XII. Seeing the word of God requireth, that we should

consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; therefore, at all times, and especially in this time, wherein profanity abounds, and mockers, walking after their own lusts, think it strange that others run not with them to the same excess of riot; every member of this kirk ought to stir up themselves, and one another, to the duties of mutual edification, by instruction, admonition, rebuke; exhortin"* one another to manifest the grace of God, in denying un- godliness and worldly lusts, and in living godly, soberly, and righteously, in this present world; by comforting the feeble- minded, and praying with or for one another. Which duties respectively are to be |>erformed upon special occa- sions offered by divine Providence; as namely, when under any calamity, cross, or great difficulty, counsel or comfort is sought ; or when an offender is to be reclaimed by private admonition, and if that be not efiectuaJ, by joining one or
two
600 Directions for Famil^'Worsldp.
two more in the admonition, according to the rule of Christ ; that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.