Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

That lamfull hanestrr are to be defred. 205 this crowne of vertue; but alto in regard ofour neighbours, from whom we haue this honour, becaufe they performe that dutie which God requireth of them, and thereby mani- fell that they flail be partakers of his promifes,and heires of euerlaaing life. Secondly,we are to defire this honour and good efleeme 4,Sec`f, r . for our neighbours fake, that hee may thereby bee edified, We u,reß drfre when as he not only feeth our good example,but alto lilt th lamfellho our andapprooueth it; for it is a notable degree to the imbra- Char our eith_. cing ofgoodnef ein a mans felfe,when he beginneth to ho- b.eubyed Fred. flourand reuerence it in another. Betides, there is alwaies with this honour and refpeót,great authoritie ioyned in the partie who is thus honoured, ouer him who yeeldeth it vn- to him,which is not forced, but willing and voluntary; and thisis very effeóluall and powerful! to draw men vnto all good and religious courfes,becaufe it procureth audience and refpe6t vino their words and perfwafions; and therfore we ought carefidly tomaintaine our honour,that fo we may "alfó preferue our authoritie,for the good and edification of our brethren,in which refpei9, the Apoftle chargeth7ämo- thie and Titres to preferue their credit from contempt,thatfo t.T;m.q.rr. hauing more authoritie with the people, their minifterie Titztp* might be more effeelu all to perfwade them to imbrace the truth,and follow good and vertuous courfes. Whereas con - trariwife when a mans credit is impeached, and his good name blemifhed,heelofeth al authoritie and rneanesofdo- ing good: either by perfwading to that which. God re. quireth ,orindiffwading from finne; feeing no man is wil- ling to receiue his phyfick, of whom the fame goeth,that he hath long had the faine difeafe,and cannot cure.himfelfe. Laftly,as we are to preferue our good name and credit for 4.sea.z 8. the edification of our brethren; fo alfo to preferue them Thattremuft from fcandall, left taking offence at our lines, in regard ofprrferueourho- d ejll rumours theyheare ofvs,they alfo grow to diflike our dour andgood profeflonand religion. The confideration whereoffhould name to mode feaodall. mooue all Chriflians, to an earneft care ofpreferuing their good naine and reputation,not onely by auoiding finne,but afro all appearances of euill; becaufe in this cafe fuppofed euils,,