The works of George Swinnock, M.A

5. Reprove compassionately; Soft words, and hard arguments do well together.¹ Passion will heat the sinners blood, but compassion heal his conscience; our reprehension may be sharp, but our spirits must be meek; The Probe that searcheth the wound, will put the Patient to less pain, and do the more good, if covered with soft lint. Those who oppose themselves, are to be instructed in meekness, 2 Tim. 2. 25. There is a rigid austerity, which is apt to creep into, and corrupt our reproofs; Mollifying Ointments are oft instrumental to abate great swellings; The Iron of Naphtali's shoes were dipped in Oil. Reproof should be as Oils or Ointments, gently rubbed in by the warm fire of love. The Chirurgeon that setteth the bone, stroketh the part; If love do not play its part in this Scene, we do but act a Tragedy. The more thou canst persuade him of thy affection, the better will he take thy reprehension; The sweetest kisses of an enemy are rejected with disdain, but even the wounds of a friend are received with applause, Prov. 27. 6. Such as in reproving show their anger more then their love, rather exasperate then heal; Of all seasons the Chirurgeon had need to be sober, and farthest from being drunk with passion, when ⟨p. 200⟩he is to cut off a gangrened member. The Reprover should have a Lions stout heart, or he will not be faithful, and a Ladies soft hand, or he is not like to be successful; Holy Paul, speaking of his coming to reprove some delinquents amongst the Corinthians, tells them, And lest when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many who have sinned, 2 Cor. 6. ult. He that would gather fruit, must pluck the Bough gently towards him; if too hard, he may break it; A Reprover is like one that is taking a mote out of his brothers eye; now this must be done very tenderly. For this purpose it would be convenient (where it may be) that reproofs be given privately. We administer Physic to persons in their Chamber; He that proclaims another's crimes up and down the Country, wrongs his own soul, in walking contrary to the command (first tell him his fault between him and thee,