440 Epheaar, Chap. g.. V E R. 2. ofcredit and honour they that have, arecontent to doe the heft or ca- fieft work, but if any be hard or feem fomewhat meane , doe that who wiil,tor them it fhall lye left undone,or put over to fomeother.So will men, efpecially great ones, profeffe religion and take upholydu- ties as faire asother menoftheir ranke and quality doe, and as (sands with their worldly reputation, but to goe further, tomake ,themfelves as it were vile in theeyes ofthe world withDavid, to ferve God and undrrgoe the reproachof Chrifts Crofl'e and Religion , they like not. If theydocany thing this way, it muff be by night as Nicodemur, and in fearer. And if it be fo littleprácRifed toward God , it is much more negleEtrd toward men. How have men and women of all forts laid a- fidehere thcle plaine weeds of humbleneffe of mind, and advanced the flags and enfignes of pride! what pranking of themfelves with brave, coftly and gorgeous apparel! ! what doting upon ffrange and uncouth fafhions!we are afhamedof theancient plainnes of our Elders, and abound in new inventions, andglory in gay outfides, wherein but few who exceednor their (tam and ability; what affeQing of titles of honour! whàe-ftriving for places! whatdivifion and contention hct- uponbetweenneighbours, families, yea whole towne-(hips. Three was not more falling out about any thing among the Dilciples of our Saviour Chrift , then about this. And what now adayes doth caufemore bitter debate, and what looking for ofcap and knee& chiefplaces not onely according toones degree, but beyond it what offence taken if it be not given? No mu- lick doth pleafe men better then the loud found of their owne pralle. And if men have fo bad neighbours as who will not frt them forth, they will praife themfelves rathr then want it. Men can as well beare contemptasburning cuales in their bofome. What fuch a man as I, of my parts, my place to be fo flighted andvilified by fuch a fellow! What a (form did Hamangoe about to raife againft Mordecai & all the Iewes uponMordecaies contempt ofhim!And doewe not makeall the towne ringof it upon every little contumely offered,yea but fufpeéled by us! And where is our fervingone another! We arc well contented to be ferved, but not to ferve, that others fhould rune and rideand goe for us, but if any fuch thing be requefted of us, what fay we Muft I bean hackney for every mane muff I abridge my frlfe of my lawfull libertyto pleafe every jacks Not ro fpeak amens afpiring unto high things, and medling in matters above them, there is no one thingloth more proclaime the pride of men,then their difrefpeót ofothers, their fwelling againft fuperiours, bate ufage ofinferiours, emulationagainft equals, ftriving tokeepdown and obfcure others, that they may fbine, and the gloryofthe ref( beeclips'd and darknedby their fplendour. As one bucker muff goe downe that another may rife up: fo they think that there is no riling for them or upholding of their icredit, but with the obfcuringand fuppreffing of the honours of others. So (arre are men as they fable of Collor and Pellnx from communicatingho. nors to each other.Toconclude, a right humbleman is abird ofPara- dife,
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