Ohs. 3. From that if any do err. If but one, there is none so base and contemptible in the church but the care of their safety belongeth to all. One root of bitterness defileth many ; both in point of infection and scandal we are all concerned ; one spark may occasion a great burning. As Arius ; an inconsiderable spark at first kindled such a flame as burned in all parts of the world : ' Take the little foxes,' Cant. ii. 15. It is good with a wise foresight to watch the first appearances of sin and error in a congregation. It presseth us also to be careful of the meanest in the communion of saints. Some think they are too high in birth and parts for that social commerce and intercourse that should be between member and member in the body of Christ. An- dronicus and Junia, two poor prisoners, were of great note in the churches, Rom. xvi.
Ohs. 4. Fiom that and one convert Mm. The expression is inde- finite, not as limiting it to the officers of the church, though it be chiefly their work. Besides the public exhortations of ministers, private Christians should mutually confer for comfort and edification. I say
476 AN ExrosiTiON, WITH NOTES, [Jas. V. 19, 20.
private Christians not only may, but mtist keep up a Christian com- munion among themselves: Heb. iii. 13, 'Exhort one another while it is called to-day.' They are mutually to stir up one another by speeches that tend to discover sin, to prevent hardness of heart and apostasy. God hath severally dispensed his gifts, that we might mutually be beholding to one another. Therefore the apostle calleth it. 1 Peter iv. 10, ' the dispensation of the manifold grace of God/ Now every one should cast in his lot, according to his gifts and expe- riences ; as the wicked said one to another, Prov. i. 14, ' Cast in your lot among us,' &c.
Obs. 5. From that convert him; that is, reduce him from his error. Among other acts of Christian communion this is one of the chiefest, to reduce those that are gone astray. AVe must not only exhort, but reclaim; it is a duty we owe to our neighbour's beast: Deut. xxii. 4, ' Thou shalt not see thy neighbour's ox or ass fall down by the way, but thou shalt help them.' Nay, it is said, Exod. xxiii. 4, ' If thou meet thine enemy's ox or ass going astray, thou shalt bring him back again.' Mark, in both places, if the beasts were either fallen or strayed, much more if your neighbour himself be fallen by sin, or strayed by error, it is charity to help and reduce him. Hath God a care of oxen or asses ? If we sutlier sin upon them, we may suffer for their sin. Though it be an unthankful office, yet it must not be declined ; usually carnal respects sway us, and we are loath to do that which is displeasant. Well, then, if it be our duty to admonish, it is your duty to ' suffer the words of exhortation,' to bear a leproof patiently, otherwise you oppose your own salvation. Error is touchy; carnal affections are loath to have the judgment informed ; they take away the light of reason, and leave us only the pride of reason ; there- fore none so angry as they that are seduced into an opinion by interest, their sore must not be touched. Usually conviction and reproof beget hatred: 'Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?' Gal. iv, 16. Truth is a good mother, but it begetteth a bad daughter, contempt and hatred. Oh ! this should not be so. David counted the smiting of the righteous ' a chief oil,' Ps. cxli. 5 ; faithful reproof and counsel is like a sword anointed with balsam, that woundeth and healeth at the same time.
Ohs. 6. Again from that convert him. He doth not say destroy him: the work of Christians is not presently to accuse and condemn, but to counsel and convert an erroneous person. To call for fire from heaven presently argueth some hastiness and impatiency of revenge ; first burn them in the fire of love. Before any rigorous course be taken, we must use all due means of information ; the worst cause always is the most bloody. It is the guise of heretics to ' go in the way of Cain,* Jude 11. It is tyranny in tiie Papists to punish every scruple; if a doubt be proposed, though in confession, it cannot be expiated with less than a rack, or the torments of an inquisition. It was TertuUian's complaint of the heathens, Ex officina carnijicum solvunt argumenta — the Christians disputed for their religion, and they had their answer from the hangman. So Ambrose observeth, Quos sermonihus non possunt dccipere, gladiis clamant feriendos. False religions brook no contradiction ; and what is wanting in argu-
JaS. V. 19, 20.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 477
ment is made up in force ; and therefore are erroneous ways fell and cruel. No compulsive force should be used before there be care had for better information, and resolving the doubting conscience, as long as there appeareth a desire to be informed, and meek endeavours after satisfaction. Paul is for two or three admonitions before a church censure, Titus iii. 10. They are cruel hangmen, not divines, saith Pareus, that care not to save a soul from death, but presently to deliver it up to the devil, to the stake, to the sword.