to any wrong deed of his, and would not only dissent, but dissuade him
from it, yea, reprove him, and rebuke him sharply, if need were ; which
sort of friendly smiting would be a most acceptable good turn as could
be performed to him. Surely he that truly hateth sin loveth to be
freely dealt withal, and reproved and admonished of it. It may be
the reproof is as a wound to the flesh, which is proud and impatient
of contradiction ; but it is the fruit of love unfeigned ; and when we
are in our right wits, it should be as a precious oil, which they were
wont to pour on the head, both for health, and cheering, and gladness.
Secondly, The exhortation itself, ' Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour.' Here is — (1.) The object ; (2.) The act.
1. The object, thy neighbour and brother. Here the question will be the same that was put to Christ : Luke x. 29, ' Who is my neigh- bour ? ' Christ answereth him by a parable, and showeth him that every one that stood in need of his charity, he is the object of thy
110 SERMONS UPON LEVITICUS XIX. 17,
compassion and mercy. So in tins piece of charity, by 'brother* and ' neighbour ' is meant any other man, though he be to thee as a Jew to a Samaritan, upon terms of the greatest separation and hostility towards thee. So our Lord teacheth elsewhere : Mat. v. 43, 44, ' Ye have heard that it hath been said. Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy : but I say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that de- spitefully use you, and persecute you.' Offices of love must be extended to all, even to aliens and enemies ; therefore for this case am I to reprove an infidel or one of a false religion ?
We answer briefly, as the apostle, Gal. vi. 10, * As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.'
[1.] By the law of charity I owe this office of love to all, for I should bring home as many to God as possibly I can. Neither age, nor sex, nor any condition of life doth deprive them of the benefit, nor exempt me from ray duty to them. Unbelievers are our neighbours, and to be loved with a true love ; besides (j)L\ahe\(f)ia, ' Love of the brethren,' dyd-m], ' love ' is required of christians: 2 Peter i. 7, ' Add to brotherly- kindness charity.' And therefore they must not be excluded from the common act and office of charity that belongeth to all men as men. Spiritual alms is no more restrained than bodily. Now upon occasion we are bound to relieve the worst in their great necessity, and none have such great necessity of being reduced as infidels, for they are further from God and more gone astray than others, and therefore most need information and warning of the danger they are in. An unbeliever may reprove a believer; so on the contrary: Gen. xx. 16, 'And Abimelech said unto Sarah, Behold, I have given to thy brother a thousand pieces of silver ; behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes to all that are with thee, and with all other : thus was she reproved.' This heathen king reproved her, because she wore not a veil, as wives are wont to do, but dissembled, and thereby she was in danger of being ensnared, and giving occasion of these mischiefs ; as if he should say, Acknowledge freely hereafter that he is thy husband, and cover thy face in token that thou art a married woman, and that consequently he is the shield and defence of thy chastity ; let it be a lesson and warn- ing to thee to be more circumspect hereafter.
[2.] This is chiefly to be done to christians, and those who are members of the same church, for in a chief respect they are to be reckoned brother and neighbour. They have a nearer brotherly con- junction with us than others, and the precept of brotherly correction introduceth that discipline which is to be used in the church for ever : Mat. xviii. 15-17, 'Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone : if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church ; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican ; ' that is, thy fellow christian, he is first to be admonished privately, without putting him to any shame or reproach, and if he mend upon such admonition,
SERMONS UPON LEVITICUS XIX. 17. Ill
there is an end. It is comfort enough to you to be an happy instru- ment of his repentance. But if that first method succeed not, other courses must be taken; and the case is to be brought before the christian church, ver. 17, that it receive no damage by wilful and obstinate offenders ; so that reproof doth mostly concern the scandalous sins of a brother or professed believer.