A35535:570
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the book of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus near the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the booke of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus neare the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Further, this sin of respecting persons, is found also in the ordinary converse of men; For when we cast favours upon those that are ill deserving, and commend those (as we say) to the skies, who should rather fall under our severest censure, and are led to do all this also, because the person is a kinsman or a friend; for though (eaeteris paribus, other qualifications and circumstances being equal) we are to respect friends and kindred, who are our own flesh, before strangers, yet virtue and worth should out-weigh relations, and (as Levi in doing Justice, Deut: 33.9.) so we in bestowing rewards, should not acknowledge our ⟨p. 125⟩Brethren, nor know our own children; but let such have our rewards who best deserve them.
Further, this sin of respecting persons, is found also in the ordinary converse of men; For when we cast favours upon those that are ill deserving, and commend those (as we say) to the skies, who should rather fall under our severest censure, and are led to doe all this also, because the person is a kinsman or a friend; for though (eaeteris paribus, other qualifications and circumstances being equall) we are to respect friends and kindred, who are our owne flesh, before strangers, yet vertue and worth should out-weigh relations, and (as Levi in doing Justice, Deut: 33.9.) so we in bestowing rewards, should not acknowledge our ⟨p. 125⟩Brethren, nor know our owne children; but let such have our rewards who best deserve them.
I may add this also, To take up this or that form of religion, because such and such persons are in it, and to reject another, though better, because none but a few that are despised and contemned are in it, is a most dangerous way of respecting persons. This was the meaning of that question (John 7.48.) Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees, believed on him? As if certainly that must always be the best way and rule of believing, which is professed by the rulers? Or as if it were ground enough to reject a way of religion because the common people or the poor are mostly found in it. Thus, 'tis storied of a Great Prince that was converted to the Christian faith, and resolved to be baptized, that seeing a great many poor men in his way as he went, he asked to whom they belonged; it was answered they were Christians, and of that religion which he was entering into; what, doth Christ keep his servants so poor? (said he) I will not serve such a Master, and so drew back, even while he was but setting his face towards Christ. I might instance the sinfulness of accepting persons in many other particular cases, as well as these, but these may suffice for a taste. Let me not (saith Elihu) accept any mans person, Neither let me give flattering titles unto man.