Chap. 3 5 about Selfcommendation. z. When for the matter we fpeak only of fuch things as are really ours, ör that we have in truth, and do in deed, fo that for the truth of our words we can appeal to the teflimony of Gods Spirit, and our own confciences : as Paul , Rom.9.i,2,3.'I Thef.z.ro,II. z COI.Iz,6. Secondly, By the meafure, when it is our care, and fear not to over-reach here- in, but to fpeak rather under then over ofany good wehave,or do : So,z Car. r o. 13,&c. Rom.15.i8. Thirdly, by the manner,and that in a threefold refpe;i. I. Of our (elves , when we commend ourfelves forcedly, humbly, and mo- deftly. a. Forcedly; notfo.wardly: whenwe arenecellitated,orlltonJlymoved there- to ; as Paul, z Cori z.r I. and v.I. z. Humbly , out ofthe fenfeof our own infirmities and unworthinefle, notwith- flanding all the good we have or do ;. and out of feare left others fhould think better of us then we are, ordeferve : So with Paul, z Corrz.6. For Gods humble fervants take nòtice of the evil as wellas ofthe good that is in them ; as Ifa.59.z. Job 46. 4. and 42. 5, 6, r Cor. r 5. 8, 9. Lphef. 3. ;. I Tim. 1.1314,15 3. Modally, when we fpeakof our graces , and performances foberly , not in a boafling way; as Nebuchadnez;íar did, Dan.4.3o. How rnodell was Paul in fpeaking of matters that concerned his own praife ? z Core i i. 5, 24, to 29. Heb.13. 18. z.Of God, whenwe fpeak of the goodwe have, or do thankfully, and that 1. with a free acknowledgement ofGod as the fole.authour ofall, from whom we have received all we have, i Cor,4.7. Phil.4.r3, *1.26.12. 2. Out of a fenfe ofiGods goodneffe to us therein with high and honourable thoughts ofGod, and fear of his name, and with anheart inflamed with love - toGodand joy in him. 3.Of others, when the commend ourfelves charitably, and tenderly, not to defpife,difgrace,or difcoúrage others whoare weak: as the proud Pharifee intuited over theP-tblican, whomCod juilified,_when hecondemned the other. Fourthly, by the end : Self-commendation is lawful when the end is good, I.. In refpeci. ofour felves todo our felves right, and to preferve our good narnes,nor to get Our felves praife from men : For fee whatChrilt teaches us,Lull. 17.10. When you have done all thatyou can, faywe are unprofitable fervants , ùc. !ence Paul afcribcs all to Gods grace, i Corr 5. i o. and fee what Chrill faith , Jonn 5.44. Hence Paul, ,1 Thef.2.6. 2. In refpe&of God ; when, whatever wefpeak ofour felves that is good , we do it that Godmay be glorified ha us, andby us , and for us , and we give Cod the prdle of all our praifes : Yea, if God may be glorified, and hisname exalted, we can becontent to be abated, and to have our honours laid in the duff. So John the Bap. joh,3. 9,3o. Se, I Cdr.i.3 T. Mr. Reyrers Rulesfor the Government of the tongue. To th.:fe foregoing, addone rule more. Thatwhen a man is urged to a neceffary feif-commendati.oìi, and is forcedby the importunityofothers tovindicate himfelf ; yet toqualifie his fpeech as much as maybe, its good toufe a wordof the plural number ; as Paul doth , 2 Cor. S, zo. We the Ambaffadors, -cr, c. where hediiributes the honour to many that hemay not teem to attribute too muchto,himfelf, and fo that pluralnumber is a phaafe of fingular humility: Dr. Stoughton. A a CHAP. 361 Iv.
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