A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster

9. And it is not Gods ordinary way to leave the Reputation of his servants wholly uncleared even in this world. If one condemn them, another shall Justify ⟨p. 316⟩them: and commonly the wisest and best men Justify them; and the most foolish and ungodly are they that condemn them: And cannot you bear the words of fools and children? The proudest man can pass by a contempt or slander from a drunken man, an idiot, or a mad man, as being no dishonour to him: and cannot you bear the censures of the distracted world? Or if they are better men that slander you, it's two to one but it is the more foolish or passionate sort of them; and that the judgment of the more wise and sober is against them, and vindicateth your Reputation. Or if at the present they do not, it's ten to one but Providence shall work to the clearing of your Reputation, either in your life-time, or when you are dead. Most of the Servants of God that were most hated and slandered, while they lived on earth, are cleared and honoured now they are dead. God is not dis-regardful of his Servants names.

9. And it is not Gods ordinary way to leave the Reputation of his servants wholly uncleared even in this world. If one condemn them, another shall Justifie ⟨p. 316⟩them: and commonly the wisest and best men Justifie them; and the most foolish and ungodly are they that condemn them: And cannot you bear the words of fools and children? The proudest man can pass by a contempt or slander from a drunken man, an ideot, or a mad man, as being no dishonour to him: and cannot you bear the censures of the distracted world? Or if they are better men that slander you, it's two to one but it is the more foolish or passionate sort of them; and that the judgment of the more wise and sober is against them, and vindicateth your Reputation. Or if at the present they do not, it's ten to one but Providence shall work to the clearing of your Reputation, either in your life-time, or when you are dead. Most of the Servants of God that were most hated and slandered, while they lived on earth, are cleared and honoured now they are dead. God is not dis-regardful of his Servants names.