272 Genera/1directionsfor il valour againft the affaults and infinuations of it 4. Their malicious fathering upon him by falfe reports, thole faults he yet never fell into, and yet to which hee may bee naturally much inclinable, (Mould familia himwith more then ordina- ry care and courage, wifedome and watchfulneffe, to pre- vent the fcandall of any filch' guiltineffe. 5 Their flanderous laying to his charge, thethings he never did, nor ever like to doe which is alto hellifh humour, and devilifh tricke of prot;haneneffe againft profeffion, fhould leade him to a firki enquiry into his heart and life, to finde out fotne other finne, of which, upon that occafion, God would havehim take notice, and mortifie. It may bee thou art falfely charged withhypocrifie ; looke that thou bee not earthly-minded with pride, looke that thou benot paffionate ; withworld- Endre, looke thatthou be not luke-warme, &c. Thus have I fotnewhat inlightned , and infifted longer upon this point, purpofely to flirreup and quicken the fpirits of all Gods people,toa fruitful! conftant exercifeof Chrifti- an charity, andbounty towards their poorebrethren ; to be afwell plentiful( in workerof mercy, as precife in duties of piety : (God loves mercy afwell as facrifice t nay, in fome cafes, he preferres the other before this) tohe fomuch more talindfull and apprehtnfive of all opportunities, for a fincere difcharge of this much urged and honoured duty ; as the wickedare malicious, and Pharifes forward, tocharge upon them the contrary. For youknow, that carnall men are extremely greedy of calling afperfions and difgraces upon the innocency of re. ligiousProfeffours. No excellency of parts, fingularity of worth, eminency of zeale, height of holineffe, integrity and purityof life canpoffibly priviledge thebeft manthat ever breathed the lifeofgrace in theboforneof theChurchfrom the ftourge of filmes. The onely Worthies upon earth, Of whom theworld was not worthy, were vexed with craell mocking"; PAW, thatpreciousPillar of Gods Church, was called, A peitilent fellow : Nay, Cbrift himfelfe , whom the fitineffe ofthe godhedd dweltbodily, was faid to have
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