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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91733	Rules for the government of the tongue: together, with directions in six particular cases. [brace] 1 Confession of our faults to men. 2 Confession of Christ before men. 3 Reprehension of faults in others. 4 Christian communication. [brace] Vrbanity and eloquence. 5 Consolation of the afflicted. 6 Self-commendation, and a disproof of perfection in this life. Added, as a supplement, to the Rules for governing [brace] 1 the thoughts, 2 the affections, in the Precepts for Christian practice, or, The rule of the new creature, new model'd. / By Edward Reyner, minister of the Gospel in Lincolne.	Reyner, Edward, 1600-1668.; Reyner, Edward, 1600-1668. Precepts for Christian practice.	1656 (1656)	Wing R1230; Thomason E1594_2; ESTC R208861	220,132	401

pleased the Father that all comfort should bee laid up in Christ as in a Treasury or Store house for all his people and that Christ should send forth the same to them as the fountain doth water 3 By Dispensation or by Office as he is our Prophet Isa 61.1 2 3 which he executes and so comforteth us by his Spirit which he hath given us 3 God the Holy Ghost is the Author of Consolation by application of it to us for that is his proper work of all that comfort to our hearts which the Father hath appointed to us and which Christ hath obtained and keeps for us As by Baptism wee are dedicated to the service and committed to the protection of the Trinity Father Son and Spirit so we should devote our selves freely to the imitation of the blessed Trinity as in Sanctification to be holy as all the three Persons Father Son and Spirit are holy so in compassion and in consolation to be merciful as they are merciful and to comfort others as they are all comforters wee should count it our glory to be followers of the glorious Trinity herein Secondly To comfort others hath been the practice of the godly even of the most eminent Servants of God as of Job the most rich and religious man in the East Behold Job 4.3 4 saith Eliphas thou hast instructed many and thou hast strengthened the weak hands and the feeble knees thy words have upholden him that was falling Thus to support the weak and comfort the faint was not only Jobs practice but his praise therefore it is ushered in with an ecce Behold c. for so Eliphas speaks of it as a thing that many could attest to Jobs commendation and of the Prophets in the Old Testament Isa 40.1 2 to whom God gave charge to comfort his people And of the Apostles in the New Testament and of their Ministers and Fellow-labourers as Timotheus Tychicus Titus and others And of the Primitive Christians no doubt according to Apostolick injunctions Paul had confidence in Philomous obedience Philem. 21 knowing that he would do even more than hee said and great joy and consolation in his love because the bowels of the Saints were refreshed by him Vers 7. How Ans By commiseration consolation contribution intercession and the like Reas 4. From the equity of the duty in respect of us we ought to comfort others 1 Because we would bee comforted by others in our distress and whatever we would that others should do to us we should do the same to them Mat. 7.12 for this is the Law and the Prophets This duty should be mutual and reciprocal among Christians even those that comfort others may stand in need to be comforted by others as Eliphaz told Job Job 4.4 5 Thou comfortedst others c. But now it that is the affliction and misery is come upon thee and thou faintest it toucheth thee and thou art troubled i.e. Thou now hast as much need to be comforted by others as others had to be comforted by thee Is not this thy fear and thy confidence c. Vers 6. This was the errour of Jobs friends to lay down good premises and to infer bad conclusions by misapplying the same to Job as if he were an Hypocrite Vers 7 and all his Graces counterfeit 2 Because all true Christians have an interest in comfort it is their portion in comforting them wee give them that which is their own and in not doing it we with-hold from them what of due belongs to them 3 To this end God gives us abilities and experiences that we may be able to comfort others upon the account whereof wee are Debtors to others 2 Cor. 1.4 God comforteth us in all our Tribulations saith Paul that wee may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort where-with wee our selves are comforted of God that even as persons of ability keep Bottles of Strong Waters Cordials and other comfortable things to refresh their friends or strangers when sick or faint we should keep the like in the closets of our hearts to comfort others in their afflictions As the Moon and Starres receive light from the Sun not to hoard it up