But if our company into which we are come, either by accident or some urgent occasion, be notoriously profane and wicked, who would but 1make a scoff at any speech which savoureth of Religion; our Saviour hath given us this rule for our direction, that we must not cast holy things before dogs, nor pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turning again, all to rent us. Unto which the Wise man hath adjoined another, that we must get our selves out of such company as soon as we can: Go (saith he) from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest 2not in him the lips of knowledge. In the mean time, though we have some society with them, in respect of our persons, yet let us be careful that we have no fellowship with their unfruitful works of darkness, by too much familiarity, applauding their speeches, and blanching over their vices and faults; but if we cannot without danger take liberty of reproving them by direct words, yet let us do it by showing dislike, either by our silence or by our countenance. At least let us give them a real reproof by our contrary example, being (as the Apostle speaketh) blameless and 3harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the middest of a crooked and perverse nation, and shining among them as lights in the world. But if they be so peaceable, that we may conceive any hope of their patience, and that they will hearken unto any good speech, loving admonition, or gentle reproof, we must not neglect it, handling these festered sores with a soft hand, that so they may more quietly endure to have afterwards salves applied which shall be fit for their curing. Neither will it stand with Christian charity to neglect any means, when there is the least hope of doing them good, nor with Christian wisdom to do it after a rough and boisterous manner, proudly and imperiously, with sharp rebukes and bitter reproofs, which like strong medicines in a weak stomach and clogged with corrupt humours, will not stay with them, but will presently be cast up again, before they have had any time to work, and so do them no good for their spiritual cure. But we must use first preparatives and gentle purges, as they are able to bear:
But if our company into which we are come, either by accident or some vrgent occasion, bee notoriously prophane and wicked, who would but 1make a scoffe at any speech which sauoureth of Religion; our Sauiour hath giuen vs this rule for our direction, that we must not cast holy things before dogges, nor pearles before swine, lest they trample them vnder their feete, and turning againe, all to rent vs. Vnto which the Wise man hath adioyned another, that wee must get our selues out of such company as soone as we can: Goe (saith hee) from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceiuest 2not in him the lips of knowledge. In the meane time, though wee haue some society with them, in respect of our persons, yet let vs be carefull that wee haue no fellowship with their vnfruitfull works of darkenesse, by too much familiarity, applauding their speeches, and blaunching ouer their vices and faults; but if wee cannot without danger take liberty of reprouing them by direct words, yet let vs doe it by shewing dislike, either by our silence or by our countenance. At least let vs giue them a reall reproofe by our contrary example, being (as the Apostle speaketh) blamelesse and 3harmelesse, the sonnes of God without rebuke, in the middest of a crooked and peruerse nation, and shining among them as lights in the world. But if they be so peaceable, that we may conceiue any hope of their patience, and that they will hearken vnto any good speech, louing admonition, or gentle reproofe, we must not neglect it, handling these festred sores with a soft hand, that so they may more quietly indure to haue afterwards salues applied which shalbe fit for their curing. Neither will it stand with Christian charity to neglect any meanes, when there is the least hope of doing thē good, nor with Christian wisdome to do it after a rough and boystrous manner, proudly and imperiously, with sharpe rebukes and bitter reproofes, which like strong medicines in a weake stomacke and clogged with corrupt humours, will not stay with them, but will presently be cast vp againe, before they haue had any time to work, and so do them no good for their spirituall cure. But we must vse first prepartiues and gentle purges, as they are able to beare:
- 1Matth. 7. 6.
- 2Pro. 14. 7.
- 3Phil. 2. 15.
