264 WORD Op THE LORD. That Many carry things fo even Between this World, and Hell, andHeaven, Thinking to give Offence to neither, Theyfreely deal in all together ; 11nd equally abhor to quit This Worldfor both, or bothfor it. There are many high and vain-glorious .Profeffors, who can talk about Chrift, and difpute for Hours together upon the . Peculiarities of his Gofpel, who, it may be feared, are little better than foundingBrafs, and tinkling Cymbals. When their Sound is over, all is over with them. They profefs in order to fpeak, and they fpeak to fhew their Profefiiion. 'Tis well indeed they do ; for, by any other Signs, we fhould not be able to diftinguifh them from the reft of the World. Too frequently their Converfation is a mean and unfriendly Detraftionof the Abfent. It would be both evangelical and decent, if the great St. 1Augufin's Motto, for his Table-talk, was made a more general Rule for Com- pany and Difçourfe : uifquis amat ditlis abfentum rodere vitam, Banc menfam indignant noverit e/fefibi. Which may be rendered Whoever wounds an abfent Neighbour's Fame, At my Repaft no welcome Seat (hall claim. Many feem to feek Company, for the Purpofe ofPhew. ing themfelves in .Company ; and fuch never leave it,, if they have their own Will, without drawing the Company into Debate and Difputation. Juft as if the fhining in an Argument (though it too frequently hap- pens, fuch People are the molt unfit of any by Temper and Education for the Bufinefs) was the right 'Wayof See his j ife byPoji4ifieftius, at the Head of his Works. Obeying,
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