may reprove others, whom they observe to commit sin, or follow bad
courses, out of charitable design, and with hope to reclaim them.
This was an office of charity imposed anciently even upon the Jews;
much more doth it lie upon Christians, who are obliged more
earnestly to tender the spiritual good of those who by the stricter
and more holy bands of brotherhood are allied to them. "Thou shalt
not hate thy brother; thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour,
and not suffer sin upon him," was a precept of the old law: and,
[Greek], to admonish the disorderly, is an evangelical rule. Such
persons we are enjoined to shun and decline; but first we must
endeavour by sober advice and admonition to reclaim them; we must
not thus reject them till they appear contumacious and incorrigible,
refusing to hear us, or becoming deaf to reproof. This, although it
necessarily doth include setting out their faults, and charging
blame on them (answerable to their offences), is not the culpable
reproach here meant, it being needful towards a wholesome effect,
and proceeding from charitable intention.

4. Some vehemency, some smartness and sharpness of speech may
sometimes be used in defence of truth, and impugning errors of bad
consequence; especially when it concerneth the interest of truth,
that the reputation and authority of its adversaries should somewhat
be abased or abated. If by partial opinion or reverence towards
them, however begotten in the minds of men, they strive to overbear
or discountenance a good cause, their faults (so far as truth
permitteth and need requireth) may be detected and displayed. For
this cause particularly may we presume our Lord (otherwise so meek
in His temper, and mild in His carriage towards all men) did
characterise the Jewish scribes in such terms, that their authority,
being then so prevalent with the people, might not prejudice the