256 A Renownedand Perpetuated Name to be denied. CHAP. L. A RenownedandPerpetuated .Name to be denied. E lafl point of Honour which (dirndl be denied in, is, ARenowned and Perpetmated ill'arnt. For to that height doth Pride afpire, that no lefs will fatisfie, where there is any apparent hope of this : though in thofe that fit fo low that they fee no ground to hope for fuch a thing , the defires after it arenot fo kindled as they be in others,that think the prey is within their reach. Fain men would be famous and talkt of through the world : They would have their real and fuppofed worth made known as far as may be. And when they die, they would fain have their names furvive, that they may be great in the eflimation of pofierity, and magnified by all that mention them, And fo deeply are men poffeffed with this dangerous fin, that they account this perpetuated fame for their felicity. And there was nothing that moil of the Heathens did preferr before it : but when they :feemed to be molt virtuous, heroical, and patient, it was but to be thus efieemed of Ater theywere dead. Ifyou ask me, How far a furviving reputation may be re- garded ? I anfwer 1. So far as theInterelt of God, or his C;ofpel, Church, or Caufe, or the publike gocd, or the good of our pofterity is concerned in it, and may be promoted by it, thus far it is lawful and a duty to value it, defire it, and Peek it. 'For ifwe have throughly fearched our hearts, and can fay unfeignedly that it is God, and his ,caufe and honour that we principally intend, and defire our own honour but asa Means to his, and therefore defire it no further then it is fuch a means ; then we may juIlly defire both the extenfion'and furvivingof our reputation if we are groundedly perfwaded that its like to conduce to thefe happy ends. As for example : APrince that owns the caufe of God, and makes fah Laws for the common good as may exceedingly promote it, if they be obferved by poflerity, mull havea great regard to his pre- fent
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