[2.] How far the obligation reacheth extensively. It bindeth all ; for all are to be able : Coi. iii. 16, ' Let the word of God dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another ; ' and Kom. XV. 14, ' I am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.' There are several relations between christians, but all are bound to reprove. Some are superiors, some are inferiors ; superiors are bound in point of justice ; inferiors in point of charity. Superiors that have charge of souls are much more bound to reprove than others ; God's threatenings against them are more grievous if they neglect this duty of love. The watchman must not spare. Yea, they are bound though it be with the danger of their lives ; as Mat. x. 16, 'Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.' John the Baptist reproved Herod, though it cost him his life, Mark vi. 27. And tlie reason is, they have a double tie and bond upon them, as their office and relation, besides the common bond of charity.
But now whether inferiors are bound to reprove those that are over them ?
Yes, certainly ; for David, a king, did receive with meekness a reproof not only from Nathan, a prophet, but from Abigail, a woman, 1 Sam. XXV. 32, 33 ; and Job produceth it as a proof of his integrity that he despised not the cause of his man-servant, or of his maid- servant, when they contended with him. Job xxxi. 13. Certainly we owe this duty to superiors, as their danger is greater. To save a private person is not so much as to do good to one that shineth in a higher sphere. Well, then, we are bound to reprove all whom we are bound to love, whether superiors or inferiors. But then to superiors we are to use great modesty : 1 Tim. v. 1, ' Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren.' It should be rather an exhortation and entreaty than a reproof. So princes and magistrates, who are subject to errors and miscarriages, may with humility and wisdom be admonished ; as Naaman's servant : 2 Kings V. 13, 'My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldstthou not have done it ? how much rather then, when he saith. Wash and be clean ? ' Dan. iv. 27, * Wherefore 0 king, let my counsel bo acceptable to thee;' and Col. iv. 17, ' Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.'
But 3'et this is still a generality. If every one be bound to reprove all, and all every one, when shall we know that this duty is to be put in act ?
SERMONS UPON LEVITICUS XIX. 17. 117
Ans. The admonislicr should have a calling to it through some rela- tion between him and the offender. So we may find it in all kind of relations ; a minister or prophet, as Nathan reproved David, 2 Sam. xii. 1 ; as a counsellor, Joab reproveth him : 2 Sam. xix. 5, 6, ' Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all tliy servants, which have saved thy life ; ' a yoke-fellow, as the husband the wife : Job ii. 10, ' Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.' The wife the husband, as Abigail to Nabal : 1 Sam. xxv. 37, ' And it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of his head, and his wife had told him these things, his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.' A son, as Jonathan to Saul: 1 Sam. xix. 4, 'And Jonathan spake good of David to Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he hath not sinned against thee ; ' a servant admonisheth a prince, 2 Kings V. 13 ; a subject, so Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. iv. 27 ; a friend to his friend : Prov. xxvii. 6, ' Faithful are the wounds of a friend.' Yea, a stranger travelling by the way, and seeing his fellow- traveller sin, or sitting at the same table, it is a call, because he is then in his company, and there is the sin committed ; for so Christ proveth the Samaritan was a neighbour to the Jew, when he lighted upon him, Luke X. 29. So that the duty, though it universally obligeth, yet it is not impracticable ; there is something giveth us the occasion.
4. It is recommended. When, besides the precept, there is a com- mendation, it showeth the value of a duty. Now God not only com- mandeth, but commendeth to us both the giving and taking a reproof, and that upon the highest and most pressing motives.
[1.] Let us see how the giving a reproof is recommended to us as a means to increase knowledge : Prov. xix. 25, ' Pieprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge ; ' that is, profit in the fear of the Lord. Yea, as a means to convey life : Prov. vi. 23, ' And reproofs of instruction are the way of life.' They are a means to reduce men to God and eternal happiness ; and it is called saving a soul from death : James v. 19, 20, ' Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know that he that converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.' So Prov. xxiv. 25, ' But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon him ; ' that is, all will pray for him, whereas they curse and detest flatterers. Many such promises there are.