524 Chap. 34. .:<4n Ex(ofition upon the Book, of J oB, Verf.6. of God, is a dangerous way of denying and belying his cwne right. I ence fecondly note. Noman ought to admit any charge agaenfl hm'mfelfe, wherein á.e is not guilty. It is not in our liberty to give up our owne integrity,. we may not give up the righteoufnef and innocency of others to a falle witnefs, if we candetedl it, much .leffe our owne. Let no man lie againft his right. It is our aflliolion only tobe_wronged by others, but'tis our fin to wrong either others,. or our felves. Yet Thirdly, Note. We may quickly ever-act inJIandirof $pon our own right. That caution ofSoloman (Eccl: 7. 16.) feemes to carry this obfervation in it. Be not righteous overmuch, neither male thyPelf over-wife : whyfheuldi thou defirey thyfelfe. Some expound this preceptas a rule of policy, advifing all to a moderation in the praclife,of ( that wherein there can be, indeed, noexceffe) true pietyand religion ; as ifit were a duty to fludy and comport our felves to a kind of neutrality and indifferency in the things of God, left we expofe our felves to the wrath and rage of men, who cannot beare it with patience to fee any that are better or do better then themfelves. But I conceive the Spirit ofGod in Solar mon,was farre from breathing any fuch cold blafl, tonip either the buddings or highefh growths of godlineffe ; and that he wouldnot at all abate any in the pratlif of holinefle, . bnt intends one of or all there three things. Firfi, to take menoff from any opiniona- tivenefle, about what they judge to be righteous and themfelves righteous in doing it, willingthem to take advice,and not to lean to their own underflanding,nor to ref} in their owndilates as in- fallible; or Secondly, when he.faith, Be not righteous oyermuch,his meaning is, doe not exaa the utmofi ofothers which the Law in the rigour of it will allow ; ñe that will not remit any thing of his right, is not only over-righteous, but may foon doewrong ; or Thirdly, when he faith, be not over-righteaus, as he would not havemen Rand ftrielly upon their right with others, fo he Would not have them fpeak much of their own righteoufneffe ; but rather foanetimes sakeblame to thegnfelyes, then ( which, was J'eks cafe) pro
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