in themselves like dark Lanthorns but to reflect it upon the earth and things below so we receive comfort freely from the Lord to the end we should give comfort freely to others 4 Lastly This is our Office as wee are members of the same body with others As the Stomack first feeds it self with the food it concocts then communicates nourishment to all other members the Heart and Liver send forth spirits and bloud throughout the body when they have received nourishment and strength so every Joynt or Member in Christs mystical Body should make a supply of consolation or instruction c. that is of what may nourish strengthen and encrease to his Fellow-members Ephes 4.16 according to the measure of that gift or grace hee hath received from his head Christ Jesus The bond of Brother-hood that is among Christians ties them thereunto to communicate what they have received from the Lord to the good of others Jude 20. Edifie your selves in your most holy faith To this end Love knits Christians together to make them communicative of good one to another and receptive thereof one from another to make them partakers in the graces and comforts one of another as the members of the body being tied together receive nourishment one from another Q. How may we comfort afflicted consciences that are wounded and dejected with sense of sin and of Gods Wrath and want of grace and draw nigh to the pits brink of despair and refuse to be comforted Ans 1. Set before them and apply to them as before our selves in the like case these Eight Grounds of consolation 1 The boundlesness and freeness of Gods pardoning reconciling accepting healing mercies to Sinners infinitely exceeding all their sins Psal 103.11 12 Vers 17 and all their unworthinesses in multitude and in magnitude in all dimensions and in duration Gods mercy is like the great deep Ocean without bank or bottom which can as easily swallow up mountains of sins as mole-hills or motes Therefore to doubt or despair or to give way to despondency of mind is to forsake our own mercy to sin against mercy which is one of the highest and most confounding aggravations of sin Lam. 3.22 Set also before them the bowels of Gods compassions which are most tender and yearning and fail not the riches of his free Grace which are the Treasures of Eternity that cannot be diminished by distribution but rather like the five Loaves wherewith Christ fed the five thousand men beside women children they multiply with breaking and the freeness unchangeableness and everlastingness of his love to poor sinners Hos 14.4 Jer. 31.3 that never deserved it or any thing from God but Wrath and Judgement Obj. But God

Piety though it come farre short of compleat perfection Thus the holy Scripture frequently call grown Christians in understanding and wisdom in grace obedience and experience perfect that is in comparison of VVeaklings Novices New beginners or Non-proficients in Christianity Heb. 5.12.13 14 Or of Babes who have need of Milk and not of strong meat but strong meat belongs to the perfect who by reason of habit got by long practice have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil In this sense we are to understand Perfect in the following places Wee speak wisdom among them that are perfect 1 Cor. 2.6 Let as many as be perfect be thus minded Phil. 3.15 If any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man Jam. 3.2 The Apostle John makes three several Ages of Christians to wit Children Young men and Fathers John writ to each of them 1 Joh. 2.12 13 14. and a higher Age may bee said to be perfect in respect of a lower as young men in comparison of Children and Fathers being compared with Young men Thus high acts of Graces attainable in this Life are cald the perfection of them as 1 Of Faith as Abrahams leaving his Country in obedience to Gods call going he knew not whither Heb. 11.8 and his offering up Isaac vers 17. and his beleeving he should beget I saac in his Old age when his body was dead and his Wives barren Rom. 4.19 20. these were high acts of his faith the sincerity officacy excellency or sublimity whereof was manifested by his works Jam. 3.22 By works saith James his faith was made perfect that is declared so to be 2 So high acts of Patience as to endure many and heavie and tedious afflictions and persecutions for Christs Name are the perfection of Patience that is cald perfect patience Let patience have her perfect work Jam. 1.4 saith James that yee may be perfect and intire wanting nothing 3 So high acts of Love as to love God with all our hearts to love others as our selves even our enemies to lay down our lives for the Brethren to serve God without servile fear these and the like are call'd perfect love 1 Joh. 4.17 18. This is call'd Perfectio viae the perfection which the Saints can attain unto in or by the way to Heaven That is the greatest measure of God which God hath decreed to give to every one of his Elect in this world which some conceive to be Pauls meaning in Ephes 4.7 The height of our grace here proceeds from the measure of Christs Gift To every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ To this perfection Paul laboured to bring the Colossians by his Ministry as every faithful Minister of Christ should do his people that hereby he might prepare them for and lead them forward to their absolute perfection in Heaven Col. 1 2● We preach Christ saith Paul warning and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ That which is called Perfectio patriae is that plenary perfection which the Saints injoy in their own Country when they go home to their Fathers house in Heaven not before 3 In respect of uprightness This is generally call'd perfection both in the Old and New Testament To be sincere and simple-spirited without guile in our Principles and intentions or aims this is not Legal perfection which is absolute conformity to the Law of God exacted in the Governant of VVorks but Evangelical required in the Covenant of Grace wherein new obedience performed with a sincere heart and willing minde is accounted perfection 2 Cor. 8.12 yea God hath promised therein to accept of us in Christ according to that we have and not according to that wee have not even of the will for the deed and not to impute unto us our imperfections For God measureth not our new obedience by the perfection of our performance but by the sincerity of our affections and purpose of our hearts In this sense Perfection is opposed not to imperfection but to Hyprocrisie A sincere Christian is a perfect that is a true real Christian An hypocrite is but the picture of a Chri-Christian In our militant state integrity and infirmities are consistent in the same soul What is done uprightly is said to bee done with a perfect heart Iob 1.1 Psal 37.37 and with the whole heart in this sense as I shewed before Job was cald a perfect man and Noah Gen. 6.9 Mark the perfect man behold the upright saith David Asa's heart was said to be perfect with the Lord all his days 2 King 20.3 1 King 15.14 Hezekiah walked before God in truth and with a perfect heart 1 Chro. 28.9 David commands his Son Solomon to serve the God of his Father with a perfect heart and with a willing minde Pauls simplicity and godly sincerity was his perfection in this world 2 Cor. 1.12 Revel 3.2 I have not found thy works perfect before God saith Christ to the Church of Sardis that is sincere but hypocritical 4 We are said to bee perfect in respect of Furniture when we are furnished with Gifts and Graces for the place God hath set us in or for the work God hath called us to do and we are made able and ready thereunto All Scripture saith Paul is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrin reproof 2 Tim. 3.16 17. instruction in righteousness that the man of God that is the Minister may be perfect What is that Throughly furnished for every good work that is the discharge of his whole duty A supply of what is lacking in Grace attainable here or a furnishing to duty is cald perfection in Gods Word Ephes 4.12 When Christ ascended on high he appointed Ministers in his Church for the perfecting of the Saints that is to supply what is wanting in their holiness and obedience to build them up further Acts 20.32 Pauls earnest desire and endeavour was to perfect what was lacking in the Thessalonians faith 1 Thes 3.10 Heb. 13.21 The God of peace prays Paul for the Hebrews make you perfect in every good work to do his will or prepare and fit you for every good work or accomplish that in you which yet is defective as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intimates To bee able in some measure to do his will on earth is a Christians perfection on earth a setting of things in good frame and comely order in the Church which formerly were amiss is call'd perfection 2 Cor. 13.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Beza expounds that place This also wee wish even your perfection your restauration or reconcinnation that the members which were shaken out of joynt might bee restored and things amiss among them in faith and manners rectified 5 In respect of desire and indeavours after perfection to advance in Gods ways as farre and fast

