Chap. 1 r.Sett.? , 9- Weaknefs of knowledge, on~ant of judgement in fuch experimental paffages efpecially i~l the beginning of Chrdhamty. , ' 1 o. The difCempcr ohhe foul (efl'ecially in defertion)_ when ,as in the diftemper o( of the body, a man thmkmg or fpeakmg 1dely, we fay 1t 1s not he, but his ficknefs" fo it is in this cafe. ' In coticlulion, thcfe reafons were approved ·; but we agree<j., Th"!. ~.11 1he [Hccuding– A r,fwcrs or Rrfolmions jhOJJ!d be proved OJtt of Gods holy word. ) < f Sect. 3. Whetl;cr is aChriftian alwaysbo1mdto reprehend an offender ? or iNwhat cafes may heforbear .? ~. .. . I T is anfwered; That a Chriftian is not bound ever t<i reprove, but he may forbear in fuch cafes as thefe : - 1 . \Vhen the party offending is a fcorner, and we perceive he will but fcoffat it, l'rov. 9· 8. ------ 2g. 9· Mat. 7· 6, 2. \ Vhen the offender fins of infirmity, GP.!. 6. I 2. 3 • VI/hen the offended is not able to convince the offender that it is fin, '}'ob. 6. 2 5, Tst. r. 9 · , 4 . When there is no hopes to prevail in refpeCl: of the evil times, _A,;;,os. 5. 1 3· 5 . vVhen rhe.offence is fmall, and but little, Prov. 19. 1 1. ---- 20. 3· 6. When we know not certainly whether the fuppofed offence be a fin, or not, :Jojh. 20. 16, &c. 7 . When the reprehenderis ~aulty in the fame thing, Matth. 7, 3, 4, 5. 8. When the party offendmg IS not capable of reproof, as in cafe a man be an Idiot, or drunk, or in the height of his pallion, I Sam. 25. 36, 37· ' 9 • \:Vhen our reproof may breed fame dilfention , or imminent anil dangerous dilturbance: as in cafe it be amongil: rude , boifterous and defperatc company, Mat. 7· 6. 10 . W hen the offender is obftiriately and wilfully bent to go on in his !in, Mark! 14- 60, 61.------15- 4> 5· SeCl:. 4· How may we k_now whtther we profit by afflitlion~. W E may know by thefe ligns : . . 1. If by affliCl:ion we come to be fenlible of Gods heavy difpleafurc, DCHt,' 31. 17. Ru\h. 1. )3. Mich. 6. 9· 1Cor. 1 I. 37· 2. If by affliction we are drawn to fearch our ways, r Kings 8. 38. Ez.ra. 9- I4· Pfal. 32.- 4, 5. Lam. J. 5· ----- 3· 39, 40. 3· If\:>y afflictions we arc foundly and fincerely humbled, 2 Kingsz2. 19,20. Job. 1. 20. • 1 Pet. 5· 6. 4· Ifour afllictions work on ustomake our peace with our God, I[a.27,.5 .Ho[5. I5. 5. If by afflictions we be drawn to make and pay vows of better obedience, Pfalme 66. lh 14. . .. 6. If in our greateft afflictions we reil: upon God, 2 Chron. 14. I r. and wait on God, Pf•lms 37-.7, 34· M icha. 7· 9· . _ . 7· If in our afflictions we minde the promifes, and rowI our felves on them, I Sam. 30. 6. J'falms I 19. 49• 50, 92. 8. Ifin our afflictions we clear God when he is judged, Pfal. I 19, 75• 9 . If for affliCl:ions we blefs God, and his affiiCting hand, Job. I . 21 , ro. Ifby afflictions our graces are fiirred up and exercifed, Job. 1 3. 15. Pf~t/,42·5· Jrr. 3'- 18. Rom. ) · l· 2Cw. r. IO. Heb. 10. 34• '}'llmts.I.J. ~I. If by our afflictions our prayers are morefervaet, Neh. 1. 3, 4· Pfa/, 77· 2.---– I r6. 3· --.--142 . 4 , 5· r 2 . If in ouf affliCl:ions we gather in fame experiences of Gods love and help, P(al. 34- 46. .----- 66. 16, 17- ' r3. If in our affliCtions we fubmit willingly and chearfully to Gods good w1ll and pleafure, Lcvit. 26, 11. 1 Sam. 3. 1 8. • I4- If in afflictions we look more at the hand of God that ftrikes, than at the in!lrument, I Sam..J. r8. 2 St<m. 16. i I. , , , · . 15. If in affliction we rejeCt all wordlv·finful hopes, and unla1llful t1)eans of dehvef ranee, an<l i-eft onely onGod, I Cor. _r, 8, 9 . Reb·: r 1. z 5, z6. 16 I
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