order_n to_o god_n and_o to_o religion_n and_o this_o may_v serve_v as_o a_o explication_n of_o truth_n as_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o understanding_n 2._o truth_n as_o it_o relate_v to_o practice_n be_v proper_o veracity_n and_o be_v oppose_v to_o lie_v and_o deceit_n to_o be_v plain_a and_o true_a heart_a in_o our_o word_n and_o promise_n according_a to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o when_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o mind_n such_o thing_n as_o be_v true_a it_o be_v all_o one_o with_o his_o exhortation_n ephes_n 4.25_o wherefore_o put_v away_o lie_v speak_v every_o man_n the_o truth_n with_o his_o neighbour_n for_o god_n be_v a_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o not_o capable_a of_o deceive_a man_n either_o in_o his_o word_n or_o promise_n he_o will_v have_v man_n to_o be_v like_a unto_o he_o and_o this_o duty_n be_v necessary_a upon_o these_o two_o account_n 1._o from_o the_o conformity_n and_o likeness_n it_o have_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n god_n be_v represent_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n that_o can_v lie_v and_o in_o the_o new_a the_o apostle_n argue_v from_o the_o immutability_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o lie_v or_o to_o deceive_v for_o to_o lie_n be_v a_o weakness_n sickness_n and_o imperfection_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o god_n can_v be_v subject_a to_o no_o power_n or_o force_n can_v constrain_v he_o to_o do_v otherwise_o than_o his_o nature_n will_v and_o his_o counsel_n and_o will_n be_v direct_v by_o a_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n there_o can_v be_v in_o he_o any_o variableness_n inconstancy_n or_o shadow_n of_o turn_v and_o he_o be_v most_o like_a unto_o god_n who_o stand_v confident_o and_o immutable_o to_o what_o be_v true_a and_o right_a for_o truth_n derive_v from_o a_o infinite_a and_o almighty_a be_v be_v bold_a and_o take_v place_n when_o deceit_n and_o falsehood_n be_v put_v to_o its_o shift_n and_o run_v into_o hole_n hate_v the_o light_n therefore_o the_o wise_a heathen_n use_v to_o say_v that_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n and_o to_o do_v good_a be_v thing_n that_o make_v we_o most_o like_a to_o god_n and_o most_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o more_o a_o man_n swerve_v and_o decline_v from_o truth_n the_o further_o he_o be_v remove_v from_o a_o participation_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n hence_o when_o the_o jew_n will_v not_o believe_v our_o saviour_n who_o testify_v that_o truth_n he_o have_v receive_v of_o god_n he_o tell_v they_o john_n 8.44_o they_o be_v of_o their_o father_n the_o devil_n who_o be_v a_o liar_n and_o the_o father_n of_o it_o he_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n and_o the_o first_o author_n of_o lie_n in_o the_o world_n therefore_o say_v christ_n when_o he_o speak_v a_o lie_n he_o speak_v of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v none_o of_o god_n creation_n but_o a_o effect_n which_o he_o be_v the_o sole_a cause_n and_o author_n and_o original_a of_o when_o that_o foul_a spirit_n have_v once_o disjoin_v and_o separate_v himself_o from_o god_n than_o he_o begin_v to_o lie_v and_o to_o deceive_v and_o teach_v man_n to_o do_v so_o too_o which_o show_v the_o weakness_n of_o his_o nature_n when_o once_o it_o become_v uncentre_v and_o unhinged_a from_o that_o stable_a and_o unchangeable_a be_v who_o be_v truth_n itself_o 2._o truth_n be_v the_o bond_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o civil_a society_n there_o be_v no_o commerce_n or_o intercourse_n between_o man_n in_o the_o world_n without_o this_o and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o a_o liar_n be_v banish_v and_o exclude_v from_o all_o sober_a society_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o he_o destroy_v that_o which_o god_n and_o nature_n ordain_v shall_v preserve_v and_o maintain_v a_o correspondence_n one_o with_o another_o therefore_o the_o very_a formality_n that_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o lie_n include_v in_o it_o a_o piece_n of_o injustice_n and_o be_v a_o real_a injury_n do_v to_o another_o for_o word_n and_o expression_n be_v only_o the_o signification_n of_o our_o mind_n one_o to_o another_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a of_o judge_v and_o understand_v by_o these_o what_o be_v signify_v to_o he_o now_o when_o a_o man_n tell_v a_o lie_n he_o impose_v upon_o his_o neighbour_n and_o deprive_v he_o of_o his_o right_n by_o make_v he_o to_o believe_v quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o