Reproof is spiritual Physic for the Soul. Now as it is an imprudent Course to administer such Physic to the Body, as will irritate, and not expel the peccant Humours: So likewise it is very imprudent and unsafe, to administer such Reproofs as we know cannot cure the Offender, but will only irritate his Corruption, and render it the more turbulent, and him much worse than he was before. And therefore some are themselves to be reproved, who with an imprudent Zeal reprove others, without ⟨p. 33⟩ever considering what Effects their Reproofs are likely to produce, who, as soon as a Sin is committed, think themselves obliged in Conscience, instantly to rebuke them for it, although not only they themselves may be reviled, but the Name of God most horribly blasphemed upon this very Occasion. It is indeed good to be zealously affected always in a good Matter. 1But yet withal know, that as Zeal and Charity ought to be the Motive, so Christian Prudence ought to be the Measure of all our Reproofs. And if you take not the Advice of Discretion, your Zeal for God's Glory may but occasion his Dishonour; and your Charity to the Souls of others, occasion their sorer Ruin and Damnation. Certainly we are not obliged to reprove where ⟨p. 34⟩we have reason to suspect we shall rather do hurt than good. It would be but a cruel Charity, to poison our Brother in his Physic, and to kill him in his Cure. And therefore both Solomon, and a greater than Solomon, our Saviour Christ himself, have forbidden us to misplace Reproofs upon those who are desperate. Solomon tells us, Proverbs 9.7, 28. He that reproveth a Scorner, getteth to himself Shame; and he that rebuketh a wicked Man, getteth unto himself a Blot. And again, Reprove not a Scorner, lest he hate thee. And says our Saviour, 3Give not that which is Holy unto Dogs, neither cast ye your Pearls before Swine, lest they trample them under their Feet, and turn again and rent you. Where it is very plain from the precedent Verses, that he dehorts us from ⟨p. 35⟩lavishing out our Reproofs imprudently upon Dogs and Swine. Wicked and impure Persons, on whom we have reason to think they will have no effect, but only to enrage them, and make them fly out both against God and us, with the more Violence and Madness. To reprove such, is but to cast up Water against an high Wind, that will be sure to beat it back again into our own Faces.
Reproof is spiritual Physick for the Soul. Now as it is an imprudent Course to administer such Physick to the Body, as will irritate, and not expel the peccant Humours: So likewise it is very imprudent and unsafe, to administer such Reproofs as we know cannot cure the Offender, but will only irritate his Corruption, and render it the more turbulent, and him much worse than he was before. And therefore some are themselves to be reproved, who with an imprudent Zeal reprove others, without ⟨p. 33⟩ever considering what Effects their Reproofs are likely to produce, who, as soon as a Sin is committed, think themselves obliged in Conscience, instantly to rebuke them for it, although not only they themselves may be reviled, but the Name of God most horribly blasphemed upon this very Occasion. It is indeed good to be zealously affected always in a good Matter. 1But yet withal know, that as Zeal and Charity ought to be the Motive, so Christian Prudence ought to be the Measure of all our Reproofs. And if you take not the Advice of Discretion, your Zeal for God's Glory may but occasion his Dishonour; and your Charity to the Souls of others, occasion their sorer Ruine and Damnation. Certainly we are not obliged to reprove where ⟨p. 34⟩we have reason to suspect we shall rather do hurt than good. It would be but a cruel Charity, to poison our Brother in his Physick, and to kill him in his Cure. And therefore both Solomon, and a greater than Solomon, our Saviour Christ himself, have forbidden us to misplace Reproofs upon those who are desperate. Solomon tells us, Proverbs 9.7, 28. He that reproveth a Scorner, getteth to himself Shame; and he that rebuketh a wicked Man, getteth unto himself a Blot. And again, Reprove not a Scorner, lest he hate thee. And says our Saviour, 3Give not that which is Holy unto Dogs, neither cast ye your Pearls before Swine, lest they trample them under their Feet, and turn again and rent you. Where it is very plain from the precedent Verses, that he dehorts us from ⟨p. 35⟩lavishing out our Reproofs imprudently upon Dogs and Swine. Wicked and impure Persons, on whom we have reason to think they will have no effect, but only to inrage them, and make them fly out both against God and us, with the more Violence and Madness. To reprove such, is but to cast up Water against an high Wind, that will be sure to beat it back again into our own Faces.
- 1Gal. 4.18.
- 2Prov. 9.7.
- 3Matth. 7.6.
