One important direction in which to exercise gentleness is with respect to ourselves, never growing irritated with one's self or one's imperfections; for although it is but reasonable that we should be displeased and grieved at our own faults, yet ought we to guard against bitter, angry, or peevish feeling about them..... What we want is a quiet, steady, firm displeasure at our own faults. A judge gives a sentence more effectually speaking deliberately and calmly than if he be impetuous and passionate...Believe me, beloved, as a parent's tender affectionate remonstrance has far more weight with his child than anger and sternness; so, when we judge our own heart guilty, if we treat it gently rather in a spirit of pity than anger, encouraging it to amendment, it's repentance will be much deeper and more lasting than if stirred up in vehemence and wrath...If anyone does not find this gentle dealing sufficient, let him use sterner self-rebuke and admonition, provided only, that whatever indignation he may rouse against, himself, he finally works it all up to a tender loving trust in God, treading in the footsteps of that great penitent who cried out to his troubled soul: Why art thou so vexed, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God, for I will yet thank Him, which is the help of my countenance, and my god." So then, when you have fallen, lift up your heart in quietness, humbling yourself deeply before God by reason of your frailty, without marvelling that you fell; there is no cause to marvel because weakness is weak, or infirmity infirm. Heartily lament that you should have offended God, and begin anew to cultivate the lacking grace, with a very deep trust in His mercy and with a bold, brave heart.............

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