Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Ver. 1. If a man be overtaken] Gr. προληφθη, be taken before he is aware, before he hath time to consider, or bethink himself of better. It is of incogitancy that the saints sin; put them in mind, and they mend all. It is of passion, and passions last not long. "There is no way of wickedness in them; they stand not in the way of sinners, they sit not down in the seat of scorners," Psalms 1:1; Psalms 139:24 .
Restore such a one] Gr. καταρτοζετε, set him in joint again. A metaphor from surgeons and bone setters who handle their patients tenderly. Or from such as take a mote out of one's eye gently and warily.
Lest thou also be tempted] I have known a good old man, saith Bernard, who when he had heard of any that had committed some notorious offence, was wont to say with himself, Ille hodie, et ego eras, He fell today, so may I tomorrow. Mr Bradford set down in his diary what good he saw in any man, bewailing the lack of it in himself, and praying for more grace; as if he saw or heard of any evil in another, he noted it, as in danger to do so himself; and still added, Lord, have mercy upon me. (Prof. to his Serm. of Rep.)