Ver.s9. the Epìftle to the Romanes. 49 S i L. They doe fo,as is to be teen in Ely,whotooke the good a&ions of 'In- ner in evil part,attributing that to drink, which the did of devotion. T r u. What think ye of theft dealings? S t L. They goe againit charity, which taketh all things in good part, fo farre as truth and reafon will give leave. T i to. Can ye give ou examples of fuck charitable taking of things? S r L. Yea,often in ourSavióur,who tooke well the a& of loch as brought children unto him, and (till conftrued to the beft,the doings of his weak Difci- pies:and of the woman that powred the box of oyntmenton his head, Mau 26. T i u. What is the difference betweene whijperers and backlsiters,and a fo wherein doe they agree? S i L. They differ in this, that the former do fecretly and clofcly hurt the credit ofhis neighbour by rounding in the care : the latter fort doe it more o- penly. Secondly, the back -biter fpa- reth no mans fame, but whìfperers jet ftrife only among friends. Alas they agree in very many things. Firft they both wound the name of their neigh- bour. Secondly, they doe it in his ab- (énce,and behind hisback.Thirdly,they both have the devil/ on their tongue. Fourthly,they both report falle things, or fpeake truth to an evil/ end. La[tly, they both ufe cunning; in broching their tales, under thefe and filch like vailes :1 am lorry to hear fuch a thing,I am loath to fpeake of it , and I pray you fay no- thing ofit,and I with well to the party, &c. T r M. Which" them is the well? S I L. The whi!perer, becaufe bee doth all tinder hand , fo as hee is not knowne,he flingeth more fecretly, and fo as one can provide no prefervation againtt his poifon T i m. Whatleafans fliould move Chri ftianstoefc bewthofevicesofwhifpering and backbiting ? S i L. Firft,they are againft the word that fayeth, Thou fhalt not goe about as a tale- bearer aniongft my people, Levit. 59. i6. Secondly;theydoe to o- thers what they would not have done to themfelves. Thirdly, of there vices a- rifeth much difcord and debate, as ít is written,Without wood fire is quenched and without a tale - bearer ftrife cea- feth. Ti se. What is the duty ea Chriffian in this behal fe? S i L. Not to fpeake evil/ of others behind their backe, but to tell them plainly their faults in love and wif- dome: for this will not breed difplea -. Cure( as Come thinke) but rather it will get favor at the laft, fo it bedone in love and wifedoine, with due obfervation of cireamftances, and confederation of a marts owne calling and gifts. T i a3. But unto tále-bearers, what h to be done? S i L. They are to bee driven away with an angry looke, as the Eaft wind driveth away the raine : they therefore doe finne much which receive tales with a delight to heare other mens fins:forrif there were no receivers of tales , there would be no bringers of tales: the one bath the devill in his ear,the other bath the devil on his tongue.Laftly,fuch fttall enter into heaven as receive not Calf reports againft their neighbour. Pfalm 15- 3. T i M. But what think! -yce, are all complaints to he accounted wbtfperers' and bacl .bitings? S r i. No : if there conditions bee obferved.Firft, that the party complai- ned of, be firft duely. admoni filed. Se- condly,if the complaintbeput to fuch as have power to redreffe the fault. Thirdly, ifthe coniplaiinerreek nothing but the amendmen t of the 13arty.Laftly, if he grieve that bee !lath caufe to com- plaine, and pray for his converfon,do ing all in love ; thefe two laft vices are forbidden in the ninth `Commaitde- nient. T t te, What is the ñext vice? S i L. Haters of God, filch as :bets hated of God and bee haters of hire ; inch bee all back - biters and whisperers, perlóns which deferve the hatred of God. F T
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=