VI. IX. X, XI. Queflions, andCafe, ofConfcience Chap.; g¡ Sixthly,whenwe would propound our felves as examples to others of faith , patience, godlineffe, &c. to draw others to follow our fleps : fo David , Pfal. 66. 16. Paul,Phil.3.17. Chrifl, Mara1.29. Sevcnthly, when our enemies acculeus falfely , and our friends , who can , and ought to vindicateus, refufe or negteft to do it SoPaul, zCor.i 2.11. Ei:hthly, to thew and approve our integrity, and reality , that we are not al- moil, but altogether Chriftians, before thofe to whom we relate, or with whom we have to do : So, Paul, 2 Cor.5. II. that we may make it appeare that we feek not theirs but them, r Thef.2.4,5,6 I Cor IO.33 Thus wemay commend our felves. I. Touphold thecredit ofour calling, as Paul didof his Miniflry, 2. To further the fucceffe of our labours : So Pax/ alto. 3. To promote theefficacy ofthe counfel,or chargewe give to others,andmake it more prevalent. So Paul, z Tim.r.8. 4. Tomanifell our love to others by opening our hearts CO them , to let them look in and fee the treafures ofgrace , comforts,andexperiences whichGod bath laid up in them : Alfo togain their love to us, to Infìnuate into their bofomes, and fo be a meansofdoing them the more good : So did Para, 2 Cor. 7.2. We may altocommend our felves in Come things, toapprove our fincerity in other things : So David, Pfa1,1 S.23. and 119.98,100. and Nehemiah, ch.5.i 5° Ninthly, when the caufe, truth, wayes, and Church of Chrift , and the Naine of Codare like to fuller by us , if we be filent and do not vindicate our felves in our fufferings from men : This made Paul even to magnifie his office &c. Rom, I I.I3. Tenthly,when we leave the placewhere we lived,or over whomwe were fer,or give over the office we did bear, it may be feafonable togive an account of our diligent, and faithful difcharge thereof, and of our unblamable carriage therein: So did Samuel, r Sam.Iz.2,3,4. So Paul, A6 .zo.z5. Eleventhly, to convince othersof theirfins, and that I. Either againfi God by declaring to them that they feeno fuch evilinus,but the contrary graces and pra&ifes ; that we dare notfay, or do, as they do for a vi orld, thereby to draw them to repentance. a. Or againft our felves, when they rejeól or abufe us , by appealing to their confciences what iniquity they have found in us to deferve the faine at their hands. Objet But is not thiscondemned ? Prov.27.2. z Cor.a0.18. mu it not Simon Magus his /in ? A61.8.9. and that Pharifee's, Luk.i 8.1i. So Prov.2o.6. 2 nfw. Self-commendation whichproceeds from pride,and hypocrifie,or from diftrufl ofprovidence, as if Godwould not takecare of our good names , &c. is vain, andfinful. Law propriofordefcit in ore : and hereby fuch do others a treble wrong. I. They take other mens office out oftheirhands ; or take that to our felves which is anothers right to giveus. z. They give to others a badexample,who will learn to imitate them. 3. Its tedious toan ingenuous fpirit to hear others toboafi ofthemfelves : Yet The abufe ofa thing takesnot away the lawfulneffe and ufe ofir. Quell. How then fhall we know when felf-commendation is lawful ? Anfw.Firfl, by the matter,when the thing for whichwe commend our felves is, I. Good in it felf, and praife worthy : For Wit be evil, weglory in our fhame: Again, it mull not be for our temporals, as Riches, honours, &c. But for fpiri- tuals, as the righteoufnefs ofChrifl , the grace, love and favourof God : the work or fervice ofGod, or l*r doing, orfuffering for God : So, fer.9. 23. fo in Paul, Phil.3.4,516. 2Cori 1.21,22,23. Rom.15.17. Phil.4.8. I Cor4.9. to 14. 2 Cor.6.4,5,8,9,1o. z.Whea
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