe or make known himſelf to her to be the Chriſt or Meſſiah ſhee ſpake of. Though he did not manifeſt himſelf ſo plainly to the Jews, no not when they preſſed him, ſaying, How long doeſt thou make us doubt? John. 10.24John 10:24if thou bee the Chriſt tell us plainly. But hee would not in plain Termes tell them that hee was hee, becauſe hee knew their hearts, that they asked not ſincerely to beleeve in him, but captiouſly to get advantage againſt him; though hee told the woman, becauſe Chriſt knew, ſhee was now a Convert, and would bee a means of the converſion of others. — When the blind man asked Chriſt, who was the Sonne of God, that hee might beleeve in him; though the Phariſees had excommunicated him for confeſſing Chriſt, yet Chriſt confeſſeth himſelf to him — and tells him — It is hee that talketh with thee, Joh. 7.35, 36, 37. And hee ſaid, Lord, I beleeve, and hee worſhipped him.

Second Caſe. Wee are cal'd to confeſſe Chriſt, when wee are engaged in diſputes or reaſonings with others about the matters of Chriſt and his Goſpel, Jud. 3Judg 3then we ſhould contend earneſtly for the faith which was once delivered p. 144unto the Saints; for defence of the Truth, and to convince gainſayers. Even as Iſaacks Servants ſtrove with the Philiſtims for the well of water they had found, Gen. 26.21Gen 26:21— knowing that every Chriſtian in his place, Phil. 1.17Phil 1:17is ſet for the defence of the Goſpel, as well as Paul. — How plainly and boldly did Paul confeſſe Chriſt, and how ſtrenuouſly did hee contend for the Truth as it is in Jeſus, Act. 19.29Acts 19:29in his diſputes with the Grecians at Jeruſalem? but they went about to ſlay him. Hee being too hard for them at arguments, they would bee too ſharp for him at weapons; — with the Jews and devout perſons in the Synagogue, and in the market daily with them that met with him, Act. 17.18Acts 17:18and with certain Philoſophers at Athens, wherein hee ſtoutly maintained, that the God who made heaven, Verſ. 24, 25, 28and earth, and preſerves all things, Verſ. 30, 31is the only true God, — and the doctrin of repentance, of the laſt judgement, and of the Reſurrection. Verſ. 18, 19, 20For which diſpute, the Philoſophers perſecuted him, and brought him unto Areopagus (that was the high Court of Juſtice in Athens) as a violator of their Religion, to bee judged.—Paul and Barnabas were ſtout Champions for the Truth in their Diſputes at Antioch with the Jews, Act. 15.2Acts 15:2that maintained the neceſſity of Circumciſion — Stephen in his diſpute with the Doctors of five ſeveral Claſſes, Act. 6.9.Acts 6:9Verſ. 10.ſo confounded them, that they were not able to refiſt the wiſdome of the Spirit by which hee ſpake; then they fell to Satanical Artifices, as to ſubornation of falſe witneſſes againſt him, Verſ. 11, 12, &c.and perſecution of him, even unto death. Contending for the truth of p. 145Chriſt, is confeſſing of Chriſt before men.

This is a Goſpel-becomming converſation among Chriſtians, Phil. 1.27Phil 1:27which Paul preſſed upon the Philippians, that whether hee was preſent or abſent hee might hear of their affairs; that they ſtand faſt in one ſpirit, with one mind, ſtriving together for the Goſpel, foreign, or wreſtling together for the defence of the Truth — Pauls Zeal in ſtriving for the Truth, and for every parcel of it (becauſe precious to him) doth further appear by four things.

1 He chid the Galatians for their Levity, Gal. 1.16.Gal 1:16that they were ſo ſoon drawn away from the Truth; — and hee curſeth them that bring any other Goſpel (than what hath been preached unto them) whoſoever they bee, whether men or Angels — and? in Chapter 3, verſe 1, Gal. 3.1Gal 3:1He rebukes them ſharply for being carried away from their obedience to the Truth of the Goſpel. O fooliſh Galatians who hath bewitched you?

2 Gal. 2.4, 5Gal 2:4Gal 2:5The falſe Brethren that crept in privily to ſpy out the liberty which the Apoſtles had in Chriſt Jeſus (from legal obſervances) Paul yielded not an inch to them, Gal. 2.5Gal 2:5no not for an hour, that the Truth of the Goſpel might continue with the Galatians, and they might reſolvedly continue therein.

3 When Peter diſſembled, and halted between two Opinions (ſcil. his eating, and nor eating with the Gentiles) & he (& others following his example) did not foreign, walk with a right foot according to the Goſpel; Gal. 2.11, 12, 13, 14Gal 2:11Gal 2:12Gal 2:13Gal 2:14— Paul p. 146withſtood Peter to the face (that is, Verſ. 11. Ver. 14, 15, 16.openly & profeſſedly) becauſe he was to be blamed — and he reproved him ſharply & boldly before them all.

4 Paul wiſhed that the corrupters of Chriſts Truth, or vehement Urgers of Circumciſion (who troubled or unſetled the Galatians) were cut off, Gal. 5.12.Gal 5:12to wit, as ſuperfluous fleſh, that themſelves might ſuffer what they do.

The Third Caſe, when we are in company where the Name of Chriſt is blaſphemed, or his Truths, ways, Servants, are evil ſpoken of, contradicted, or calumniated, Then ought … ſtand up in defence of Chriſt, and of what is Chriſts perſon, or things, to ſpeak as much for them, as others ſpeak againſt them, yea more; to out-ſpeak them, and put them to ſilence, elſe wee ſhould betray Chriſt and his cauſe by our ſilence (for that would ſeem to be a conſent) and the wicked would thereby be imboldened to continue, yea to multiply their evil ſpeakings, and weak ones would be occaſioned to fall from the Faith, and ſtrong Chriſtians would bee much offended, and the glory of Chriſt, and the ſplend or of his Truth would be greatly darkened and impeached thereby. In this caſe confeſsion of Chriſt is neceſſary, though we be not examined about him, or his. — Thus I have ſhewed when we ought to confeſs with our mouthes; at other times we have liberty to conceal our Faith, and opinions, yea, our perſons ſometimes, as Chriſt himſelf did.

The Third Thing, why ought we to confeſſe with the mouth? The Reaſons may be drawn from God, Chriſt, our ſelves, and others.

p. 1471 From God, they are three.

1 Becauſe Confeſsion is a homage, ſervice, and fealty which God requires of us, and ſwears he will have from us, Iſa. 45.23. compared with Rom. 14.11. — As I live, Iſa. 45.24.Isa 45:24ſaith the Lord, every knee ſhall bow to mee, and every Tongue ſhall confeſſe to God — and ſurely, ſhall one ſay, In the Lord have I Righteouſneſs and ſtrength; By denying, or not doing the ſame, we make God falſifie his oath, or provoke him to puniſh us.

2 Becauſe God the Father did confeſſe, or give Teſtimony, even by a voice from Heaven; to his Son Jeſus Chriſt, both at his Baptiſm, Mat. 3.17. and at his transfiguration, Mat. 17.5. ſaying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed. This voice (ſaith Peter) came from the excellent glory, when Chriſt received from God the Father, honour and glory. Our Saviour ſaith often, The Father that ſent mee beareth witneſſe of mee, Joh. 5.32, 37 & 8.18. As we ſhould receive the witneſſe of God, which hee hath teſtified of his Son, 1 Joh. 5.9, 10. elſe we make God a lyar; So we vhould be followers of God, as dear Children, in giving Teſtimony of Chriſt our Saviour, and elder Brother, as God our Father did.

3 By confeſſion of God and Chriſt, and his Truth, we give glory to God — Every Tongue ſhould confeſſe that Jeſus Chriſt is Lord, Phil. 2.11.Phil 2:11to the glory of God the Father. Joſh. 7.19. Rom. 15.6.Josh 7:19Rom 15:6If by confeſſing our ſins (as Joſhua ſaid to Achan) much more our Saviour — and by joynt confeſſion, we glorifie God with one mouth.

Reaſ. 2 From Chriſt, they are two.

p. 1481 It is his priviledge to be confeſſed.

