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The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native country, and the souls of men.The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native countrey, and the souls of men.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1691
THE REASONABLENESS OF Personal Reformation, › Chapter 3 › Section 8
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Though I am most willing to pay a becoming deference to all Persons of Noble and Genteel Extraction, yet in faithfulness to their true honour, I am here obliged to say, (and in saying it, I can offend no man that hath a true sense of honour) that their natural Descent can never give them so much honour, as the Vices I am here censuring will reflect ignominy and dishonour upon them. To be a slave of Satan, and your own lusts, is such a mark of infamy, as all the honourable and illustrious Titles in the world can never cover. It is better to rise by Virtue to Honour, from contemptible Parents, than by Vice and profaneness to grow contemptible from honourable Parents. 'Tis your honour to have many Servants at your command, obsequiously attending a nod of your head, or a beck of your finger: but ask your own Reason, Gentlemen, whether it be not a greater dishonour for you to attend as obsequiously your selves upon every beck and nod of Satan, and your own lusts.
2. Though I am most willing to pay a becoming deference to all Persons of Noble and Genteel Extraction, yet in faithfulness to their true honour, I am here obliged to say, (and in saying it, I can offend no man that hath a true sense of honour) that their natural Descent can never give them so much honour, as the Vices I am here censuring will reflect ignominy and dishonour upon them. To be a slave of Satan, and your own lusts, is such a mark of infamy, as all the honourable and illustrious Titles in the world can never cover. It is better to rise by Vertue to Honour, from contemptible Parents, than by Vice and prophaneness to grow contemptible from honourable Parents. 'Tis your honour to have many Servants at your command, obsequiously attending a nod of your head, or a beck of your finger: but ask your own Reason, Gentlemen, whether it be not a greater dishonour for you to attend as obsequiously your selves upon every beck and nod of Satan, and your own lusts.
Were your Natural Birth once ennobled by the New-Birth, you would be more than thrice honourable: Grace would make you more illustrious, than your natural Extraction doth or can do. Or if Morality (which is far inferior to that honour, and for which, Heathens themselves have been renowned in the Pagan world) did but adorn and beautify your Conversations, though it cannot entitle you to Heaven, or secure to you the glory of the world to come, yet it would make you shine in the eyes of men in this World, and taking its advantage from your honourable Extraction, make you differ from persons of an inferior rank, as Stars of a greater magnitude and lustre.