of Naboth shall dogges euen licke thy bloud also saith the Lord 1. Kings chap. 21.19 Yea let vs marke that the Lord threateneth the heauie curse against king Ahab although he was sicke and kept his chamber when Naboth was by false witnesses brought to his death so as it might seeme that he had no hand in it Yet because it could not be but he must vnderstand of Iezabell his wiues practise against Naboth for it was done in a publike solemne manner Therefore because he stayed it not God punisheth him as if he had bene the principall agent But not onely Ahab was accursed but Iezabell also as it followeth in the same text What was her curse The Lord saith likewise concerning Iezabell The dogges shall eate Iezabell by the wall of Israell verse 23. And yet further against Ahab in the 24. verse The dogges shall eate him of Ahabs stocke that dyeth in the citie and him that dyeth in the field shall the foules of the ayre eate The accomplishment of these curses we reade first against Ahab in the very next chapter verse 38. and against Iezabel though she ouer liued Ahab and also against Ahabs stocke 2. booke of the Kings chapter 9. verses 6.7.8.9.10 and verse 30. c. to the ende of the Chapter Reade also Iudges chapt 9. vers 23. c. Reade in the booke of the Martyrs how fearefull the ends of cruell persecutors were both of Emperours and others But there be other that go yet something more closely to worke then if they should so openly forge wrong for a law What is the curse against such Cursed be he saith the Lord that smiteth his neighbour secretly and all the people shall say Amen Deuteronomy 27.24 And verse 25. Cursed be he that taketh a revvard to put to death innocent bloud and all the people shall say Amen What is the curse against him that cruelly hacketh and mangleth anie mans flesh albeit he do not pursue him to death Eye for eye tooth for tooth hand for hand foote for foote c. saith the Lord by Moses Exod. chap. 21. verses 24.25 And Iudges 1.6.7 Adombezek hauing the thombes of his hands and the toes of his feete cut off saith thus in the guiltinesse of his conscience against himselfe Seuentie Kings hauing the thombes of their hands and of their feete cut off gathered bread vnder my table as I haue done so God hath rewarded me This is the law of reuenge which God both commaundeth his Magistrates and also practiseth himselfe And let vs obserue that this curse is threatened in speciall maner against those that deale iniuriously and cruelly against the poorer sort the widow the fatherlesse the straunger the blind the lame c. because they are most succourlesse Reade Exod. 22. verses 21.22.23.24 And againe Deuteronomy 24.14.15 and chapter 27.18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to go out of the way c. And Prouerbes chapter 22. verses 24.25 Rob not the poore because he is poore neither oppresse the afflicted in iudgement For the Lord will defend their cause and spoile the soule of those that spoile them Read also Isa 1.23 and Ierem. 5.28 VVhat is the curse against the vsurer which spoileth the poore that way Shall he liue saith the Lord that hath giuen forth vpon vsurie and taken increase He shall not liue seeing he hath done this abhomination he shall dye the death his bloud shall be vpon him Ezek. 18.13 There are some as was said before euill instruments of mischiefe who carry tales to shed innocent bloud is there any curse for such Dauid the seruant of the Lord saith they were accursed before the Lord which by false suggestion stirred vp king Saul against him 1. Sam. 26.19 And Ezek. 22.9 It is one of those grieuous sinnes for the which the Lord gaue his people into their cruel enemies hands In thee saith the Lord are men that carie tales to shed bloud Reade also Dan. chap. 6.4 c. 11. c. 24. There are besides these some who though they put not their hand nor giue counsell c. to murther and crueltie yet when they see it done or heare of it they reioyce at it are such vnder the curse of this Commaundement He that mocketh the poore saith king Salomon reprocheth him that made him and he that reioyceth at destruction shall not go vnpunished Prou. chap 17.5 Reade also Prou. 24.17.18 Be thou not glad when thine enemie falleth c. But that we may go forward what and if a man abstaine from murther and crueltie and onely neglecteth to stay cruell practises when there is power in his hand to do it is there any curse for such In the booke of the Iudges chap. 5.23 Curse ye Meroz said the Angell of the Lord curse the inhabitants thereof because they came not to helpe the Lord to helpe the Lord against the mightie Marke how the Lord accounteth himselfe to be forsaken and neglected when anie refuse to succour his people in time of their daungers What is the curse against those that neglect to shew mercy to such as be poore impotent and distressed people though they be not pursued by the outward violence of aduersaries There shall be iudgement mercilesse against such as shew no mercie In the Epist of Iames chap. 2.13 And our Sauiour Christ saith of all such Matth. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into euer lasting fire which is prepared for the Diuel and his Angels Consider also to this purpose the parable of the rich voluptuous and vnmercifull man Luke 16.19 c. Thus they that be not mercifull where mercie ought to be shewed are accursed is there anie curse against those that neglect to do iustice for the cutting off of those that be cruell murtherous persoÌ„s Yes for bloud vnreuenged defileth the whole land Numb chap. 35. toward the end of the chap. And Prou. 17.15 He that iustifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the iust euen they both are abomination to the Lord and therefore it cannot be but they must be in a cursed estate It is true it is verily an accursed thing to be abhorred of the Lord and to be accounted vncleane and defiled before him Reade 1. Sam. 15. The Iudgement of God was against King Saul for sparing Agags life contrarie to his commaundement Reade also 1. Kings 10.24 the iudgement of God against king Ahab for the sparing of the king of Aram. Reade further 2. Sam. 21. and 1. Kings 2.31.32.33 Now what is the curse against such as vse reuiling and quarellous speeches the propertie whereof is to prouoke to fighting and murther if they should haue the full course In the 5. chapter of Matth verse 22. our Sauiour Christ affirmeth that whosoeuer saith to his brother Raca shall be vvorthie to be punished by a counsell And vvhosoeuer shall say foole shall be worthâ—e to be punished with hell fire And 1. Corinthians 6.10 the Apostle Paul saith No raylers shall inherite the kingdome of God To
secrets of the other vvhatsoeur may lawfully and of faithfull loue to our neighbour ought to be concealed For the first of these points reade 1. Thes 5.11 Heb. 3.13 Reade also Mal. 3.16 and Isaiah 2.3 As touching that which we reade Ier. 31.34 And they shall teach no more euery man his neighbour and euery man his brother saying Know the Lord c. this doth not prohibit this duty but only in way of comparison setteth out the abundance of knowledge in the time of the Gospell aboue the time of the Law c. That there is continuall need of mutuall instruction see Heb. chaprer 5.12 Reade also Prou. 10.21 The lippes of the righteous feed many And chap. 15.7 The lippes of the wise do spread abroad knowledge and chapter 16. verse 21.23 For the second point reade Prou. chap. 12.8 A man shall be commended for his wisedome Reade also chap. 31.18 c. But in this point diuerse cautions are to be obserued Our praise must not be excessiue nor to flatter the party but to the glory of God and to prouoke other to holy imitation We must so praise that which is good in any as we must dislike and discommend that which is amisse reade 1. Cor. 11.2 and verse 17. c. and Reuel chap. 2. and chap. 3. For the third point reade 1. Cor. 13.5.6.7 Loue thinketh not euill c. It suffereth all things it beleeueth all things it hopeth all things it endureth all things Reade also Matth. 7.1 where rash iudging is forbidden as hath bene declared before in the negatiue part of this Commandement For the last point reade Prou. 10.12 Loue couereth all trespasses And chap. 11.13 He that goeth about as a slaunderer or detracter discouereth a secret but he that is of a faithfull heart concealeth a matter And chap. 17.9 He that couereth a transgression seeketh loue but he that repeateth a matter seperateth his chiefe friend Reade also chap. 25.9 and Matth. 18.15.16 and 1. Pet. 4.8 These are the duties seruing to the procuring and preseruing of our neighbours good name and welfare It followeth that you shew which be the duties commanded for the recouery thereof when by any manifest fall into some grieuous sinne or other both his name and the comfort of his whole estate is lost or at the least greatly impaired Which are they Wise louing and zealous reproofe and perswasions drawne from the word of God by our selues apart and if that will not serue by the further helpe and assistance of other good and louing neighbors till happily he may be brought to repentance and to seeke reconciliation both with God and his people Reade for this Leuit. 19.17 reade also Matth. 