2 It was his practice to confeſſe.

1 It is Chriſts priviledge to be confeſſed; or a high Exaltation, or honorificall event, which was either conferred by the Father on his Son, as a reward of his deep humiliation, as Piſcator, and others think; or at leaſt was a conſequent of it as Calvin conceives, quod dictio illativa, in Phil. 2.9. conſequentiam hic magis ſonet, quam cauſam. That wherefore in Phil. 2.9. denotes rather his exaltation to be a conſequent of his humiliation, Phil. 2.9. Verſ. 9.Phil 2:9than his humiliation to be a cauſe of his exaltation. He humbled himſelf, and became obedient unto death, &c. — Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a Name which is above every Name, Verſ. 10.— that at the Name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow, that is, all things in Heaven and Earth ſhould be ſubject to his Dominion and Power, and that every Tongue ſhould confeſſe that Jeſus Chriſt is Lord, either voluntarily here, or coercively hereafter, to wit, at the day of Judgement — Confeſſion of Chriſt before men is an honour due to Chriſts Name from us, Verſ. 11.even upon the Account of his Paſſion or Humiliation; and not to confeſſe him, is to rob him of that glory which is juſtly and peculiarly his own. foreignHence Chriſt is called the Apoſtle, and High-Prieſt of our profeſſion, or confeſſion, that is, He whom we ſhould principally confeſſe, or profeſſe, and our Faith in him for ſalvation; As the Author of our Salvation, and of our Faith, and the Apoſtle of that Evangellical Doctrin which we profeſſe.

p. 1492 It was Chriſts practice both in life and death; for with his mouth he confeſſed his Father, himſelf, and the Truth.

1 His Father. Chriſt both gave knowledge and bare witneſſe of him before men; for, Joh. 1.18.John 1:18No man hath ſeen God at any time, the only begotten Son which is in the boſome of the Father, Joh. 8.38.John 8:38he hath declared him, — and I ſpeak (ſaith Chriſt) that which I have ſeen with my Father, — what was that Chriſt ſaw, and ſpake?

1 His Fathers Eſſence, or being, Joh. 4.24.John 4:24that God is a ſpirit.

2 His mind, and will, as how he will bee worſhipped, to wit, in ſpirit and truth, and what he would have us to do, ſcil. Verſ. 23, 24.what ſoever he hath commanded us, — for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you, ſaith Chriſt. Joh. 15.15.John 15:15John Baptiſt witneded this of Chriſt, Joh. 3.32.John 3:32what he had ſeen and heard he teſtifieth.

He made confeſſion, or bare witneſſe of himſelf; as before Pilate, that he was a King, before the Council, that he was the Son of God, before the High-Prieſt, that he was the Chriſt the Son of the bleſſed, and before all, — that the Father ſent him.

Object. Dath not Chriſt ſay, Joh. 5.31.John 5:31If I bear witneſs of my ſelf, my witneſs is not true?

Anſw. Beza ſaith this is a Rhetoricall conceſsion, as if Chriſt had ſaid (the Jews will object that I teſtifie of my ſelf, therefore my teſtimony is unfit, and invalid, for men ſuſpect ſelf-teſtimonies. If I only ſhould teſtifie of my ſelf, yee might diſtruſt mee, but I have other witneſſes, greater than all exception, as John. p. 150Ver. 33, 36, ….and the works I do, — and the Father himſelf. Afterwards Chriſt ſaid, Joh. 8.14.18.John 8:14John 8:18Though I bear record of my ſelf, my record is true, becauſe God is witneſſe ſufficient of himſelf; I know whence I came, and whither I go, I am a divine perſon, exempt from Error, and falſhood.

3 He confeſſed, and bare witneſſe to the Truth, Joh. 18.37.John 18:37To this end was I born, and for this cauſe came I into the World, that I ſhould bear witneſs unto the Truth, ſaith Chriſt. Leſt Pilate (before whom he had confeſſed himſelf to bee a King) ſhould conceit him to be an earthly King, Non regem agere, ſed ſervum potius. Rolloc.he ſhews the end why he was born, &c. was to act the part, not of a King (depoſitâ ad tempus regis perſonâ) but to give teſtimony (as a Servant made obedient to the will of the Father) to the word, and to the Truth of God, and to this in particular, that he was King; and that his Teſtimony ſhould not be in vain, for every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice, ſaith Chriſt, Rev. 1.…. & 3.14.Rev 1that is, all that are regenerated by the word of Truth. — Hence Chriſt is called the true and faithfull witneſſe, becauſe hee hath truly and faithfully revealed the whole Will of God (neceſſary for ſalvation) and hath atteſted the verity thereof, yea ſealed it with his blood. Hence the Doctrin of the Goſpel is called a witneſſe, Joh. 3.11. Chriſts Teſtimony, verſ. 32. — Seeing this was Chriſts practice. For this cauſe he came into the World, that he might confeſſe the Truth; and upon this account he went out of the World, becauſe he did confeſſe it (as that he was King) he died for his Teſtimony, ought not Chriſtians to do the like? Is not confeſsing with the p. 151mouth a Chriſt-like duty? Doth Chriſt bid us do more herein, than he did himſelf? Hath he not left us an example of confeſsion, that we ſhould follow his ſteps? Is not this part of our conformity to Chriſt? Is not confeſsion high and honourable imployment, not unbeſeeming the Son of the moſt high God?

Reaſ. 3 From our ſelves, They are four.

1 Becauſe we are Gods witneſſes, Iſa. 43.10.Isa 43:10yee are my witneſſes, ſaith the Lord, and my Servant whom I have choſen; and it is our task or office to give teſtimony of God, and of his Truth, and grace, before men. To this end God gives us plain, pregnant, plentifull proofs thereof, more diſcoveries of himſelf, and his Truth, and more of his grace than to others, that we may ſpeak more of, and for God than others. Our eyes ſee, and our ears hear that of Chriſt, and his Goſpel, which others do not (as Chriſt told his Diſciples, Mat. 13.16.) Therefore God expects a larger Teſtimony from our mouthes, than others can, or will give of him. — To this end we are born again, and are made partakers of the divine nature, and are of the Truth, that is, of the ſtock, and Linage of Truth — and for this cauſe were wee ſent into the World to give teſtimony to Chriſt, and to the Truth in our Generation. It is great dignity to be a witneſſe of Chriſt. John Baptiſt (that great Prophet) came for a witneſſe of the light, that is, Chriſt, John 1.7 John the Evangeliſt the beloved Diſciple, was an eminent witneſs of Chriſt, both by word and writing, Joh. 21.24. So was Paul, who was not a whit behinde the very chiefeſt Apoſtles. 2 Cor. 11.5.2 Cor 11:5Chriſt appeared p. 152to him for this purpoſe to make him a Miniſter, and a witneſſe, Act. 26.16. and accounted him a choſen veſſel to bear his Name, (by confeſſion thereof) before the Gentiles, Act. 9.15.Acts 9:15and Kings, and children of Iſrael.

And for this uſe wee ſhould count our Tongues our Glory, ſcil. to confeſs God, as well as to give thanks to God.

2 Becauſe if wee confeſſe God, and Chriſt, and the Truth, &c. wee ſhall be confeſſed by both.

1 By the Father, hee will own, and avouch us to bee his, his people, portion, Jewels, his Servants, friends, ſons, and that before Men, and Devils.

1 Before Men; If wee teſtify for God, he will give teſtimony of us, as hee did of Abraham, that he was the friend of God; of Moſes, that hee was the meekeſt man upon earth; of David, that hee was a man after Gods own heart; of Daniel, that hee was a man of deſires; of Abel, Heb. 11.4, 5Heb 11:4Heb 11:5that hee was righteous; of Enoch, that he pleaſed God. Hence Gods ſervants have appealed unto God as their witneſſe, as Job — Behold my witneſſe is in heaven, and my record is on high, Iob 16.19Job 16:19and as their examiner and judge, as David did, Pſ. 139.23, 24 and 7.8. and 26.1, 2. If wee plead for God, God will plead for us againſt our enemies, Numb. 12.8Num 12:8as hee did for Moſes againſt Aaron and Miriam. — Wherefore then were yee not afraid to ſpeak againſt my Servant Moſes — and for Job againſt his friends — yee have not ſpoken of mee the thing that is right, Iob 42.7Job 42:7as my ſervant Job hath, and as hee did for the faithful, Pſal. 37.6Ps 37:6in Lament. 3.58. — O Lord thon haſt pleaded the cauſes of my ſoul — God p. 153will bring forth our righteouſneſſe to the light, clear our innocency, and judge our enemies.

2 Yea before Devils, as hee confeſſed Job. Iob 1.8. and 2.4.Job 1:8Job 2:4The Lord ſaid unto Satan, haſt thou conſidered my Servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect, and upright man, one that feareth God and eſcheweth evil; and ſtil he holdeth faſt his integrity, although thou moveſt mee againſt him to deſtroy him without cauſe?

2 By the Sonne. If wee confeſſe Chriſt, Chriſt will retaliate, and recompence confeſſion with confeſsion; his of us, with ours of him; between which there is no proportion nor compariſon; Mat. 10.32 Luk. 12.8Matt 10:32Luke 12:8for hee will confeſſe us before his Father, and all the Angels of God, and ſay, Theſe are my ſervants, members, Spouſe, people, who did beleeve in mee with their heart, and confeſſe mee with their mouths before men, to bee their Saviour, Lord, and Maſter, head, and Husband; that were not afraid of men in my cauſe, nor aſhamed of my croſſe. Whereas if wee deny Chriſt before men (or his Truths or ways) hee will alſo deny us before his Father which is in Heaven, Matth. 10.33. and before the Angels of God, Luk. 12.8. Whoſoever ſhall bee aſhamed of me, Mark. 8.38Mark 8:38and of my words (ſaith Chriſt) of him alſo ſhall the Sonne of man bee aſhamed, when he commeth in the glory of his Father, with the holy Angels.