RULES FOR THE Government of the Tongue Together With Directions in six Particular Cases 1 Confession of our faults to Men. 2 Confession of Christ before Men 3 Reprehension of faults in others 4 Christian Communication Vrbanity and Eloquence 5 Consolation of the Afflicted 6 Self-Commendation and a Disproof of Perfection in this life Added as a Supplement to the Rules for Governing 1 The Thoughts 2 The Affections In the Precepts for Christian Practice or The Rule of the New Creature new model'd By Edward Reyner Minister of the Gospel in Lincolne Psal 17.3 I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress LONDON Printed by R. I. for Thomas Newberry and are to be sold at his shop at the three Lions neer the Exchange 1656. To the Reader Christian Reader I Would not trouble the Press or thee with any thing but what I conceive may bee usefull and practical for thy furtherance in grace and obedience the matter whereof I hope will not be burnt when it is tried by fire though the Paper may but that it may bring forth fruit in thee that will remain to promote thy comfort and my account in the day of Christ The good acceptance which my former book entitled Precepts for Christian Practice c. hath as I hear found with sober-wel-minded Christians and the advice of some judicious friends do incourage mee to make this plain peece publick Though Satan seeks to cast an odium upon the holy and precious truths wayes and ordinances of Jesus Christ yea and upon the Books that are written for the Declaration and Defence thereof to bring them all into contempt For Satan feareth that such Books may do poor souls good and his cause hurt which should bee our indeavour to promote as it is his design to hinder This is a common Experiment that as in Preaching so in Printing Satan and his Agents oppose that most which may in probability through Gods blessing be instrumental for publick profit But the God of Truth who loveth Righteousness will throughly plead the cause of his own Truths and Wayes and of the reproaches of his servants from the Tongues and Pens of their enemies in due time Yea the day approacheth wherein God will judge mens Hearts Tongues and Books according to his Gospel Then they who have spoken or written of the matters of God and of his Ministers the thing that is true and right shall bee approved and those that have done otherwise shall to say no more bee reproved Books as well as any other works may help men forward either to Heaven or to Hell and advance their Salvation or aggravate their condemnation A man may do more good or more hurt by writing than by speaking because what is spoken is transient and passeth away but what is written is permanent litera scripta manet and spreads it self further by far for time place and persons than the voice can reach All Christs servants who keep the word of his patience Phil. 1.17 are set for the defence of the Gospel and they must contend earnestly or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jud. 3. 2 Cor. 13.8 conflict one after another for the Fath which was once for all delivered unto the Saints Why should they not do all they can for the Truth in these dayes of Apostasy Heresy and Blasphemy now that Satan and his manifold Instruments do all they can against the Truth that is by writing as well as by speaking by Pen as by Tongue Satan doth furiously drive on a Malevolent design to draw poor souls into delusion and thereby unto destruction by dispersing scandalous railing Truth-perverting soul-poisoning Pamphlets which come forth of the Pres● like persons out of a Pesthouse with a plague-sore running upon them to infect all that take them into their hands and are taken with them why then should not Christs Ministers 2 Cor. 5.20 who are his Embassadours factor for Christ and as strenuously plead and promote his cause Isa 44.5 in the Press as in the Pulpit and subscribe with their hands unto the Lord and to his truths and waies as well as confess them with their mouths Good books that tend to build up all that read them in faith holiness and obedience Psal 46.4 are like that River the streams whereof make glad the Citie of God Joh. 12. and like that Box of precious Ointment which Mary brake and poured on Christs head the odour whereof filled the house like clusters of ripe Grapes passing under the Press the Juice whereof is fit to be transported to all Nations So the pious labours of Gods servants passing under the Press are fit to be dispersed abroad among Christians far and neer Mr. Cotton The Penning and Reading of godly Books as a Reverend man of God now with God said is a singular improvement of the Communion of Saints as whereby wee injoy sweet and gracious conference with the Saints though unknown to us though absent in place and distant in time yea many ages before us and so partake in the Communion of their most precious Gifts as if they were present with us or as if wee had been long acquainted with them I doubt not but it hath been a cordial to some of Gods servants at death to think and say to God in their manner and measure as Christ did in his Father Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the Earth I have done