882 Prudence necepäry in converjing SERM. The other cafe in which the rule of the XIV. text fhould be applied is more private, di. wureEting our behaviour towards others, within the narrow circle of our own acquaintance and friendfhip. It often falls out, that our friends differ from us, and fome things hap- pen in their conduct which appear to us blameable. It is certainly very kind to fet them right. But in endeavouring to do fo, great difcretion is to be ufed, and nothing is more neceffary than to Rudy men's tempers. There are people by no means to be numbered with thofe who are proverbially called dogs and fwine, and yet not at all eafy of accefs in the way of friendly admonition. When you meet a man under a vehement prepof- fefiion, or know him to be of a fpirit eafily enflamed, it is not belt to attack his faults direftly, at leaft till time, and fome con- curring circumftances difpofe him more to hearken to advice. I confefs what I have been now infifting on, is not a common fault, yet it may be ufeful for fome to be warned againft it. We are generally now got into the other extreme, fo far from giving that which is holy to the dogs, and calling pearls before fwine, we fcarcely give them even to thofe who are holy, and efteem them as much
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