Reputation of G°tablets 'and f onefiy howfar 2 5 aevilitliwithen to oppofe them diredly under the name of honeft godly men ; but they firit -make ti.e world believe that they are Hypocrites, and Proud, and Self-conceited, and Covetous, and fecretly are as bad as others, and thefe are the the things ifyou will believe them, that they hataand fpeak againft them for. But then how comes it topafs that it is their Proving and Precifinefs that is fo much in the fcorners mouths? Doth that fignifie Hypocrifie or Pride ? Why do they not commend the good while they fpeak againfl theevil ? and joyn with them in the holy worship and ways of God, while theyoppofe their fuppofed vicioufnefs ? ,Poth the name (Pie- ritame] fignifie a covetous man, or a vicious perfon ? or ra- ther one that will not be content to venture his foul in the common; impure, ungodly courfes of the world And how comes it to pafs that a man may quietly enough follow Such vices, if he will but forbear the protection of Godlinefs ? But (to leave thefe wretches in the dirt where we find them)by this you may fee the common rneafure that is to be expe&ed frorri the world_ :Ifyou will be ern?y godll, you mutt be raked for tin- godly ,ot for hypocrites,that feern to be godlywhen you are not. But its eafie to bear this charge when it falls upon a whole fociety, and takesus but in the crowd among the reit, and when we have fo much honourable company to fuffer withus : But it goes nearer us when we are fingled out by name and noted and talkt of all about as Hypocrites , or proud, or worfe then others. But that also muff be born by thole that will be Chains. But the greatePc trial of all is, when the Servants of God that should help us in our fuffering, have got a hard report of us, and by mif-intorrnationwe have loft our credit even with them. Under all thefe falfe and injurious reports, dire& and itablith your own minds by the help of theie Confiderations following. . It maybe' there is fome fpecial caufe aat you fhoulci tryand judge your felves : and fo God (Jodi filar other men to judge you to awaken y ou to -felf-judging. However make this ufe oft; andyou are fure to be no loafers by the re- proach. Enter into your hearts, ,and fearch them througlAy as
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