when indeed she was praying.- give you: but if ye forgive not men 1 Sam. i. 12, &c. their trespasses, &c. -- Matt. vi. 14, 15. Saul too rashly resolved Jonathan his son should die, ere he heard the cause why he had tasted honey, contrary to his father's charge to Israel. -1 Sam. xiv. When Absalom designed his rebellion, there went two hundred men out of Jerusalem with him, and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.-2 Sam. xv. 10,11. David conceived evil of Mephibosheth without cause, through Ziba's lie.-2 Sam. xvi. 3, 4. xix. 24, &c. Elijah judged ill of all Israel; that none were left free from idolatry but himself, though there were seven thousand (as God told him) which had not bowed to Baal.-1 Kings xix. 10. 18. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? &c. he that backbiteth not, &c. nor taketh up (or receiveth, or endureth) a reproach against his neighbour. Ps. xv. 1. 3. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger. Ps. ciii. 8. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins, &c. He that uttereth a slander is a fool.-Prov. x. 12. 18. The simple believeth every word, but the prudent man looketh well to his going, &c. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.-Prov. xiv. 15. 17. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips (a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue), &c. He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love (or procureth love). Prov. xvii. 4. 9. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger: and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.-Prov. xix. 11. All that watch for iniquity are cut off: that make a man an offender for a word. Isa. xxix. 20, 21. Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment.-Matt. v. 22-24. If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also for Judge not, that ye be not judged, &c. Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out? &c.Matt. vii. 1.3,4. Gen.xxxviii. 23, &c. If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother, &c. Peter said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven, &c. I forgave thee all that debt, &c. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? and his Lord was wrath, &c. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. - Matt. xviii. 15.21, 22.32-35. The disciples blamed the woman as wasting the ointment, but Christ justified her.-Matt. xxvi. 7, &c. If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him: if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, &c. thou shalt forgive him.-Luke xvii. 3, 4. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. -John vii. 24. Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple, yet confessed not Christ openly, for fear. John xix. 38, 39. The believers of the circumcision rashly judged of Peter, and contended with him for eating with the Gentiles: but when Peter gave them an account of the cause, they held their peace, &c. -Acts xi. 1-4.18. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour.-Rom. xiii. 10. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment (or day), &c.Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come; who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, &c.-1 Cor. iv. 3-5. Charity suffereth long, &c. seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, &c. beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.1 Cor. xiii. 4, 5. 7. In malice be ye children.-1 Cor. xiv. 20. The fruit of the Spirit is, &c. longsuffering, gentleness, &c. meekness. -Gal. v. 22, 23. Titus iii. 2. Brethren, if (or although) a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness: considering thyself lest thou also be tempted: bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.-Gal. vi. 1, 2. Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, &c. Be ye tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.-Eph. iv. 1, 2.32. But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, &c. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, &c. bowels of mercies, &c. meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. If any man have a quarrel (or complaint) against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Col. iii. 8. 12,13. Let every man be, &c. slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.James i. 19, 20. Speak not evil one of another, brethren; for he that speaketh evil of his brother, speaketh evil of the law, &c. Who art thou that judgest another?-James iv. 11, 12. Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall (or will) cover the multitude of sins.-1 Pet. iv. 8. SECT. V. To live peaceably, avoid whispering, tale-bearing, and whatsoever tends to provoke, divide, or disturb the Peace among Brethren. ABRAM said unto Lot, let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, &c. for we be brethren, &c. If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. Gen. xiii. 8, 9. Thou shalt not raise (or receive) a false report.-Exod. xxiii. 1. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? &c. he that backbiteth not with his tongue, &c. nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.-Ps. xv. 1.3. See the mischief which followed the false reports of Doeg to Saul, and of Ziba to David.-1 Sam. xxii. 2 Sam. xvi. Seek peace, and pursue it.-Ps. xxxiv. 14. It was not an enemy that reproached me, then could I have borne it; but thou, a man, mine equal, &c. We walked unto the house of God in company.-Ps. lv. 12-14. Whosoever privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off. Ps.ci.5. I am for peace, &c. they are for war. -Ps. cxx. 7. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!-Ps. cxxxiii. 1. These things doth the Lord hate, &c. him that soweth discord among brethren.-Prov. vi. 16. 19. A tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. --Prov. xi. 13. Only by pride cometh contention. -Prov. xiii. 10. xxviii. 25. A whisperer separateth chief friends. Prov. xvi. 28. He that repeateth the matter, separateth friends, &c. The beginning of strife, is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with.-Prov. xvii. 9. 14. xxvi. 21. The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds. Prov. xviii. 8. It is an honour for a man to cease from strife, &c. He that goeth about as a tale-bearer, revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth. Prov. xx. 3. 19. Where there is no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth, &c. The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, &c.-Prov. xxvi. 20-22. Levit. xix. 16. The forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.-Prov. xxx. 33. Can two walk together, except they be agreed-Amos iii. 3. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God, &c. Leave there thy gift, &c. first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.-Matt. v. 9. 23, 24. Every kingdom divided against itself, is brought to desolation. -Matt. xii. 25. If thy brother shall trespass, &c. go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. --Matt. xviii. 15. One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren.-Matt. xxiii. 8. Have peace one with another.Mark ix. 50. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. -Rom. xii. 18. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Rom. xiv. 19. Ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envyings, and strife, and divisions (or factions), are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul, &c. are ye not carnal?-1 Cor. iii. 3, 4. i. 10-12. Is it so, that there is not a wise man amongst you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? but brother goeth to law with brother, &c. now, therefore, there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law, &c.