A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

5. Labour to out do and excel others in the World in all those good things in which they excel most. Whatever you see praise-worthy in any, though Enemies, do it, and outdo them in it. If they be just, do you be more just, either more exactly, or more universally, or more constantly so; If they be temperate and sober, if it be possible go beyond them in it; if they be Charitable, be you more Charitable; if they be Humble, Meek, Gentle, Courteous, endeavour to excel them in each: if you think that cannot be in some cases, yet it is but in some, and may you not exceed them as to the general course and whole of a moral Conversation? Labour then to make it appear that a Nobler Principle out of which you act, an higher End at which you aim, and a more perfect Copy after which you write, can raise and heighten you to a pitch above any thing not only that Fancy might do in you, but natural Conscience, or moral Virtue in them. And though the best and highest of such moral performances in your external Conversation, might be in themselves but insufficient arguments, as to your own personal satisfaction, of the truth of Grace in your hearts, yet your overtopping others in what they excel most, or in the main of your Life and Practice, may be an argument ad hominem, and be a means to silence Enemies, and stop their mouths, it may be convince their judgments; or if it do not make them acknowledge what you do to proceed from a supernatural Principle, it may however force them to own it as coming from something more than a Conceit or Fancy.

5. Labour to out do and excell others in the World in all those good things in which they excell most. Whatever you see praise-worthy in any, though Enemies, do it, and outdo them in it. If they be just, do you be more just, either more exactly, or more universally, or more constantly so; If they be temperate and sober, if it be possible go beyond them in it; if they be Charitable, be you more Charitable; if they be Humble, Meek, Gentle, Courteous, endeavour to excell them in each: if you think that cannot be in some cases, yet it is but in some, and may you not exceed them as to the general course and whole of a moral Conversation? Labour then to make it appear that a Nobler Principle out of which you act, an higher End at which you aim, and a more perfect Copy after which you write, can raise and heighten you to a pitch above any thing not only that Fancy might do in you, but natural Conscience, or moral Virtue in them. And though the best and highest of such moral performances in your external Conversation, might be in themselves but insufficient arguments, as to your own personal satisfaction, of the truth of Grace in your hearts, yet your overtopping others in what they excell most, or in the main of your Life and Practice, may be an argument ad hominem, and be a means to silence Enemies, and stop their mouths, it may be convince their judgments; or if it do not make them acknowledge what you do to proceed from a supernatural Principle, it may however force them to own it as coming from something more than a Conceit or Fancy.