r23 Chap. 32. .efn Expofition upon the Book, of J o B. Verf.2i with t1eir mouth , and the) lied unto him with their tongues ; for their heart was not right with him, &c. Thus many upon their fick- bads, or in a day of trouble, what promifes will theymake ? How deeplywill they engage for duty,if Godwill reffore them ? how holy and zealous and upright will they be ? they will leave their former ill courfes, andyet all is but flattery, they really in- tend it not. 'Tis flattery in promifes to God, when there is not a purpote in the heart to doe what we fay , but only toget our ends upon him ; And we deale no better many times by one ano- ther ; men infreights will promife any thing,and when they have gained enlargement, performe nothing. Secondly , There is a flattery in praifes, and that's here pro- feffed againfl. This flattery in praifing hath a doublerefpeft. Firft , To the actions of men. 'Tis flattery to call that act vát`fltuñu` good that is nought, that juft that is unrighteous; To put ti- bur vicinir ho- ties of venue upon thofe things. that are vicious , to call that neflare conten- which is indeed acovetous aft, a thrifty one, and tocall that aft door viti- which is cruell,jutt, at moft but ftrif or fevere, this is to flatter umomne paNi. men in what they doe. ant adumbrate Seconds There is a flatter of erfons as towhat they have nomenclature P Y y p , vicinofubjethe and are, when we fpeakemore of them then is in them, when we virtutia. Bafil: fpeake highly of them., who ale low in all abilities and attain- inPrat; 6" ments. How groffely doe they give flattering titles, who blow up very Ideots with a conceit of their learning, who extoll fooles for wifdome, and commend the wicked as vertuous, yea recom- mend themas patternes of venue. We fhould give honour to all men towhom it belongs ; but we are not to flatter. anyman, for that belongs to no man. ( Rom: I 3. y.) Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due,.cus`forne to whom cullome, ferve to whom ferre, honour to whom honour. There is an honour that belongs tomen with refpeft to their degrees, when none belongs to them with refpect to their qualities. He that is very honorable as tohis place, may not de- ferve any honour as to his worth, yet he mutt be honoured as much as his place comes to. And as there is an honour due to thofe that are aboveus,fo there is an honour due to thofe that are our equally, yea to thofe thatare our inferiours, and below us. The Apofile gives that d"ireftiou more then once ; we have it íirfl ( Rem:.12. i o.) Bek.ndly of eElienate one to smother, in ho- nour
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