The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Secondly, Respect is to be had to the disposition of the offendor• some in their fainting fits are recovered easily, with throwing some cold water in their faces; others must be beaten or rubbed very hard; Some men are like Briars, you may handle them gently without harm, but if you grasp them hard they will fetch blood; Others as Nettles, if dealt with roughly, do the less wrong; Jude 22, 23. And of some have compassion, making a difference, and others save with fear; Some are like tiled houses, that can admit a brand of fire to fall on them, and not be burnt; yet some again are covered with light dry straw, which with the least touch will kindle and flame about your ears. By screwing strings moderately, we may make good Music, but if too high we break them; All the strings of a Viol are not of equal strength, nor will endure to be wound up to the same pitch; we may sooth a Lion into bondage, but sooner hew him in pieces, ⟨p. 198⟩then beat him into a chain. A difference ought to be observed between party and party; an Exhortation will do more with some, then a severe Commination with others; The sturdy Oak will not be so easily bowed as the Gentle Willow; Elisha recovered the dead Child with a kiss, but Lazarus was restored to life with a loud strong voice; Reproof must be warily given; for tis like a Razor, whose edge is keen, and therefore the sooner rebated; Its dangerous to give a medicine stronger then the disease and constitution of the Patient require; A gentle fire makes the best distilled waters.

Secondly, Respect is to be had to the disposition of the offendor• some in their fainting fits are recovered easily, with throwing some cold water in their faces; others must be beaten or rubbed very hard; Some men are like Briars, you may handle them gently without harm, but if you grasp them hard they will fetch blood; Others as Nettles, if dealt with roughly, do the less wrong; Iude 22, 23. And of some have compassion, making a difference, and others save with fear; Some are like tiled houses, that can admit a brand of fire to fall on them, and not be burnt; yet some again are covered with light dry straw, which with the least touch will kindle and flame about your ears. By scruing strings moderately, we may make good Musick, but if too high we break them; All the strings of a Viol are not of equal strength, nor will endure to be wound up to the same pitch; we may sooth a Lion into bondage, but sooner hew him in peices,