2. Let none measure himself by another, nor make comparisons either for lifting up or casting down. 1Some of the Corinthians were ⟨p. 10⟩apt to be puffed up because of their supposing themselves to have attained more than others, which is an ill sign; for though they were high in gifts and parts, they were low in grace, for they were but Babes; and therefore the Apostle pulls down their Plumes with this quick interrogation, Who makes thee (whoever thou be) who makes thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory (pride thy self and boast) as if thou didst not receive it? Grace gives us no leave to be proud, nor to despise undervalue others. And on the other hand there are some poor souls (and I believe there were such among the Corinthians, as I shall clear by and by) that are apt to despond, when they compare and measure themselves by others; when a Dwarf stands by a Giant, a man of low stature by a tall one, as David by Goliath, he seems comparatively to be no body; but yet is (for kind) a man, a perfect man for all that, or notwithstanding the great and vast difference that is between the one and the other. Many poor souls when they see how they are outstripped (in knowledge, faith, love and patience) by some that came into Christ long after themselves, are apt to think that they are no Saints, because they are not such Saints; and this seems to be the case of some of the Corinthians, as I newly hinted, which will appear from 1 Cor. 12.15, &c. There were some who were but as the foot (both in state and sense) the very lowest member ⟨p. 11⟩of the body, and were therefore too prone and inclinable to think that they were not of the body: for thus the Apostle speaks to them, If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? and if the car shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? No, no, you should by no means say so, 'tis a meer non sequitur. So if thou shouldst say, because I am not a Father, I am not a Child of God; it doth not follow, for thou mayest be a Young-man; if not that, yet a little Child; if not that, yet a Babe in Christ; begin lowest, do not stretch thy self beyond thy measure. Nor let any be proud if they are gone beyond others, to be puffed up and despise the weak. But,
2. Let none measure himself by another, nor make comparisons either for lifting up or casting down. 1Some of the Corinthians were ⟨p. 10⟩apt to be puffed up because of their supposing themselves to have attained more than others, which is an ill sign; for though they were high in gifts and parts, they were low in grace, for they were but Babes; and therefore the Apostle pulls down their Plumes with this quick interrogation, Who makes thee (whoever thou be) who makes thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory (pride thy self and boast) as if thou didst not receive it? Grace gives us no leave to be proud, nor to despise undervalue others. And on the other hand there are some poor souls (and I believe there were such among the Corinthians, as I shall clear by and by) that are apt to despond, when they compare and measure themselves by others; when a Dwarf stands by a Gyant, a man of low stature by a tall one, as David by Goliah, he seems comparatively to be no body; but yet is (for kind) a man, a perfect man for all that, or notwithstanding the great and vast difference that is between the one and the other. Many poor souls when they see how they are outstript (in knowledge, faith, love and patience) by some that came into Christ long after themselves, are apt to think that they are no Saints, because they are not such Saints; and this seems to be the case of some of the Corinthians, as I newly hinted, which will appear from 1 Cor. 12.15, &c. There were some who were but as the foot (both in state and sense) the very lowest member ⟨p. 11⟩of the body, and were therefore too prone and inclinable to think that they were not of the body: for thus the Apostle speaks to them, If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? and if the car shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? No, no, you should by no means say so, 'tis a meer non sequitur. So if thou shouldst say, because I am not a Father, I am not a Child of God; it doth not follow, for thou maist be a Young-man; if not that, yet a little Child; if not that, yet a Babe in Christ; begin lowest, do not stretch thy self beyond thy measure. Nor let any be proud if they are gone beyond others, to be puffed up and despise the weak. But,
- 11 Cor. 4.6,—8.
