upon Religious Subjets. 369 The fecond ingredient in this bad temper, SERM. is, a ftubborn forwardnefs and angry relent- XIV. ment, which is a degree yet beyond ftupidity `jam ' itfelf. This is reprefented by the allufión of dogs turning again, and rending thofe who would coned them for their faults. There are fome fo perverfe, fo irreclaimably fixed and refolute in their finful courfes, that in- fead of fubmitting to neceffary difcipline for reformation, they conceive an utter abhor- rence againfl fuch as attempt to ufe it with the cleareft evidences of a kind intention. They fnarl at admonitions, and would even bite and devour their charitable inftru &ors. Solomon, long before our Saviour's time, made the fame obfervation, and in his excellent proverbs, which are very inftrutive rules for the condu& of life, he advifes us to have a great regard to the tempers of men in giving inftruEtion and reproof. * He that reproveth a fcorner getteth to himfelf _game ; and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himfelf' a blot. Reprove not a fcorner, left he hate thee ; rebuke a wife man, and he will love ,thee. By the fcorner here, and a wicked man, we muff underfland the fame who in the text is compared to a dog ; the man who to his in -. * Prov. ix. 7, 8. VOL. II. B b curt
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