262 The Proud and Scornful §E R M. mit to it ; and what need is there of any X. more diligence in fearchin.g ? he hath formed F... `r`"° his judgment of things, and the meafures of his condu ±, with a fuficiency of knowledge and prudence. Farther, as this difpofition ,naturally groweth upon men when they do not fet themfelves in oppofition to it, and take proper methods to fubdue it, it muff at laff effeffually defeat all means of inftruc- tion and amendment, becaufe it maketh the fcorner impatient of admonitions and re- bukes. So Solomon often telleth us, that the fcorner heareth not reproof, that he hateth it, and the perfon who in the friendlieft manner offereth it to him ; and it is con- cerning perfons of this temper, that our Sa- viour warneth his difciples, that they fhould prudently avoid laying the wife admonitions of the gofpel before them, left they fhould not only be defeated by their incorrigible mbffinacy, but be the occafion of brutifh violence and contempt, which he expreffeth thus, Matt. vii. 6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither call your pearls before fine, left they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. The man who is fo far engaged in the in- tereff of his vices; and fo wholly under their power, that even his underftanding is cap- tivated --
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