1. In the Speech: London hath been grossly guilty in Boasting and Vain-glory. What company could you come into almost, but you should find many boasting spirits? some foaming out the shame of their own praise, in high expressions, and direct self-commendations (without any regard to Gods glory, self-vindication, example, or excitement; in which cases, modestly and ⟨p. 150⟩sparingly, to do it may be lawful and a duty) but they have done it only to be well thought on, and admired: Others drivelling out their own praises more slyly and indirectly; but a Christian of eyes and brains, might easily perceive that the drift and scope of the discourse hath been Self, and a tacit begging of a good opinion. As if one should say, Pray friends, think a little better of me; pray have me higher in your esteem; for to say the truth, by this I give you to understand that I am a very worthy person. Many we shall find very forward to declare their own goodness, but few faithful in speaking forth the praises of God; yea many there have been who have discommended themselves, not that they might fall, but rise in esteem. Thus some rotten-hearted hypocrites as full of pride as they can hold, and some sincere in the main, yet too much like them, have spoken so meanly of themselves, and so much against themselves as none other would do; and what hath been the design? even that they might be accounted humble: and therefore they have taken care in their self-commendations, to speak of nothing but common infirmities, concealing their more gross faults; and those common infirmities, in a mourning and complaining way, as if they were very sensible of them; as if affected, afflicted, and burdened with them (as the humble, sincere Christian is indeed) that they might be esteemed for sensibility of small faults; and then they have taken care to do it, not to those that are more rigid, severe and quicksighted Christians, that would quickly have smelt out ⟨p. 151⟩their pride; but unto those, which they have looked upon as the most tender, charitable persons, who are ready hereby to advance them higher in esteem; or weaker Christians, who are ready to confess more evil of themselves. And when they have thus spoken against themselves, they have not really thought so, but the contrary; but they have spoken so, that they might be contradicted, and commended to their faces;
1. In the Speech: London hath been grosly guilty in Boasting and Vain-glory. What company could you come into almost, but you should finde many boasting spirits? some foaming out the shame of their own praise, in high expressions, and direct self-commendations (without any regard to Gods glory, self-vindication, example, or excitement; in which cases, modestly and ⟨p. 150⟩sparingly, to do it may be lawfull and a duty) but they have done it only to be well thought on, and admired: Others driveling out their own praises more sliely and indirectly; but a Christian of eyes and brains, might easily perceive that the drift and scope of the discourse hath been Self, and a tacit begging of a good opinion. As if one should say, Pray friends, think a little better of me; pray have me higher in your esteem; for to say the truth, by this I give you to understand that I am a very worthy person. Many we shall finde very forward to declare their own goodness, but few faithfull in speaking forth the praises of God; yea many there have been who have discommended themselves, not that they might fall, but rise in esteem. Thus some rotten-hearted hypocrites as full of pride as they can hold, and some sincere in the main, yet too much like them, have spoken so meanly of themselves, and so much against themselves as none other would do; and what hath been the design? even that they might be accounted humble: and therefore they have taken care in their self-commendations, to speak of nothing but common infirmities, concealing their more gross faults; and those common infirmities, in a mourning and complaining way, as if they were very sensible of them; as if affected, afflicted, and burthened with them (as the humble, sincere Christian is indeed) that they might be esteemed for sensibility of small faults; and then they have taken care to do it, not to those that are more rigid, severe and quicksighted Christians, that would quickly have smelt out ⟨p. 151⟩their pride; but unto those, which they have lookt upon as the most tender, charitable persons, who are ready hereby to advance them higher in esteem; or weaker Christians, who are ready to confess more evil of themselves. And when they have thus spoken against themselves, they have not really thought so, but the contrary; but they have spoken so, that they might be contradicted, and commended to their faces;
