_Of Epistles Monitorie and Reprehensorie. Chap. 18._
=In this place wee will conclude our Epistles |Consolatorie|, and passe out of the same title to the next therof, which are |Monitorie|, and |Reprehensorie|. The one part thereof beeing |Monitorie|, consisteth in forwarning to the vnexperienced such matters as hee knoweth not, in sort as if therewith hee should be throughly acquainted: the other, in skilful explaining the offence of a thing faulty, which standeth vpon to be reformed. And insomuch as there be few men that gladlie like to be supposed ouer much faultie, or loue much to be rebuked for the greatnes of their errors, the order therfore of these |monitory|, in setting forth what may be counted offensiue, shall not accuse but admonish from the greatnes or smalnesse of the same, qualifying the bitternesse of reprehension with a certaine maner of praise, how euer desert doe affoord to the furtherance thereof. For in a gentle condition or minde, not altogether bent vnto euill, to suppose that the greatest part is the better inclined, and it also in some good measure to commende, breedeth no small incouragment to do well, hee to whom the admonition passeth, hauing mean therby to think that his behauiour is not so far ouergrowne, but that presumption of his |Vertues| do yet sway in mens opinions, or at the leastwise imagining that men are ignorant altogither of that, whereof they seeme to take no notice at all, he will study the rather to hearken to such wholesome directions, and accordingly to reforme his maners thereunto betimes. And verilie (as you haue before in the examples |Dissuasorie|) so in this also it would not be amisse where we see an offence but new beginning, to induce many good conditions of the partie to be opposed against the same, and to lay before him, how ill sounding it would be to the due commendation of the other, to bee touched therewith. Or otherwise where wee see an inclination (though no matter in acion) to euill, to say, that not for that we see him spotted with such offences, we do warne him from their forces, but to the intent he may thereby the better be instructed, in the vilenesse and discommended partes of the same, or that because wee are for the most part led away and easily sliding into euill, wee set before his eies therein, the hazard and inconuenience of such euill. Now if the matter be so far forward, as we find it a plain and open imperfection in him to whom we write, let vs then consider yᵉ weight or inualiditie of the action, which beeing too monstrous or notorious, it then needeth not admonition, but sharpe reprehension, and is thereby secluded from the partes hereof, but not being intolerable in his age or estate, in whom the same is found, then shall we not aggrauate, but extenuate the apparance therof, shewing that it is a thing common for men to fall, chieflie young men, who by the furious sting of their youth, and want they haue of aged experience, are hastilie led thereunto: but yet therewithall how manie wayes necessarie it is, that he be withdrawne from the same, least happily the long intertainment giuen to a fault, make it seeme a great offence, and consequentlie hee be thereby led into far more dangerous euils. Hereupon may we manifest vnto him our loue and tender care wee haue ouer him, compelling vs for such cause to forwarne him, declaring that our selues falling into the like errours, would be glad at his hand to find the like, if the skill and experience of the partie might so much performe. Another kinde of admonishment or reprehension there is also, when men deale with those who are highlie before them in account, vnto whome either imminent daunger or occasion of great hate or mislike pursuing the same, forbiddeth in expresse manner to vse anie tearmes, insomuch as their estate (beeing peraduenture loftie, and of power to commaund or sway ouer vs) will not admit by writing to intermeddle with their actions, and yet happilie by reason of some hard dealings offered vnto vs, or our friendes, might séeme much to preuaile in one sort or other to giue them notice of it, whereby to auoide (if it be possible) the expected vehemencie and intolerable support of the same.