' This euunciation of the topics in the discourse differs slightly from what appears in " The Morning Exercises," where the order of the second and third lieads is reversed. We pi-efer the arrangement adopted above, because it is con- sistent witii the actual order of the tojiics in the discourse itself, and because it is given in the folio volume of Owen's Sermons published in 1721; for an account of which see the General Preface to this edition of his works. The editors of that volume state, " that, for the greater accuracy of the work, such original manu- scripts as are yet remaining, even of those sermons wliich were formerly printed, have been consulted, whicli we chose rather to follow than the printed copies, where any thing had been altered and omitted; so that both the Sermons and other Tiacts are free from those many gross faults that have hitherto sullied them." — Ed.
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482 now WE may j^eahn
ercise of singular wisdom and humility, will all the advantages of a just reproof be lost, where the allowed practice of greater sins and evils than that reproved is daily chargeable on the reprover. Hence is that reflection of our Saviour on the useless, hy]:)0critical diligence of men in pulling the mote out of their brother's eyes whilst they have beams in their own, Matt. vii. 3-5. The rule in this case is: — If the reprover he a righteous person, consider the reprover first, and then the reproof; if he he otherwise, consider the reproof, and the rep7'over not at all.
2. The nature of a reproof is also to be considered. And this is threefold : for every reproof is either, (1.) Authoritative; or (2.) Fra- ternal; or (3.) ^ere\y friendly and occasional.
(1.) Authoritative r&^rooh are either, [1.] Ministerial ; or [2.] Pa- rental; or [3.] Despotical.
[1.] There is an especial authority accompanying ministerial re- proofs, which we ought especially to consider and improve. Now, I understand not hereby those doctrinal reproofs when, in the dispen- sation of that word of grace and truth which is " profitable for cor- rection and reproof," 2 Tim. iii. 16, they speak, and exhort, and " rebuke" the sins of men " with all authority," Tit. ii. 15; but the occasional application of the word unto individual persons, upon their unanswerableness in any thing unto the truth wherein they have been instructed. For every right reproof is but the orderly applica- tion of a rule of truth unto any person under his miscaniage, for his healing and recovery. Where, therefore, a minister of the gospel, in the preaching of the word, doth declare and teach the rule of holy obedience with ministerial authority, if any of the flock committed to his charge shall appear in any thing to walk contrary thereunto, or to have transgressed it in any offensive instance, as it is his duty, the discharge whereof will be required of him at the great day, particu- larly to apply the truth unto them in the way of private, personal reproof; so he is still therein accompanied with his ministerial autho- rity: which makes his reproof to be of a peculiar nature, and as such to be accounted for. For as he is thus commanded, as a minister, to " exhort, rebuke, admonish," and " reprove" every one of his charge, as occasion shall require; so, in doing of it, he doth discharge and exercise his ministerial office and power. And he that is wise will forego no considerations that may give efficacy unto a just and due reproof; especially not such a one as, if it be neglected, will not only be an aggravation of the evil for which he is reproved, but will also accumulate his guilt with a contempt of the authority of Jesus Christ. Wherefore tlie rule here is, — The more clear and evident the repre- sentation of the authority of Christ is in the reproof the more dili- gent ought we to he in our attendance unto it and compliance with
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it. He is the great reprover of his church, Rev. iii. 1 9. All the use, power, authority, and efficacy of ecclesiastical reproofs flow ori- ginally and are derived from him. In ministerial reproofs, there is the most express and immediate application of his authority made unto the minds of men ; which, if it be carelessly slighted or proudly despised, or evacuated by perverse cavillings, as is the manner of some in such cases, it is an open evidence of a heart that never yet sincerely took upon it this law and yoke.
These things are spoken of the j^^i'sonal reproofs that are given by ministers, principally unto those of their respective flocks, as occasion doth require; whei-ein I shall pray that our Lord Jesus Christ, the gTeat Shepherd of the sheep, would yet make us all more faithful and diligent, as the season wherein we live doth abundantly require it. But, moreover, church censures, in admonition and excommuni- cation, have the nature and ends of ministerial reproofs. But the handling of their nature and use, vAi\\ the duties of those persons who justly fall under them, and the benefit which they may reap thereby, is too long and large a subject to be here diverted unto.
[2.] Authoritative reproof is pare7ital. Reproof is, indeed, one of the greatest and most principal duties of parents towards children, and without which all others, for the most part, do but pamper them unto slaughter and ruin. Neglect hereof is that which hath filled us v/ith so many Hophnis, Plimehases, and Absaloms, — Avhose outrageous wickednesses are directly charged on the sinful lenity and neglect, in this matter, even of godly parents. And, indeed, whereas some parents are openly vicious and debauched, even in the sight of their children, in a sensual neglect and contempt of the light of nature, whereby they lose all their authority in reproving, as well as all care about it; — and whereas the most have so little regard unto sin as sin, whilst things are tolerably well in outward concerns, that they ne- glect the reproof of it as such; and many, through a foolish, con- temptible prevalency of fond affection, ^\ill take no notice of the sinful follies, extravagances, and miscarriages of their children, until all things grow desperate with them; but soothe up and applaud them in such effects of pride, vanity, and wantonness, as ought to be most severely reproved in them ; — the woful and dreadful degeneracy of the age wherein we live owes itself much unto the honible neglect of parents in this duty. That parental reproof is a duty taught by the law of nature, coiifirmed in the Scripture, enjoined under severe threatenings and penalties, exemplified in instances of blessings and vengeance on its performance or neglect, rendered indispensably necessary by that depravation of our natures which works in children from the womb, and grows up in strength and efficacy together Avitli them, — I should not need to prove, if it lay directly before me, it