If thou that rulest be thus unruly, How canst thou expect thy Inferiors to be regular, when thy uncomely demeanour does almost convince them, that love can hardly be the genuine root of thine anger, but that they are made the sad objects of thy native temper, or that thy reprehension is spiced with hatred? Observe therefore a prudent administration of thy rebukes. Gild those bitter pills with the hopes of recovering thy favour upon amendment,1 mix these unpleasant potions [[Greek or Hebrew]] with some sweet emollient juices; that such inter-woven lenity may procure access for your admonitions, and effect your desired issue. The quality of the offence, and the various aggravations of it, must state the quantity, measure, and duration of thine anger. Great faults, if repeated, deserve a greater ardency of spirit. Consider likewise the station and place of thy several relations. A wife ought not to be rebuked before children and servants, lest her subordinate authority be diminished. Contempt cast upon the wife, will reflect upon the husband at last. Yea for smaller offences in children and servants, if they be not committed openly, rebuke them apart, and in private. But above all, Take heed thou be not found more severe in reproving faults against thy self, than sins against the great God. They that honour me (said God to Eli in the case of his Sons) I will honour, 2and they that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed. It is a point of excellent wisdom to manage thy family aright in these cases. A Pilot may show as much skill and dexterity in steering of a little catch or pinnace of pleasure, as of the vast Galleons of Spain. If thou hast cause to be angry, yet let not thy storms run all upon the rocks, but endeavour [[Greek or Hebrew]] speedily to cool the inflammation, to abate the fever,3 and slake the fire of anger. It is better for a Father to be often and nimble, than to be heavy and durable in his wrath. Wink at infirmities; if not such as are immediately sinful, chide them with frowns, and not with bitter assaults; reserve thy public and sharp reprehensions for open and scandalous offences, for reiterated and repeated transgressions ⟨p. 202⟩which bear a show of great neglect, if not of some contempt and disdain.
If thou that rulest be thus unruly, How canst thou expect thy Inferiors to be regular, when thy uncomely demeanour does almost convince them, that love can hardly bee the genuine root of thine anger, but that they are made the sad objects of thy native temper, or that thy reprehension is spiced with hatred? Observe therefore a prudent administration of thy rebukes. Gild those bitter pills with the hopes of recovering thy favour upon amendment,1 mix these unpleasant potions [〈non-Latin alphabet〉] with some sweet emollient juices; that such inter-woven lenity may procure access for your admonitions, and effect your desired issue. The quality of the offence, and the various aggravations of it, must state the quantity, measure, and duration of thine anger. Great faults, if repeated, deserve a greater ardency of spirit. Consider likewise the station and place of thy several relations. A wife ought not to be rebuked before children and servants, lest her subordinate authority be diminished. Contempt cast upon the wife, will reflect upon the husband at last. Yea for smaller offences in children and servants, if they be not committed openly, rebuke them apart, and in private. But above all, Take heed thou be not found more severe in reproving faults against thy self, than sins against the great God. They that honour mee (said God to Eli in the case of his Sons) I will honour, 2and they that despise mee, shall bee lightly esteemed. It is a point of excellent wisdome to manage thy family aright in these cases. A Pilot may shew as much skill and dexterity in steering of a little catch or pinnace of pleasure, as of the vast Gallions of Spain. If thou hast cause to be angry, yet let not thy storms run all upon the rocks, but endeauour [〈non-Latin alphabet〉] speedily to cool the inflammation, to abate the fever,3 and slake the fire of anger. It is better for a Father to be often and nimble, than to be heavy and durable in his wrath. Wink at infirmities; if not such as are immediately sinful, chide them with frowns, and not with bitter assaults; reserve thy publick and sharp reprehensions for open and scandalous offences, for reiterated and repeated transgressions ⟨p. 202⟩which bear a shew of great neglect, if not of some contempt and disdain.
- 1Plut. ibid. p. 22. Gassend. in Epicur. Tom. 3. p. 1511.
- 21 Sam. 2.30.
- 3Plut. ib. p. 23.
