Discourses, or, Sermons on several Scriptures

Thirdly, ¹We ought not to give sharp Reproofs for small Offences. We must not particularly, and with Accent and Emphasis reprove our Brother for every involuntary slip, every Infirmity and Weakness, that bewrayeth it self through some sudden Passion or Temptation, unless it be a Sin of Custom, or that which carries with it some signal Aggravation, that renders it considerable, as well in the Scandal as in the Guilt. It will be sufficient to pass by the rest, only with a brief Animadversion upon them, enough to put him in mind ⟨p. 29⟩that he forgot himself in such and such Passages: And so leave the farther Reproof to his own Conscience which will better do it for lesser Sins, than possibly we can. To reprove small Faults with great vehemence, is always as ridiculous, and, may sometimes prove as destructive a piece of Officiousness, as his who took up a huge Beetle, and struck with all his Might, only to kill a Fly he saw sticking upon his Friends Forehead. We must not thrust the Probe deep where the Wound is but shallow: Nor be passionately concerned at our Brother's lighter Failings; but so govern our selves, as still to reserve the more sharp and severe Reproofs for the more foul and scandalous Offences. For they that will presently upon every slender occasion fly out into Exclamations, ⟨p. 30⟩Detestations, and all passionate Exaggeration of Rhetoric, will but lavishly spend the vigour of their Zeal, and leave themselves no Art, no Methods to express their greater abhorrence for blacker Crimes.

Thirdly, ¹We ought not to give sharp Reproofs for small Offences. We must not particularly, and with Accent and Emphasis reprove our Brother for every involuntary slip, every Infirmity and Weakness, that bewrayeth it self through some sudden Passion or Temptation, unless it be a Sin of Custom, or that which carries with it some signal Aggravation, that renders it considerable, as well in the Scandal as in the Guilt. It will be sufficient to pass by the rest, only with a brief Animadversion upon them, enough to put him in mind ⟨p. 29⟩