3 Becauſe, If wee confeſſe God and Chriſt, wee ſhall bee incouraged, defended, and honoured, even here.

1 Encouraged and ſtrengthened by Chriſt, to and in our Teſtimony; as Paul was at Corinth, p. 154to whom the Lord ſpake in the night by a Viſion, Acts 18.9Acts 18:9Bee not afraid, but ſpeak, and hold not thy peace — and at Jeruſalem — The night following (after Paul had like to have been pulled in peeces for his confeſſion before the Counci…) the Lord ſtood by him, Act. 23.10, 11.Acts 23:10Acts 23:11and ſaid, Be of good chear Paul, for as thou haſt Teſtified of me at Jeruſalem, 2 Tim. 4.16, 172 Tim 4:162 Tim 4:17ſo muſt thou bear witneſſe alſo at Rome.—And at Rome, at Pauls firſt Apology, all men forſook him, none ſtood by him, notwithſtanding (ſaith hee) the Lord ſtood with mee and ſtrengthened mee. Rev. 11.5, 6 10Rev 11:5Rev 11:6— God bears witneſſe to the Teſtimony of his two witneſſes, by infuſing great power both into them, and into it.

2 Wee ſhall bee defended, and delivered from the aſſaults, and deſigns of our enemies, as God promiſed Paul at Corinth — I am with thee, Act. 18.9, 10Acts 18:9Acts 18:10and no man ſhall ſet on thee to hurt thee, and at his Converſion, when Chriſt tells him, I will make thee a Miniſter, and a witneſſe, Act. 26.16. and promiſeth to deliver him from the people, Chap. 23.10, 11, 20, 21and from the Gentiles, unto whom he hath ſent him, v. 17. and performed to him, both at Jeruſalem, where hee was reſcued by the Captain from violence, and ſaved from the Jews conſpiracy lying in wait to kill him, and at Rome, where hee was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion, 2 Tim. 4.172 Tim 4:17that was Nere. God hath a wing of ſpecial protection to ſpread over his witneſſes. And though the two witneſſes bee ſlain for the Teſtimony of Jeſus, Rev. 11.11Rev 11:11yet after three days and an half the ſpirit of life from God ſhall enter into them, and they ſhall ſtand upon their feet, and great fear ſhall p. 155fall upon them that ſee them. Hence ſome think, that their killing, and reviving are in reſpect of their prophetical life.

3 If we honour God by confeſſing him, he will honour us.

1 With favour, affection, and reſpect from men; Chriſts Confeſſors and Martyrs have been very highly eſteemed, dearly beloved, 1 Pet. 4.141 Pet 4:14and longed for, and greatly rejoyced in; for the Spirit of God, and of glory reſts upon them; which makes them very amiable in the eyes of others.—

When the Apoſtles gave witneſſe of the Reſurrection of Chriſt, Act. 4.33Acts 4:33great grace (that is favour and honour) was upon them all—Becauſe the Church of Philadelphia kept Chriſts word (that is, in her mouth by confeſſion, Rev. 3.8, 9Rev 3:8Rev 3:9as well as in her heart by beleef) and denied not his name, Behold (ſaith Chriſt) I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which ſay, they are Jews, and are not, but do lye, Behold I will make them to come, and worſhip before thy feet, (not in way of Religious Adoration, Pareus.but of external reverence) and to know that I have loved thee; that is, to reverence and honour her, as one beloved of Chriſt. —

When the two witneſſes of Chriſt are revived, Rev. 11.12Rev 11:12they ſhall hear a great voice from heaven, ſaying to them, Come up hither; They ſhall bee received triumphantly with great joy and honour into the Church, even to the Admiration of their Enemies, when they are reſtored who have been ſilenced, ejected, impriſoned, baniſhed, or the like, for the Teſtimony of Jeſus.

p. 1562 With victory over Satan, for the holy Martyrs and Confeſſors under the Roman perſecutions, overcame the Accuſer of the Brethren, (as Chriſtians do now) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their Teſtimony, that is, by the Teſtimony, or Confeſſion they gave to Jeſus Chriſt, and to the word of God, Rev. 12.10, 11.

3 Yea God will honour us with mutual inhabitation, which implyes intimate communion, and the continuation thereof between him and us; 1 Joh. 4.151 John 4:15for whoſoever ſhall confeſſe that Jeſus is the Sonne of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Fourthly, Becauſe if we confeſſe Chriſt aright we ſhall be ſaved. Confeſſion is unto ſalvation (ſaith Paul in the Text) in the tendency, and efficacy of it,

1 As a way appointed us by God to walk in towards heaven.

2 As a character, property, and practice, of ſuch as ſhall be ſaved.

3 As a furtherance of ſalvation, becauſe it is a means or help of our perſeverance in the faith, Mat. 24.13Matt 24:13even unto the end, and he that endureth to the end ſhall bee ſaved — For if wee did not confeſſe Chriſt before men, wee ſhould deny him, and ſo fall off from him, and ſhort of Heaven —

To hold faſt the profeſſion of our faith without wavering, Heb. 10.23Heb 10:23is the way to die in faith, and at death to receive the end of our faith, even the ſalvation of our ſouls. — Then to confeſſe with the mouth is a buſineſſe of great conſequence, and commodity, which reacheth even p. 157to eternity, for great ſhall bee our reward for it in heaven.

Reaſ. 4. May bee drawn from others, who may from the Confeſſion wee make of Chriſt and his truth, receive inſtruction or confirmation therein, and incouragement to ſpeak thereof boldly, without fear.

The fourth thing is, How this confeſſion ſhould bee made, which ſhall be laid forth in ſeven particulars.

Firſt, Freely without compulſion; Confeſſion of Chriſt ſhould bee a free wil-offering of our mouths, as well as thanskgiving. God loveth a cheerfull giver of Teſtimony to Chriſt, as well as of Charity to men-God loveth not extorted confeſſions, that are wrung from us by violence. He would have them flow freely from us like water out of the fountain, not to be forced from us like wine forth of the preſſe.

2 Plainly and fully without obſcurity, or partiality, without hiding, or mincing the Truth. Like John the Baptiſt, when the Jews ſent Prieſts and Levites to ask him, who art thou, hee confeſſed and denied not, but confeſſed; John. 1.19 Verſ. 20John 1:19(that is plainly, openly, expreſly, fully,) I am not the Chriſt — But behold there commeth one after mee, whoſe ſhooes I am not worthy to looſe, (Act. 13.25) Hence our confeſſion of Chriſt ſhould grow and flow from Faith, and experience, as the Root and Fountain thereof.

1 From our faith in Chriſt; Confeſsion in the Mouth (as was noted before) ſhould proceed from faith in the heart. — Wee having the p. 158ſame ſpitit of Faith (ſaith Paul) as it is written, 2 Cor. 4.13.2 Cor 4:13I beleeved, therefore have I ſpoken (that I, was David) wee alſo be leeve, Pſal. 116.10.Ps 116:10and therefore ſpeak. — We ſhould ſhew our Faith by works in our lives, and teſtifie it by confeſsion in our mouthes, for that is a fruit and ſign of Faith. We ſhould ſay of Chriſt only what we know and beleeve, elſe wee do but ſpeak of Chriſt, not confeſſe him. If Chriſt live not in our hearts by Faith (as one ſaith) he will not dwell in our mouthes by confeſsion.

Object. Rom. 14.22.Rom 14:22Doth not Paul ſay, Haſt thou Faith? have it to thy ſelf before God; therefore we need not confeſs it before men.

Anſ. The Apoſtle there ſpeaks not of a juſtifying Faith (as he doth in my Text) for that muſt be declared by confeſſion, but of a Faith or perſwaſion of Chriſtian liberty in things indifferent (as eating fleſh, and drinking Wine at that time) this Faith a man may keep to himſelf, or ſo ſhew and uſe it, as hee ſhall not thereby offend his Brother.

