282 Gtherall direc7ionsfor a and fcandalous ; and be pleafing to Almighty God, though theparties from whence they proceed,bepollutedwith fecret impurities and raigning tinges. Sigh therefore they perfwade their hearts, that charitable devotions and dirtributions have Tome power, as it were, fomewhat to appeafedivine wrath , and to fatisfie for other finfull exorbitancies and aberrations; and fee plainely that it is the moll compendious way topur- chafe a great deale of credit in thefe cold and compaffionlefie times; and the onely01)0 to divert the eyes of the greater from the obfervation of their other faults : I fay therefore, they open their hearts the more liberally , and enlarge their bowels to greater bountifulneffe ; which otherwife their co- vetoufneff.. would keepe !hut. Thtis, many, to diminifb the horrour and markeablen( ft: of their unmortified lulls and o- pen lewdnc exerc ife a good art without a goodheart. Occafions from the parties flandered, are fuchas thefe : z . Chriflians, ofall men in the world, are the fpeciall markesand ordinaryobjefts, upon whicharedifcharged and exercifed all kindes of malice and mifchiefe ; not onely the empoyfoned arrowes of fpightfull tongues,the fwordofTy- rants _the flames of cruelty ; but alto many lacer and leffe.- markt vexatiens, as wrongs, oppreffions, mercilcffv, and many unconfcionable vfages. Prophane men being feated inhigh roomes, or befotted with the worlds favours and flat- teries, doe many times, out of their pride and malice, very contemptuoufly rowle downeas fromaloft, indignities, in- folencies, manyhard andheavie inhumanities, and injuflices upon Gods children, as a number ofneglecied underlings. So that as the Prophet fpeakes ; Hee that refraineth from evil, makfth himfilfe a prey. Hee that by the mercies of God breakes out of the bonds of Satan, into the bLfings and blcfied eflateofgrace, fhall for ever after, not oncly bee furioufly perfecuted by the rage of hell , and malice of pro- phanentfie ; but alto lie more open to the infultations,wrongs andoppreffions ofhis adverfaries,and tt echerous infinuations of falfe friends. Sith therefore Chriflians, by reafon of their patience,, the worlds difc,ountenance , difaffedion of great Ones,
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