upontheEpiflleof JAM E s. Though Charir.ybe not blind; it looketh upon things as they are; yet Charity is not jealom, to argue things into what they ·are noc : 'Tis againfi all Law and -right to be Jridg and Acctifer too, and ro -hunt out :moffence, and then cenfure it. 4· When we infringe Chrifiianliberry, and condemn others for things meerly indifferent; this is .to .majler it indeed, and lay fnares -upon the Confcience; a wrong not fo much to our brethren, as to Gods oWn Law, which we ju.dg, as if it were an imperfect Rule, Jam. 4· I r. In habits and meats there ii agreat latitude ; and as long as Roles-of fobriecy and modefiy are not violat'ed, we cannot cenrure, but mufi leave the heart to God : SeeRorrr. I 4· per totum. 5•. When men do not confider what may fiand wichch-,.rity, as wCil as' what will agree wich Tr~tth; .there may be'cenfure,where there is nofl~nder: Many rel1gious perfons think they are-fafe, if they can fpeakonly ofothers .what is true. But this is not all, every evil mufi 1 not be divulged, fome mufi be covered with the cloak of love; there may be malice in reporting the troth: An eager ·defire to. fpread -a fault wantech not fin; Report,[ay they, and We Will report it, Jer.20.1o. Nay if there be no ill intent, fuch prattle will come unaer the charge of idleWord1, for which we are refponfible; The Apo.file forbiddetb \Vhif}eri»g,andmedling in othtrs m~tttrs; at befi,cis but aWan– ton v.r~nit; ; all that we do herein lhould be to promote fome aim cfJove and charity, that the offender may be feafopably reproved; or for fome common good, tha-t by the uncafing of an Hypocrite others be not deceived and enfnared. ·· 6. When we do it to fee off l our felves,and ufe themas a foyl to give our wo~th the betterlufl:re, .and by the !eporc ohheir fcandals to-~limb op' and commence into ' 349 • a better efieem : In the whole matter '\\;~'are tobe acted by,love, I ancf to aim at eh~ f.ords Gl?ry. WeU then, look to your felves in your Reproofs, that they be not Cenftires ; they are fo when they arefupcrciliomand majJJ!erial; the iffu~-s ofpride,rather then love: 1 pnvyoften goeth under the-mask ofZ tal ; we had need be careful, efpecially in times- ofpublike difference. For Remedies, r. Cheritb an humbl~ fenfe ofyour own vilenefs and frailty : Or.hers ~all fadly d Aut fo m1 141 ·j and foully; but what are we? dwewere as bad, Tzt·l• 2,3. we aut(ui!btu,_allt ~ay be worfe, I Cor.ro. 12. e Bernard telleth of a man c~hear- pa.Dumus' rjfi: . lng ofa fallen brother fell into a bitter weeping·· cryino out He u quodhlr eft-. I: Z d d ' ··-o ' e EmJal'd de J 41 en to P~J,(In ! ma1 ~o "!'or.row. 2·• . Exch~nge a fin- fo~ ·a~u~y; Re{tmea,Dom. · _x{oh, 5•1.6. if "'9[« bJ&-brother fin, let hsmpr~ty: Th1swrll De · · · YY 3 an.
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