2 From our experience (in ſome meaſure) of Chriſt and his grace, or of what we teſtifie. This will provoke us to confeſſe Chriſt before men, as it did Peter, and John, when they were commanded ſilence — Wee cannot but ſpeak the things which wee have ſeen and heard. Act. 4.18, 19, 20.Acts 4:18Acts 4:19Acts 4:20— They that have experience of the ſweetneſſe and efficacy of Chriſts Word, Truth and Wayes, they muſt and will ſay all they can for the Truth, and nothing at all againſt it, as Paul ſpeaks, 2 Cor. 13.8. — Hence Chriſt gave his Apoſtles experience, or made them ſome way witneſſes (either by the ear, or eye, or p. 159hand) of ſuch things as hee required them to confeſſe, or bear witneſſe to for him before men, as he did his Apoſtles, John, and the reſt, 1 John 1.1. Act. 26.16.Acts 26:16and Paul at his converſion — I have appeared unto thee, for this purpoſe, to make thee a Miniſter, and a witneſs both of theſe things which thou haſt ſeen, and of thoſe things in the which I will appear unto thee. Act. 22.14.Acts 22:14As Ananias told Paul — The God of our Fathers hath choſen thee, that thou ſhouldeſt know his will, and ſee that juſt one, Ver. 15.and hear the voice of his mouth — For thou ſhall be his witneſſe unto all m…n of what thou haſt ſeen and heard.

3 Boldly without fear, or ſhame, foreign. Act. 13.6. eum 24.21.Acts 13:6Paul cryed out in the Council (to wit, with a loud voice) for the word ſignifieth an intenſion of clamour, — of the Hope, and Reſurrection of the dead, I am called in queſtion, … when wee open our mouthes to ſpeak for God, we ſhould do it with undaunted, and invincible courage, with an Heroick ſpirit (like Paul, Act. 20.23.24, & 21.13. Phil. 1.20.) not learing the faces of men. In this buſineſs of Confeſſion, we ſhould be bold as Lions, and bid defiance to ſhame, and count it a high dignation to confeſſe Chriſt, and to ſuffer for Chriſt, as the A poll…es did.Act. 5.41.Acts 5:41

Boldneſſe ſets off the Confeſſion of Chriſts witneſſes with great grace and power, to make them penetrate, and to convince. — As it did the three Childrens profeſsion of Faith in God before King Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 3.16, 17, 18.Dan 3:16Dan 3:17Dan 3:18and their reſolution not to bow to his golden Image, for fear of his fiery furnace — When the Council ſaw the boldneſſe of Peter and John (confeſsing p. 160Act 4.8, &c. 13.Acts 4:8Chriſt before them) they marvelled and took knowledge of them, Pſal. 119.46.Ps 119:46that they had been with Jeſus. David reſolved, I will ſpeak of thy Teſtimonyes even before Kings, 2 Sam. 6.20, 21, 22.2 Sam 6:202 Sam 6:212 Sam 6:22and will not be aſhamed. He owned his dancing before the Ark, though Michal mocked him for it. It was before the Lord, &c. that I did it; and he reſolved, if this make mee vile, I will yet be more vile than thus. — Fear and ſhame are great Impediments to the confeſsion of Chriſt. Theſe made Peter deny his Maſter, and Nicodemus to come to Chriſt by night. Joh. 3.2. Joh. 12.42.John 3And many among the chief Rulers who beleeved (becauſe of the Phariſees, leſt they ſhould be put out of the Synagogue) durſt not confeſſe Chriſt.Chap. 9.22.

4 Conſtantly without giving over, till we have finiſhed our Teſtimony, Rev. 11.7.Rev 11:7as the two witneſſes did, untill which time, the Beaſt had no power either to hinder them, or to hurt them; yea till we have finiſhed our courſe, as Paul kept the Faith (in his mouth as well as in his heart) till hee had finiſhed his. 2 Tim 4.7.2 Tim 4:7When John fulfilled his courſe (that is, drew neer the period thereof) he renewed his Teſtimony of Chriſt — Remember therefore what you have received, Act. 13.25.Acts 13:25Rev. 3.3.Rev 3:3and heard, and hold faſt, and ſpeak out the ſame, even to the end. We ſhould confeſs Chriſt with our Tongues while we are able to ſpeak — yea chuſe to dye with a Teſtimony of Jeſus in our mouthes, of our Faith, and Hope in him, and love to him; and for the Truth againſt Errors, for the ſtraight and holy wayes of God, againſt all falſe, and bywayes, Then we may boldly look God in the p. 161face, and go triumphantly to Heaven. — We ſhould confeſſe Chriſt in evil times, when others deny him. When Chriſt and his truths and wayes are oppoſed, deſpiſed, and perſecuted, and his ſervants for them — Then to own Chriſt, and to ſpeak for him, 2 Tim. 1.8.2 Tim 1:8and for his; and not to be afraid of his Croſſe, nor aſhamed of his cauſe or Teſtimony, will be kindly taken by Chriſt; as Paul… witneſſe of him at Jeruſalem, and Rome, and elſewhere was; Rev. ….1….and the Church of Pergamos, her not denying his Faith, but holding faſt his Name, even in thoſe dayes wherein Chriſts faithful Martyr Antipas was ſlain, Rev. 3.….Rev 3and in that place where Satan dwelt, and had his Throne. — The Church of Philadelphia, though ſhe had but a little ſtrength, yet ſhe kept Chriſts word, and denyed not his Name (though ſhe had adverſaries) and becauſe ſhee kept the word of Chriſts patience (that is, Verſ. 1…with great patience ſhe held and maintained the Truth of Chriſt, and her profeſſion of it) Therefore Chriſt will keep her from the hour of Tentation which ſhall come upon all the World.

5 Innocently, without giving offence or occaſion to any, to ſpeak evil of us, while we are ſpeaking good of Gods Name, or for his Truths and wayes. This was Pauls care, Act. 24.20.Acts 24:20and for this he challenged his enemies — Let theſe ſame here ſay, If they have found any evil doing, foreign.(or thing amiſs) in mee, while I ſtood before the Council, ſcil. to give Teſtimony of Chriſt— the Scribes that were of the Phariſees part, ſaid, Act. 23.9.Acts 23:9we find no evill in this man. To this end wee ſhould give a reaſon of our hope, or an account p. 162of our faith with meekneſſe and fear.1 Pet. 3.151 Pet 3:15

1. With meekneſſe; from an humble lowly ſpirit, without any ſhew or appearance, firſt of pride, oſtentation or vain-glory; or ſecondly, of paſſion, or bitterneſſe in us; for the wrath of man as it worketh not, ſo it teſtifieth not the righteouſneſſe of God; it doth not at all adorn the Truths or wayes of God; nor our profeſſion, or confeſſions of them, which meekneſſe of ſpirit doth.

2 With fear of God, of offending him while wee are confeſſing him; of ſaying or doing any thing that may cauſe the way of Truth to bee evil ſpoken of, for our ſakes; and reverence of men, to give all due reſpect to them, before whom weſpeak.

Sixth Sincerely, Out of Love, and Zeal.

1 Out of Love to Chriſt and his truth; for what wee love, wee will own, or avouch openly. — Confeſſion, and commendation are fruits of love. Love knows no ſhame in acknowledging, and praiſing its beloved Lovers are the freeſt and largeſt Confeſſers, and Commenders. See it in the Spouſe, her Encomium of Chriſt, her beloved (from head to foot) when the Daughters of Jeruſalem asked her, what is thy beloved, more than another beloved? Cant. 5.9. to the end; when love to Chriſt, and to his truth move us to confeſs him and it, then we will ſpeak liberally, yea all that we can poſſibly for them, whoſoever ſaith nay thereto. Love is ſtrong as death, and the love of Chriſt will conſtrain p. 163us to confeſſe Chriſt to death; yea though wee die for it. — Hence John who was the beſt beloved, and moſt loving Diſciple, gave ſpecial Teſtimony of Chriſt, Joh. 19.35. and 21.24. — Thoſe that leave their firſt love, grow loath, and averſe to confeſſe Chriſt.

2 Out of Zeal for God; for the glory of his name, the credit of his cauſe, the honour of his truth, the propagation of his Goſpell; for the encouragement, and comfort of Chriſts Friends, for the conviction and obſtruction of his enemies; — not to get praiſe to our ſelves, nor to ſeek our own glory, for love of praiſe is a great prejudice to the confeſſion of Chriſt. Joh. 12.42, 43John 12:42John 12:43Some among the chief Rulers did not confeſſe Chriſt, for they loved the praiſe of men more than the praiſe of God.— The Sanctuary fire of zeal kindled from heaven in our hearts, will burn out that Lukewarmneſs, Neutrality, and indifferency of ſpirit, which makes us to bee of Gallio's temper in the things of God, careleſſe of ſuch matters, what any ſay, or do againſt the Name, or truth, wayes, or Kingdome of Chriſt; what errors, hereſies, and blaſphemies are broached, diſperſed or maintained. — This will alſo conſume to aſhes, the Conceits of the Libertines and Familiſts, who think it lawfull to diſſemble their faith, even before the Magiſtrate; and of the Nicodemites of theſe dayes, who count it ſufficient to beleeve with the heart taking liberty to confeſſe what they liſt with their mouth.

