304 . Of the Importance·mtdDifficulty ing and ingeniou~ perfuns n1ay be deart with fometimes by fecret infinuations, and ()blique reflections on the vices they ar€ guilty of; and we may fornetin1es feek a way to reprove their failings, by regretting and conden1r1ing our own. But that ard– fice is not neceffary for the vulgar: having . protefted our love and good intentions, it will. be beft to fall roundly to the matter. N-ovv, this does fuppofe a great deaf of care, to acquaint ourfelves with the humours and converfation of our people; and the na!ne of watchn1en that is given 'us, in1plieth no kfs. And though the ·lamentable vafinefs of fome of our charges makes !t impoffible to do all that we could wifh, yet mufi we not faH to do aH that we can. It is an excellent praCtice of fon1e I have the hap– pinefs to be acquainted with, who feldom n1ifs a-ny day wherein they d'o not apply themfelves to fome or other of their people, and treat about the affairs of their fouls. · Another thing which n1ay be implied ia , rebuking with all authority, is, the confcien– tious exercife of that authoritv which Chrifl: J bath given us in the publick cenfures and rebukes of the church. But of this I ihall fay no more, fave only that it were .an in– tolerable prefun1ptic:>n, and horrid fa·crilege, to
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