Hence _David_ weeps over _sinners_ with _Rivers_ of _Tears_, because they kept not _Gods Law_. Hence we are commanded to bear the _burthens_ of others, and so fulfill _Christs Law_. All sin is a _burthen_, but especially to _Gods children_, whether they commit it out of a deceived _judgment_, and _conscience_, or out of _passion_, and sudden _slight_ of _temptation_: Their _sins_ therefore (especially if _superiours_,) we must cover, and with shame, and sorrow go backward like _Shem_, and _Japheth_, as grieving, and unwilling to behold their _nakednes_. _Obj._ But we are commanded not to suffer _sin_ upon our _Brethren_, but reprove them? _I_ answer, then is the _tongue_ a fit _instrument_ to reprove others, when it is tuned by a grieved _heart_, that considers, and ponders it self, as subject to _temptation_, and _sin_, as others, except _mercy_ make the difference, and deliver from _temptation_. [Sidenote: 4thly.] [Sidenote: Impartiall reproving a character of Gods people.] Fourthly, it is a good evidence of _spirituall health_, respecting others, when we endure not sin to lie upon them, or rather them to lie in the pit of _sin_, but endeavour to help them out by wise, and loving, and seasonable _reproof_, and _exhortation_. Hence _Job_ endures not _sin_ in the wife of his _Bozome_, but chargeth her with _folly_ for her impatient, & impious _counsell_: Hence _David_ smites deeply his dearest _Michol_, when she mocks at his holy zeal for the _Lord_, and his _worship_. Hence _Christ Jesus_ sharply reproves his faithfull servant and Apostle _Peter_, and that only for (seeming) loving, and affectionate _councell_: Get thee behind me _Satan_. [Sidenote: Bold reprovers for sin.] Again, as true love, and zeal for _God_, (when strong) spares not the dearest: so neither doth it balk, or shun the _highest_. Thus deal _Gods Prophets_, even with _Kings_, and _Princes_: Thus _Samuel_ spares not _Saul_, nor _Nathan_ _David_, _Eliab_ _Ahab_, nor _John Baptist_ _Herod_ and his _Queen_, even for those most neer, and darling _sins_, which were most _dangerous_ to touch, and meddle with. _Qu_: How stands such bold, and sharp _language_, (as some of the _Prophets_ used) with humble _Duty_, _Fear_, and _Reverence_, due unto _superiours_? I answer, as true _affection_ stands with plain, and sharp reproof of _dearest_, so true _humility_ in bold dealing on _Gods_ behalf, with the most _supream_, and highest. Hence are _Gods_ people also commanded not only to reprove, but to separate in case of finall _obstinacy_ in _sin_. _Obj._ This course may seem to destroy humane _society_, yea _nature_, and civillity out of the world. [Sidenote: Godliness makes civilitie more beautifull.] I answer, it is true that _Godlines_, and _Christian affection_, and _zeal_ for _God_ destroys corrupt _nature_, and _humanity_, but otherwise _Godlines_ sanctifieth, and directeth _nature_, and _civility_, in the fear of _God_. [Sidenote: 5thly.]