The form and name of Religion▪ is ⟨p. 26⟩b•n•s, 1honour sometimes: but the power and practise of, it is onus, a burden▪ hence men take up the first, and shake off the second. And indeed the greatest pat take up this course, if they have no goodness, they should be the shame, scorn▪ and table-talk of the times; therefore every man will for his honours sake, have his frame. Now this form is according to the mould wherein he is cast. If his acquaintance be but civil, he will be like them: if they be more exact, as to pray, read, confer, he will not stay one inch behind them: If to be b•tter then his companions, to bear the bell before them will credit him, he will be so what ever it cost him; but yet he never will be so exact in his courses as to be hated for it, unless he perceives the hatred he contracts from some men, shall be recompensed with the more love and credit by other men. He disguiseth himself according to the places, or company he comes into. King Juash was a good man, so long as Jeboiada the Priest lived. If a little Religion will serve to credit men, that shall serve for that time▪ if more in another place, you shall then have them commending good men,2 good sermons, good books and drop forth two or three good sentences: what will they think of him then? They cover themselves over with ⟨p. 27⟩these fig-leaves of common honesty to cover their nakedness yet they had […] all their courses over with honesty, that they may catch, for they […] only for credit […]
The form and name of Religion▪ is ⟨p. 26⟩b•n•s, 1honor sometines: but the power and practise of, it is onus, a burden▪ hence men take up the first, and shake off the second. And indeed the greatest patt take up this course, if they have no goodness, they should be the shame, scorn▪ and table-talk of the times; therefore every man will for his honors sake, have his frame. Now this form is according to the mould wherein he is cast. If his acquaintance be but civil, he will be like them: if they be more exact, as to pray, read, confer, he will not stay one inch behind them: If to be b•tter then his companions, to bear the bell before them will credit him, he will be so what ever it cost him; but yet he never will be so exact in his courses as to be hated for it, unless he perceives the hatred he contracts from some men, shal be recompenced with the more love and credit by other men. He disguiseth himse•f according to the places, or company he comes into. King Juash was a good man, so long as Jeboiada the Priest lived. If a little Religion will serve to credit men, that shall serve for that time▪ if more in another place, you shal then have them commending good men,2 good sermons, good books and drop forth two or three good sentences: what will they think of him then? They cover themselves over with ⟨p. 27⟩these fig-leaves of common honesty to cover their nakedness yet they had 〈…〉 all their courses over with honesty, that they may catch, for they 〈…〉 only for credit 〈…〉
- 1•easure of holiness, & go no further.•easure of holinesse, & go no further.
- 2[…]〈…〉
