A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

These being some of the commanded duties, the contrary vices are prohibited, as 1. Rash judging, taking up a prejudice upon unsure grounds that will not bear such a thing; and this may be either a weakness proceeding from ignorance, or a prejudice slowing from malice at the mans person, which is more readily inclined to construe so and so of such a man and his Actions then of another: The first may be removed, and the person faulty in it will be desirous to have it removed, and will esteem more of the person mistaken, when it is removed, as Eli did of Hannah 17. 1 Sam. 1.17. The second is hardly removed and admitteth not of the mean which may remove it, leaving no room for information, Apology, Vindication, &c. 2. Pride and Presumption are condemned here, Pride whereby one with Diotrephes affecteth the preheminency, a higher office or precedency in the same office, the first salutation, the highest room at Table, &c. Presumption, whereby a man is ready to undertake something above his ability, as if he were more fit and able for it then indeed he is; even as on the contrary Pusillanimity is a scarring to reach to, and adventure upon, what a man is able for, and called to. 3. Vanity or vain Glory, much blazing abroad our own good actions, or delighting to have them known to others, that they may blaze them. 4. Ostentation making show of what good is in ⟨p. 325⟩us, and following what is good for that end, and in such a way as it may be taken notice of by men, as the Pharisees, who only sought their own glory in their prayers and alms. 5. Envy, which is a grief and sadness for the honour of another, that such a good Turn should fall in his hand, or that he should be honoured, followed or respected, as if his being honoured and preferred did detract from their own credit and honour; it differeth from fear, which is a sadness that an Enemy is preferred, because they may suffer and be in hazard from him; this Envy floweth principally from pride, whereby folks would monopolize all honour, and what is honourable unto themselves, and are grieved when it is not so, a manifest fruit of the flesh, Gal. 5.21. and a prime and most destructive enemy to Graces, and yet very rife in this hypocritical age, and much incident to religious folks, especially to Ministers and persons of gifts;