Discourses, or, Sermons on several Scriptures

And §2Secondly, ¹If we have observed any Miscarriages in him, we are to watch the best Seasons, and all the fittest Circumstances in which to remind him ⟨p. 14⟩of it, that so our Reproof may be well accepted, and become effectual. For he that will venture rashly to reprove without this Circumspection, may do more mischief to his Brother by rebuking him, than he had done to himself by offending: Exasperating and embittering his Heart against Piety, for the Impertinences, at least the Indiscretions of those who profess it, and provoking him to sin the more out of mere Opposition and Contradiction. And I am verily persuaded, and have in some Cases observed it, that very many Sins owe themselves to the imprudence of those who have taken upon themselves to be Reprovers, and would never have been committed, if they had not indiscreetly gainsay'd it. Thus we see what this Duty ⟨p. 15⟩of reproving is, and what is necessarily required thereunto.

And §2Secondly, ¹If we have observed any Miscarriages in him, we are to watch the best Seasons, and all the fittest Circumstances in which to remind him ⟨p. 14⟩of it, that so our Reproof may be well accepted, and become effectual. For he that will venture rashly to reprove without this Circumspection, may do more mischief to his Brother by rebuking him, than he had done to himself by offending: Exasperating and imbittering his Heart against Piety, for the Impertinencies, at least the Indiscretions of those who profess it, and provoking him to sin the more out of meer Opposition and Contradiction. And I am verily perswaded, and have in some Cases observed it, that very many Sins owe themselves to the imprudence of those who have taken upon themselves to be Reprovers, and would never have been committed, if they had not indiscreetly gainsay'd it. Thus we see what this Duty