A15013:651
Prototypes, or, The primary precedent presidents out of the book of Genesis showing, the…Prototypes, or, The primarie precedent presidents out of the booke of Genesis shewing, the…
Prototypes, or, The primary precedent presidents out of the book of Genesis showing, the [brace] good and bad things [brace] they did and had practically applied to our information and reformation / by that faithful and painful preacher of Gods word William Whately ... ; together with Mr. Whately's life and death ; published by Mr. Edward Leigh and Mr. Henry Scudder, who were appointed by the author to peruse his manuscripts, and printed by his own copy.Prototypes, or, The primarie precedent presidents out of the booke of Genesis shewing, the [brace] good and bad things [brace] they did and had practically applied to our information and reformation / by that faithfull and painefull preacher of Gods word William Whately ... ; together with Mr. Whatelyes life and death ; published by Mr. Edward Leigh and Mr. Henry Scudder, who were appointed by the authour to peruse his manuscripts, and printed by his owne coppy.
London: printed by G.M. for Edward Langham book-seller, 1640London: printed by G.M. for Edvvard Langham booke-seller, 1640
Example 12: THE TWELFTH EXAMPLE.Example 12: THE TVVELFTH EXAMPLE.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Wherefore let every man compare himself with these civill righteous men, and see whether himself hath carried himself as honestly and justly as the very light of nature instructed them to do. I mean whether he hath faithfully kept his covenants, for how shall he be able to justify his right and interest unto the honourable name of a true Christian man, that falleth short of those virtues which many of the Gentiles have carefully practised.
Wherefore let every man compare himselfe with these civill righteous men, and see whether himselfe hath carried himselfe as honestly and justly as the very light of nature instructed them to doe. I meane whether he hath faithfully kept his covenants, for how shall hee be able to justifie his right and interest unto the honourable name of a true Christian man, that falleth short of those vertues which many of the Gentiles have carefully practised.
And if any mans heart accuse him of unfaithfulness and slipperiness in this kind, let him humble himself and be much ashamed of it. Should we not blush to see Heathens exceed us in good conversation and that our righteousness is not greater then that of the Pharisees who did at least equal the Heathen in righteous dealing. Surely they shall never be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven, before whom the Gentiles have gone in good behaviour of life; yet many there be professing to be Christians, whose untrustiness this way filleth the mouths of all that deal with them with just and grievous complaints. They be so possessed with self-love, that when ⟨p. 191⟩they have made a covenant promise or compact, the least disadvantage will make them use the craftiness of wit to wind themselves out and neglect their covenants. They know how to tie others hard and leave themselves loose, through the looseness of an evil conscience. These are men that be guilty of neglecting justice, judgement, and faithfulness, and if they strain never so much at gnats and swallow these camels, our Saviour will be bold to entitle them, as he doth the Pharisees, and pronounce a woe against them, saying, Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites. Learn now to be very sorrowful, if you have carried your selves more unrighteously in this kind, then the honester sort of those have done who lived out of the confines of the Church, and be careful to repent by their example, that their goodness may not rise up in judgement against you and condemn you. And resolve with your selves I pray you, now to prefer your credit before any other thing in this earth, and to put your selves upon loss and hazard, rather then incur the deserved reproach of men faithless and dishonest. It is not witty tricks and devices that will save you from reprehension before the Lord and your own consciences and other men, your name shall rot and stink and become loathsome, if you deal untrustily, though you paint your evil deeds over with never so fair and trim excuses. Wit is never more abused, then when it is made a patron and a protector for falsehood and evil dealing.