Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

And so high are our spirits, that when it becomes a duty to any man to reprove or contradict us, we are commonly impatient both of the matter and of the manner. We love the man that will say as we say, and be of our opinion, and promote our reputation, though he be less worthy of our love in other respects: But he is ungrateful to us that contradicteth us, and differeth from us, and that dealeth plainly with us in our miscarriages, & telleth us of our faults! Especially in the management of our public arguings: where the eye of the world is upon us, we can scarce endure any contradiction or plain dealing. I know that Railing language is to be abhorred, and that we should be as tender of each others reputation, as our fidelity to the truth will permit: But our Pride makes too many of us to think all men contemn us that do not admire us, yea and admire all that we say, and submit their judgements to our most palpable mistakes! We are so tender that no man can touch us scarce but we are hurt; and so stout and high-minded that a man can scarce speak to us: Like froward children, or sick folk that cannot endure to be talked to; the fault is not that you speak amiss to them, but that you speak to them. So our indignation is not at men for writing or speaking injuriously or unjustly against our words, but for confuting them. And a man that is not verft in complementing: and skilled in flattery above the vulgar rate, can scarce tell how to handle them so observantly, and fit ⟨p. 175⟩their expectations at every turn, but there will be some word, or some neglect which their high spirits will fasten, and take as injurious to their honour; So that a plain Country-man that speaks as he thinks, must have nothing to do with them, unless he will be esteemed guilty of dishonouring them.

And so high are our spirits, that when it becomes a duty to any man to reprove or contradict us, we are commonly impatient both of the matter and of the manner. We love the man that will say as we say, and be of our opinion, and promote our reputation, though he be less worthy of our love in other respects: But he is ungrateful to us that contradicteth us, and differeth from us, and that dealeth plainly with us in our miscarriages, & telleth us of our faults! Especially in the management of our publike arguings: where the eye of the world is upon us, we can scarce endure any contradiction or plain dealing. I know that Railing language is to be abhorred, and that we should be as tender of each others reputation, as our fidelity to the truth will permit: But our Pride makes too many of us to think all men contemn us that do not admire us, yea and admire all that we say, and submit their judgements to our most palpable mistakes! We are so tender that no man can touch us scarce but we are hurt; and so stout and high-minded that a man can scarce speak to us: Like froward children, or sick folk that cannot endure to be talkt to; the fault is not that you speak amiss to them, but that you speak to them. So our indignation is not at men for writing or speaking injuriously or unjustly against our words, but for confuting them. And a man that is not verft in complementing: and skilled in flatterie above the vulgar rate, can scarce tell how to handle them so observantly, and fit