The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

I had rather a man should not call himself a Christian, that he should renounce his Title, than that by his life and actions, he should represent Christians to the world, as oppressors, as unjust, and treacherous dealers. If men will only use Religion for to cover their unrighteousness, I had rather they would put off their Cloaks, and be Knaves in querpo, that every body may know them, than that they should go like High-way-men in visors, and disguises, only that they may rob honest men the more securely.

I had rather a man should not call himself a Christian, that hee should renounce his Title, than that by his life and actions, hee should represent Christians to the world, as oppressors, as unjust, and treacherous dealers. If men will only use Religion for to cover their unrighteousness, I had rather they would put off their Cloaks, and bee Knaves in querpo, that every body may know them, than that they should go like High-way-men in vizards, and disguises, only that they may rob honest men the more securely.

And to move you to the practice of this Rule, I shall only offer to you one Consideration, but which hath so much weight in it, that it may be instead of many; As you deal with others, so ye shall be dealt with. With what measure you mere to others, it shall be measured to you, is a proverbial speech often used by our Saviour, and which one time or other you will find to be very significant. God doth many times by his providence order things so, that in this life mens unrighteousness returns upon their own heads and their violent dealing upon their own pates; There is a divine Nemesis, which brings our iniquities upon our selves. No man hath any vice or humour alone, but it may be matched in the world, either in its own kind, or in another; if a man be cruel and insolent, A Bajazet shall meet with a Tamerlane; if a man delight to jeer and abuse others, no man hath so good a wit, but another hath as good a memory; he will remember it to revenge it; He that makes a trade of deceiving and cozening others, he doth but teach others to cozen him; and there are but few Masters in any kind but are outdone by some of their Scholars. But however we may escape the hands of men, how shall we escape our own consciences, either trouble of conscience in this life, or the worm of conscience in the next? how shall we escape the hands of the Living God? how shall we escape the damnation of Hell?