Zootomia, or, Observations of the present manners of the English: briefly anatomizing the living by the dead. With an usefull detection of the mountebanks of both sexes. / By Richard Whitlock, M.D. late fellow of All-Souls Colledge in Oxford.

THE FAITHFULL CHIRURGION.

AMong the many Observations of life, I finde none truer than that (known to Schoole-boyes, and practised by Men) Obsequium Amicos, veritas odi∣um parit, a Saying not triter, than truer What in it selfe deserveth the most inti∣mate Closes of Friendship, through the indiscretion of Administration, or Moro∣sity of the Patient, becometh the maker of the greatest Gashes in Friendship; That is, faithfull Advice (as it comprehendeth Counsell, or Reproofe) than which nothing in humane Society is more usefull, nothing worse interpreted, and that from these Cau∣ses principally; Pride in the Advised, mixt with Jealousie of the Pride of the Advi∣ser, (and very often not without cause) or of other Distastives incident to that

part of advise, called Reproofe (which is here principally meant by Morall Chirur∣gery.) I begin with the faults of the Re∣provèr. You shall scarce meet with a Re∣prover that taketh not his Friend to Taske, with the Pedantry of an Ʋsher to un∣trusse him, if his Reproofe be private, or with the Cathedrated Authority of a Prae∣lector, or publike Reader, to dissect him: So more publikely preaching his own skill, in discovering the Infirmities of the Ana∣tomy. For the Algebra (as I may tearm it) or Nature of Reprehension, giveth the Plus to the Reprover, and the Minus to the Reproved: Nay, the former Meta∣phor of Dissection, maketh as much diffe∣rence as between the Living, and the Dead. Difference enough, to taint the hum∣blest with Arrogance, the mixture of which in most mens Reprehensions, the stile gene∣rall discovereth. viz. I would not have done such a thing; as weak as I am, I shold ne∣ver have lapsed into such an indiscreet foule discreditable Miscarriage; with many such like tearmes (to the Reprover as pleasing, as to the Reproved galling) concluding him blameable, not so much for stepping a∣side from the ticklish path of Virtue, or Re∣ligion, Cujus Metae quam mollis Flexus?

But for doing what he (as if he were the great example of goodnesse) would not have done; and that (it may be) not from Principles of Virtue, but difference of Con∣stitution, Aimes, and Designes, Course of life, or (which is the most reall of all Rea∣sons) inequality of Temptations, and that

—Casta est quia nemo rogavit.

We know what Praise she may challenge for her Chastity, whose Cough, or stinking Breath spoiles her kissing, whose Rheume quencheth, and wrinkles burieth all desire in Suiters, or Approachers. The common practise of the world dissalloweth the Par∣tiality of Reproofe, when a Prodigall repro∣veth a Covetous man, or a Nunnery, the Frolicks of Court. Nor can we excuse it from Priding in its own Disagreement, ra∣ther than manifesting a Detestation of what they reprove, because bad in it selfe. One should not take that man to be the Poore mans Chirurgion, whom we should see comparing his own sound Arme, with the Ʋlcer'd one of the Diseased; or asking him, Why could not you keep your flesh as sound as mine. From which kind of Com∣parison and Question, the pretended Friendship of Reproofe doth but little dif∣fer, though sugard with nothing more

than, I tell you for your good, and, what is it to me? it troubleth me more than you thinke for; with many such non-significants, or mean-nothings, without by their often Repe∣tition they witnesse a Delight (not ten∣dernesse) in handling the Sore.

