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

There be some cruel Parents and Masters that carry themselves ⟨p. 205⟩more like raging brutes, than men, that take pleasure in tyrannical corrections. They can let their children swear, and lye, and filch, and commit any other sin, and yet correct them not; but if they do not what they would have them, then they fall upon them, and tear them like wild Beasts: Know, that God will require such vile acts at your hands in the great day. O rather let them see that thou art angry for Gods sake; and not for thine own. There must be a great deal of gracious pity to their souls, and holy love mixed with thine anger against sin. O how few be there that beg in secret, that God would soften the hearts of their relations by their due and moderate castigations! Oh pray, that God would lay his holy hand upon their hearts, when thou layest thy Rod upon their backs. After they have paid their debt to justice, look more serenely upon them, and thereby encourage them to amendment.¹ Morosity and acerbity ([Greek or Hebrew]) if continuing still, will check their hopes of ever returning to thy grace and favour. Let ancient rulers have a care of too much sourness of carriage; for many times through the common incidencies of age, the Philosopher hath observed that they are too proclive to jealousies, suspicious [[Greek or Hebrew]] to interpret all things in the worst sense,² and so possibly to be too quick and ready upon easy suggestions, to think of, and deal hardly with their Inferiors; Be careful to use both your ears, and hearken to both parties in matters of complaint. But if upon deliberate and mature conviction, nothing less will prevail: Follow Gods command herein,³ and thy Son shall give rest unto thy soul. In all these cases there lies a great point of prudence, to let them know, that thou hast yet greater corrections for them, if they mend not. That the fear and terror of what thou hast yet reserved, may work them to a compliance. They that show the utmost of their rigour and power in such acts at once, despoil themselves of that authority and awe which otherwise they might ingenerate in their hearts. But take heed of all violent and passionate corrections. A Heathen could say to his servant [Caederem te nisi irascerer] I would beat thee, were I not angry. He that smites when his passion boils,