_Quest._ But may not _Gods_ children have just cause of exercising _sharpnesse_ each to others? Yea doubtlesse, for _Paul_ withstood even _Peter_ himselfe to his face, and the _Church_ of _Corinth_ must put away and deliver the _incestuous_ person to the Devill; though probably yet deare, and a brother, according to that of _Paul_ to the _Thessalonians_, yet count him not as an _Enemie_, but admonish him as a _Brother_. In a way of _Justice_, in a way of _Physick_, the dearest _friend_ or _Brother_ may exercise much _bitternesse_, though with much _sweetnesse_ of _temper_, and with much tender melting and bemoaning of _affection_. [Sidenote: One of the blackest transgressions in the world for] Thus in cases have we seen mounfull violence used, to a _wife_ or _brother_ in some kind of _distempers_ and _distractions_. But when _Gods children_ shall so far degenerate, as to _pursue_ the life of each other, though it be with desire to cover a sin, and to keep _Gods name_ from being dishonored (as in _Davids_ case) it is a _weaknesse_, it is a _sicknesse_, which although it be not unto death, yet bringeth it neer unto _Deaths door_,and made _David_ cry out with _bitternesse_ of his soul, _Deliver me from blood-guiltinesse O my God, and my tongue shall sing loud of thy righteousnesse_. [Sidenote: _Thirdly._] [Sidenote: A compassionate heart even towards enemies is a Christian heart.] A third tryal of spirituall _health_ and _strength_ is a _compassionate_ and _pitifull, melting-heart_ over the _afflicted_ or _miserable_, yea, although our _enemies_, or _enemies_ of their owne _Salvation_. Thus the Lord _Jesus_ sighs for the _hardnesse_ of the _heart_ of his _Enemies_: thus he _weeps_ over _Jerusalem_ that was to kill him, and prayed for his _persecutors_ and _enemies_. Thus _Jeremy_ powres forth his _Book_ and _Rivers_ of _Lamentations_ for _Jerusalem_ of old, as _Christ_ for the latter. [Sidenote: _2 Tim. 2. 26_.] Thus _Gods_ people are commanded to _weep_ with them that _weep_: And when any oppose themselves, wee ought in _meeknesse_ and _patience_ to bear it, as knowing their wofull and miserable _bondage_ and _slavery_ to _Sathan_: And who knows whether it will please _God_ in infinite mercy and compassion to deliver them by vouchsafing _repentance_ in _Christ Jesus_, as he hath done to us? _Object._ But may not _Gods_ children exceed and over-grieve for others? [Sidenote: Gods people mourn for others.] Yea doubtlesse, and therefore _God_ chideth _Samuel_ for over-grieving for _Saul_, because _God_ hath rejected him: _Gods_ children may as well exceed the bounds of _griefs_ as of _joy_ and _anger_, and any kind of _Passion_ or _affection_: but it is ever safer to fall on the right hand of too much _mercy_ and _compassion_, then on the left of _Anger_, _Wrath_ and _Cruelty_.