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…

First, It is dangerous to others. When Parasites flatter Princes, when Ministers flatter the people, how doth it ensnare their souls? 'Tis hell and death to flatter sinners, and not to deal plainly with them; to give lenitives instead of corrosives; to give oil where vinegar should be given; to heal the hurt of the soul deceitfully, is the greatest hurt and wounding to the soul. Flatteries are those pillows spoken of in the Prophet (Ezek: 13.18.) sowed to the Arm-holes or elbows of wicked men, upon which many sleep without fear, till they dye without hope; yea these ⟨p. 137⟩flatteries as well as any falsities and errors of doctrine, whether respecting faith or worship, are that untempered mortar, of and against which the Prophet speaks in the same Chapter (v. 10.15.) wherewith some daubed that wall of vain confidence which others built, while they seduced the people, saying, peace, and there was no peace. How often do the true Prophets warn the people against these flatteries of the false Prophets. And how sadly doth the Prophet Jeremiah bewail them (Lam: 2.14.) Thy Prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee, and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity, but have seen for thee false burdens, and causes of banishment; that is, the visions which they have seen, they pretend, at least, to have had from God, but they are their own dreams and brain-sick fancies, and so the cause of thy banishment; they have undone thee with these deceits, soothing thee up in those thy sins, which procured thy banishment, and caused the Lord to thrust thee out, and send thee far away from thine own Land. They have fed, yea, filled thee with false hopes, till thy condition was hopeless. How many thousands have been destroyed by flatteries both for here and for ever. And if flattery be so dangerous to the receiver, then

First, It is dangerous to others. When Parasites flatter Princes, when Ministers flatter the people, how doth it ensnare their soules? 'Tis hell and death to flatter sinners, and not to deale plainly with them; to give lenitives instead of corosives; to give oyle where vineger should be given; to heale the hurt of the soule deceitfully, is the greatest hurt and wounding to the soule. Flatteries are those pillows spoken of in the Prophet (Ezek: 13.18.) sowed to the Arme-holes or elbowes of wicked men, upon which many sleepe without feare, till they dye without hope; yea these ⟨p. 137⟩