First part .

NOne are more unwilling to blazon their praises , then they that most deserve to be commended : worthinesse is silent in her own advancement , and had rather have her excellencies suffer in concealment , then revive them with the breath of her own applause ; The secret assurance of goodnesse is sufficient recompence for her ambition , and she accounts it reward enough of her greatest deserts to have done them : Mark . 1.44 When by the soveraign touch of our Saviour , the leaper was changed into cleannesse , his only prescription was , that he should say nothing ; and in this he was a Patient after the recovery : First , he bids him be whole , next , see thou tell no man : as if his miracle would have been disgraced by publishing : And it seems , Nature would be like her God in this , in whose worthiest endeavours we may behold this emblem of modesty , whilest we find the amplest bodies buisied in a speechlesse employment , Histor. Animal . lib. 4. and usually the bigger note in the smaller creature ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith the great Philosopher , and our eares bear witnesse to the truth of that observation ; The Fly , and the Gnat , what a noise they make , and with their lowd alarmes delude our attention : Ecclus. ●3 . 1 . Seneca de benef . lib. 4. when the Beauty of heaven with his various shew , makes no sound at all : Quanta rerum turba sub hoc silentio evagitur ?

That living mountain Behemoth , though he can draw up Jordan in his mouth , Iob. 40.15.23 . Chap. 41.14 . ●9 . there is no mention of a voice , and though out of the door of Leviathans face go burning lamps , and sparks of fire leap out , yet no voyce is heard : and it seems God would be like his nature in this , 1 King . 19 11.12 . 1 Pet. 5.8 . who cometh not in the acclamation of a tempest , but in a still and soft voyce , whereas by a cursed opposition , the devill is the roaring Lyon : But without the pardon of a metaphor , we have a more obvious instruction in man , where action and language by a common repugnancie , seem not more to teach modesty , then enforce it : If you wil beleive the criticism of Poets , though not the story , Aenead . lib. 11. it was the character of Virgil upon Drances , that he was melior lingua , sed frigida bello dextra , a person of a voluble tongue , but of dull performance ; And Ajax in the Metamorphosis , Metam . lib. 13. assuming to himself the praise of honourable exploits , could afford Vlisses that other of language , Quantumque ego marte feroci , inque acie valeo , tantum valet iste loquendo : Or if a more Catholick instance will better content your observation , the mightiest Monarchy hath bequeathed you an example : In the time of Romes bravest adventures , Pasch de opt genere elocut . ( as Paschalius defines it ) under the politick emulation of Consuls , what rudenesse of speech accompanied those noble atchievements ? Homines tacebant , quia res loquebantur ; whereas Greece , that scarce earnd an historian , Verulam praes. in Org. novum . in the plenty of language exceeded all nations , and had this property of children , to be as busie in prating , as feeble in action ; or without the trouble of chivalrie , you may take notice of a more sutable instance in arts and sciences , where you may perceive the profoundest truth attended with the coursest expression , and the most flourishing eloquence coming nearest to fiction ; witnesse our Logick and Metaphysicks , that to explain their nicest notions , borrow almost a canting dialect , and by a barbarous subtilty of terms at once purchase our laughter and apprehension ; And you may no lesse observe in divine Scripture , how the loftiest mysteries are disguised in a reverend simplicity , and the most solemn businesses of Religion performed in the secrecy of a Sanctuary , whence perchance the Nations by an apish devotion , Tertullian adv Valentin . so muffled their superstitious ceremonies , Solo secreto venerandas ; that what they wanted in reall Majesty , they might make up in a mystical silence . But if you will save this labour by a more familiar instruction , return we to our selves , and S. James out of our own mouthes will inform uS , that the least part of our selves gives the loudest report ; The tongue is a little member , Jam. 3.5 . and boasteth great things ; This is the instrument of glory , Quod hominis dignitas & excellentia nulla alia re magis cognoscitur quam oratione Pet. Martyr 2. pag. 4. Gen. 49.6 . Psal. 30.12 & 108.1 , Psal. 12.3 . V. 4. Gen. 10.9 . & 11.4 . and is so interest in the quality it expresseth , that in the Original it is taken for it , Cavod signifying both glory , and the tongue ( by the authority of no lesse Rabbines then Iacob and David , ) as thereby intimating , that the chiefest glory of man is in his tongue . If the soul be puffed up with haughtinesse , it is the tongue that speaketh proud things , and when the thoughts are conspiring in a mutinie , and close rebellion , at last they burst out , With our tongue we will prevaile , who is Lord over us ? Neither do we find it more forward in their fault , then peculiar in their punishment ; when proud Nimrod by the madnesse of ambition thought to reach heaven by his tower of Babel , the confusion of tongues was his punishment , Quoniam dominatio imperantis in lingua est , ibi damnata est , superbia , ut non intelligeretur jubens homini , qui noluit intelligere , ut obediret Deo jubenti . Aug. de civ . lib. 16. cap. 4. Luk. 16.24 . Greg. Moral . lib. 1. Citatus à Plutarcho . that wherein he had before so vainly domineerd , he should not now be understood ; and the damned Rich man in the Gospel , as if his tongue had been chief actor of his arrogancy , complaineth most of that in the punishment . Send Lazarus to coole my tongue , for I am tormented in this flame ; And justly may it be tormented in hell , that did so torment others here on earth ; you will easily admit the congruity of the judgement : if you consider how we are tortured with any mans boasting , and if we cannot almost with the same patience endure our own reproaches , as anothers selfe praises ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cries their fellow in Menander ; he kills me with bragging , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , I grow lean in his company ; And yet it is not altogether unpunished in the very offence , whilest we argue every man is most defective in that vertue , which he most atributeth to himself : and as Plutarch speaks out of Demosthenes , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , come away onely more incredulous of that worth , of which any man reporteth himself the owner . Even truth it self could not be beleeved in giving a testimony of it self ; If thou bear witnesse of thy self , Joh. 8.13 . thy witness is not true ; which though it were blasphemy to his divinity , yet as he was masked in man , it might seem onely a churlish discretion ; and therefore to one that upon the taking of an injury , B●et . de cons. lib. 2. insultingly demanded , if he did not now think him a Philosopher , it was justly replyed , Intellexeram si tacuisses ; I had so thought , if thou hadst said nothing : his saying so , said he was not so ; In Bibliotheca patr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , said the reverend Monk Antiochus ; The prudent man concealeth his riches , and vertuous labours , and like Moses , putteth a veile on his shining graces , as it were blushing at his good deeds , and afraid to hear of them ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , imitates the Bee , that what she extracteth from flowers abroad , carrieth home with her into her hive , and makes honey within ; is offended at nothing more then smoke , which is the least hieroglyfick of human fame ; ( and it is to be feared , that those who live upon this ayre , like those Astomi , the mouth-lesse people in Solinus , Solini poly hist. cap. 55. Mat. 6 2. have no mouthes too , in the praises of God ) Our Saviours caution was not in vain ▪ When thou dost thine almes , do not sound a trumpet before thee , as the Hypocrites do ; Ch●ysologus . Talis eleemosyna hostilis est : to seek the glory of men by almsgiving , is to make war with God for his glory : his prerogative royall , which he that is afraid to do , must do that which is hard to be done , that is , be so far from proclaiming his charity , Verse 3. that he must not know it himself ; the left hand must not know what the right hand doth : But to do it therefore that others may know it , we may note the danger thereof by the penalty , denounced from the mouth of Christ against these , (a) (a) Tertul. Animalia gloriae ; Verily I say unto you , they have their reward : which is no more but a blast of vain praise , and when they have this , they have no more for ever to receive , or look for besides : it is their last reward , their final recompence : so bad a bargain do they make to sell their good deeds at so cheap a market , and for the light breath of worldly praise , which is but for a moment , to deprive themselves of a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . 2 Cor. 4.17

No question , our Apostle was well acquainted with these and the like ill consequences of boasting , that made him so backward in the attempt , & yet he had in himself the true foundation & substance of glory : he was called to his ministe●y by a new Ordination ; not of men , Gal. 1.1 . nor by men , but by Jesus Christ : and by him not being in the dayes of his flesh , when the rest were called , but in the full Majesty of his glory : vouchsafing them , as to be the Preacher unto his conversion by an audible voice from heaven ; 1 Pet. 2.25 1 Tim. 2.7 . so to be the Great Bishop to ordain him a Preacher , and an Apostle , a teacher of the Gentiles : and that no solemnity might be wanting here , instead of a white robe , Acts 9.3 . 2 Cor. 12.4 he is invested with a shining light : he was caught up to Paradise in the time of his mortality , to be an eye-witness of the heavenly Canaan ; Colos. 1.12 of the inheritance of the Saints in light , and obtained alone after Christ , the authority of coming down from heaven ; Videmus quanta majestas in ejus scriptis extet , quanta altitudo emineat , quantum pondus subsit , quanta vis se preferat ; fulmina denique sunt , non verba ; Calvin in 2 Cor. 11.6 . he was more learned then all the Apostles : what depth and sublimity in his writings ? what force and efficacy in his perswasions , where every line is an argument , every sentence a victory ? And to make up his preheminence , if we beleeve Tertullian , he wanted not a prediction of the holy Ghost , Adv. Marcion . lib. 5. in that prophetick blessing of dying Jacob to his youngest son , Benjamin shall ravin as a wolfe , Gen. 49 , 27 in the morning he shall devour the prey , and at night he shall divide the spoyle ; Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin , in the morning , the forepart of his age , worrying and devouring the flock of Christ , persecuting the Church ; in the evening , the declension of his life , dividing the word , a Doctor of the Nations . 