Discourses, or, Sermons on several Scriptures

Fifthly, ¹Reprove not one who is greatly thy Superior, unless it be at a respectful distance. Towards such we must not use down-right and blunt Rebukes; but rather insinuate things into them with Address and Artifice. What says Elihu, ²Is it fit to say to a King, Thou art wicked, and to Princes, Ye are ungodly? And indeed in this Case usually, it is most fit and decent that thy Reproofs should not carry their own Shape and Form, but disguise them rather into Parables or Entreaties, or into any such humble and becoming Method: Yet withal let so much appear, as that they may well enough know thy drift and intent. For it becomes the Wisdom and Station of Inferiors, so to order their Speech, that if it can but be interpreted as a Reproof, their ⟨p. 53⟩Superiors may and will certainly know they meant it for such. Thus the Apostle bids us, ³Rebuke not an Elder, but rather entreat him as a Father. For because their Place and Calling required Respect and Reverence, therefore the Apostle would not have them bluntly Rebuked, but that the Reproof should be clad in another dress, that they might appear to be rather Entreaties than Rebukes.

Fifthly, ¹Reprove not one who is greatly thy Superiour, unless it be at a respectful distance. Towards such we must not use down-right and blunt Rebukes; but rather insinunate things into them with Address and Artifice. What says Elihu, ²Is it fit to say to a King, Thou art wicked, and to Princes, Ye are ungodly? And indeed in this Case usually, it is most fit and decent that thy Reproofs should not carry their own Shape and Form, but disguise them rather into Parables or Intreaties, or into any such humble and becoming Method: Yet withal let so much appear, as that they may well enough know thy drift and intent. For it becomes the Wisdom and Station of Inferiours, so to order their Speech, that if it can but be interpreted as a Reproof, their