The peril of the times displayed. Or The danger of mens taking up with…

5. Despise all the contempt and reproach of carnal and formal men. You must expect to meet with enough of it from men of such a spirit, if you will go one step before them in the ways of Godliness; and if you are so nice and delicate, as not to be able to bear the blast of them, you will be put upon it to play the Hypocrite many a time, and can by no means avoid it: You must live among them, and have some unavoidable conversation with them; and they cannot forbear: you must therefore endeavour to imitate your Lord Christ, of whom it is said, Heb. 12.2. That he endured the Cross, and despised the shame; and remember what Christ hath warned you on this account, Mark 8.38. Whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in ⟨p. 166⟩this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in the glory of his Father, with the •oly Angels.

6. Seek to, and depend upon Christ to preserve you in your integrity; and there is besides the keeping of Grace alive in you, which is an effect of his power, the upholding of the lively efficacy of it in exercise to be sought of him; else you may fall under those decays, which will grievously wound you, and bring sorrow upon you; this was the Psalmists request unto God, Psal. 25 21. let integrity and uprightness preserve me; and he acknowledgeth that he had a gracious answer of this prayer, Psal. 41.12. as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity. Be therefore ever jealous of your selves, sensible of your own insufficiency, and renounce trust in your own grace, and let that keep you in an humble dependence upon Christ.