2. A second Fault in the Reprover, is Ignorance of the Rules of Actions in gene∣rall, or the Designe and Circumstances of mine in particular. By the first there is di∣vers times Petitio Principij; or a taking it for granted that my Judgment agreeth in every point with his; and so, that I think unlawfull, or unfit, what his Ignorance hath condemned, by the latter mistaking of Purposes causeth a grosse Impertinency in the Reproofe; the Stile of the Ignorant Reprover is, For my own part I wonder at such an Action, or such an Opinion; my Judgment could never be reconciled to a good Opinion of such, and such, waies, Persons, Actions, or Opinions, they seem against all sense and reason. All this kind of Repre∣hension, proveth not so much the con∣viction of anothers Errour, as discovery of its own. Sometimes what a man did on purpose for further ends, they interpret slips of Infirmity, or Ignorance. Doubt∣lesse had Alcibiades cut of his Dogs Taile,

with an erroneous Aime at handsome∣nesse, it had been a Trangression against Discretion, as well as the common Judge∣ment; but it was a Designe on purpose to be talkt of for that, that so the talkative people might lesse discourse his other Acti∣ons: That Formalist had been a rid••culous Puppy, that should have begun a tedious Reprehension of the strangenesse of the Action. Yet this conceitednesse and Itch of being taken for a Counsellour, maketh more Reprovers, than Peccants in the world. But a Phoenix (on stricter scru∣tiny) is the faithfull, humble, and discreet Reprover, and handler of mens Infirmities. Though it seem a Paradox, that he that re∣proveth another, would do it best if hee were guilty of the same fault: I am sure it is none, to say, he would easier he heard if he did it, as guilty, at least with the humi∣lity of one involved in the same common frailty. And it would come neerer the compassion of Experiment, than that facile omnes cum valemus, recta consilia aegrotis damus. Tere: Andr: 2. 1. Arrogance (as I may say) of Innocence can, which from Inexperience cannot be tinctur'd with a lesse sensiblenesse, than acknowledging guilt hath. But the Characters and Faults

of these unskilfull Chirurgions, are best set out in Jobs Friends, and the subtlety of Reprehensions Reprehensibles (as I may phrase them) whether Arrogance, Malice, proud insultings, &c.) appeare the more, in that they did not appeaere, nor the Re∣prehenders meet with a Reprehender, untill the all-seeing Eye, and Grand searcher of Hearts met with them; He that judgeth by Adverbs, not Adjectives, not bona dicta, but bené, good words, but well meant and spoken ones, passing with him currant; not generall Truths, galling the Afflicted, by misapplication: but tender and chari∣table Rebukes, ending in Reformation, as well of their misery by comfort, as faults by Counsell. Nor doth tender dealings in private Reproofes, crosse the commands of Wisdome it selfe, to cry al••ud against Sinners incorrigible, or impudent, and that in the publike Chaire of Reproofe; be it the Gospells, or the Lawes, the Pulpit, or the Bench. When by incorrigiblenesse Sins be concreted into Sinners, and they become e∣ven all one; I confesse, Amputation of such a Limbe, not lancing, is requisite; but in those private dealings of Friendship, our Rebukes should come from us as afflicting,

as a Penance for our owne Faults, and weare rather mourning, than scorn: (not but that the deceitfulnesse of mans heart can insult over a rebuked Person, even in pre∣tended Griefe: Jobs Friends sad silence broke out into insulting, and vexing Re∣bukes.) But to shew the sincerity of Re∣proofe, there is no greater Testimony than readinesse to take, as well as give Counsell; He reproveth with faithfulnesse, that is re∣proved, with thankefulnesse.

On the other side, I cannot deny but to the miscarriage of this peece of Friendship, the Reproved is accessory. Among other that Jealously, frequent enough, that my Friend doth it out of a Preaching vain, to take my Faults for his Text; Where, I am not as this Publican, is oft-times the Do∣ctrine, and that uncharitable Application, the Ʋ••e, This Fellow is not worthy to live. And indeed in friendship not wel experien∣ced, and this Chirurgery of Friendship not discreetly managed, this Jealousie is not without some ground: But a braver Jealousie it were to misdoubt our selves, as justly awaking the censure of our Friends, which cannot but come short of the pru∣dent mans Severity against himselfe; as