Seventh and laſt, Wee muſt confeſſe Chriſt patiently, with a diſpoſition and reſolution p. 164to ſuffer for our Teſtimony, if God call us to it; becauſe the confeſſing of Chriſt before men may coſt us dear, the loſſe of Liberty, goods, Friends, yea life and all; as it did the Apoſtles, Mat. 10.37, 38, 39.Matt 10:37Matt 10:38Matt 10:39and many other the faithfull witneſſes of Chriſt. Chriſt requires wee ſhould bee willing to part with all upon that Account. — Confeſſing of Chriſt hath been a cauſe of ſuffering for Chriſt, ever ſince Chriſts time. Satan and his inſtruments have raiſed oppoſition, and perſecution againſt the profeſsion of Faith, as well as againſt the practice of piery, and againſt the perſons that have held forth the ſame, even from Generation to Generation. — The Jews agreed that if any man did confeſſe Chriſt, Joh. 9.22 Rev. 1.9John 9:22Rev 1:9he ſhould bee put out of the Synagogue.— John was baniſhed into the Iſle of Patmos for the word of God, and for the Teſtimony (hee gave) of Jeſus Chriſt — When the Lamb had opened the fifth Seal, Rev. 6.9Rev 6:9John ſaw under the Altar, the ſouls of them that were ſlain (under the Roman Emperours) for the word of God, and for the Teſtimony which they held. Rev. 11.3Rev 11:3— The two witneſſes of Chriſt prophecy in Sack-cloath; and when they have finiſhed their Teſtimony, Verſ. 7they ſhall bee ſlain by the Beaſt (to wit of Rome, that is Anti-Chriſt) and the inhabitants of the earth (that is of the Malignant or Antichriſtian Church) ſhall rejoyce thereat, and make merry, and as a congratulation of their riddance, ſend gifts one to another.— This was the cauſe of the Dragons quarrel with a remnant of the Womans ſeed (ſcil.) Rev. 12.17Rev 12:17they kept the Commandements of God, and had the Teſtimony of Jeſus p. 165Chriſt. Rev. 20.4Rev 20:4— John ſaw (alſo) the Souls of them that were beheaded for the witneſſe of Jeſus, and for the word of God, which had not worſhipped the Beaſt, &c. and they lived, and reigned with Chriſt a thouſand years.—They that would overcome the Accuſer of the brethren by the word of their Teſtimony, ſhould not love their lives unto the death; Rev. 12.11.Rev 12:11but undervalue them (and bee willing to expoſe them to danger) in compariſon of the confeſſion of Gods truth.

Obj. Men will not receive our Teſtimony of Chriſt and his Truth.

Anſw. 1. No more would many receive Chriſts teſtimony, Joh. 3.32. nor the teſtimony of his Prophets, and Apoſtles, verſ. 11. which made them complain, Lord, who hath beleeved our report.

2 Yet being called to it, wee muſt give Teſtimony to Chriſt, and his truth, Ez…k. 2.5, 7.whether men will hear, or they will forbear, but they ſhall know, there hath been a witneſſe of Jeſus Chriſt before them, and our Teſtimony for Chriſt will be a witneſſe againſt them, Mat. 10.18.

p. 166THe Third particular caſe (in which I am to give Direction) is Reprehenſion. To reprove, is to tell another of his fault, to the end he may repent and amend, Mat. 18.15. Luk. 17.3.

Let mee give you

1 Preparatives to it.

2 Rules for it

3 Reaſons of it.

1 Preparatives to it, which are four; Wiſdome, Righteouſneſs, Faithfullneſs, and Boldneſſe. The qualifications of a reprover.

1 Wiſdome.Wiſdome to underſtand the whole buſineſs of reproof, what belongs to the Subſtance and Circumſtances to the matter, manner, and opportunies thereof, wiſdome is profitable to direct herein, Eccleſ. 10.10. for the regular performance of reproof. The wiſe man commends wiſdome upon this accompt, — As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold; ſo is a wiſe reprover upon an obedient ear, Prov. 25.12. It hath a redoubled excellencie. A wiſe reprover is ſuch a one as can fit the reproof to the ear of the reproved, and hang it on handſomely (as a Jewel) and faſten it to ſtay. A wiſe mans reproof thus taking effect, becomes a great ornament to the reproved, who is thereby reformed, even as a Diamond in a Diadem. Wiſdome is required in a reprover, and obedience in the reproved. A ſeaſonable reproof is more beneficiall to him that receives and obeys it, than p. 167if the reprover ſhould adorn his ear with an ear-ring, or beſtow a precious Jewel upon him; ſpirituall garniſhings with grace are far more glorious than all external deckings of Nature or Art. It is better to hear the rebukes of the wiſe, ſaith the Preacher, Eccl. 7.5.Eccl 7:5than the ſongs of fooles; their jeaſts, fancies or flatteries. Wiſdome makes Chriſtians able or potent to admoniſh one another, as it did the Romans, and it ſends forth a reproof with force, Rom. 15.14.Rom 15:14as an arrow out of a Bow, to make it flye and hit the mark. The words of the wiſe have weight.

2 Preparative is Righteouſneſs; Righteouſneſs.we are fit to reprove faults in others, when we are free, eſpecially from thoſe faults in our ſelves; to blame others, when we are blameleſſe, elſe they may ſay to us, Phyſician heal thy ſelf; begin at home, firſt to reform thy ſelf, then reprove us; ſhall vice reprove ſin? Thou Hypocrite (ſaith Chriſt) firſt caſt the Beam out of thine own eye, Mat. 7.5.Matt 7:5then thou ſhalt ſee clearly to pull the mote out of thy Brothers eye. It was Davids not only conceſſion but petition, Let the Righteous (that is, he who is godly and unblameable in himſelf) ſmite mee, ſcil. with a rod of reproof, and it ſhall be a kindneſs. The reproof of the Righteous carries healing under its wings, and authority to cauſe (yea to command) entrance and obedience.

3 Faithfulneſs.Preparative is Faithfulneſſe to God and man.

1 To God, to tender his glory, and by reproof to prevent ſin in others, and the diſhonour that might come thereby to Gods Name.

p. 1682 To man, To love our neighbour as our ſelves, and to ſeek his good as our own, even the ſalvation of his Soul; (the chief good of all) and to prevent evil from him, as well as from our ſelves, eſpecially ſinne which is the greateſt evil; and that by reproof, which is a means of prevention of it, as well as of recovery from it. It is good ſervice to prevent ſin. Prov. 27.6Prov 27:6Faithfull are the wounds of a friend (that is reproof) ſaith the wiſe man, but the kiſſes (that is fawnings and flatteries) of an enemy are deceitful. Then faithfulneſſe fits us for reproving. As wiſdome gives direction, ſo faithfulneſſe layeth an obligation to the duty. He is a faithfull man who zealouſly indeavoureth to keep diſhonour from God, and ſinne from man, or man from ſinne. It is faithfulneſs to reprove a brother, or neighbour, when he offends.

Fourth, Boldneſſe.Is boldneſſe and courage not to fear the faces or frowns of others, for that will ſtop our mouths from giving even juſt and neceſſary reproofs. Now wiſdome, righteouſneſſe and faithfulneſs breeds boldneſſe.

II Rules for reproof, which reſpect

1 The matter what. 2 The perſons whom. 3 The manner how. 4 The ſeaſon when we ſhould reprove.

1 The matter.The matter to be reproved. The Rules for it are two.

Firſt, The chief matter or principal object of reproof is ſinne againſt God or man; Any thing that is a tranſgreſsion of the Law of God, or a violation of the juſt laws of men, not only haynous crimes, but leſſer faults, as diſorderly p. 169walking, idleneſſe, talkativeneſſe, 2 Theſ. 3.112 Thess 3:11rudeneſſe in behaviour, as Levi. 19.32. not to riſe up before the hoary-head, nor to honour the faces of the Elders; and buſy medling in other mens matters. If a man do evil (as God ſaid to Cain) ſinne lyeth at the door, Gen. 4.7.Gen 4:7to be reproved in him, or puniſhed upon him, if he do not repent and reform.

