The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

4. We must reprove compassionately, with the deepest sense of our own failings, and miscarriages, and so with the greater pity to their infirmities, Gal. 6.1. Bernard said of himself, That he never saw another man sin, but he was distrustful and jealous of his own heart, ille heri, & tu hodie, & ego cras — and this would file off a great deal of that rigour and roughness that renders a Reproof so unpleasing, and so unprofitable; for verily Christian tenderness and compassion in the Reprover, is the best way to work sense and passion in the sinner; Si vis me stere dolendum est primum ipse tibi.

4. Wee must reprove compassionately, with the deepest sense of our own failings, and miscarriages, and so with the greater pitty to their infirmities, Gal. 6.1. Bernard said of himself, That hee never saw another man sin, but hee was distrustful and jealous of his own heart, ille heri, & tu hodie, & ego cras — and this would file off a great deal of that rigour and roughness that renders a Reproof so unpleasing, and so unprofitable; for verily Christian tenderness and compassion in the Reprover, is the best way to work sense and passion in the sinner; Si vis me stere dolendum est primum ipse tibi.

This is the way to mollify mens hearts, whereas on a lordly, domineering, austere, rigid Reproof, instead of rendering thy Brother Gods friend, thou dost but render thy self his enemy, James 1.20.

This is the way to mollifie mens hearts, whereas on a lordly, domineering, austere, rigid Reproof, instead of rendring thy Brother Gods friend, thou dost but render thy self his enemy, James 1.20.