5.23 c. and againe chap. 18 16.17 Iames 5.19.20 Of seeking reconciliation we haue an example in Iobs friends chap. 42. of that booke verse 8. But in so much as by reason of the stubburnnesse of our nature it is a very hard thing for flesh and bloud to stoop to any reproofe and to take profit by it and seeing in regard thereof as you answered great wisedome is requisite to the well ordering thereof to the end it may take due effect according as we reade Prou. 11.30 He that winneth soules is wise I would haue you therefore call to remembrance and shew what is required to the due ordering of reproofe First the quality and degree of the sinne is to be considered Secondly the quality and disposition of the offender is to be regarded Thirdly choise is to be made of the most fit and conuenient time Finally loue pity and compassion ouer the offender with desire of his repentance to saluation must be ioyned with zeale of Gods glory and hatred of the sinne The first consideration must be whether the sinne be smaller or greater either in it selfe and of the owne nature or by circumstance whether it be committed of infirmity or otherwise once or more often c. The second consideration must be whether the offender be of a meeke or of a more stirring and stubburne nature old or young whether a priuate or publike person c. for age and authority must be reuerenced c. reade 1. Tim. 5.1.2 Againe whereas some must be more mildly dealt withall others must be more sharpely rebuked according both to the Commandement of God and also according to the practise of his wise and faithfull seruants For the Commandement reade Gal. 6.1 Tit. 1.13 and chap. 3.10 and 1. Thes 5.14 and 2. Thes 3.14.15 and Iude verses 22.23 and Isa 58.1 For example see how the Apostle Paule moderateth his reproofe toward the Corinthians 1. Epist chap. 1. and chap. 4.21 and chap. 5. and chap. 11. compared also with Nathans maner of dealing with king Dauid in his reproofe 2. Sam. 12. with Samuels dealing in the reproofe of Saule 1. Sam. 15. Compare likewise Peters reprouing of Simon Magus Acts 8.20 c. with his reprouing of Cornelius Acts 10. and Paules reprouing of Elymas the forcerer Acts 13.9 c. and of Hymeneus and Alexander 1. Tim. 1.20 with his reprouing of Peter Gal. 2. Reade also chapter 3.1 and compare it with his precept chap. 6.1 Reade also Ieremies practise chap. 2.10.11 and the rest of the Prophets Loue and compassion ouer sinners must moderate and season all reproofe Reproofe must be as an electuary coÌ„pounded of many simples the mildnesse or sweetnesse of the one delaying the sharpnesse or bitternesse of the other that there may be a kindly operation for otherwise there is danger least it should rather inflame and poison then supple and heale The third consideration must be for the fitnesse of the season vnder the which also falleth the regard of a fit place For if the offender should be in his vnruly passions and among his coapmates as we may say who would be ready to animate him c. the reproofe I speake of priuate reproofe should then be vnseasonable Reade Matth. 7.6 Such a time therefore is rather to be waited and as it were picked out when the bold sinner may be singled alone and when he may be found in a more seasonable teÌ„per And chiefly if God so prouide that he may be huÌ„bled by some seÌ„sible iudgement against the same or the like sinne Or after the hearing of some zealous piercing Sermon let not the occasion be negcted To this purpose marke the wisdoÌ„ of the Prophet Daniel in giuing his reproofe couÌ„sel to Nebuchadnezzar after that he was somewhat skared by his strange dreame chap. 4. Reade also 2. Chron. 19.2 how the Prophet Hananie is directed by the Spirit of God to take the occasion to reproue Iehoshaphat vpon his late escaping of a great danger Reade also 1. Sam. 19.1.2.3.4.5.6 how Ionathan chose his time to deale with the king his father in the behalfe of his frieÌ„d Dauid And ch 25. vers 36.37 how Abigail waiteth her season to deale with her churlish husband Nâ—bal Thus therfore it standeth vs in hand euery way to be
other principall members of the publike bodie Now therefore that we may go forward what is the blessing of him that is so farre from false witnesse bearing lying slaundering flatterie and euill suspitions without iust cause that contrariwise he is of a charitable iudgement louing and tendering the good name estimation of euerie good neighbour desiring that it may continue and prosper without all preiudice either in his owne heart or in the opinion of anie other What I say is the blessing of euerie such man Blessed saith the holy Psalmist is he that iudgeth wisely of the poore saying The Lord will deliuer him in the time of trouble And so foorth as it followeth from the beginning of the 41. Psalme This charitable iudgement which the holy Prophet speaketh of is the ground and foundation of much truth in speech and as a strong fortresse against all lying and slaundering And therefore also doth our Sauiour Christ assure all such of like recompence at the hands of all other good and well aduised and charitable minded men Iudge not saith he and ye shall not be iudged condemne not and ye shall not be condemned forgiue and ye shall be forgiuen Luke chap. 6.37 We will hast forward What is the blessing of them that will hearken to the instruction and counsell of such as teach and instruct them in the wayes of God that so they may haue a good name which surely ought of all the children of God to be greatly desired and laboured after What is the blessing of such Let not mercie and truth forsake thee saith king Salomon bind them vpon thy necke and vvrite them vpon the table of thine heart So shalt thou find fauour