2 64 A Renownedand Perpetuated iv4me to be denied. 7. And 1 befeech you confider what a fearful thing is is to die in contrived beloved fin ! when men have none but a death- . bed Repentance, we have much caufe to fear, left it be but fear that is the lifeoftheir Repentance : But when they, have not this mach, but are defirous to leave the monuments of their vice to all Generations, fromwhence then fhall we fetch our hopes of their forgivenefs ? And 0 what a power hath Pride in that foul, where the thoughts of Death it felfwill give no flop to it , but Bill they are defirous that Pride may over- live them I One would think that the ferious thoughts of a grave, much more of our paffage into another world, fhould level all fuch thoughts ofa furviving honour, even in an un- fandified four! But I much fear left it be infidelity it felf that is the root of all ; and that men do not founclly believe an ever- lafiing life with God, which makes them defire to have force. what like an Immortality here on earth. 8. And confider what a filly immortality you defire. The honour can be no greater then the perfons are that honour you, nor no longer. And it is but poor mortals that will mag- nifieyour Names, and what can they add toyou ? and it will be but a very little while ; for it is not long that the world is to continue. 9. And confider what a wickednefs is here commonly in- eluded. Proudmen defire tobe thought better then they are, andfpoken ofaccordingly ; They limit not mens eftirnation to the truth of their deferts. Otherwife if the bell and greateft of you all were thought no better or greater then you are, alas, how far would men be from admiring you ? what would yoube thought but worms and fanners; and fuch as after all your glory , cannot forbid ;a crawling worm to feed upon your face or heart? and fuck as deferve no lefs then hell ; and have many a fecret fin that the world was unacquainted with But it is not a true, but falfe Effeeno that the Proud defire They care not how great, or how good, or how 2rife and honed the worldand fucCeeding ages think them : And thus they defire to cheat mens underflandiqs, and to ,leave a falfe hiflory ofthemfelves onearth, and to have all men believe and report :months, to magnifie men, whole fouls, its much tobe doubted
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=