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

Obj. How shall we stop their mouths?

Obj. How shall we stop their mouthes?

Ans. First, walk innocently, innocency will clear all, and overcome in time; hence David saith, that thou mayest be clear when thou judgest. St. Paul quoting this, Rom. 3. 4. he hath it, That thou mayest overcome when thou judgest; he puts overcome for clear, because those who are clear will overcome. But more then this in the second place, you must labour to be eminent in that which is quite contrary to that which you are reproached for: Perhaps he reproaches you for one that is a dissembler, labour for the greatest eminency of plainness of heart and sincerity: If it be for covetousness, labour to be eminent in liberality, & doing good wisely, not where they would have you, but in a gracious way, ordering your affairs by discretion: If it be for pride, clear your selves not by yielding ⟨p. 378⟩to their humour, but labour for an eminency of humility another way, that those that can judge right may see there is humility in you: thus labour to entertain reproaches with wisdom.

Ans. First, walk innocently, innocency wil clear all, and overcome in time; hence David saith, that thou mayest be clear when thou judgest. St. Paul quoting this, Rom. 3. 4. he hath it, That thou mayest overcome when thou judgest; he puts overcome for clear, because those who are clear will overcome. But more then this in the second place, you must labor to be eminent in that which is quite contrary to that which you are reproached for: Perhaps he reproaches you for one that is a dissembler, labor for the greatest eminency of plainness of heart and sincerity: If it be for covetousness, labor to be eminent in liberality, & doing good wisely, not where they would have you, but in a gracious way, ordering your affairs by discretion: If it be for pride, clear your selves not by yielding