The Method of Grace

Inference 2.

If mortification be the great work of a Christian, then ¹certainly those that give the corruptions of Christians an occasion to revive, must needs do them a very ill office: they are not our best friends that stir the pride of our hearts by the flattery of their lips. The graces of God in others, I confess, are thankfully to be owned, and under discouragements, and contrary temptations to be wisely and modestly spoken of: but the strongest Christians do scarcely show their own weakness in any one thing more than they do in bearing their own praises. Christian, thou knowest thou carriest Gunpowder about thee, desire those that carry fire to keep at a distance from thee: 'tis a dangerous Crisis when a proud heart meets with flattering lips, auferte ignem, &c. take away the fire (said a holy Divine of Germany when his friend commended him upon his deathbed) for I have yet combustible matter about me: faithful, seasonable, discreet reproofs are much more safe to us, and advantageous to our mortifying work; but alas, how few have the boldness or wisdom duly to administer them? 'Tis said of Alexander that he bid a Philosopher who had been long with him, to be gone; for, said he, so long thou hast been with me, and never reproved me; which must needs be thy fault: for either thou sawest nothing in me worthy of reproof, which argues thy ignorance; or else thou durst not reprove me, which argues thy unfaithfulness. A wise and faithful reprover is of singular use to him that is heartily engaged in the design of mortification: such a faithful friend, or some malicious enemy must be helpful to us in that work.

If mortification be the great work of a Christian, then ¹certainly those that give the corruptions of Christians an occasion to revive, must needs do them a very ill office: they are not our best friends that stir the pride of our hearts by the flattery of their lips. The graces of God in others, I confess, are thankfully to be owned, and under discouragements, and contrary temptations to be wisely and modestly spoken of: but the strongest Christians do scarcely shew their own weakness in any one thing more than they do in bearing their own praises. Christian, thou knowest thou carriest Gunpowder about thee, desire those that carry fire to keep at a distance from thee: 'tis a dangerous Crisis when a proud heart meets with flattering lips, auferte ignem, &c. take away the fire (said a holy Divine of Germany when his friend commended him upon his deathbed) for I have yet combustible matter about me: faithful, seasonable, discreet reproofs are much more safe to us, and advantageous to our mortifying work; but alas, how few have the boldness or wisdom duly to administer them? 'Tis said of Alexander that he bid a Philosopher who had been long with him, to be gone; for, said he, so long thou hast been with me, and never reproved me; which must needs be thy fault: for either thou sawest nothing in me worthy of reproof, which argues thy ignorance; or else thou durst not reprove me, which argues thy unfaithfulness. A wise and faithful reprover is of singular use to him that is heartily engaged in the design of mortification: such a faithful friend, or some malitious enemy must be helpful to us in that work.