I. The prohibition —
The prohibition, though given in general terms, must of necessity be hmited: and it is of great im- portance to have its hmits clearly defined. We shall therefore,
1. Point out what is not included in it —
[It does not forbid the exercise of magisterial judgment. Magistracy is of God's appointment. It was ordained by him for the restraining of iniquity ; and those who are invested with it are "not to bear the sword in vain^" They must hear, must judge, must determine, must enforce and execute the laws: and they who fulfil their magisterial duties with zeal and uprightness, are to be regarded among the brightest orna- ments and the richest blessings of a land.
It does not forbid the forming of a discreet judgment, whether of things or persons, for the regulation of our own conduct. We are rational beings, and must walk agreeably to the dictates of reason and religion. Are any things proposed to us for adoption? We must examine whether they be worthy of our choice : we must " prove all things, and hold fast that which is good**." Do any persons tender their advice, and profess to have their views rectified by the word and Spirit of God ? We must not immediately take for granted that they are right, or yield ourselves implicitly to their direction : " Believe not every spirit," says St. John; "but try the spirits, whether they be of God^"
It does not forbid our declaring of the judgments of God against sin and sinners. When we state, that " the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men," we are considered by many as violating the rules of charity. But charity does not require us to confound good and evil, or to contradict the plainest assertions of Holy Writ: it would be no charity, but rather the greatest cruelty, to act thus: and it is at the peril of our souls to do so^. We must "in any wise rebuke a brother®:" we not only must " have no fellowship with the unfrmtful works of darkness, but must rather reprove them^." It was no violation of this law when Paul reproved Peter for his dissimulation^: nor will it be any infringement of our duty to declare, that " the unright- eous shall not inherit the kingdom of God," or to suspend from intercourse with ourselves, and from the communion of the Church, an offending brother '^.
a Rom. xiii. 1 — 7. '' 1 Thess. v. 21. « i John iv. 1.
•1 Isai. v. 20. e Lev. xix. 17. ^ Epli. v. 11.
g Gal. ii. 11—14. >> 1 Cor. v. 11—13.