3. All that do not hinder sin, or reprove it, are not guilty of it; no more than all that do not punish it; but those only that have power and opportunity, and so are called by God to do it.
4. If another man will sin, and destroy his soul, by the occasion of my necessary duty, I must not cease my duty to prevent such men's sin or hurt; else one or other will by their perverseness, excuse me from almost all the duty which I should do. I must not cease praying, hearing, sacraments, nor withdraw from church communion, because another will turn it to his sin; else Satan should use the sin of others to frustrate all God's worship. Yet I must add, that many things cease to be a duty, when another will be so hurt by them.
5. I am not guilty of all men's sins, which are committed in my presence; no, though I know beforehand that they will sin. For my calling or duty may lead me into the presence of those, that I may foreknow will sin. Wicked men sin in all that they do, and yet it followeth not, that I must have nothing to do with them. Many a failing which is his sin, may a minister or church be guilty of, even in that public worship of God, which yet I am bound to be present at.
But of all these somewhat is said before, chap. xii.
[144] Dan. iii., vi.
[145] John xvii. 21, 25.
[146] Ezek. ix. 4; Zeph. iii. 17, 18.
CHAPTER XV.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE FURTHERING OF THE SALVATION OF OTHERS.
The great means which we must use for the salvation of our neighbours are,