".,-_.ou,-,_ That honour: are to bedcfred. 201 comforts, wherebywemaybe flrengthened and helped for- in running this ChriRian race ofrighteoufneffe. Againe, we arebound by the CommandementsofGod, 4,Sec.zo. to doall thatwe lawfully can to obtaine agoodname, and That meare topreferue our honor and reputation among men:for wher_ bandbyGods as we are commanded to honorour parents,vnder whom are commandemenr vnderflood all foperiours, whether it be in gouernmentand bloat "Q¡good authoritie,or in Godsgraces, giftsand venues; we are allo name, inioyned tohaue the like careofourown honor, when there is this fbperioritiein our felues, becaufe charitie beginneth TLn at home; and ourowne loue is the rule ofthat loue which we owe to others : whereofit is that the Apoíle chargeth Tinsathiethat he fhould not delpileGods gifts beflowedon him. And fo allo, whereas in the ninth Commandement, God requireth that we fhould neitherhurt, noryet be wan- ting to the fame and good report ofour neighbours : it is a1- focommanded that we be alike careful' to keepe our fame and reputation, without blemifh or impeachment; or elfe we tranfgreffethe commandement of Almightie God, and wound our owne confcienceswith Can : for ashe is guildeof the breach ofthe fixth CSmandement, who is wanting vn- to himfelfe, in the meanesofpreferuing his owne life,and of the feuenth who dothnotvfe all goodmeans to preferue his owne chaflitie;fo likewifeofthe fift andninth Commande- ments, who hash notalawfull & laudable care ofpreferuing his own honor and reputation.And hereofit is,that becaufe negle&ofour fame isafnne , and fin isSatansfnare, where- withhe catcheth& intangleth vs;therfore theApolflefaith, that a Bit'hopmail be wellreported of erren ofthemwhich are 1,Tim,3.7. without, lea he fallinto rebuke, andinto thefnare ofthe dieteld. And thus haueI fhewed bothwhat isrequired to lawful ho- nour, and the reafons which Ihouldmoueall to delire and efleeme it, to theend that thofe reafons which (hail hereaf- terbe brought to perfwade to the contempt, and Phewthe vanitie ofworldly and carnal honors,maynot makevsneg- le& the good-with the bad, or defpife that which God, would haue vs to value anddefire, for wantof due diflin- ¿lion. CHAP.
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