comfortable walking with God. 277 which is alfò the ordinary portionof the bell; from 'men of t }1e world. When prophane oppofites unto grace pry curi= óufly into all the wayes of Gods Childe, and can finde no= thing fo faulty in his outward cariage, or reproveable in the ordinarie courfe of his life, as they expert and defire`; yet, left they fhouldnot (hew themfelves the right children of Satan, theAccufer of the Brethren they will be medling one wayor other; they will be nibling' at . his good name with force fuch fpeches as thefe : Well, well, though hee be anexcellent Pulpit man, or a forward Profeffour, yetis bee not fo, andfo ? is not he as well given unto, and greedyof theworld as other men? when they heare other men com- mendhis zeale and forwardneffe in Profefíion, there will be calling out fuch malicious doubtsas there ; Goe too, my ma- tiers, Ifeare me all is not gold that glitters. Now hew is it po[fble, or by what outward witnefhes or compurgators tray the Chrifiian cleere and difcharge himfelfeof the impu- tations of woed':ine(1"e and hypocrifie ; pith the one lyes in thegreedy affeftions of the rninde, and the other lurkes in the hidden corners of the heart ? Theputitie and fecrets of which, none can truely fee and cenfure, but the Searcher of all hearts. Were a man accu fed of Adultery, Drunkennetre, or fuch vifible notorioufneffe, there might be meanesfound for the nmanifeflationof his innocencie,by anexa& fcanning oftime, place, andother circumffances. But this is the ma- licious and peftilent policies of Satan andhis agents, when they fee that the Saints, by themercies of God, are free from thofe gropeGnnes and notorious corruptions, which ordina- rily raigne in the children of darkeneffe ; they fpitefully and cunningly lay unto their charge, imputation of fuchnature, from the which, though they be free, they cannot free themfelves; and though they be cleere, yet by reafonof the malice of men, and inviGblenefíe ofthe matter, it will never fo appeare; untili the brightneffeof Chrifis comming brings forth their righteoufr.efeas the light,and their judge- ment as the noone-day ; and of which they have none o- ther ground in the world but this, becaufe themfelves are T 2 fuch
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