own impiety with the publishing his sin. Like a fly, thou stingest his sores, and feedest on his corruptions. Jesus came eating and drinking, and was judged a glutton. John came fasting, and was challenged with being a devil. Judge not, my soul, lest thou be judged. Malign not thy brother, lest God laugh at thy destruction. Wouldst thou escape the punishment? judge thyself. Wouldst thou avoid the sin? humble thyself. His Prayer. O God, that art the only Searcher of the reins, to whom the secrets of the heart of man are only known, to whom alone the judgment of our thoughts, our words, and deeds belong, and to whose sentence we must stand or fall-I, a presumptuous sinner, that have thrust into thy place, and boldly have presumed to execute thy office, do here as humbly confess the insolence of mine attempt, and, with a sorrowful heart, repent me of my doings; and though my convinced conscience can look for nothing from thy wrathful hand but the same measure which I measured to another, yet, in the confidence of that mercy which thou hast promised to all those that truly and unfeignedly believe, I am become an humble suitor for thy gracious pardon. Lord, if thou search me but with a favourable eye, I shall appear much more unrighteous in thy sight than this my uncharitably condemned brother did in mine. Oh, look not therefore, Lord, upon me as I am, lest thou abhor me; but through the merits of my blessed Saviour cast a gracious eye upon me. Let his humility satisfy for my presumption, and let his meritorious sufferings answer for my vile uncharitableness. Let not the voice of my offence provoke thee with a stronger cry than the language of his intercession. Remove from me, O God, all spiritual pride, and make me little in my own conceit, Lord, light me to myself, that by thy light I may discern how dark I am. Lighten that darkness by thy Holy Spirit, that I may search into my own corruptions. And since, O God, all gifts and graces are but nothing, and nothing can be acceptable in thy sight, without charity, quicken the dulness of my faint affections, that I may love my brother as I ought. Soften my marble heart, that it may melt at his infirmities. Make me careful in the examination of my own ways, and most severe against my own offences. Pull out the beam of mine own eye, that I may see clearly, and reprove wisely. Take from me, O Lord, all grudging, envy, and malice, that my seasonable reproofs may win my brother. Preserve my heart from all censorious thoughts, name. and keep my tongue from striking at his Grant that I make right use of his infirmities, and read good lessons in his failings; that loving him in thee, and thee in him, according to thy command, we may both be united in thee as members of thee: that thou mayest receive honour from our communion here, and we eternal glory from thee, hereafter, in the world to come. THE. LIAR. His Fallacies. NAY, if religion be so strict a law, to bind my tongue to the necessity of a truth on all occasions, at all times, and in all places, the gate is too strait for me to enter. Or if the general rules of downright truth will admit no few exceptions, farewell all honest mirth, farewell all trading, farewell the whole converse betwixt man and man! If always to speak punctual truth be the true symptoms of a blessed soul, Tom Telltruth has a happy time, and fools and children are the only men! If Truth sit regent, in what faithful breast shall secrets find répose? what kingdom can be safe? what commonwealth can be secure? what war can be successful? what stratagem can prosper? If bloody times should force religion to shroud itself beneath my roof-upon demand, shall my false truth betray it? Or shall my brother's life, or shall my own, be seized upon through the cruel truth of my downright confession? or rather not be secured by a fair officious lie? Shall the righteous favourite* of Egypt's ty *Joseph. This alludes to the meeting of this brethren in Pharaoh's house.-EDITOR. |