The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

Answer. That a good report is a special blessing of God, that deserves to be well accounted of, it is as ointment, and makes the bones fat. But a civill man must understand that a main thing that makes a report good, is when it comes from them that are good; such as seek God, and endeavour themselves in his ways. Now let the civill man consider whether such persons do give good testimony of them, for otherwise a man may be well thought of among those that are as himself, and yet be far from that goodness which God approves of.

Answer. That a good report is a speciall blessing of God, that deserves to bee well accounted of, it is as oyntment, and makes the bones fat. But a civill man must understand that a main thing that makes a report good, is when it comes from them that are good; such as seeke God, and endeavour themselves in his waies. Now let the civill man consider whether such persons doe give good testimony of them, for otherwise a man may be well thought of among those that are as himselfe, and yet be far from that goodnesse which God approves of.

Secondly, such must remember, that to have every mans good word, is no sign of a man in ⟨p. 223⟩Gods favour, Luke 6.26.¹ We be to you when all men speak well of you: and many have the greater cause to suspect their estate in the general applause of men, then thereby to grow secure. The Pharisees may seem to have gained a great approbation from men, they were thought to be the only religious men of their times; yet how doth our Saviour censure them, even in that wherein they took most pride, namely, the esteem of the vulgar, Luke 16.15.²