Sermons preached

2. If it be made to such as have power to redress the Fault by the most discreet and gentle means, before it break out any further. So it is said, Gen. 37. 2. Joseph brought unto his Father their evil Report; that is, their infamous Carriage, which caused evil Report of them; which is set down, not to note his ill Will, but his good Affection and Godliness.

2. If it be made to such as have power to redress the Fault by the most discreet and gentle means, before it break out any further. So it is said, Gen. 37. 2. Ioseph brought unto his Father their evil Report; that is, their infamous Carriage, which caused evil Report of them; which is set down, not to note his ill Will, but his good Affection and Godliness.

3. If the Complainer seeketh nothing but the Amendment of the Party: otherwise, to vent and divulge the Fault to make the Party less respected, or to his Hurt, is not Love, but closer Malice; for true Zeal is not for Destruction, but for Edification.

4. If he grieve that he hath cause to complain, and pray for his Conversion; for then it is more likely that all is done in Love. Many times the Grief is personated, and when Whisperers have a mind to wound to the quick, they will say, I am sorry to hear such a thing, loth to speak of it. But this is like the Archer, that draweth back his Hand, that the Arrow may fly with the more force. But when we pray to God, there is the greater Presumption of Sincerity, because we explicitly make him a Party, and do what we do, as in his Sight and Presence.