A39678:412
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 6 › Section 6
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.
But tho the strictness and holiness of good Men, causing the Consciences of wicked Men privately to condemn, and inwardly to gall and ⟨p. 103⟩grate them for their looseness and profaneness, be the true and read Ground and Cause of the Grudge and Hatred; yet they think it fit for Reputation s•ke, that this be wholly suppressed and silenced, and something else pretended for the Cause and Reason of it, else it would look too like the Devil himself. And therefore amongst o•her plausible Pretensions for their Malignity to those that are better th•n themselves, these three are principally insisted on, and pleaded.
But tho the strictness and holiness of good Men, causing the Consciences of wicked Men privately to condemn, and inwardly to gaul and ⟨p. 103⟩grate them for their loosness and prof•neness, be the true and read Ground and Cause of the Grudge and Hatred; yet they think it fit for Reputation s•ke, that this be wholly suppressed and silen••d, and something else pretended for the Cause and Reason of it, else it would look too like the Devil himself. And therefore amongst o•her plausible Pret•nsions for their Malignity to those that are better th•n themselves, these three are principally insisted on, and pleaded.
1. That it is not their Piety, but their Hypocrisy which they hate. Not because they have indeed more Piety than others, but because they make more vain Show and Ostentation of it, than themselves do; who, setting aside their ridiculous Grimaces, and affected fantastic Words and Actions, are every whit as good as themselves.