Chapter 16

CHAP. XVI.

Of Christian-like carriage under Reproaches.

I. Beware of manifesting any Distemper or Passion under your Reproaches. I deny not but you may, and ought to be sensible of the wrong done to your name,¹ for as a good name is a precious ointment, so to have an evil name is a great judgement: and therefore you ought not to be insensible of the wrong done to your name by slanders and reproaches, saying, Let men speak of me what they please, I care not, so long as I know mine own innocency; for though the testimony of your own innocency be a ground of comfort unto you, yet your care must be not only to approve your selves unto God, but also unto men, to be as careful of your good names as possibly ye can; but yet you are not to manifest any distemper or passion upon the reproachful speeches of others against you. For,

I. BEware of manifesting any Distemper or Passion under your Reproaches. I deny not but you may, and ought to be sensible of the wrong done to your name,¹ for as a good name is a precious oyntment, so to have an evil name is a great judgement: and therefore you ought not to be insensible of the wrong done to your name by slanders and reproaches, saying, Let men speak of me what they please, I care not, so long as I know mine own innocency; for though the testimony of your own innocency be a ground of comfort unto you, yet your care must bee not only to approve your selves unto God, but also unto men, to be as careful of your good names as possibly yee can; but yet you are not to manifest any distemper or passion upon the reproachful speeches of others against you. For,

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