And when men revile and blaspheme ⟨image 6⟩rather then argue, It is best to take up that Counsel which good Hezekiah gave in commandment concerning Railing Rabsakeh, Answer them not. Solomon hath given us the full state of this duty in a seeming contradiction, while in one verse he forbids us to answer a Fool, and in the next bids us answer him. The fool must be answered according to his folly, but the answer must be framed and drawn up by the strength of reason and wisdom; that is, the fool must be made to see his folly, lest he grow up and be confirmed in his opinion, that what he saith is true, because he is not showed the error of it; yet, The fool must not be answered according to his folly, that is, if he speak or write vainly and revilingly, showing rather the frothiness of his wit, or the over-flowing of his gall, then the sobriety and soundness of his Judgement, he that answers him must not conform either speech or stile to his, lest he be like unto him; The answer which we give to another, beareth the image and is the measure of our selver; And our ill-managing of a matter renders us as bad as others, though our opinion be better. Our Master Christ being reviled reviled not again, we his Disciples and followers ought to imitate him, and not to render ⟨image 7⟩evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise to bless. While we are called to contending, let us do it fairly and candidly; Christ would have us show love and tenderness to our brethren, as well as zeal for Him and his Truth. They cannot but do so, who stand up for truth purely as 'tis the truth of Christ, rather then as it is their own opinion. And (though I am loath to be suspicious, yet) I greatly suspect, that the reason why many cast so much dirt and dishonour upon the persons of their Brethren, while they appear as Champions for the Truth, proceeds from a secret desire to procure honour to their own persons rather then the advancement of Truth. Peace and truth are a blessed pair, and were we more for peace we should sooner find out the truth; But so long as men contend rather for a party or an opinion then for truth, rather for victory and the Mastery then for truth, rather for honour (I had almost said humour) and interest then for truth, as we are sure not to meet with peace, so we are extremely hindered and puzzled in seeking out the truth.
And when men revile and blaspheme ⟨image 6⟩rather then argue, It is best to take up that Counsel which good Hezekiah gave in commandement concerning Rayling Rabsakeh, Answer them not. Solomon hath given us the full state of this duty in a seeming contradiction, while in one verse he forbids us to answer a Foole, and in the next bids us answer him. The foole must be answered according to his folly, but the answer must be framed and drawne up by the strength of reason and wisedome; that is, the foole must be made to see his folly, lest he grow up and be confirmed in his opinion, that what he saith is true, because he is not shewed the error of it; yet, The foole must not be answered according to his folly, that is, if he speake or write vainely and revilingly, shewing rather the frothynes of his wit, or the over-flowing of his gall, then the sobriety and soundnesse of his Judgement, he that answers him must not conforme eyther speech or stile to his, lest he be like unto him; The answer which we give to another, beareth the image and is the measure of our selver; And our ill-mannaging of a matter renders us as bad as others, though our opinion be better. Our Master Christ being reviled reviled not againe, we his Disciples and followers ought to imitate him, and not to render ⟨image 7⟩evill for evill, or rayling for rayling, but contrariwise to blesse. While we are called to contending, let us doe it fayrely and candidly; Christ would have us shew love and tendernes to our brethren, as wel as zeale for Him and his Truth. They cannot but doe so, who stand up for truth purely as 'tis the truth of Christ, rather then as it is their owne opinion. And (though I am loath to be suspitious, yet) I greatly suspect, that the reason why many cast so much dirt and dishonour upon the persons of their Brethren, while they appeare as Champions for the Truth, proceeds from a secret desire to procure honour to their owne persons rather then the advancement of Truth. Peace and truth are a blessed payre, and were we more for peace we should sooner find out the truth; But so long as men contend rather for a party or an opinion then for truth, rather for victory and the Mastery then for truth, rather for honour (I had almost sayd humour) and interest then for truth, as we are sure not to meete with peace, so we are extreamely hindred and puzzl'd in seeking out the truth.