Use. Encouragement against all those scoffs and calumniations which this godless age doth cast upon them that take heed to their steps, and will not run with the wicked in the race of Atheism and iniquity. For that is now verified in our time which the Prophet bewailed in his, that he that refraineth from ⟨p. 81⟩1evil, maketh himself to be thought a mad man. As who seeth it not, that they are little better accounted of, which fly from those sinful delights which others follow? That dare not join with swearers, Sabbath-breakers, and men of other lewd conditions, in fashions or fellowship? That dare not lift up themselves in pomp and pride, and will not revenge the wrongs that are offered unto them? That choose rather to live poor and godly, than wealthy and worldly, and to get goods by guile and falsehood? What are you the better (say the sons of Belial) for your precise course of life, and strict restraint of your selves from that liberty which other men take? Here is an answer to them, and a comfort to us: This text telleth wherein we are the better, and what gain we do get by the exercise of godliness, shunning of licentiousness, than which nothing is more contrary to liberty. We keep ourselves in keeping our way: We escape much mischief in shunning of sin: We are delivered from destruction by ordering well our conversation. Who now doth call into question the wisdom and providence of Noah in declining the universal corruptions of his days, though then all generally derided him? Was not he protected when others were punished? Was not he preserved when all the world perished? Right wise then, and happy is that man which proceedeth in the good way, though it be never so rough, that is safe, and leadeth to salvation; as he is most sottish and miserable that turneth to the paths of sin, how smooth soever they seem to be, which are full of perils, and will bring him to perdition.
Vse. Incouragement against all those scoffes and calumniations which this godlesse age doth cast vpon them that take heed to their steps, and will not run with the wicked in the race of Atheisme and iniquitie. For that is now verified in our time which the Prophet bewailed in his, that he that refraineth from ⟨p. 81⟩1euill, maketh himselfe to be thought a mad man. As who seeth it not, that they are little better accounted of, which flie from those sinfull delights which others follow? That dare not ioine with swearers, Sabbath-breakers, and men of other leaud conditions, in fashions or fellowship? That dare not lift vp themselues in pompe and pride, and will not reuenge the wrongs that are offered vnto them? That chuse rather to liue poore and godly, than wealthy and worldly, and to get goods by guile and falshood? What are you the better (say the sonnes of Belial) for your precise course of life, and strict restraint of your selues from that libertie which other men take? Heere is an answer to them, and a comfort to vs: This text telleth wherein we are the better, and what gaine wee doe get by the exercise of godlinesse, shunning of licenciousnesse, than which nothing is more contrarie to libertie. Wee keepe ourselues in keeping our way: We escape much mischiefe in shunning of sinne: We are deliuered from destruction by ordering well our conuersation. Who now doth call into question the wisdome and prouidence of Noah in declining the vniuersall corruptions of his daies, though then all generally derided him? Was not he protected when others were punished? Was not hee preserued when all the world perished? Right wise then, and happy is that man which proceedeth in the good way, though it bee neuer so rough, that is safe, and leadeth to saluation; as hee is most sottish and miserable that turneth to the pathes of sinne, how smooth soeuer they seeme to be, which are full of perils, and will bring him to perdition.
- 1Isa. 59. 15.
