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…

This falls heavy upon the present age: Whence is that bitterness, that Gall and Wormwood which falls from many, both tongues and Pens every day? What hath provoked them thus to speak and write? I confess there have been provocations, ⟨p. 226⟩and some do but give Gall for Gall, and Wormwood for Wormwood; yet it cannot be denied, but that many speak and write bitterly, when they have had no provocation; yea most who speak bitterly, have been treated gently, and few who answer angerly will be able to give a good account what hath provoked them thus to answer; and how much soever any man hath been provoked, the Lord may justly make him smart for such smartness in answering. It will not bear us out in acting or speaking besides the rule, because others do so. Paul shows us our duty in his own practice (1 Cor. 4.12, 13.) Being reviled we bless, b•ing defamed we entreat: We must not defame them that defame us, we must not revile our revilers. Then, woe to those who revile such as bless them; and defame such as entreat them: O what provoketh such to such ways of answering?

This fals heavy upon the present age: Whence is that bitternesse, that Gall and Wormewood which fals from many, both tongues and Pens every day? What hath provoked them thus to speak and write? I confesse there have been provocations, ⟨p. 226⟩and some doe but give Gall for Gall, and Wormewood for Wormewood; yet it cannot be denyed, but that many speak and write bitterly, when they have had no provocation; yea most who speake bitterly, have been treated gently, and few who answer angerly will be able to give a good account what hath provoked them thus to answer; and how much soever any man hath been provoked, the Lord may justly make him smart for such smartnesse in answering. It will not beare us out in acting or speaking besides the rule, because others doe so. Paul shewes us our duty in his owne practice (1 Cor. 4.12, 13.) Being reviled we blesse, b•ing defamed we entreat: Wee must not defame them that defame us, we must not revile our revilers. Then, woe to those who revile such as blesse them; and defame such as entreat them: O what provoketh such to such wayes of answering?