Chap. 34. An &xpoftion upon the Book, of j o s. Verf. 9. he had fayd arnilfe (Chap: 40. s.) Once have Ifpoleen,bat Iwill net onfwer : yea twice, but I will proceed nofnrtker.As ifhehad.layd,I will maketo mo:e pleas for myfelfe, nor excules,Twill cry guit- ty¡to the wholematter of my charge, though I might cleare and difcharge my felfe of much of it. flow far was the fpirit ofjob from theirs, who though charged with that only which they have direaly done, or foken, yet f+and it out inpleading their ex- cufe, and will never fall downe before reproofes, though what they have done or fpoken amifl'e, be fo plaine, that it needs no pròofe. We should be careful' to fpeake and doe fuch things as are not fubjec`f to repiroofe,. but when through ignorance or rafhnefs we have run into anerror, either of fpeech or pra&ife,,we should be fo humble as to fubje& our felves to reproofe,and take it well that we are rebuked for any evil". As it doubles anoffence to un- dertake the defence of it,io not to defend anoffence abateth and leffeneth it.And as he whogoetlrabciut to cover his fault by find- ing out arguments and pleas fGr ir, fheweth that he hack a will or purpofe to continue in it ; fo he that is filent,and bathnot aword to fay for it,-gives a good teflimony both of his forrow that he e- ver committed it, and of his refolutión never to commit it any more. They are highly tobe commended who live.unblameably, and they deferve no fmall commendation., who being fenfble`of their ovine fayling, canpatiently beare the blame of it, without replying upon their reprovers.. 549 ÿ O B,
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