the work thou gavest mee to do to wit by writing as well as by speaking by Books as by Sermons When I had the former Treatise under my hand this came into my mind that to adde to the Government of the Thoughts and of the Affections some Rules for the Government of the Tongue might bee suitable seasonable and profitable But I labouring under some bodily Infirmities laid the Thoughts thereof aside yet afterwards God revived them in mee and made my spirit willing to undertake the work and assisted mee graciously in it blessed bee his Name And now Reader I present it to thee and put it into thy hand as a Gospel-Grammar to teach thee not variety of Tongues but Sanctitie and Excellency of speech The Art of speaking well that is the Language of Canaan or of a Christian Do not only look on this Book by Perusal but live it by Practice to wit to the Rules described therein and it will lead thee towards Perfection in some good measure on earth though the full attainment therof bee kept as a Reserve for Heaven The Lord accompany this Book with his Presence and Power that it may bee effectuall to tame that unruly Member thy Tongue and to make thee a good Linguist in the School of Christ Psal 16.9 with Act. 2.26 then will thy Tongue be thy glory indeed To this end I beg a concurrence of thy Prayers with mine at the Throne of Grace that God would bless it and make it a blessing to all that read it That the fruit of it like

of his people to bee affected with to make an impression on them The Fifth Rule Get some common heads into your minds and hearts that may bee of general use to all and at all times as the sinfullnesse of sin the excellency of Christ and Grace the vanity of Creatures the uncertainty and troubles of life the approach and great consequence of death the last judgement the joyes of Heaven and torments of Hell the piety and felicity of the godly the iniquity and misery of the wicked especially get not only your heads fraught with notions but your hearts fil'd with affiance in affection to and experience of Jesus Christ and speak of him freely and frequently to others to carry Christ to them or to draw them to Christ As the Spouse did of her beloved Cant 5.10 6.1 c. to the daughters of Jerusalem as the two Disciples going to Emmaus did of Jesus of Nazareth and the Prophet did of that good matter his heart had indited concerning Christ the King of Saints Psal 45.1 for Christ is a most sweet profitable and successfull subject of discourse and ever in season The Sixth Rule The asking and answering of questions aright may conduce much to mutual edification As when others have doubts and desire to bee resolved in matters of Religion or in cases of conscience wee may help them greatly by giving them clear and sound answers or solutions thereof This is a fruitfull way of improving time and talents abilities and opportunities This wee find under precept in the old Testament and under practice in the New 1 Under Precept in the Old Testament there are commands for asking and answering questions about the word and works of God As 1 Children of their Fathers concerning 1 Gods Providence ask thy Father and hee will shew thee D●u 32.6 7 8. thy elders and they will tell thee to wit the wondrous works God did for Israel as in their redemption out of Egypt in dividing the land of Canaan among them by Lot when your Children ask their Fathers in time to come what mean you by these stones set up in the midst of Jordan Then yee shall answer them Josh 1.6 7. that the waters of Jordan were cut off and those stones shall bee for a memorial unto the Children of Israel for ever scil Vers 21 22 That Israel came over this Jordan on dry land As the Children were to ask the meaning of Gods great Works so their Parents were enjoyned to answer them and instruct them in the knowledge thereof 2 Concerning Gods Ordinances or religious Services and the meaning and reason of them as of the Sacraments and administrations of them Children were to ask and their Parents were commanded to teach them the occasion signification and use thereof as of the Passeover Exod. 12.26 27. When your children shall say what mean you by this service yee shall say it is the Sacrifice of the Lords Passeover In like manner should Christians teach their Children the meaning of Gospel-Sacraments scil Exod. 13.14 15. Baptism and the Lords Supper so concerning the consecrating of the first-born see what that meant 3 Concerning the Law of God Deut. 6.20 When thy Son asketh thee what means the Testimonies Statutes and Judgements which the Lord our God hath commanded you That is the whole Law Moral Ceremonial and Judicial Ainsw One calls this A brief Catechism containing the Grounds of Religion Vers 21. to the end Then thou shalt shew unto him the occasion end and