Second Rule, Bee ſure the thing wee reprove in others bee a fault in it ſelf, and alſo a fault in them, or that they are guilty of it. Wee ſhould not go upon meer conjectures, and ſuſpicions, or bare rumors, and hear-ſayes which are often falſe. Our Saviour did not ſo, Iſ. 11.2, 3, 4Isa 11:2Isa 11:3Isa 11:4Hee did not judge after the ſight of his eyes, nor reprove after the hearing of his ears; that is, not from outward appearances or reports, but upon certain knowledge, elſe wee do not admoniſh but either miſtake the matter (if it bee not a fault) or we falſly accuſe and ſlander the perſon whom wee reprove, if hee bee not guilty of the fault wee charge upon him. So wee break one commandement (ſcil. in bearing falſe witneſſe) to keep another, to wit, that of reproving: and wee may bee juſtly reproved for reproving unjuſtly, Mat. 16.21Matt 16:21as Peter was by Chriſt, when Chriſt ſhewed to his Diſciples that hee muſt go to Jeruſalem, and ſuffer and bee killed; Then Peter took him aſide, 22and began to rebuke him (foreign) to chide or charge, as a maſter doth his ſervant (as ſome, underſtand the word) for it, as a fault in him but Chriſt reproved him ſharply for his reproof, Get thee behind mee, Satan, 23thou art a p. 170ſcandal to me, &c. It was a fault in the Iſraelites to reprove the Reubenites, about building the altar of witneſſe, before they had examined the matter, Ioſh. 22.16 1 Sam. 1.14, 15Josh 22:161 Sam 1:141 Sam 1:15and in Eli to admoniſh Hannah to put away her wine from her, when ſhe was filled with a ſpirit of grief and of prayer. To this end wee ſhould conſider one another, foreign, Heb. 10.24Heb 10:24that is, underſtand one another well. Study others caſes, as well to reprove them for evil, as to provoke them to good. To reprove a fault in another before we certainly know it to be ſo in it ſelf, Prov. 18.13Prov 18:13and in him, is like the anſwering of a matter before wee hear it, which is folly and ſhame to us. Some conceive that Jacob underſtood not the myſtery of his Sonne Joſephs dream (concerning the Sun, … 37.9, 10Moon, and Stars, making obeyſance to him) whence it came, and how it ſhould bee accompliſhed, when he rebuked him for it. It was a great fault, even in Chriſts Diſciples, Mar. 10.13. to 17.Mark 10:13–17to rebuke others for that which was no fault in them, as thoſe who brought little Children unto Chriſt that hee ſhould touch them. Chriſt was much diſpleaſed at them, and reproved them for it. Yet in caſe of ſtrong jealouſy or ſuſpition, a man may prudently inſinuate to his neighbour what is ſuſpected of him, Ameſ. Caſ. conſ. L. 5. c. 9& how it ought to be removed.

2 The perſons to be reproved. All that offend and deſerve reproof, whether they bee great or ſmall ought, to bee reproved, though not by every one, but by fit perſons qualified for it.

As firſt ſuperiors as well as inferiors, Kings and great men, as well as mean men. Herod p. 171the Tetrarch was reproved by John for Herodias his Brother Philips wife, Luk. 3.19.Luke 3:19and for all the evil which he had done. The Lords Prophets were Reprovers even of Kings. Neh. 5.7. Chap. 13.17.Neh 5:7Nehemiah rebuked the Nobles and Rulers for uſury, and for prophanation of the Sabbath day. Maſters as well as Servants, yea ſometimes by their Servants, as Naaman (though a great man with his Maſter, the King of Siria, 2 King. 5.13, 14.2 Kgs 5:132 Kgs 5:14and honourable) was reproved by his Servants, and hee took it well. Miniſters may be reproved as well as their people; yea by their people when they deſerve it. Paul bad the Colloſsians ſay to Archippus (their Miniſter) if he grow cool, formall or negligent, Col. 4.17.Col 4:17Take heed to thy Miniſtry which thou haſt received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it; much more by their fellow Miniſters, Gal. 2.11.Gal 2:11as Paul reproved Peter ſharply at Antioch for diſſembling.

2 Even good men as well as bad, and the wiſe as well as the fooliſh, are to be reproved when they offend, becauſe there is none ſo Righteous, as not to ſin at all, Eccleſ. 7.20. and none is wiſe at all times, ſo as never to ſhew folly. Pro. 9.8. Chap. 19.25.Prov 9:8Rebuke a wiſe man (ſaith Solomon) and he will love thee, and again, reprove one that hath underſtanding. David a man after Gods own heart deſired reproofs from the Righteous, when hee deſerved them, Pſal. 141.5.Ps 141:5and declares how profitable and acceptable the ſame will be to him. To this end Chriſtians ſhould watch mutually one over another, to deal freely and plainly one with another, in reproving their faults, or telling them what they ſee to be amiſs.

p. 1723 Equals; fellows or companions in any kind ſhould reprove one another when they tranſgreſs, as the good Theef did the bad on the Croſs, when he railed on Chriſt; he rebuked him, ſaying, doſt thou not fear God, ſeeing thou art in the ſame condemnation?Luk. 23.40.Luke 23:40

4 Not only Brethren in Chriſtian ſocieties, or members of Churches ought to obſerve and admoniſh one another, as Paul writ to the Church of the Theſſalonians; we exhort you Brethren, 1 Theſ. 5.14.1 Thess 5:14warn the diſordered. See alſo in 2 Theſ. 3.11, 14, 15. but Neighbours, yea ſtrangers, ſuch as are not of ours, nor of any Church ſociety (to our knowledge) may and ought to be reproved by us when we ſee them ſin. For though an Eccleſiaſtical Admonition is proper to them that are within the Church; do not ye judge them that are within? 2 Cor. 5.12.2 Cor 5:12ſaith Paul, yet a private admonition or reproof may bee given to them that are without, as there is occaſion. Abimeloch King of Gerar was a Philiſtine, an Alien from the common wealth of Iſrael; Abraham and Sarah were a precious pair of Gods people, yet there was an intercourſe of Reproof between Abimelech and them, Gen. 20.16.Gen 20:16for Abimelech reproved Sarah for diſſembling; And Abraham reproved Abimelech for wrong-doing, becauſe his Servants had taken a Well violently from Abrahams Servants. Gen 21.25.Gen 21:25Then may not Chriſtians reprove Pagans, and Pagans reprove Chriſtians, when they ſay or do amiſs? Lot reproved the filthy Sodomi…es. Gen. 19.7.Gen 19:7Paul reproved Elymas, Act. 13.10.

There are four ſorts of perſons whom wee ought not to reprove.

p. 1731 Ideots, fools, and mad folks, ſuch as have not reaſon to underſtand a reproof; To whom it is to no more purpoſe to ſpeak than to Brutes.

2 Scorners, ſuch as will jeer and ſcoff at our perſons and reproof; that ſcorn to be reproved, or that a reproof ſhould do them any good; Pro. 9.8.Prov 9:8reprove not a ſcorner, ſaith the wiſe man; for he that doth it

1 Gets to himſelf both hatred and ſhame, leſt hee hate thee; for A ſcorner, loveth not one that reproveth him, neither will hee go unto the wiſe; Prov. 9.7.Prov 9:7hee that reproveth a ſcorner gett…h himſelf ſhame, that is a reproach or ſcoff from him.

2 He loſeth his labour, Prov. 13.1.Prov 13:1for a ſcorner heareth not rebuke.

3 Wicked obdurate perſons, ſuch as are hardened in their ſins, and hate to be reformed, and will ſtubbornly reject admonition, and receive no good thereby. Mat. 7.6.Matt 7:6Such as Chriſt calls Dogs and Swine, before whom he forbids us to caſt the holy things and pearls of Reproof; ſuch as are like to fall upon us for reproving them, and tear us, either with their Tongues, or their hands; ſuch as Paul calls abſurd or unreaſonable men. Pro. 9.7.Prov 9:7He that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himſelf a blot, to wit, of ſome diſgrace, which he out of his malicious wickedneſs will caſt upon him. It is ſaid in Hoſea 4.4. let no man ſtrive or reprove another, they were ſuch refractory and obduratte rebels.

4 Obſtinate Hereticks, who have been admoniſhed, but remain refractory. A man that is an Heretick after the firſt and ſecond admonition, p. 174reject, ſaith Paul

3 The manner how to reprove, for this I will lay down five Rules.

1 A reproof muſt be miniſtred in love, pitty, meekneſſe, and reſpect manifeſted to the parties reproved.

1 In love to their perſons, and deſire of their good, Lev. 19.17.Lev 19:17yet with diſlike of their fin. Thou ſhalt not hate thy Brother in thine heart, thou ſhalt in any wiſe rebuke thy Neighbour, and not ſuffer ſin upon him. Then rebukes muſt not be given in hatred, but in love; They ſhould be uſhered in with prefaces of affection, and enforced and driven on with evidences of love; For Reproof is a bitter pill, which ſhould be rolled in the Sugar, or lapt up in the pap of love, elſe it will not be eaſily taken, nor go down well. And when we reprehend their faults, its good ſometime to commend their vertues, parts, deſerts, or to intermix the due praiſes of their dear friends, to ſweeten and facilitate their reception of our reproof. A commendation of what is good in others, will inſinuate a reprehenſion of what is evill in them. A reproof as it begins, ſo it ſhould end in love, that the party reproved may not depart diſcontented, but in love with our perſons, and in hatred of his own ſin, being diſmiſſed with an affectionate and friendly farewell.

