194 TheCrucifying of the world, which war againit the foul having your converfation honeft among the Gentiles ( the unbelievers and prophane) that whereas they fpeak againft you as evil doers , they may by your good Works, which they behold, glorifie God in the day of vif. cation i Pet. 2. 1 , 1 2 . For fo is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to filence the ignorance of foolifli men a Pet. 2. 15'. Finally brethren be ye all of one mind, having compafliononeof another ; love as brethren, be pittiful, be cur- teous ; not rendring evil for evil, or railing for railing ; but con- trariwife blefsing, knowing that ye are thereunto called , that ye fhould inherit ablefsing, a Pet. 3. 8, 9. And fo walk, that if any obey not the word, they may yet be won by your exemplary converfation, a Pet. 3. a. As you hear more then others fo de more then others, that it may appear youbuild upon a rock,Mat. 7. 24, 25. And as the book of God is much in your hands and mouth, fo rememberthat whofo looketh into the perfect Lawof liberty,and continueth therein, hebeingnot a forgetful) hearer but a doer of the work, this man(hall be bleffed in his deed. For PureReligion, and undefiled beforeGod and the Father is this to vifit the fatherlefs and widows in their affliction and to keep your felves unfpotted from the world, 7. m. 1.25, 27. 2. Having faid this much to the godly by way of caution , I (hall nowmake anfwer to the Objecters themfelves. You that. fay, There arenone focruel and fo covetousas thefe that profefs themfelves fo Religious ; if you have any moderation left,. will you foberly anfwer me thefe Queftions following. Q eft. a. Is it the Hearts or the Outward atlions of thefe pros feffors thatyore perceive thiscovetoufnefs 6y ? If it be theHeart , you are flanderers, andfelf idolizers. For the Heart is open to none but God ; and will you makeyour felves Gods ; and that when you are playing the part of the Devil ? This hathbeen the tricksof Satans inPrumenrsin all ages. When they are not able to fayof the godly that they are fwearers, or drunkards, or adulterers, or flealers, or lyars, or flanderers , as they theinfelves ace ; they prefentlÿ go to their hearts which are outof fight and fay, Theyare covetous, and proud, and the like : For there they know that none but God is able to juftitie them. But com- mon reafon might alfo have taughtthem, that none but God is k ere: able to accufe them. For how know you mens hearts , but. INN
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=