the_o thing_n be_v therefore_o our_o bless_a saviour_n tell_v we_o that_o for_o every_o idle_a word_n that_o man_n shall_v speak_v they_o shall_v be_v accountable_a mat._n 12.36_o which_o be_v not_o mean_v of_o every_o impertinent_a or_o useless_a but_o every_o vain_a or_o false_a word_n i._n e._n for_o every_o lie_n and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o reason_n for_o this_o because_o he_o that_o lie_v to_o another_o not_o only_o betray_v the_o effeminateness_n and_o weakness_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o be_v real_o injurious_a to_o his_o neighbour_n and_o destroy_v and_o undermine_v that_o which_o be_v the_o common_a cement_n and_o bond_n by_o which_o society_n be_v incorporate_v together_o wherefore_o let_v it_o be_v every_o man_n care_n to_o avoid_v all_o fraud_n and_o dissimulation_n in_o his_o word_n and_o action_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o unbecoming_a a_o man_n much_o more_o undecent_a and_o odious_a be_v it_o in_o a_o christian_a who_o profess_v a_o religion_n that_o own_v the_o great_a simplicity_n and_o openness_n and_o freedom_n and_o plain-heartedness_n in_o the_o world_n our_o bless_a saviour_n though_o he_o many_o time_n prudent_o avoid_v captious_a and_o enshare_a question_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v demand_v a_o account_n of_o that_o for_o which_o he_o come_v into_o the_o world_n i._n e._n whether_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n or_o the_o true_a messiah_n he_o own_v it_o though_o he_o know_v this_o very_a truth_n will_v cost_v he_o his_o life_n when_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n lie_v at_o stake_n than_o truth_n must_v in_o a_o particular_a manner_n show_v itself_o for_o to_o dissemble_v and_o to_o be_v false_a to_o this_o be_v to_o betray_v the_o religion_n that_o we_o profess_v therefore_o we_o find_v among_o the_o catalogue_n of_o those_o that_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v all_o such_o as_o love_v and_o make_v a_o lie_n revel_v 22.15_o not_o only_o such_o as_o make_v deceit_n and_o dissimulation_n to_o betray_v the_o truth_n but_o such_o as_o love_v and_o delight_n in_o such_o treacherous_a action_n and_o in_o express_a term_n god_n almighty_n threaten_v all_o liar_n revel_v 21.8_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o portion_n in_o the_o lake_n that_o burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n because_o falsehood_n be_v not_o only_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o sink_v we_o into_o a_o condition_n the_o further_a remove_v from_o he_o but_o destroy_v the_o interest_n of_o christianity_n which_o require_v in_o all_o its_o professor_n the_o great_a truth_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o all_o their_o word_n and_o action_n christ_n come_v to_o promote_v a_o fair_a and_o innocent_a nature_n in_o the_o world_n which_o can_v consist_v with_o those_o blemish_n and_o spot_n that_o attend_v lie_v and_o deceit_n truth_n be_v plain_a and_o easy_a but_o a_o lie_n be_v crooked_a and_o perverse_a and_o make_v up_o of_o many_o wind_n and_o turn_n so_o that_o he_o that_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n who_o be_v absolute_a truth_n the_o interest_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n will_v not_o think_v such_o a_o exhortation_n as_o this_o to_o be_v unseasonable_a but_o will_v with_o all_o diligence_n pursue_v and_o follow_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v true_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whatsoever_o thing_n be_v honest_a beside_o what_o we_o have_v here_o discourse_v of_o virtue_n in_o general_n we_o may_v further_o note_v that_o these_o and_o such_o like_a be_v the_o moral_a furniture_n of_o our_o soul_n they_o be_v the_o transcript_n and_o derivation_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n which_o however_o by_o a_o long_a degeneracy_n they_o seem_v to_o be_v wear_v out_o and_o the_o trace_n of_o they_o in_o many_o to_o be_v scarce_o visible_a yet_o there_o be_v such_o a_o cognation_n and_o congruity_n between_o they_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o soul_n that_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o embrace_v whenever_o due_o offer_v to_o they_o after_o have_v advise_v to_o thing_n true_a the_o apostle_n come_v next_o to_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v honest_a which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v in_o a_o strict_a signification_n as_o honesty_n be_v a_o part_n of_o justice_n for_o that_o st._n paul_n mention_n afterward_o but_o the_o word_n honest_a hear_v must_v be_v take_v in_o a_o large_a signification_n for_o whatever_o be_v become_v so_o the_o word_n in_o the_o original_a import_v
