Whoso loveth instruction, loveth knowledge; but he that hateth reproof is brutish. Proverbs 12:1

Nothing can be said so bad of us, which we have not the root of in our heart.  And though we are convinced of and strive against our own weakness, yet we may not strive so earnestly as conquer.  Therefore God comes to our assistance in a sharp reproof from others; for he knows how to use even the faults of others to our good.  And if we receive every thing as from him alone, striving so much against this our frailty, that we may not be offensive to our neighbor any more, we certainly gain a great victory and blessing.  But if we grow impatient, and make many excuses, being unwilling to put up with any thing, we make evil worse, and neglect the amendment of ourselves and others.  O Lord, make us better, and give us patience.

How should the sons of Adam’s race
Be pure before their God?
If he contend in righteousness,
We fall beneath his rod.

To vindicate my words and thoughts,
I’ll make no more pretence;
Not one of all my thousand faults
Can bear a just defence.
________