-- I 3',8 The· foperior Excellency 1s too holy, and that n1an .too religious; a-s: if it vvere potrible toexceed in thefe things·. What!' can a 1nan approaG11 too near t0 (;od? Can he be too like his ·n1akcr? Is h .poffible to beover-perfeet, or over-!1appy? 1 confefs a 1nanmayover-aft fon1e parts of h is religion , and be too much in fo1ne par– ticula r exer-cifes of it, negleCting other a-s neceliary duties. Bt1t this is not an excefs of piety, but a ckfe<.9: of difcretion. And reafon would. teach us rather to pardon rnens 'infirn1ities for their pious inclinations), than toblame piety for their infinnities. Let tne therefore intreat you all, efpe-– cially thofe whofe birth and fortunes render the1n ri1ore confpicu'Cms in the world, te> C<?untenance holinefs, which you fee is fo exceNent ; and beware that you ·do not con– tribu te t o that deluge of wickednefs that nver:- floweth the earth, by fcoffing at the n1oit fer1ous things in the world. And, if I obtain this, 1 fh~lll make bold t0 beg one t hing:more, but it is in your own fa;vours; that you \Voutd alfo aband'on every kind of impic.ty in your own praCl:ice, fince in i:t every. vile rujfta11n1ay vie and, contend with you. Iri othet: cafes you forfake modes and cufton1 s when they become con1mon. Wickdenefs i~ now-_ the ·ntofl yulgar and ~rdinar.y '
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