ARenowned andPerpetuated Name to be denied. tovindicate any truth, or Ordinance , or do him any fpecial fervice, but Satan raifeth up tongues and pens if not hands and fwords againfl him, and an Army ofreproachers will pre. fently be on the back of him. Now in all fuch cafes as thefe, it is a great duty for any fen-ant of Chrift to be very regardful of his Reputation even with Pofterity : For his good name may much promote the Truth, as we know the Name of Awflin, Calvin, and many another cloth at this day. And if it be our great duty to ex- tend ourfervice of God as far as we can, to all Countries, and to all pofterity, to do them good then is it our duty to en- deavour that a goodReputation filould go along with our la- bours to further the fuccefs, or remove impediments. And thus while we are fincere, and intend all for God, we may and mull regard our honour;and yet in fo doing we Deny ourfelves, becaufe we do it not for ourfelves but for God and his Church. 2. And ifhonour be given into us this way, even as we partake of it our felves, as a Means to Gods hofiour, we mull thankfully accept it, eileem it, and rejoyce in it. And therefore it is made the matter of many promifes, and fpoken of in Scripture as a blefling, Prov. 22. I. Agood name id rA- ther to bechofen thengreat riches] and i o. 7. The memory oft he 74 re blefred : hat the name of the wicked Ad rot] Ecclef. 7. r. Agood name id better then precious opitment] with many the like. Thus much I have faid to prevent a mif-application of that which followeth ; and to help you fo to underftand me on this point of Honour, as not to run from extream into extream, and to fin by feeking to avoid fin. But, alas, thie k.nd of feeking our Honour for God and his Church, andnot for our felves, and as out own, I doubt is more rare then the neg/ea of honour. The fin that I diffwade you from, is in thefe two points. 1. That you do not Afa 4nd leekafter Extended or furviving Reputation y' Mr /dues ; and oat of a Proadefire to be Hillforce body in the eflimacdon of the world : 2.. That if God deny you even that honour which in the lawfiilleft manner you de re, that you fuheit to his pleafure, and take it patiently and in thefe two refpeas youmuff here deny your felves, L 1 2, 259
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