3. The prudence of the serpent and in- nocency of the dove is seen in this, to re- prove the sin, yet love the person. We are commanded to reprove, Lev. xix. 17., " Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart ; thou shalt rebuke him, and not suf- fer sin upon him." Not to reprove sin is to approve it ; but this sword of reproof is a dangerous weapon, if it be not well-hand- led ; to reprove and yet love is to act both the serpent and the dove.
Quest. Hoiv may a Christian so reprove sin, as to shew love to the person ?
Ans. 1. In taking a fit season to reprove another ; that is, when his anger is over. As, when God did rebuke Adam, he came to him, " in the cool of the day," Gen. iii. 8. : so, when we are to reprove any, we are to come to them when their spirits are more cool, and fit to I'eceive a reproof. To re- prove a man when he is in a passion, is to give strong water in a fever ; it doth more hurt than good. By observing a fit season, we shew both prudence and holiness, — we discover as well discretion as aflFection.
A. 2. Reproving sin so as to shew love to the person is seen in this, when, though we tell him plainly of his sin, yet it is iu mild, not provoking words, 2 Tim. ii. 25., *' In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." Peter tells the Jews plainly of their sin in crucifying Christ, but useth guasives and gospel-lenitives, to allure and encourage them to believe, Acts ii. 23., " Ilim ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified ;" v. 38., " Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for tiie
remission of sin : for the promise is to yoir, and to your children." Reproof is a bitter pill, and hard to swallow, tlierefore we must dip it in sugar ; use those sweet mol- lifying expressions, that others may see love coming along with the reproof, David com- pares reproof to oil, Ps. cxli. 5. : oil sup- ples the joints when they are hard and stiff; our rej)roofs being mixed with the oil of compassion, they work most kindly, and do most soften stiff obdurate hearts.
A. 3. Reproving sin, yet loA'e to the per- son, is when the end of our reproof is not to revile him but to reclaim him. While we go to heal men's consciences, we must take heed of wounding their names. The chirurgeon, in opening a vein, shews both skill and love, — skill in not cutting an ar- tery,— and love, in letting out the bad blood; here is the mixing the serpent and the dove ; the wisdom of the serpent is seen, in not reproaching the sinner; the innocency of the dove is seen in reclaiming him from sin.
4. Prudence and holiness is seen in this, to " know what we should do, and do what we know." To know what we should do, — there is the wisdom of the serpent ; to do what we know, — there is the innocency of the dove, John xiii. 17. Knowledge is a jewel which adorns him that weai's it ; it is the enriching and bespangling of the mind ; knowledge is the eye of the soul, to guide it in the right way ; but this knowledge must be joined with holy practice ; to sepa rate practice from knowledge, is to sepa- rate tlie dove from the serpent. Many il- luminated heads can discourse fluently in matters of religion, but they do not live up to their knowledge ; this is to have good eyes, but to have the feet cut off; they know they should not break the sabbath, they sliould not defame nor defraud : but they do not practise wliat they know, — here tljey separate tlie dove from the serpent, virtue from knowledge. How vain is know- ledge without ])raetice ! as if one should know a sovereign medicine and not apply it. Satan is a knowing spirit, he liath e- nough of the serj)ent ; but that which makes him a devil is, lie wants the dove, he doth not practise holiness.
5. To mix the serpent and dove, is to keep two trades going. To understand
CHRISTIAN PRUDENCE AND INNOCENCY.
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