Two learned and godly sermons, preached by that reverend and zealous man M. Richard…Two learned and godly sermons, preached by that reuerende and zelous man M. Richard…

Seeing these things be so, it shall be profitable to consider how this good name may be gotten, and preserved. And again, if we be discredited, what use and profit we must make of it. For the first, it is certain, that seeing fame and honest report be good things, and therefore they must needs arise and spring of those things that are good; as of virtue, godliness, & good religion. Now, whereas here Turks, and such ungodly men have great favour amongst the people, and be well reported of, this in ⟨image 8⟩deed is no good name, because it ariseth not of goodness, it is only a vain applause of the simple people: Nay, it is the great and fierce wrath of God upon them, though they neither see nor perceive that, when they be well spoken off for their evil deeds: for, by this means, they be hardened in their sin, by this means they be hindered and holden from repentance: then the which, there is not a greater punishment under the Sun: Such a name then is not to be desired, nay, we ought rather to pray against such a name. And if we will be famous and of good report, then let us take heed that we seek it by goodness and virtue, and then it will be a good name in deed. But let us weigh these things more particularly, and let us know, that the first step unto a good name, is the careful and continual avoidance of evil, both outward & inward: in outward ⟨image 9⟩and gross evils, we must first beware of all evil general: which thing if we be not careful to do, then will our good name be soon impaired. Secondly, we must narrowly look unto some special sins, whereunto our nature is most inclinable and subject: for, as one dead Fly corrupteth one whole box of ointment, though it be most precious: so, some one sin, doth often crack the credit of a man, though otherwise he hath been well reported off. And if it behoveth all men thus nearly to look to their ways, then much more it is needful, that every child of God should do so: for, the world through the hatred it beareth to them, dealeth with them as it doth with Witches & Physicians: the Witch though she fail in twenty things, yet if she do some one thing aright, though it be but small, the world loveth and commendeth her for a good ⟨image 9⟩and a wise woman:

Seeing these thinges be so, it shalbe profitable to consider how this good name may be gotten, and preserued. And agayne, if we be discredited, what vse and profite we must make of it. For the first, it is certayne, that seeing fame and honest report be good thinges, and therefore they must needes arise and spring of those thinges that are good; as of vertue, godlynes, & good religion. Now, whereas here Turkes, and such vngodly men haue great fauour amongst the people, and be well reported of, this in