1 Tim. 2.7 And moreover , he was challenged to give an account of himselfe by the false Apostles , which might not more encourage his boasting then excuse it , Then besides too , the Corinthians who more regarded their reputation then their edifying , must have something to glory of in his behalf , Chap. 5.12 for the outward appearance ; so as now to hold his peace would be a scandal unto his profession , and be interpreted not so much modesty as guiltiness : Lastly , God was the Author of his singular endowments , and not to acknowledge them to his glory were a kind of sacriledge , a crime little lesse then to deny them : And yet all this would scarce rack out Apostle into the commending of himself , Chap 12.7 O venenum quod non curatur nisi veneno ! ô antidotum , quasi quod de serpente conficitur ! &c. Aug. de verb. Ap. Ser. 3. Dicerat tot pericula tormenta , & alia mala , nec dum tamen subigerat penitûs superbiam : imò adeò anceps illi certamen restabat , ut vincere non posset nisi colaphis caesus Calv. Tacit. hist. lib. 4 vid. Lipsii notas Char. de sagess . lib. 1. cap. 20. Tertul. de pallio rerum cum in affectationem flabellatur , jam de incēdio gloriae ardor est . although it were now so main a part of his function ; Peradventure , the thorn in his flesh , was that which so awed him with the remembrance ; the messenger of Satan that was sent to buffet him , lest he should be exalted out of measure ; vain glory was the last of his sinful enemies , that was to be destroyed ; and which after so many victories over the world and the flesh , nay after the triumph over death and the grave , remained yet behind to be encountered ; and so doubtful was the contention with this sin , that had he not been beaten , he had not conquered . Cupido gloriae etiam sapienti novissima exuitur ; it is the last affection that even a wise mans layes aside ; and therefore Plato fitly stiles it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the last garment which the soul putteth off , or as Charron no lesse fitly renders it , chemise de l'ame , the skirt of the soule , which like that of Nessus bequeathed to Hercules , is hardly pulled off , till it fire and consume us ; Calor est omnis affectus , sayes the knotty Father in his riddle de pallio , every passion is a kind of heat ; but when it is once fanned , or kindled into affectation , it breaketh forth into the flame of glory ; every passion is violent , intractable to reason , but this by a certain excellency and soveraignty in mischief , overmasters these passions , and possesseth the Monarchy in man . Even conquerours themselves that left nothing to be subdued , were solâ gloriâ minores , captives to ambition , and the greatest conquerors , the greatest slaves : like an imperious wife to some impotent great man , nothing can be done without her consent , and the miserable husband cannot choose but obey her , how unreasonable soever ; Bilblioth patrum : hom. de van glor. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; as Antiochus elegantly desciphers it ; it beleaguers and undermines all our actions , our words , our intentions ; if it cannot allure us , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by the proffer of honours , it far more prides us in contemning them , by a shew of equanimity , and taking pleasure in the repulse ; if not to flaunt it in the vanity of gorgeous apparel , it sets upon us by neglecting it ; if not to flourish in eloquence , it makes us proud of saying nothing , by conceiving our selves wise in that silence , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. Herba Sar dinea si edulio fuerit , vescentibus nervos contrahit , rictu ora diducit , ut qui mortem appetunt veluti ridentium facie intereant Solini polyhist . cap. 10 Salvian . de Gub. lib 7. Plautus . In other sins and perturbations , we apply our selves to convenient remedies ; we fast , we grieve , we pray against them : But here we are contented to be deluded , and tickled to our destruction , and like those that have eaten the Sardonick herb , even hang our selves a dying : Nay ofttimes those very devotions of fasting and prayer , become the fuel of this mischief , and like wholesome cordials to some venemous creatures , are converted into the nature of its poysonous constitution : Against such a perillous and intruding evill , who can be warie enough ; v●x cavet cum etiam cavet , the nicest caution may be overtaken . And yet see the prudent industry of our Apostle , who having formerly smarted for this fault , was acquainted with the danger , and labours to avoid it : like a mindful Pilot , that having once split his vessel on some unknown rock , from the doctrine of his losses hath learned so much exper●ence , as to prevent it in a second passage : So our Apostle being forced to commend himself , rather then that commendation shall exalt him into a vain conceit of himself , by a vertuous use of necessity , he will abase himself in his boasting ; he will not begin without many Prefaces of befooling himself , and if he do , it shall be but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but a a little while , Chap. 11.16 . as though he assumed another mans person , and would straightway lay it aside : and when he does , it shall be in his infirmities , where his very glorying is humility : If I must needs glory , I will glory , &c.