382 Spiritual Perfec7ion. Now, in that particulars are moll= ini- fruaive, I will confider two Examples of our Saviour for our Imitation, in Du- ties of difficult praEice. The firft is, the Duty of Admonition, wherein great Prudence is requifite, mix'd with tender Love, left the Reproof be taken for a Reproach, and the Perfon be provok'd and not reform'd ; and with Zeal that may give efficacy to our Counfel. A Reproof muff be managed like binding of a wounded part, which muff be nei- ther too ¡trait, nor too flack, left it shouldopprefs and exasperate the Wound, or left there be not a close application of the Medicine Of this mixture of Affe- aions we have a clear difcovery in our Saviour's carriage towards his Enemies. Mark 3. g. 'Tis related in the Gofpel, That a Man with a wither'd hand waa prefent in the Synagogue ; and Tome watched whether our Saviour would heal him on the Sabbath- day, that they might accufe him of profa- ning it : Andwhen he propounded thevie- Rion, whether it were lawful to do goodor evil on the Sabbath-day ? they maliciouJly held their peace which occafion'd his look- ing on them with Anger, being grieved for the hardneff of their Hearts. This exaì Pattern we fhould follow, joining mild Severity with melting Compaffion, in reproving offenders. The
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