2 In pity to their infirmities, ſhew bowels of compaſſion in reproof, that we have a fellow feeling of their weakneſſes, conſidering our ſelves that wee have in us the ſeeds of all ſin, Gal. 6.1.Gal 6:1and that we have been or may be tempted even as they.

p. 1753 In meekneſs, without pride, paſſion, bitterneſs, not in wrath, Jam. 1.20.Jas 1:20for the wrath of man worketh not the Righteouſneſs of God, by reproof; not in hot blood, or furious zeal, which vents it ſelf in fiery and furious rebukes. Though there muſt be ſome warmth (ſaith a reverend Divine) in a reproof, Mr. Whately in his Archetype.yet it muſt not be ſcalding hot. Words of reviling and diſgrace, they ſcald as it were; words that tend to ſtir up the conſcience, to a due conſideration of the evill reprooved, they bee duly warm, and tend to make the Phyſick work more kindly. Nor in an imperious, domineering, provoking, exaſperating manner, but in a mild winning way, as it were, ſubjecting our ſelves to them, to ſerve them, by reproof. Reproof ſhould come not from an arrogant humor of cenſuring, nor from an ambitious deſire of credit or repute, both which are roots of bitterneſs; but from a ſpirit of meekneſſe and lowlineſſe, For meekneſſe qualifies reprehenſion as well as inſtruction.2 Tim. 1.24, 25.2 Tim 1:242 Tim 1:25

The Miniſter of Chriſt (who is the publick reprover) muſt not ſtrive (or fight) foreign. Chide or wrangle, but be gentle unto all men, in meekneſs reproving (as well as inſtructing) thoſe that oppoſe themſelves. Shimeies malice againſt David made him a Rayler rather than a reprover.2 Sam. 16.7.2 Sam 16:7

4 With reſpect to their credit, not to reprove them before others, to their diſgrace (except the aggravation of their offence require it) but chuſe rather to cover than to bare their infirmities, Gen. 21.22.Gen 21:22as Ham did his Fathers nakedneſſe in telling his Brethren of it, while wee p. 176ſeek to heal a wound in their ſpirits or manners, we ſhould leave no skar of reproach behind upon their perſons, much leſs ſet a brand of ignominy upon them. All theſe be taking things, and will file and oyl, and edge a Reproof, and make it enter eaſily, and prevail effectually.

The Second Rule. 22Rule.Reproof of a fault in others muſt be ſeconded with arguments (if need require) to ſet it off with evidence, and to ſet it home (to the offenders head and heart) with power.

2 To convince him of the ſin he is told of, and of the greatneſſe of the evill and danger that is in it, and of his guilt of it, in caſe hee ſhould deny or diſſemble, excuſe or extenuate it.

2 To perſwade him to repent and amend, and do ſo no more. Pro 6.23.Prov 6:23Theſe are the reproofs of inſtruction, that is, convincing, inſtructing reproofs, that carry meat in their mouthes, to feed thoſe we reprove, with wholeſome counſel, and ſhew them the means of their recoverie. Mat. 18.15. Luk. 3.19. Epheſ. 5.11.13. Joh. 3.22.Matt 18:15Luke 3:19Eph 5:11Eph 5:13John 3:22This is foreign, the word often uſed to ſignifie Reproof in the new Teſtament, which imports a convicting another of his fault by evident arguments and reaſons, ſo as nothing can be pretended or alledged for it.

The Third Rule. 33Rule.A Reproof ſhould be formed in Scripture terms, or founded on ſome plain Text of Scripture, ſo as the party admoniſhed may ſee himſelf reproved rather by God than by us; Zeph. 2.5.Zeph 2:5and that the Word of the Lord is againſt him. 2 Tim. 3.16.2 Tim 3:16All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, (ſaith Paul) and is profitable for p. 177Doctrin, and for reproof. Gods Word is a light to make manifeſt mens ſins, and the filthineſs of them. All things that are reproved are made manifeſt by the light, Epheſ. 5.13.Eph 5:13for whatſoever doth make manifeſt is light; Paul exhorts the Coloſſians to teach and admoniſh one another, Col. 3.16.Col 3:16and that in the word of Chriſt dwelling richly in them. To deliver the words of our admonition out of the word of God, is to draw the evil doer to the light, that his deeds ſhould be reproved; therefore he hates the light and reproof, Joh. 3.20. and this is alſo not only to perſwade a man to repent of his fault, and amend, but to command him in the name of the Lord to do it. This is to reprove with all authority, Tit. 2.19.Titus 2:19cum omni imperio, ſaith Beza.

The Fourth Rule. 44Rule.Reproof ſhould bee begun and ended with prayer, that is, either ſolemn ſupplication, or ſecret ejaculation, or lifting up the heart in requeſt to God for guidance and ſucceſſe. 1 Begun with prayer to God, for direction in it, that God would be with our mouthes in reproving, and teach us what to ſay, and put only thoſe words into them, which he would have us ſpeak, and none elſe, that our reproofs may be fitly ſpoken to the perſon or occaſion, to time and place; 2 Ended with prayer to God for a bleſſing upon it, that our reproof may profit and prevail for the recovery, amendment and ſalvation of the party reproved; that we may not loſe our labour, nor hee the benefit thereof; prayer ſhould bee both in the front and rear of reproof; Becauſe every word of inſtruction, Counſel or reproof is ſanctified and bleſſed by p. 178prayer. Hereby God is intereſted in it, and it is ſent forth in his name and power. Prayer ingageth Gods preſence in our reproof, and draweth down his bleſſing upon it. It ſhall not miſcarry in the fruit of it, or at leaſt we ſhall not miſcarry in the Act of it, ſo long as we commit our way of reproving wholly to God by prayer, Pſal. 37.5.Ps 37:5and truſt alſo in him — hee will bring it to paſſe. Reproofs guarded with prayer, both before and behind, come with great force (even in the ſtrength of God) upon the perſon reproved, and are moſt regarded, and beſt entertained by him. One reproof mannaged with prayer may prevail more than twenty without it.

Let mee adde, reproof ſhould be accompanied as with prayer, ſo with patience, to wait on God for a good Iſſue thereof — foreign, 2 Tim. 2.25.2 Tim 2:25If God peradventure, or ſiquando, at any time will give thoſe whom we have reproved Repentance to the amendment of their faults, and recovery out of Satans ſnares, for Admonition like Phyſick may work afterwards, though not preſently, as ſoon as it is taken, when the perſons reproved have better conſidered what was ſaid to them. We ſhould patiently wait for the fruits of reproof, as the Husbandman doth for the fruits of the earth; knowing that the beſt ſeed commeth not up as it is ſown.

The Fifth Rule. 55Rule.Reproof for the manner of it ſhould bee ſuited.

1 To the quality of the perſon.

2 To the nature of the offence.

1 To the quality of the perſon to be reproved by us. The Apoſtle Jude directs us to p. 179make a difference of perſons in this buſineſs of reprehenſion, of ſome have compaſſion, Jude 22, 23.making a difference, and others ſave with fear pulling them out of the fire: we ſhould conſider the perſon in reſpect

1 Of his ſtate and age, if hee bee our ſuperiour.

2 Of his temper, if hee bee of a ſoft tender ſpirit.

3 Of his Relation to us, if that be near or dear, as a Brother or ſpeciall friend, ſuch an one we muſt reprove very meekly and mildly, with a ſoft Tongue, and gentle touch, and with due reverence and reſpect. A Venice glaſs muſt bee handled more tenderly than an earthen Pitcher; As Naamans ſervants reproved their Maſter, my Father, ſaid they, if the Prophet had bid thee do ſome great thing, 2 King. 5.13.2 Kgs 5:13wouldeſt thou not have done it, &c? Is it fit to ſay to a King, thou art wicked or to Princes, Job 34.18.Job 34:18yee are ungodly? Of ſome have compaſſion ſaith Jude, that is, deal gently and pittifully with them that are tender and flexible? when we perceive that our former reprehenſion takes effect, our latter reproof ſhould be gentle and mild, ſuch was Nehemiahs to the Uſurers, Neh. 5.7.Neh 5:7he reproved their oppreſſion or dealing hardly with their Brethren with an aggravation, wee after our ability have redeemed our Brethren the Jews which were ſold unto the Heathen, and will you even ſell your Brethren? or ſhall they be ſold unto us? then they held their peace (being convinced of their ſin, and confounded with what he ſpake) and found nothing to anſwer. Nehemiah perceiving they were ſomething p. 180aſhamed of their ſin, then he dealt very fairly and mildly with them. Verſ. 9.Alſo I ſaid, it is not good that yee do; ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, 1 Tim. 5.1.1 Tim 5:1becauſe of the reproach of the Heathen our enemies? Rebuke not an Elder, ſaith Paul foreign, do not laſh him with Tart ſharp chaſtening or chiding reprehenſions, but intreat him as a Father (with all humble obſervance) and the younger men (that is either inferiour officers in the Church, or the members of it) as Brethren that is, with fraternall reproofs full of kindneſſe and friendlineſſe, not harſhly or rigidly. Even a member of the Church, that is to be withdrawn from, for diſorderly walking and diſobedience, muſt not bee counted as an enemy, 2 Theſ. 3.15.2 Thess 3:15but admoniſhed as a Brother. But if the party to be reproved be an inferiour to us, or of another ſpirit, ſcil. willfull and ſtubborn, then wee muſt deal otherwiſe with him. Jude. 2.3.Save ſuch with fear, ſaith Jude, that is, terrifie them with ſharp reproofs, pulling them out of the fire. Obſtinate ſinners deſerve bitter and biting Reproofs, Mat. 3.7.Matt 3:7ſuch as John the Baptiſt gave the Phariſees and Sadduces, when hee called them a generation of Vipers. And Chriſt the Scribes and hariſees, when he ſaid thus, yee Serpents, Mat. 23.33.Matt 23:33yee Generation of Ʋipers, how can yee eſcape the damnation of Heh? Act. 13.10.Acts 13:10And Paul gave Elymas when he called him, Thou Child of the Devil, and enemy of all Righteouſneſſe; yea how ſharply did Chriſt ſometimes reprove his Apoſtles? Mat. 16 8.Matt 16:8O yee of little faith. Eſpecially Peter, Mat. 16.23. yet if hee bee of ſo fierce and furious a ſpirit, as there may be fear of doing him more hurt than good by reproving him, p. 181or of inraging him againſt us, then we muſt go a more mollifying way to work to win and gain upon him, rather to ſtroak him than to ſtrike him with a reproof, as Lot did the Sodomites. There bee two wayes of reproving.