benefits thereof the Law was given to the Fathers psal 78.5 6 that they should make it known to their children 2 People of their Ministers Mal. 2.7 The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth Not only in publick by hearing his Doctrin but in private also by propounding their Doubts and Queries to him 3 One private person of another Thus shall yee say every one to his neighbour and every one to his brother Ies. 23.35 what hath the Lord answered and what hath the Lord spoken It is said in Zech. 3.10 Yee shall call every man his neighbour under the Vine and under the Fig-tree Some understand this not only of a secure State without all danger and fear but of their communion together to promote the salvation one of another 2 The duty of asking Questions wee finde under practise and example in the New Testament this was an edifying course to the Disciples of Christ and Primitive Christians when Christ spake these words concerning the removing of his bodily presence from them Joh 16.16 17 A little while and yee shall not see me c. The Disciples first enquired among themselves what these words meant and because they could not satisfie themselves they were desirous to ask Christ to explain himself Vers 19 20.21 which he perceiving did when the Disciples heard Christ deliver any thing which they understood not they asked him the meaning thereof when he was alone Mark 4.10 As of the Parable of the Sower and of that Parable or sentence Mar. 7.15.17 That which goeth into a man cannot defile the man but the things which come out of him Mar. 10.9 10.11 Mar. 13.1 2 3 4 And of what he spake concerning the indissolubleness of marriage and the destruction of the Temple When the Eunuch understood not what he read in Isaiah concerning Christ Isa 53.7 he asked Philip the meaning Acts 8.34 35 I pray thee of whom speaketh the Prophet this of himself or of some other man Then Philip opened the Scripture to him Let Christians take notice of their doubts and scruples and wait for an occasion to propound them to such as are able to resolve them To question much is the way to learn much especially if the questions bee suited to the Askers necessity and to the Answerers faculty this is the way to glean up knowledge Col. 4.6 There is a dexterity in asking and answering questions aright 1 Questions should be asked not out of curiosity to shew wit or please fancy or to scratch an itching humour but in sincerity out of love to the truth to know it to the end we may do it and readily to submit to it when it is discovered to us 2 Not about things that are vain and unprofitable but what may tend to godly edifying in faith and love 1 Tim. 1.4 in holiness and obedience 3 Avoyd subtile and acute Questions in common discourse which as one saith resemble Crafishes where there is more picking work than meat to eat These ingender strife of words vain janglings and animosities 4 Questions of Religion should bee debated without pride and passion or desire of praise or victory but in a spirit of love and meekness that truth may be made to appear to strike fire that by the sparks of Arguments we may light the lamp of truth 1 Tim. 6.4 Hereby we

of which have spent whole or the greatest part of chapters upon that subject As that good governour Nehemiah did the thirteenth chapter of his book as a Naerrative of the good deeds hee had done for the house of his God and for the offices thereof which hee intreats the Lord to remember vers 14. against the prophanation of the Sabbath and the marriages with strange wives and the fifth chapter in relating his pitty and bounty to the poor Jews in freeing them from their oppressions vers 1. to 14. and from their charge of provision which they were bound to bring in to their governour vers 14 15. hee forbore his own allowance yet kept hospitality and hee prayes in the close of the chapter Think upon me my God for good according to all that I have done for this people Job makes protestation of his innocency and integrity not only here and there often in his book but the 29. and 31. chapters contain his continued vindication thereof or a catalogue of his good works Paul spends many chapters in declaring what hee had received from God and what hee did and suffered for God and his people as Act. 20. Phil. 3.1 Thes 2.2 Cor. 11. and 12. chapters Quest In what cases is self-commendation allowed to Gods people Ans I shall name eleven First case is of afflictions from God wherein they have professed their faith in God First Case their patience obedience sincerity constancy notwithstanding the same so did Job when hee took his flesh in his teeth and put his life in his hand Though God slay mee saith he yet will I trust in him I will maintain mine own wayes before him and my foot hath held his steps Job 13.14 