Let the ungodly, for their own ends, and to serve their ⟨p. 414⟩own turns, profess never so fair, promise never so much, pretend never so much Love and Faithfulness, and seem also somewhat seriously to endeavour to ingratiate themselves into the hearts of the Godly: Be they never so near in acquaintance, and familiarity with them: Be they for the present, never so studious, and laborious in all proceedings to promote their good. It's certain, their distempers are but restrained, and the malignity of their Nature curbed, and confined for the while: Let but occasion suit, and temptation be offered, and they will be as deadly Enemies, nay, most fierce in their malice, and out-rage, as they have been friendly in appearance in former times. None more inward with David, than Ahithophel, while opportunity served to bring about his own Honour, by that acceptance he had with David. It was thou my familiar friend, we took sweet Counsel together, and went up to the House of God together also: complied in all occasions, temporal, spiritual, were endeared each to other, bore each other in their very Bosoms: But no sooner is Conspiracy stirred, and Rebellion raised by Absalom, that was likely to carry it; but Ahithophel, he forsakes his Colours, forgets all former Engagements, becomes the deadliest Enemy of the most inward, and endeared Friend, as formerly he did pretend. Judas trained up under the Wing of Christ, but he had a worldly heart; and when the time served, he betrayed his Master for it. Never therefore, look what men pretend, but look what they are: If he be of the World, and Friend to it, know assuredly, he will be an Enemy to God. And therefore, it checks the deluded Conceits, and misguided Apprehensions of some of Gods own, that are Novices in Religion, who are apt to conclude, It's want of Prudence, and Christian Moderation, Humility, and sweetness of Carriage, that they do not win every man, even the wicked, and such as be worldly, and Carnal; that they might have their Approbation, their Love, and Affections, as they list enlarged. ⟨p. 415⟩Oh! men are not prudent, they do not so wisely carry themselves in that courteous manner as they should; they might win all, and have every mans good word. If a man will not lay aside his Grace and Holiness, let him walk as prudently, and melt into kindness and Courtesy; the World will be cross to him, and he to it:
Let the ungodly, for their own ends, and to serve their ⟨p. 414⟩own turns, profess never so fair, promise never so much, pretend never so much Love and Faithfulness, and seem also somwhat seriously to endeavor to ingratiate themselves into the hearts of the Godly: Be they never so neer in acquaintance, and familiarity with them: Be they for the present, never so studious, and laborious in al proceedings to promote their good. It's certain, their distempers are but restrained, and the malignity of their Nature curbed, and confined for the while: Let but occasion suit, and temptation be offered, and they wil be as deadly Enemies, nay, most fierce in their malice, and out-rage, as they have been friendly in appearance in former times. None more inward with David, than Achitophel, while opportunity served to bring about his own Honor, by that acceptance he had with David. It was thou my familiar friend, we took sweet Counsel together, and went up to the House of God together also: complied in al occasions, temporal, spiritual, were endeared each to other, bore each other in their very Bosoms: But no sooner is Conspiracy stirred, and Rebellion raised by Abshalom, that was likely to carry it; but Achitophel, he forsakes his Colors, forgets al former Engagements, becomes the deadliest Enemy of the most inward, and endeared Friend, as formerly he did pretend. Judas trained up under the Wing of Christ, but he had a worldly heart; and when the time served, he betray'd his Master for it. Never therefore, look what men pretend, but look what they are: If he be of the World, and Friend to it, know assuredly, he wil be an Enemy to God. And therefore, it checks the deluded Conceits, and misguided Apprehensions of some of Gods own, that are Novices in Religion, who are apt to conclude, It's want of Prudence, and Christian Moderation, Humility, and sweetness of Carriage, that they do not win every man, even the wicked, and such as be worldly, and Carnal; that they might have their Approbation, their Love, and Affections, as they list enlarged. ⟨p. 415⟩Oh! men are not prudent, they do not so wisely carry themselves in that courteous manner as they should; they might win al, and have every mans good word. If a man wil not lay aside his Grace and Holiness, let him walk as prudently, and melt into kindness and Courtesie; the World wil be cross to him, and he to it:
