Epiflleof S. Podto Titus. why in the next verfeálfo the older womenare forbidden tobe giuen to wine. And the more cautelous ought the elder men tobe herein, S. Becaufe it were a great flame for them that haue lined fo long, and all this while haue not learned to vfe the creatures aright; hardly can they be reputed Chritlians, who for Christ will not forgoe their lufts. a. They ought by their exampleand counfell prouokc, and di- reEt othersvnto all fobrietie; and how abfurd and wicked were it in them by their improuidence and loofeneffe,to embolden andencourage others vnto fume ? and betdes, expofe, vncouer, and layopen them- felues to be derided by others farce their inferiours : with which re- proach this (inne was punifhed, euen in Noah himfelfe. 3. They haue but a little time to watch in , and their Mailer is euen at their. doore, their funne is a letting, and they mutt therefore beware the more, leaft hereby theybrig heir foulesvpon a flumber:for as fobriety and watch- fulres are ioyned together, as mutual! fupporters each of other, T. Pet. 5, 8. fo are drunkenneffeand (kepi:: g, T. Theff. 6.7. making the day of generali or particular iudgement conte vnawares , as it Both to fuch as are in thenight. 4. They haue but a little time to doe good in, and ought to preferue themfelues in a fitncffe to doe good ; both to gouerne their ovine hues, their owne families, and other men, if they be called thereto : whereas the loo(ing ofthcmfelues to this (inne, brings forget- fuineffe of all duty, abufe of his place, and woe vpon all that arecom- mitted tohis gouernement ; betides, it openeth a doore, and is a fruit- full loyleand feafon tomany other fnnes : it is an euill whichgoeth not alone, it was accompanied with ineet+, euen in Lot himfelfe 5. They haue but a while to flriue againfl temptation, which becaule the Deuillknoweth, hemoremtghtily affayleth them: both which things Peeing the Lord bath difcouered veto them , they ought fo much the more to watchvnta fobrietie, according to the counfell of the Apofile, r. Pet. 5.8. Oh that our oldemen would be pert-waded thus to num- ber their daies, that their hearts might be applyed vetowifedome : and mooned to beware of ihipwracke in their hauen; and prouoked to watchbut one honre longer with Chria, and fo to finifh their welfare, foreuer. Let thembeare that (peach in miede, Care awhile, and euer fa fe. Grasre, ] The word (ignifieth a feemely, modefl, and gracious cari- age, oppofed to all lightneffe, vanitie, or vicioufnes in geflure , (peach, apparrell,countenance, deeds , or conuerfation ; and is a general! ver- cue befitting eueryage, and euery vocation andcondition of life : and # not appropriated toany one calling or conditionmore then other : re- quired in the Minifter, t. Tim. 3. 8. in his wife , verf.r t. and in eue- 1 Y4 rie CHAP. 2.2 345 Sobricue cfp cially commen ded to elder men. Why. i a 3 4 5
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