2. Take heed of cherishing hahitually such disorders, vices, and distevipers of mind, as are contrary unto this duty and will frus- trate the design of it. Such are, — (1.) Hastiness of spirit. Some men's minds do with such fuiy apply themselves unto their first apprehension of things, that they cast the whole soul into disorder, and render it incapable of farther rational consideration. There may be, it is possible, some failures and mistakes in useful and neces- sary reproofs, in matter, manner, circumstance, some way or other. This immediately is seized on by men of hasty spirits (a vice and folly sufiiciently condemned in Scripture), turned unto a provocation, made a matter of strife and dispute, until the whole advantage of the re- proof is utterly lost and vanisheth. A quiet, gentle, considerative, sedate frame of spirit is required unto this duty. (2.) Pride and haughtiness of mind, self-conceit, elation of spirit, — which will be in- separably accompanied with the contempt of others, and a scorn, that any should think themselves either so much wiser or so much better than ourselves as to reprove us in any kind, — are a fenced wall against any benefit or advantage by reproofs; yea, things that wall turn
492 HOW WE MAY LEARN
judgment into hemlock, and the most sovereign antidote into poison. No wild beast in a toil doth more rave, and tear, and rend, than a proud man when he is reproved. And therefore, he who manifests himself so to be, hath secured himself from being any more trouljled by serious reproofs from any wise man whatever. See Prov. ix. 7, 8. (3.) Prejudices, which are so variously occasioned, as it were endless to recount. If, now, we make it not our constant business to purge our minds from these depraved affections, they will never fail effec- tually to exert themselves on all occasions, to the utter defeatment of all use in, or benefit by, the most necessary and regular reproofs.
3. Reckon assuredly, that a fault, a miscarriage, ivliich any one is duly reproved for, if the reproof he not received and improved as it ought, is not only aggravated, hut accumulated with a neiu crime, and marked with a dangerous token of an incurahle evil. — See Prov. xxix. 1. Let men do what they can, bear themselves high in their expressions, grow angry, passionate, excuse or palliate ; un- less they are seared and profligately obstinate, their own consciences will take part with a just and regular reproof. If hereupon they come not up to amendment, their guilt is increased by the occasional exci- tation of the light of conscience, to give it an especial charge. And there is an additional sin, in the contempt of the reproof itself. But that which principally should make men careful, and even tremble, in this case, is, that they are put on a trial, whether ever they will forsake the evil of their ways and doings, or no: for he who is orderly re- proved for any fault, and neglects or despiseth the rebuke, can have no assurance that he shall ever be delivered from the evil rebuked ; but hath just cause to fear that he is entering into a course of hard- ness and impenitency.
4. It is useful unto the same end, immediately to compare the re- 2')roof with the tvord of truth. — This is the measure, standard, and di- rectory of all duties, whereunto, in all dubious cases, we should imme- diately retreat for advice and coimsel. And whei'eas there are two things considerable in a reproof,- — first, the matter of it, that it be true, and a just cause or reason of a rebuke; and, secondly, the right which the reprover hath unto this duty, with the ride which he walked by therein, — if both these, for the substance of them, jirove to be jus- tified by the Scripture, then have we, in such a case, no more to do Avith the reprover, nor any of his circumstances, but immediately and directly with God himself; for where he gives express warranty and direction for a duty in his word, his own authority is as directly ex- erted thereby as if he spoke unto us from heaven. Hereby will the mind be prevented from many wanderings and vain reliefs, which foolish imagination will suggest, and be bound up unto its present duty. Let our unwillingness to be reproved be what it Avill, as also our
TO BEAR REPROOFS. 493
prejudices against our reprover, if we are not, at least, free to bring the consideration and examination of tlie one and the other unto the word of truth, it is because our deeds are evil, and therefore we love darkness more than light. No milder nor more gentle censure can be passed on any, who is not free to bring any reproof that may be given him unto an impartial trial by the word, whether it be accord- ing to the mind of God or no. If this be done, and conviction of its truth and necessity do then appear; then let the soul know it hath to do with God himself, and wisely consider what answer he will re- turn, what account he will give unto Him. Wherefore, —
5. The best way to keep our souls in a readiness riglttly to receive, and didy to improve, such reproofs as may regularly he given ■us by any, is to keep and preserve our soids and spirits, in a constant aiue and reverence of the reproofs of God, which are recorded in his word. — The neglect or contempt of these rejDroofs, is that which the generality of mankind do sj^ht themselves u})on, and perish eternally. This is so fully and graphically expressed, Prov. i., that nothing can be added thereunto. And the great means whereby much hardness comes upon others, through the deceitfulness of sin, is want of keeping up a due sense or reverence of divine re- proofs and threatenings on their souls. When this is done, — when our hearts are kept up unto an awful regard of them, exercised with a continual meditation on them, made tender, careful, watchful by them, — any just reproof from any, that falls in compliance with them, will be conscientiously observed, and carefully improved.