An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

Solomon tells us (Prov. 25.12.) As an earring of Gold, ¹and an ornament of fine Gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. What he speaks of a reprover is as true of a comforter; and he only is fit to be a reprover, who is skilled, or knows how to be a comforter. He that will open or lance a sore, had need be acquainted with the means of healing it. The spirit of God, who is the Reprover (John 16.8.) is also the Comforter (John 14.26.) We may therefore take up Solomons Proverb here, As an earring of Gold, and an ornament of fine Gold, ⟨p. 216⟩so is a wise comforter upon an obedient ear. They who hang Jewels in their ears (as it was the custom of those times, and is to this day) take that which is of great price and value, yet of little weight: No man hangs a Talent, or a great lump of Gold in his ear: Gold is precious, but much Gold is ponderous, and burdens rather then adorns the ear; the bulk of it is more cumbersome then the beauty of it is conspicuous.² So comfort, which is the most pleasant Jewell of the ear, should be pure and precious as the Gold of Ophir; but yet it must be like an earring, which though it be not light, in regard of worth, yet it is light in regard of weight. We must not load, but guide a man with counsel, nor must we burden him with many, but ease him with pertinent words of comfort.

Solomon tels us (Prov. 25.12.) As an earering of Gold, ¹and an ornament of fine Gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient eare. What he speakes of a reprover is as true of a comforter; and he onely is fit to be a reprover, who is skil'd, or knowes how to be a comforter. Hee that will open or launce a soare, had need be acquainted with the meanes of healing it. The spirit of God, who is the Reprover (