"Every man," saith the wise man, "shall kiss his lips that giveth a
right answer;" but no man surely will be ready to kiss those lips
which are embittered with reproach, or defiled with dirty language.

It is said of Pericles, that with thundering and lightning he put
Greece into confusion; such discourse may serve to confound things,
it seldom tendeth to compose them. If reason will not pierce, rage
will scarce avail to drive it in. Satirical virulency may vex men
sorely, but it hardly ever soundly converts them. "Few become wiser
or better by ill words." Children may be frightened into compliance
by loud and severe reprimands; but men are to be allured by rational
persuasion backed with courteous usage; they may be sweetly drawn,
they cannot be violently driven to change their judgment and
practice. Whence that advice of the apostle, "With meekness
instruct those that oppose themselves," doth no less savour of
wisdom than of goodness.

Fifthly, as for examples of extraordinary persons, which in some
cases do seem to authorise the practice of evil-speaking, we may
consider that, as they had especial commission enabling them to do
some things beyond ordinary standing rules, wherein they are not to
be imitated: as they had especial illumination and direction, which
preserved them from swerving in particular cases from truth and
equity; so the tenor of their life did evidence that it was the
glory of God, the good of men, the necessity of the case, which
moved them to it. And of them also we may observe, that on divers
occasions (yea, generally, whenever only their private credit or
interest was concerned), although grievously provoked, they did out
of meekness, patience, and charity, wholly forbear reproachful
speech. Our Saviour, who sometimes upon special reason in His