and good vnderstanding or as some translate prosperous successe in the sight of God and man Prouerbes chapter 3. verse 3. and 4. and chapter 10.17 He that regardeth instruction is in the way of life And in the same chap. vers 7. The memoriall of the iust shall be blessed That is to say the remembrance of such as walke in the righteous wayes of God shall be gracious and acceptable in the Church of God both while they liue and also after their death It shall be a continuall occasion of praysing God and a spurre to stirre vp other to imitation Wherefore earnest is that often repeated exhortation wherein the holy Ghost moueth to the obedience of holy doctrine Prou. 1.8.9 And againe chap. 4 13. likewise chap. 6.20 and verse 23. And yet againe chap. 7.2 and chap. 8.10 and verse 33. and also chap. 13. verse 14. and verse 18. He that regardeth correction shall be honoured And is there not a blessing also for those that haue care to teach instruct others to walke in the gracious and commendable waies of the Lord that so they may haue fauour both with God and man Yes very great according to the excellencie of this dutie in the sight of God and according to the greatnes of the blessing which hereby they procure vnto their brethren as we may reade Dan. 12. verse 3. and in the end of the Epistle of the Apostle Iames. Whereof also we haue Abigail for a liuely example 1. Sam. chap. 25. vers 32.33 Let vs for example sake and to the end that by a particular instance the matter may be the more cleare let vs I say heare the blessing which Dauid in this respect put vpon Abigail Blessed saith the Prophet Dauid be the Lord God of Israell who hath sent thee this day to meete me And blessed be thy counsell and blessed be thou vvho hast kept me this day from comming to shed bloud and that mine hand hath not saued me This is a notable instance and may well serue for our issue and conclusion of this point And thus we hauing through the gracious blessing of God the whole interpretation of this Commaundement touching the euils forbidden and the vertues commaunded touching the curses against the one and the blessings vpon the other let vs now come to the vse Haue you pefectly obeyed this 9. Commaundement that so you may thinke your selfe worthie to be freed from the curses and to be partaker of the blessings of it No I haue no more perfectly obeyed this Commaundement then any of the former but I haue euerie way sinned against it partly through ignorance and forgetfulnesse of the truth in many matters which I ought to haue knowne and remembred and partly for want of loue both vnto the truth and also to my neighbour but much more by reason of that hatred and enuie which aboundeth in my corrupt nature For hence is it that I haue bene so far from speaking the truth alwaies giuing a faithfull witnesse in all things concerning my neighbour that vpon euery occasion of vnkindnes displeasure I haue bene readie to deny him his due praise yea to speake all euill of him and to inuent all maner of lyes and slaunders against him Moreouer as I am readie to accuse and blame those whom I account my foes falsly and aboue that there is iust cause so am I apt to flatter such as I take to be my friends and againe to make vntrue excuses and partiall defences for my selfe to all those of whom I stand in any feare Finally I am by my naturall disposition so far from amending my faults when I am reproued that of wilfull stubburnnesse I wil rather do the worse because I am reproued for them Wherfore I must needs acknowledge that I am so farre from worthinesse to enioy the blessing of this Commaundement that I haue iustly deserued all the curses of it vnlesse it shall please God of his free grace bounteous mercie for Christ Iesus sake to forgiue these my grieuous sins to giue me grace vnfainedly to repent of thē It is true which you answer concerning euerie one of vs yea concerning all the sonnes and daughters of men through the whole race of mankind For thus the holy Prophet of God affirmeth Psalm 58.3 and Psalm 62.9 Reade also Psalm 116.11 and Rom. 3.4 Experience also sheweth Eueryone of vs is a damnable transgressor that all men naturally are lyers and that naturally we are more delighted with lyes then with the truth The beginning of this vice appearing in childhood increaseth with age vnlesse God by his grace doth correct the same as they haue plentifull experience to whome the examination of malefactors appertaineth And as we are altogether corrupt and sinfull in lying all maner of lyes both earnest lyes merrie lyes and officious lyes in cunning excuses in false accusations in the root of all these selfe loue hatred and euill suspitions so are we as apt to flatter and sooth vp such as we feare or such from whom we looke for benefit or preferment c. And touching our obstinacie against rebuke is not euerie one readie to bewray the deepe corruption which lyeth lurking in his heart I speake of all such as haue not yet receiued