Page:Cry to the whole earth (2).pdf/18

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18

       of the feast or in some other of the guests,
       even to say unto them thus, or otherwise,
       as the cause requireth; I will warn you of
       one thing, that if you follow counsel, it will
       do you good; that is, that you would leave
       off your usury, or your extortions, or your
       covetousness or oppression, that you would
       leave off your swearing and blaspheming
       the name of God; that you would forbear
       to profane the Lord's sabbath; that you
       would leave your pride and excess in your
       diet and apparel; that you would forbear
       to speak ill of any behind their backs, or
       to bear any malice or hatred to any of their
       neighbours; these or the like are the faults
       which are easy to be espied almost in every
       place; and these are the faults which every
       minister of Jesus Christ should not leave
       unreproved wheresoever he cometh. But
       as Elias told Ahab of his idolatry, 1 Kings
       xiii. although he was king. And as John
       Baptist told Herod of his adultery, altho'
       he did many things for him, Matth. xiv.
       Mark vi. 20. 'and heard him gladly.' so
       should the preachers reprove the people for
       their notorious offences, notwithstanding
       some favours and courtesies received of
       them before.
         If Christ took occasion to find fault with