The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Austin notes it as a sign of grace in his friend Alipius, that he received his reproof so well. Paul rebuked Peter sharply, and that before a considerable Company of Peters friends, yet he loved not Paul the less for it; for in his Epistle which was written some time after that contest, and after the Epistle to the Galatians which records it, he makes honourable mention of Pauls writings, and of that very Epistle among the rest (2 Pet. 3. 15, 16.) and calleth him his beloved brother. As they who love their sins, hate the reprover; so they that hate their sins, love him. When Isaiah had declared ⟨p. 305⟩from God a dreadful threatening against Hezekiah for his pride, he doth not fly out into a passion against the Prophet, but submits with Good is the word of the Lord, which thou hast spoken. Tis said of Gerson the great Chancellor of France, that he rejoiced in nothing more then a friendly reprehension. And it is storied of our Richard the first, that he would be admonished by a poor Hermit. Alphonsus King of Aragon, being asked what company he liked best; answered, Books, for they, saith he, without fear and flattery, will tell me my faults faithfully. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. ¹A loving reproof is a wound in love, the wound of a friend; and therefore we must bestow our anger upon our faults; that deserve the reproof, not upon our friends that give the reproof. How foolish is he that breaks his own head, & then rageth at his friend for endeavouring to cure it. Ahab quarrels with Elijah, as the Incendiary of Israel, for reproving their Idolatries; when alas like Aetna, that flame arose out of their own bowels, which threatened to reduce them to ashes. Some of the Heathen were so sensible of their proneness to err, and to be partial in their own cases, when they had erred, that they both kindly accepted reproofs, and earnestly desired a Reprover. It is reported of Alexander, that having had a Philosopher a long time with him, he should say to him, Recede a me; prorsus consortium tuum nolo, quod cum tanto tempore, mecum degeris nunquam me de vitio aliquo increpasti; Be gone from me, I will have none of thy company, for thou hast lived long with me, and couldst not but observe some failings in me, yet thou hast not reproved me of any.