On the other side, for one to be in such a condition, as those that are godly, wise, and humble, shall call their estates into question, and be suspicious of them, such need look to themselves: many that are truly godly, may be very guilty of censuring, and so do much wrong, both to those that are godly, and to Religion; but take those that are wise, and humble, and I say, if such should be jealous of me, I should have great cause to be suspicious of my self; for such have the Spirit of God, and do know the things of God, A spiritual man judgeth all things, and therefore we should make good use of their opinions of us; If they be afraid of us, we should fear our selves, as Isaiah says, There is no peace to the wicked, says my God; that God that my soul hath interest in, says, there is no peace to the wicked; So when those that have interest in God, shall say to a man, there is no peace to thee, it should make his heart quake. Gods people ought so to walk, as to gain respect from the consciences of men; Do you so walk as to gain any such honourable respect? Is there not cause of suspicion? In the name of Jesus Christ I beseech you, let it be your care so to walk, with such heavenly humble spirits, as to hold forth the beauty of godliness unto others, and to force respect from them. As it is said of God, Holy and reverend is his name; How does Gods name come to be reverend, but by being holy? so it may be said of Gods people, Holy and reverend ⟨p. 225⟩are their names; if they be holy, their names are reverend, they will gain reverence from those that are godly, and will force it from the basest wretches: and therefore you that would have honour, and a name, here is a way; you would be the finest in all the company, and you think to get a name that way, you seek to get riches, and so to get a name; this is not the way, this does not cover the filth of sin, this covering is narrower then that you can wrap your self in, Isa. 22. 26. but if you would get a name indeed, be godly, and gracious, and holy, and then you shall have the testimony of the consciences of men, and that is more then all their words, for there may be flattery in their words.
On the other side, for one to be in such a condition, as those that are godly, wise, and humble, shall call their estates into question, and be suspitious of them, such need look to themselves: many that are truly godly, may be very guilty of censuring, and so do much wrong, both to those that are godly, and to Religion; but take those that are wise, and humble, and I say, if such should be jealous of me, I should have great cause to be suspitious of my self; for such have the Spirit of God, and do know the things of God, A spiritual man judgeth all things, and therefore we should make good use of their opinions of us; If they be afraid of us, we should fear our selves, as Isaiah says, There is no peace to the wicked, says my God; that God that my soul hath interest in, says, there is no peace to the wicked; So when those that have interest in God, shall say to a man, there is no peace to thee, it should make his heart quake. Gods people ought so to walk, as to gain respect from the consciences of men; Do you so walk as to gain any such honorable respect? Is there not cause of suspition? In the name of Jesus Christ I beseech you, let it be your care so to walk, with such heavenly humble spirits, as to hold forth the beauty of godliness unto others, and to force respect from them. As it is said of God, Holy and reverend is his name; How does Gods name come to be reverend, but by being holy? so it may be said of Gods people, Holy and reverend ⟨p. 225⟩are their names; if they be holy, their names are reverend, they will gain reverence from those that are godly, and will force it from the basest wretches: and therefore you that would have honor, and a name, here is a way; you would be the finest in all the company, and you think to get a name that way, you seek to get riches, and so to get a name; this is not the way, this does not cover the filth of sin, this covering is narrower then that you can wrap your self in, Isa. 22. 26. but if you would get a name indeed, be godly, and gracious, and holy, and then you shall have the testimony of the consciences of men, and that is more then all their words, for there may be flattery in their words.
