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RVth perceiving that Naomi kindly resented Boaz his favour, and that the discourse of his kindnesse was accep∣table unto her, proceeds in her relation.
People love to enlarge such discourses, which they see to be welcome to their audi∣ence.
What maketh Tale-bearers so many,
and their Tales so long, but that such per∣sons are sensible, that others are pleasingly affected with their talke? Otherwise, a frowning looke, Prov. 25. 23. will soone put such to silence. When Herod saw, Acts 13. 3. that the killing of Iames pleased the Iewes, he proceeded farther, to take Peter also. Detractors perceiving that killing of their Neighbours Credits is acceptable to others, are encouraged thereby to imbrew their Tongues in the murthering of more Reputations.
Secondly, Whereas Ruth candidly con∣fesseth what favour she found from Boaz, we learne, we ought not sullenly to con∣ceale the bountie of our Benefactors, but expresse it to their honour, as occasion is offered. The Giver of Almes may not, but the Receiver of them may blow a Trumpet.
This confuteth the ingratitude of many in our Age; clamorous to beg, but tongue-tyed to confesse what is bestowed upon them. What the sinne against the Holy-Ghost is in Divinitie, that Ingratitude is in Moralitie; an Offence unpardonable. Pittie it is, but that Moone should ever be
in an Eclipse, that will not confesse the beames thereof to be borrowed from the Sunne. He that hath a Hand to take, and no Tongue to thanke, deserves neither Hand nor Tongue, but to be lame and dumbe hereafter.
Observe by the way, that Ruth ex∣presseth what tends to the prayse of Boaz, but conceales what Boaz said in the prayse of her selfe. He had commended her, Verse 11. for a dutifull Daughter in law, and for leaving an Idolatrous Land. But Ruth is so farre from commending her selfe in a direct Line, that she will not doe it by reflection, and at the second hand, by reporting the commendations which others gave her.
Let another prayse thee, and not thine owne mouth.
How large are the Pen-men of the Scripture, in relating their owne faults: How concise (if at all) in penning their owne prayses.
It is generally conceived, that the
Gospel of S. Marke was indited by the Apostle Peter; and that from his mouth it was written by the hand of Iohn Marke, whose Name now it beareth; if so,
Then we may observe, that Peters de∣nying of his Master, with all the circum∣stances thereof, his Cursing and Swear∣ing, is more largely related in the Gos∣pel of S. Marke, then in any other: But as for his Repentance, it is set downe more shortly there, then in other Gos∣pels:
Mathew 26. 75. And he went out and wept bitterly.
Luke 22. 62. And Peter went out and wept bitterly.
But Marke 14. 72. it is onely said, When he thought thereon, he wept.
So short are Gods servants in giving an account of their owne Commendati∣ons, which they leave to be related by the mouthes of others.
Here either Ruths memorie failed her, or else she wilfully committed a foule mistake. For Boaz never bad her to keepe fast by his young men, but Verse 8. Abide here fast by my Maidens. It seemes she had a better minde to Male-companie, who had altered the Geneder, in the relating of his words.
Cond••mne not the Generation of the Righteous, especially on doubtfull evidence. Boaz gave a Command, Verse 15. to his young men to permit her to gleane: she mentioneth them therefore in whom the authoritie did reside, who had a Commis∣sion from their Master, to countenance and encourage her in her extraordinarie glean∣ing, which Priviledge her Maidens could not bestow upon her.