their Ears from the Truth, and thall be turned unto Fables. a But, woe to the rebellious Children, faith the Lord, that will not hear the Law.of the Lord: which say to the Seers, see not; and to the Prophets, prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophely Deceits : Get you out of the Way, turn aside out of the Path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. b Is any fick among you ? Let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him; and the Prayer of Faith shall save the fick; and, if he have committed Sins, they shall be forgiven him. B c Let him that is taught in the Word .communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. d Do ye not know, that, among the Jews, they which miniftred about holy things, lived of the things of the Temple ? and, they which waited at the Altar, were Partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel, should live of the GoSpel. é Who goeth a Warfare, at any time, at his own Charge? Who planteth a Vineyard, and cateth not of the Fruit thereof? or, who feedeth a Flock, and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock? 2 Tim. 4. 40 I. 30. 1, 9, 10, 1r. Gal. 6. , I Cor. 9. • The · The Scripture faith, Thou shalt not muzzle the Ox that treadeth out the Corn; and, the Labourer is worthy of his Reward. For our fakes, no doubt, this is written; that he that ploweth, should plow in Hope ; and that he that thresheth in Hope, fhould he partaker of his Hope. b If, therefore, the Ministers of Christ have sown unto us spiritual things, is it a great thing, if they shall reap our carnal things ? Take heed to thy felf, that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou liveft upon the Earth : But remember to give the Portion of the Priests and the Levites, that they may be encouraged in the Law of the Lord. с CHA P. VIII. Concerning the DUTY of MAN towards HIMSELF. HUMILITY. Say to every Man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think: but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every Man the measure of Faith. b Be not proud. Mind not high things. Be not wise in your own Conceits; but condescend to Men of low Estate. c Stretch not your felves beyond your measure. d Let us not be desirous of Vain-glory: For if a. Man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. e Seekelt thou great things for thy self? seek them not. f Most Men will proclaim every Man his own Goodness: But they that commend themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not Jer. 13. 1S. Rom. 12. 16. & Gal. s. 26. G:l. 6. 3. Prov, 20. 6. 2 Cor. 10. !2. wise : For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. · Thus faith the Lord: Let not the wise Man glory in his Wisdom; neither let the mighty Man glory in his Might: Let not the rich Man glory in his Riches : But let him that glorieth, glory in this, That he knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise Loving-kindness, Judgment and Righteousness, in the Earth. b He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord; ferving the Lord with all Humility of Mind. c Let another Man praise thee, and not thine own Mouth ; a Stranger, and not thine own Lips. å For Men to search their own Glory, is not Glory: e Who maketh thee to differ from another ? and what hast thou, that thou did not receive? Now if thou didit receive it, why doft thou glory as if thou hadît not received it? f Charity vaunteth not it self; is not puffed up: Therefore talk no more so exceeding proudly ; let not Arrogancy come out of thy Mouth. & Let not him that girdeth on his Harness boast as he that putteth it off. h There are certain which trust in themselves that they are righteous, and despise others ; which say, Stand by thy self, come not near to us; for we are holier than thou: But he that doth not go about to ellablish his own Righteoulness, but bumbleth himself before God, saying, 2 Cor. 10. 18. bi Cor. 1. 31. Acts 20. 19. « Prov. 27. 2. d Prov. 25. 277. ei Cor 4. 7. I Cor. 13.4 1 Sam. 2.-3., $ 1 Kings 20. II. b Luke 18 9. Il. 65. S. Rom. 10. 3. Luke 18. 14, 13. f God be merciful to me a Sinner; this Man shall be justified, rather than the other. a When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are un profitable Servants; we have done that which was our Duty to do. Knowledge puffeth up, but Charity edifeth. c Let no Man deceive himself: If any Man among you seeineth to be wife in this World, let him become a Fool, that he may be wife : For God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise ; and God hath chosen the weak things of the World, to confound the things which are mighty: and base things of the World, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are ; that no Flesh should glory in his Presence, d Go to, ye that say, to day or to morrow we will go into such a City, and continue there a Year, and buy, and fell, and get Gain; whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow : For what is your Life? It is even a Vapour, which appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live and do this, or that: But now ye rejoice in your boastings; all such rejoicing is evil. Luke 18. 14. "I Cor. 8.10 Ci Cor. 3. 18. i Cor. 1, 27, 28, 29. * Jam. 4. 13, 14, 15, 16. * Clargo |