The present duty and endeavour of the saints. Opened in a sermon at Pauls…

First, they who sinfully endeavour acceptation with §1men, shall not long be accepted with men. Men-pleasers run into greatest displeasure with men. None find such unwelcome conclusions, as they who have condescended in speech or action to the lowest compliances. When Cardinal Wolsey saw himself deserted by that King, he said; If I had laboured to please and serve God, as I have done to serve and please my Prince, I had not bin thus cast off and forsaken. Many such wrecked and weather-beaten wretches, will complain at last, that they too much sought and pleased themselves with the Fair-weather and warm Sunshine of the world.

First, they who sinfully endeavour acceptation with §1men, shall not long be accepted with men. Men-pleasers run into greatest displeasure with men. None find such unwelcome conclusions, as they who have condiscended in speech or action to the lowest complyances. When Cardinall Wolsey saw himself deserted by that King, hee sayd; If I had laboured to please and serve God, as I have done to serve and please my Prince, I had not bin thus cast off and forsaken. Many such wrackt and weather-beaten wretches, will complaine at last, that they too much sought and pleased themselves with the Faire-weather and warme Sunshine of the world.

Secondly, such usually prove unacceptable to themselves. §2After Ahithophel had sinfully ingratiated himself with Absalom, to betray David, and Judas with the Scribes and Pharisees to betray CHRIST, they both ⟨p. 12⟩fell out with themselves and ended their lives under the disfavour of their own Consciences. How many, having (to regain their lost reputation with men) renounced the truth, have presently bin renounced by their own hearts, and could never get a good word, or a good look from them again: And they who have not found that quarrel endless, have taken sore revenges upon Themselves, and could not recover their peace, till they had acknowledged and bewailed their own cowardice. Cranmer, puts his right-hand into the fire, which had subscribed his Recantation. And Jewel mourns in Germany for a subscription he made in England to the Popish Inquisitors. The hypocrites hope shall be cut off (saith Bildad,