An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

Secondly, Take heed of this in your approbation or estimation ⟨p. 383⟩of persons, Not be whom you commend is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. We should judge of men as we believe God judges. Or (to come nearer) let no man think himself is approved of God, because he is approved by himself. Many flatter themselves in their own eyes, till their iniquity is found to be hateful (Psal. 36.2.) Christ intimates this, speaking to the Pharisees (Luk. 16.15.) Ye are they that justify your selves, ye have high thoughts of your own worth, and glory in your own excellencies, and ye think God hath high thoughts of you, that he glories in you too; but let me tell you, That which is highly esteemed amongst men, is an abomination in the sight of God. We are the men, said the Pharisees, ours are excellent gifts, thus they admired and doted upon themselves: but the Lord found them out, and what they highly esteemed, he abominated. Some write and subscribe their own letters testimonial, and can get no hand to them but their own. Not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commends; such shall find, that their own good word would do them no good, He is not a man as they are. He, saith Job, is not a man as I am, that I should answer him.

Secondly, Take heed of this in your approbation or estimation ⟨p. 383⟩of persons, Not be whom you commend is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. We should judge of men as we believe God judges. Or (to come nearer) let no man think himself is approved of God, because he is approved by himself. Many flatter themselves in their own eyes, till their iniquity is found to be hatefull (Psal. 36.2.) Christ intimates this, speaking to the Pharisees (Luk. 16.15.) Ye are they that justifie your selves, ye have high thoughts of your own worth, and glory in your own excellencies, and ye think God hath high thoughts of you, that he glories in you too; but let me tell you, That which is highly esteemed amongst men, is an abomination in the sight of God. We are the men, said the Pharisees, ours are excellent gifts, thus they admired and doted upon themselves: but the Lord found them out, and what they highly esteemed, he abominated. Some write and subscribe their own letters testimoniall, and can get no hand to them but their own. Not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commends; such shall finde, that their own good word would do them no good, He is not a man as they are. He, saith Job, is not a man as I am, that I should answer him.