ARenowned and Perpetuated Name to be denied. 257 fent and furviving fame , becaufe the honour of his Laws will depend much upon the honour of his name : and if once the people vilifie him, they will be likely to vilifie and call off his Laws, to the hurt of Church and Common-wealth, and their own undoing. And even as to the fuccefs of their prefent government, they should be very careful of their fame : fo al- io a Minifler of the Gofpel mull be very careful of hisprefent and future reputation. For at prefent, the faving good of his auditors doth much depend upon it. For if they have a bafe elleem ofthe Pallor, they will be unlikely to give diligent attention to his doarine, but difetleem it as they do the fpea- ker, and it is not likely to go to their hearts : Nor will they feek his advice in the great mattersof falvation and the difE- cu:t cafes and dangers that they meet with ; Cut to the great hazzard oftheir fouls will flight the neceffary affiflance of him that is -appointed to be their guide to heaven, and will fet light by all the Ordinances of God.. And therefore the Pallors Reputation is ten thoufand times more beneficial and neceffary to the people then to himfelf. For alas it is but their good thooghts andwords that he receiveth ; which add little to his happinefs : but its everlafling life which they may receive, by that Word of God andhelp from him, which is furthered by his Reputation. And therefore as Ivliniflers fhould be ex- ceeding watchful against Pride, that they defire not Honour for thernfelves ; fo when they are fure that God is their end, they mull be exceeding careful oftheir ownReputation, and avoid all occafious and appearances of evil, and purchafe it by all jult means : For though honour be worth little, yet the Caufe of God and the fouls ofmen areworth much ; and we mull not be prodigal of our Mailers Talents, and fuch as are very ufeful to his fervice : Our Reputation is Gods and the Churches due, and to be cherifhed for their ufe. Efpecially thofe Miniftersmuft be careful of their Reputation, that by Reformation or Publick ufeful writings are capable of profit- ing Poiteriy : and they may defire the fury ving of their ho- mous, which for it felf might not be defired : becaufe their works, aria wiitings, and do&rine are like to be much VaIted by their own defamations, and do little good to any that Ll come
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