Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

But suppose no man should regard you, it is enough that God does regard you; It is a notable speech of Salvian, Such as are truly blessed in their own consciences, cannot be miserable by the false judgements of other men: But I say, though that were enough, yet you have more, you have God, and his Angels, and Saints, and the consciences of wicked men, though we should not regard the esteem of the men of the world, but go on in our way, only be careful that ⟨p. 224⟩they may not speak ill of our Religion; but the esteem of the Saints is not slightly to be esteemed, for it is a blessing of God, and therefore St. Paul was earnest with the Romans to pray to God for him, that his service might be accepted of by the Saints.

But suppose no man should regard you, it is enough that God does regard you; It is a notable speech of Salvian, Such as are truly blessed in their own consciences, cannot be miserable by the false judgements of other men: But I say, though that were enough, yet you have more, you have God, and his Angels, and Saints, and the consciences of wicked men, though we should not regard the esteem of the men of the world, but go on in our way, onely be careful that ⟨p. 224⟩they may not speak ill of our Religion; but the esteem of the Saints is not slightly to be esteemed, for it is a blessing of God, and therefore St. Paul was earnest with the Romans to pray to God for him, that his service might be accepted of by the Saints.

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