C H AP.4. Epiffle to the ThcPonians. VER. 1,1,12 Homily in 'Scripture imports three things, -Fiat, Vertuon:goodnefe. Secondly, Grauity, Thirdly, Seeme- lineffe or Decency. I am willing to follow theAuthentique Tranuiation ; and rhinke, without ftraining, the obferua- don Howes hence ; That Induflry it no (mall part of hone - ¡lie. Firft, vertuous goodneffe, I am titre, there is much in it;irbeing the nurse of all vertuous affé Lions. Se- condly, the cot-Relinethe of it finch ; that it bath appro- bation from vei y aliens ; And not without cause Paid Sa- lmons mother of the induftrioas woman,xHer storks praije her in the gates. So that their errour is palpable, that haue pent vp all ho- tufty within thelimits of the feuenth & eighth precept :. and thinke all honefly Rands in ehaftity and fidelity fo their bodies be kept frein adulterous vncleinnelIe, and their care to pay cuery man his: owne, how euer ditfolute- their hues are otherwife, the wrong is :vnlúffcrable, if tilt), be cenfrired of difhonefty. Thefe are, I confel?<e, fonie parrs of homily, yet Rands not all honefly in chaility and particular iuttice. In Pauls iudgement, an Idler or bufìbody is no honeft man, no, though his chadiity and fidelity were as great as that of reno>-vined,v.lof ph. Yea, there is honefky in bearing the Word of God "; and he is no honest many. that Both not Isiti z an hone fl heart receirae it , and bring forth fruit with patience. What thiüke you of Sodomites ? were they ho- ncftmen ? CJcuer fiw theSunne a people more confpur cape with lief, and all abornninible vncleannclfe. Yet by our Saviours fentence, Sodomites are more honett, then fuch a3 defpifeMinifters in their miniflesy. I am f. re the aflate of the Sodomites (hall bee more tollerable in the day of iedgement, thentheplate o f¡uch honefl men. Secondly,how could I wiih,many religioutly atfeEted to the Word & woi Chip of God, more careful' of this point of honefty ?chat it nttrer might be told in Gath, There are amongtt the moil zealous Chrillians,- Idlers, Butbodies,, inar- 313 x PON.? 1.3t. y Gen.39. z Lul¿e8,1;, x a mat to-44.
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