discreet and charitable Rebukes are the greatest Pledges of Friendship, ab extra, from without; so he is doubtlesse his own best Friend, that is oft at difference with himselfe, for his miscarriages, in suffering himselfe to be hurried by the Torrent of Passions, or Tide of Affections against Con∣science, and Judgment, yeilding to no gui∣dance from the Gales of Grace, or by the Steerage of Reason. In defect of which in∣ward Checks, what more necessary, while we are at Sea in the Floatings of this world, than the faithfull Adviser? as being Compasse, Rudder, and most faithfull Chi∣rurgion. For guidance of both Reprover and Reproved, these Deportments may con∣duce. First, to preserve my Friend so to himselfe, by right guidance, and so to me, by gaining his right Interpretation. No man that maketh use of Reproof, but must raise his Doctrine from the Temper of the Party, as well as nature of the Crime: And then do it tanquam Opus alienum, as God calleth his Rebukes (his Punishments) as if he were on some harsh unpleasing Sub∣ject, without any earnestnesse, discovering love to it, or tedious length, arguing De∣light: Knowing wherefore the Fly dwel∣leth

on the Sore. Least we bring this faith∣fullest Act of Friendship, into the discre∣dit of affected Defamation, the greatest Act of Enmity; and shelter Malice under a pretence of avoiding Flattery; a thing so usuall, it hath brought faithfull Advise into suspition; insomuch as in the Court of Reason (for that should be Monarch in the Soule) the Foole indeed is entertain'd, but the Privie Counsellour is excluded. And our Impatience of Reproofe maketh us to the rebuking Friend, as that King Juniper∣tus King of the Bergomenses, who punish∣ed a good Bishop for his ••old Reproofe, by setting him (unknowing) on an unruly Horse, thereby thinking to have broke his Neck: The Bishops Pnnishment was but an Embleme of the impatient Kings fault; for his Impatience had first flung him from his Love, and then his Revenge attempted, (but in vain) to horse him on Destruction. But to regain the Credit of Reproofe, and abate the impatience of the Reproved, that out Reproofes may be to reason, and charity justifiable, and as to successe hopefull: We must (on the Reprovers part) have (like the Chirurgion) the Ladies hand for com∣passionate tendernesse, and Lions heart for

bold Impartiality. Salomon telleth us, there is that speaketh like the peircings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is health, Prov. 12. 18. the Cures (attempted) by a proud and raencker••us Spirit, are wounds in this Soule-chirurgery. But faithfull are the wounds of a Friend, PROV. 27. 6. to discreet and friendly Reproofe, must go S••a∣sonablenesse, Prudence, and Affection. For the first, he was well answered, that asking his Friend whether he was not ashamed of being drunk, was thus replyed to, are not you more ashamed to reprove one that is drunke? So much doth Seasonablenesse al∣ter the case. Then for Prudence, and Af∣fection, divorce them, and Rebukes are but vaunting Discoveries of the innocence of our hands, or Nimblenesse of our Tongues; which us the Lamias Eye was worn onely abroad; so this onely preacheth in the streets, and that to others: never in our private Chappells at home, our Consciences; a good way to make them Chappells of ease; for I am sure Conscience is quieter, by (that which is counted maddish, or ridiculous) talking to itselfe, than twen∣ty Lectures; like an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. a busie body, to those out of our Diocesse, to

summe up the Advisers Advice; in the Sermon at thy Friends Penance (such is Reproofe) go by this Methode, let Com∣passion, and Humility divide the Text, Meeknesse explaine, and Discretion apply with tendernesse, if thou will not turn Auditors to Mutineers: in so doing, whom (it may be) thou didst finde in the Chaire of the Scorner, thou mayst bring to the stoole of Repentance (better than any Dis∣cipline that brags of it) and thence to a faith of thy Fidelity, in this so much sus∣pected Act of Friendship.

Notes

• 2. The Re∣proveds Faults.