15. Chap. 23.10.11 12. his way have I kept and not declined neither have I gone back from the commandement of his lips no not when God laid a load of sorrows upon him And the Church in Psal 44.17 18 19 c. All this evil is come upon us from the Lord yet have wee not forgotten thee nor dealt falsly in thy Covenant our heart is not turned back c. And Jeremy when afflicted and humbled under the hand of God As for mee Jer. 17 1● I have not hasted from being a pastour to follow thee neither have I desired the woefull day thou knowest Vers 17. that which came out of my lips was right before thee bee not a terrour unto mee thou art ray hope in the day of evil The second Case is Second Case Injuries from men in word or deed 1 In word by scoffs or reproaches 2 Sam. 6 2● as David when Michal mocked him for dancing before the Ark hee justified his Act as done before the Lord out of zeal for his glory joy in him and thankfullness to him Vers 21. and if this make mee vile I will yet bee more vile than thus Or by slanders and false Accusations of our good conversation In this case it may bee needfull to make just Apologies for defence of our innocency and vindication of our good names as Paul did before the people of Jerusalem Act. 22.1 2 c. Act. 21.27 28. when the Jews of Asia cryed out against him that hee taught all men every where against the people and the law and the temple And when hee was brought before the Council in Act. 23.1 men and Brethren saith he I have lived in all good conscience before God untill this day When Tertullus the Oratour accused him before Felix the governour wee have found this man a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition Act. 24.5 6. among all the Jews c. what a large Apologie did Paul then make for his faith Vers 10. to 22. life doctrin and conscience and afterwards before King Agrippa in the 26 of the Acts Thus wee may and ought to plead our cause and defend our innocency to wit the grace of God we have received and the work of God which wee have done when wee are called before Rulers and Governours for Christs sake Mic. 10.18 19 20. when wee are accused to them or examined by them of our faith holinesse or conversation Jacob made an Apologie for his faithfullness in Labans service Gen. 31.36 to 42. when Laban compelled him to commend himself and thereby to defend himself as Job did frequently when his friends charged him wrongfully David did the like to clear his slandered innocency and Paul to vindicate his person office and doctrin from the aspersions and calumniations of his emulous Adversaries the false Apostles whereby they laboured to cast an odium upon him which forced him into a commendation of himself as in the 11. and 12. chapters of the second Epistle to the Corinthians Yea Christ himself did commend himself to defend himself against the Jews which of you convinceth mee of sin saith he Joh. 8.46 48. and when they said to him say wee not well that thou art a Samaritan Vers 49. and hast a Devill Jesus answered I have not a Devil but I honour my Father and yee do dishonour mee 3 In case of Injuries from men in deed wee may protest our innocency to prove wee suffer wrongfully as Daniel did his before King Darius when hee was cast into the Lions den for calling upon his God My God hath sent his Angell and hath shut the Lions mouths that they have not hurt mee Dan. 6.22 for as much as before him innocency was found in mee and also before thee O King have I done no hurt When the Jews took up stones to stone Christ hee pleaded his innocency Joh. 10.31 32. many good works have I shewed you from my Father for which of those works do you stone mee and now yee seek to kill mee a man that hath told the truth Joh. 8.40 which I have heard of God The third Case Third Case wherein it is lawfull to commend our selves is this To shew forth the infinite riches of Gods free grace and mercy to such vile unworthy Creatures as wee are in giving us grace to bee what wee are and inabling us by grace to do what wee do to incourage weak beleevers unto dependence on God for grace and mercy and against despondency notwithstanding all their infirmities and unworthiness Upon this account Paul commended himself before the Corinthians and Timothy and all that read his Epistles to them that hee might commend the great love and kindness of God to him before them all and to propound himself as an example of Gods free and rich mercy to them all I persecuted saith hee to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15.9 10. the Church of God but by the grace of God I am that I am and I laboured more abundantly than they all that is the rest of the Apostles and to Timothy he saith I was before a Persecuter a Blasphemer 1 Tim. 1 1● and injurious yea the chief of sinners Vers 15 16 but I