1 Directly and plainly to tell others of their faults, as Nathan did David, Thou art the man, &c. 2 Sam. 12.7, 9, 10.

2 Indirectly, in a more covert way, by intimation or circumlocution. There is great skill in ſhaping reproofs of ſeverall faſhions ſuitable to the ſeveral eſtates, and tempers of the perſons reproveable, and there be ſundry Artifices therein. Eſpecially four, in giving covert reproofs, ſcil. by way of obſecration, inſinuation, illuſtration, and exemplification.

1 Do it by way of obſecration and exhortation rather than of objurgation, not to childe them expreſly for doing a miſs, but to intreat them not to do ſo (which is an implicit, or an oblique reproof) as Lot did the vicious Sodomites, when they encompaſſed his houſe, Gen. 19.5.7.Gen 19:5Gen 19:7and demanded the men that came in to him, to ſatisfie their luſt on them; how lovingly did hee intreat them? I pray you Brethren, do not ſo wickedly. As when one ſwears, there is not need alway to ſay you do very ill to take Gods Name in vain but, I deſire yea, and nay, may ſerve among Chriſtians.

2 By way of Inſinuation, to the party to be reproved, thus; I wiſh your good; oh that you would take notice of ſuch a thing you do or ſay, and conſider ſeriouſly with your ſelf, whether you do well therein, or whether it would not bee better to forbear the ſame, or to do otherwiſe.

p. 1823 Of Illuſtration, when wee repreſent the perſon and his fault in the guiſe or ſhape of a compariſon before him, as Nathan did Davids ſin (of taking the wife of Vriah) in the parable of the Ewe-Lamb, whereby hee did covertly and artificially reprove David, and cauſed him to judge himſelf in the perſon of another, 2 Sam. 12.1, 2, 4, 5.2 Sam 12:12 Sam 12:22 Sam 12:42 Sam 12:5to convince him of his ſin, and bring him to repentance. Thus Chriſt reproved the Jews in parables; whereby hee convinced them of their ſins, Mat. 21.28. to 33. Verſ. 33. to 36.Matt 21:28–33and made them judge themſelves for the ſame. Two inſtances we find in one Chapter. ſcil. of a man that had two ſons, and of a houſholder that let out his Vineyard to Husbandmen.

4 Of exemplification, when we reprove a mans-fault before his face; but either in a third perſon, as by telling him a ſtory of a man that committed ſuch an offence (as the perſon to be reproved is guilty of) and what a great blemiſh and diſhonour it was to him, and how ill he was thought and ſpoken of for it; this may ſting him to the heart, and ſet conſcience on work to make the application.

2 Or in our ſelves, Mr Perkins in gove…nment of Tongue. C. 6.as though we which reprove were faulty. Paul practiſed this in 1 Cor. 4.6. — theſe things I have in a figure transferred to my ſelf, and to Apollo, for your ſake…, that is, the Corinthians, where he ſubſtitutes his Name, and Apollo's in the room of the Ambitious Teachers, to reprove arrogance in them. Or when we comprehend our ſelves in the ſame fault, as that wee forget our ſelves, and wee ought not to ſay or do ſo, or thus; ſhould I do ſo (as the perſon to bee reproved p. 183hath done) I ſhould tranſgreſſe greatly, and deſerve blame and ſhame for it. I ſhould humble and judge my ſelf for it.

The Second branch of the fifth Rule is, we ſhould ſuit our Reproof to the nature of the Offence, under a fivefold conſideration, ſcil. according as it is

1 Open or ſecret, publick or private, ſo ſhould the Reproof be. Open ſins deſerve open rebuke, Thoſe that ſin openly to the ſcandall of the Church, rebuke before all, 1 Tim. 5.20. Gal. 2.14.1 Tim 5:20Gal 2:14that others alſo may fear. Paul rebuked Peter (not ſecretly, but) before them all, becauſe he ſinned openly and ſcandalouſly, and by his example induced Barnabas and others to diſſemble. But private monition will ſerve for private faults, elſe in labouring to heal our Brothers conſcience, wee may wound his name. Our Saviour gives this Rule, in Mat. 18.15. If thy Brother treſpaſs againſt thee, go and tell him his faults between thee and him alone, then take with thee but one or two more.

2 As the Offence is great, or ſmall, ſo ſhould the Reproof bee ſharper or milder; wee ſhould deal with others faults, as wee do with our own ſores or ſwellings, if the prick of a pin will let out the corrupt matter, cutting or lancing ſhall not be uſed; wee muſt not deal with beams as with moats. Chriſt heightned and ſharpened his Reproofs of Peter, and Paul his of Elymas, according to the greatneſſe of their faults. Old Ely offended greatly in reproving his leud ſons too lightly. Reproofs ſhould bee commenſurate to the offence; yet wee muſt not aggravate it beyond what may p. 184draw the ſinner to repentance, leſt wee ſhould drive him to deſpair. Tit. 1.13.Titus 1:13Paul bids Titus rebuke the Judaizing Cretians ſharply, foreign, cuttingly, that they may be ſound in the Faith.

3 As the fault is committed out of weakneſs or wilfullneſs, Gal. 6.1.Gal 6:1of ignorance, or of knowledge; the former wee ſhould reprove in a ſpirit of meekneſs, as tenderly as Chirurgeons ſet arms and legs in joynt, with ſo ſoft a hand that the patient can ſcarce feel when the bone falls in again, we ſhould ſhew much compaſſion and fellow-feeling in dealing with ſuch; and great tenderneſs to ſet them in joynt again. The latter wee ſhould reprove with a ſpirit of Zeal, Power and Boldneſs, like ſons of thunder.

4 As it is a fault but once or ſeldome committed, or frequently; as it is newly fallen into, or long continued in; Reproof with a ſtill voice will ſuit and ſerve for the former, but it muſt bee louder and ſharper, more awakening and peircing for the latter; wee ſhould lift up our voice as a Trumpet to tell ſuch of their ſins.

5 As this is the firſt time the party was reproved for the fault; Prov. 29.1.Prov 29:1or hee hath often been reproved, yet hardeneth himſelf; ſuch an one is a knotty peece, there is need to take the hard Mall and ſharp wedges of Reproof to rive him. Thus the quality and quantity or degrees of ſin muſt be well conſidered, and Reproof muſt bee accommodated and proportioned thereunto; By reproving amiſs in the manner wee may commit as great an error, as the fault is which wee reprove.

p. 1854 The Seaſon when wee ſhould reprove. It is difficult to give any certain Rules for that, becauſe of variety of circumſtances which may alter the caſe as to the time; wiſdome muſt direct herein. Yet I ſhall give two Rules.

1 It is good to reprove an offender as ſoon after the fault is committed, as may be conveniently, as it is to apply a plaiſter as ſoon as the ſore breaks forth, or the wound is made; whilſt the fault is freſh in remembrance; becauſe the conſcience is then uſually moſt ſtirring, and apt to bee convinced, and ſet on work to ſmite the offender, and he is more inclinable to be made ſenſible of his fault, and to hearken to Reproof, who by the delay thereof may multiply his ſin, and contract a habit of it. Heb. 3.13.Heb 3:13—As we ſhould exhort, ſo reprove one another daily while it is called to day, leſt our Brother bee hardened through the deceitfulneſs of ſin. Reproof ſhould follow ſin at the heels, yet in two caſes wee may deferre a Reproof for a time.