The law unsealed

an ambitious humour, coveting to excel and darken all that are about them, when as it were much more Christian and congruous for a man to whom God may have given more then he hath done to others, self denyedly to veil, and studiously to obscure himself in some Cases, least he sadden or Eclipse others or draw more Observation to himself. 6. Emulation, which is a seeking to go beyond another in esteem, not from any love of virtue, but only out of an envious desire of having the preeminence of such a person, of out stripping him, and of bearing him down in his reputation; it followeth on the former. 7. Detraction, a vice whereby men understand whisper what may be to the dishonour of another, even though it be a truth, using insinuations, and such a manner of seeming respect to the detracted, as may make the blot and infamy to stick as when many commendations are given a man, not out of any respect to him, but to make some reproach cast upon him go down the better, and be the more easily believed, as coming from such a one who respecteth and loveth the man; as, he is discreet, of great parts, &c. but by which but all is overturned. 8, Contention and Strife are also opposite to this command, and any thing whereby, directly or indirectly, mediately or immediately, the fame of our Brother, and his estimation is reflected upon, which are of a large extent. 9. Mocking, disdaining, taunting, and such like are plainly against this command and forbidden in it.

an ambitious humour, coveting to excel and darken all that are about them, when as it were much more Christian and congruous for a man to whom God may have given more then he hath done to others, self denyedly to vail, and studiously to obscure himself in some Cases, least he sadden or Eclipse others or draw more Observation to himself. 6. Emulation, which is a seeking to go beyond another in esteem, not from any love of vertue, but only out of an envious desire of having the prehemience of such a person, of out stripping him, and of bearing him down in his reputation; it followeth on the former. 7. Detraction, a vice whereby men understand whisper what may be to the dishonour of another, even though it be a truth, using insinuations, and such a manner of seeming respect to the detracted, as may make the blot and infamy to stick as when many commendations are given a man, not out of any respect to him, but to make some reproach cast upon him go down the better, and be the more easily believed, as coming from such a one who respecteth and loveth the man; as, he is discreet, of great parts, &c. but by which but all is overturned. 8, Contention and Strief are also opposite to this command, and any thing whereby, directly or indirectly, mediately or immediately, the fame of our Brother, and his estimation is reflected upon, which are of a large extent. 9. Mocking, disdaining, taunting, and such like are plainly against this command and forbidden in it.