Christian directions, showing how to walk with God all the day long drawn up…Christian directions, shewing how to walk with God all the day long drawn up…

1 That will give others just occasion to conclude, that you are verily guilty of those things whereof you are reproached; so: in truth there is no greater symptom of guiltiness than your falling into passion, and being exasperated when you are reproached.

1 That will give others just occasion to conclude, that you are verily guilty of those things whereof you are reproached; so: in truth there is no greater symptome of guiltiness than your falling into passion, and being exasperated when you are reproached.

2 Your distemper and passion will much disquiet your spirits, and indispose you to the right manner of performing any good duty.

II. Beware of returning reproach for reproach, or rai•ing for railing, which is very unbeseeming a Christian, being therein so unlike unto Christ,¹ who as the Apostle Peter speaketh, When he ⟨p. 56⟩was reviled, reviled not again. If therefore you profess your selves to be Christians, far be it from you to return reproach for reproach, for by seeking to right your selves by raising speeches, you take the cause into your own hands; whereas if you would with patience commit your cause to God,² he would clear up your innocency and thereby take off the reproaches which are cast upon your names; therefore Bernard adviseth his Friend to be dumb and silent at the reproaches of his enemies.³