-1 Cor. vi. 5-7. Charity envieth not.-1 Cor. xiii. 4. For I fear, &c. lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, &c.-2 Cor. xii. 20. Brethren, &c. live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.-2 Cor. xiii. 11. If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another, &c. The fruit of the spirit is, &c. peace, long-suffering, gentleness, &c. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.-Gal. v. 15. 22. 26. Eph. iv. 2. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, &c. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, &c. be put away from you.-Eph. iv. 3-6.31. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, &c. Phil. ii. 3. That ye study (or ambitiously striving) to be quiet, and do your own business, &c.-1 Thess. iv. 11. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thess. v. 13. They learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tatlers also, and busybodies: speaking things which they ought not.-1 Tim. v. 13. 2 Thess. iii. 11, 12. Doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, &c.-1 Tim. vi. 4. 20. iv. 6. Charging them, &c. that they strive not about words to no profit, &c. Shun profane and vain babblings, &c. Follow peace with them that call on the Lord, &c. but foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.-2 Tim. ii. 14. 16, 17.22, 23. The aged women, that they be not false accusers (or makebates). -. Titus ii. 3. Avoid foolish questions, &c. contentions, and strivings about the law: for they, &c.-Titus iii. 9. Follow peace with all men. - Heb. xii. 14. If ye have bitter envying, and strife in your hearts: glory not, &c. This wisdom descendeth not from above, &c. for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work: but the wisdom that is from above, is, &c. peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, &c. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.-James iii. 14-18. Whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts? &c. Speak not evil one of another, brethren.-James iv. 1. 11. Wherefore, laying aside all malice, &c. and envyings, and evil speakings. -1 Pet. ii. J. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward, &c. but let it be the hidden man, &c. of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price, &c. not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: he that will love life, and see good days, &c. let him seck peace, and ensue it.-1 Pet. iii. 3. 9-11. SECT. VI. To rebuke, reprove, exhort, admonish, and warn each other concerning Sin and Duty. And to take such Rebukes kindly from each other. I. To Rebuke, &c. THOU shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him (or that thou bear not sin for him).-Levit. xix. 17. He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame, &c. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee.Prov. ix. 7, 8. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself, and discover not a secret to another, &c. As an earring of gold, &c. so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. Prov. xxv. 9. 12. Open rebuke is better than secret love. Prov. xxvii. 5. He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.-Prov. xxviii. 23. If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go, and tell him his fault between thee and him alone, &c. If he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, &c.-Matt. xviii. 15-17. Luke xvii. 3, 4. Ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge: able also to admonish one another.-Rom. xv. 14. Paul rebuked Peter for not walking uprightly. - Gal. ii. 11-14. If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness.Gal. vi. 1. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, &c. teaching and admonishing one another. Col. iii. 16. Comfort (or exhort) yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do, &c. Warn them that are unruly (or disorderly); comfort the feebleminded. - 1 Thess. v. 11. 14. 1 Cor. viii. 1. If any man obey not, &c. have no company with him, &c. but admonish him as a brother.-2 Thess. iii. 14, 15. Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren: the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, &c. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.-1 Tim. v. 1, 2. 20. Exhort one another daily, &c. lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. - Heb. iii. 13. Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, &c. but exhorting one another. -Heb. x. 24, 25. Brethren, if any one of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he, &c. shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. --James v. 19, 20. Of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. -Jude 22, 23. II. To take Rebuke, Admonition, &c. well from each other. WHEN David had rashly resolved to cut off all Nabal's family: and Abigail had met him, and humbly and wisely admonished him; David accepts of the advice, and saith, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: and blessed be thy advice; and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from shedding of blood, &c. I have hearkened to thy voice.-1 Sam. xxv. 22-33. When Nathan had told David his sin in the matter of Uriah; David said, I have sinned against the Lord. -2 Sam. xii. 7. 13. When Joab had told the king of his error, in mourning so for Absalom, as to discourage his subjects who had fought for him; David hearkened and arose, and sat in the gate, as Joab advised.-2 Sam. xix. 5-8. Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be as excellent oil which shall not break my head.-Ps. cxli. 5. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning. Prov. i. 5. He that rebuketh a scorner, getteth to himself shame; and he that rebuketh'a wicked man, getteth a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee: give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser, &c. Prov. ix. 7-9. xix. 25. He is in the way of life that keepeth instructioat but he that refuseth reproof, errcth (or causeth to err).Prov. x. 17. Whoso loveth instruction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof, is brutish, &c. He that hearkeneth unto counsel, is wise.-Prov. xii. 1. 15. A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke, &c. Poverty and shame to him that refuseth instruction; but he that regardeth reproof, shall be honoured.-Prov. xiii. 1. 18. A fool despiseth his father's instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent, &c. He that hateth reproof shall die. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth, &c. The ear that heareth the reproof of life, abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction, despiseth his own soul, &c.-Prov. xv. 5. 10. 12. 31, 32. A reproof entereth more into a wise man, than an hundred stripes into a fool.-Prov. xvii. 10. As an ear-ring of gold, &c. so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.Prov. xxv. 12. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. The rod and reproof give wisdom.Prov. xxix. 1. 15. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than the song of fools.Eccles. vii. 5. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Gal. iv. 16. Submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God.-Eph. v. 21. Ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder; yea, all of you be subject one to another; and be clothed with humility.-1 Pet. v. 5. VII. To confess to, and pray each for other. WHEN a man or woman shall commit any sin, that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, &c. then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass, &c. and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.Numb. v. 6, 7. And many that believed, came and confessed, and shewed their deeds.Acts xix. 18, 19. |