image_n of_o god_n communicate_v unto_o man_n it_o follow_v that_o thing_n be_v only_o so_o far_o of_o good_a report_n as_o they_o be_v virtuous_a and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o true_a judge_n of_o what_o be_v virtuous_a and_o what_o be_v not_o must_v be_v the_o wise_a and_o virtuous_a man_n himself_o for_o he_o be_v plentiful_o endue_v with_o and_o perfect_o awaken_v into_o this_o high_a and_o exalt_a principle_n of_o life_n he_o present_o feel_v and_o know_v and_o have_v a_o quick_a taste_n and_o relish_v of_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o that_o divine_a life_n which_o his_o soul_n be_v so_o thorough_o possess_v of_o and_o be_v perfect_o dead_a to_o all_o sensual_a affection_n which_o may_v cloud_n or_o distrust_v his_o judgement_n he_o instant_o discern_v the_o least_o blemish_n and_o corruption_n of_o life_n and_o so_o become_v perfect_o enable_v to_o determine_v what_o be_v laudable_a and_o praise_v worthy_a and_o of_o good_a report_n this_o internal_a sense_n of_o his_o be_v as_o fit_o qualify_v to_o discern_v its_o proper_a object_n as_o the_o clear_a eye_n be_v to_o discern_v light_n and_o colour_n but_o as_o for_o man_n of_o deprave_a soul_n and_o wicked_a life_n they_o be_v no_o more_o able_a to_o determine_v and_o define_v thing_n of_o good_a report_n than_o swine_n be_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o symmetry_n of_o a_o beautiful_a picture_n so_o that_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o thing_n of_o good_a report_n we_o must_v take_v our_o measure_n from_o what_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a person_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n have_v account_v so_o and_o for_o a_o man_n to_o undervalue_v the_o judgement_n of_o such_o who_o have_v joint_o and_o unanimous_o conclude_v from_o that_o inward_a sense_n they_o have_v of_o virtue_n that_o such_o and_o such_o action_n be_v laudable_a and_o of_o good_a report_n and_o the_o contrary_a dishonest_a and_o base_a be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o great_a piece_n of_o pride_n and_o arrogance_n 3._o he_o that_o purchase_v a_o good_a name_n by_o virtue_n he_o purchase_v the_o great_a treasure_n that_o be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o this_o world_n therefore_o solomon_n say_v prov._n 22.1_o that_o a_o good_a name_n be_v rather_o to_o be_v choose_v than_o great_a riches_n because_o riches_n be_v something_o without_o we_o and_o do_v not_o at_o all_o contribute_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o thing_n of_o good_a report_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o effect_n of_o virtue_n and_o of_o that_o life_n which_o be_v the_o true_a be_v of_o the_o soul_n they_o be_v inseparable_a from_o it_o moreover_o the_o virtuous_a man_n can_v fail_v by_o such_o action_n of_o make_v many_o friend_n which_o be_v as_o boethius_n speak_v pretiosissimum_fw-la divitiarum_fw-la genus_fw-la the_o most_o precious_a kind_n of_o riches_n and_o further_o our_o good_a or_o ill_a fame_n be_v not_o peremptory_o confine_v to_o this_o world_n but_o pass_v before_o we_o into_o the_o next_o and_o every_o man_n by_o his_o good_a or_o bad_a behaviour_n bring_v a_o good_a or_o ill_a report_n of_o himself_o in_o the_o region_n of_o spirit_n before_o he_o come_v to_o dwell_v and_o converse_v with_o they_o if_o we_o be_v wicked_a we_o be_v as_o much_o scorn_v there_o and_o our_o name_n as_o hateful_a as_o the_o name_n of_o judas_n or_o herod_n the_o angel_n and_o separate_a spirit_n quick_o know_v what_o we_o be_v for_o those_o discern_a spirit_n be_v not_o easy_o deceive_v and_o the_o fame_n of_o our_o do_n arrive_v to_o they_o before_o we_o leave_v the_o world_n those_o bless_a spirit_n be_v say_v to_o rejoice_v at_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o sinner_n luke_n 15.10_o which_o be_v a_o evident_a testimony_n that_o our_o good_a or_o evil_a behaviour_n ready_o come_v to_o their_o notice_n and_o cognizance_n and_o sure_o it_o be_v no_o small_a damage_n to_o have_v a_o ill_a report_n among_o those_o who_o shall_v assist_v we_o and_o minister_n to_o we_o in_o our_o want_n and_o necessity_n 4._o by_o do_v thing_n of_o good_a report_n we_o consult_v not_o only_o our_o own_o esteem_n but_o the_o credit_n of_o that_o holy_a religion_n we_o profess_v it_o be_v say_v 1_o sam._n 2.17_o that_o the_o sin_n of_o elie_n son_n make_v man_n abhor_v the_o offer_n of_o the_o lord_n their_o sinful_a and_o vicious_a manner_n of_o live_v bring_v a_o ill_a report_n upon_o themselves_o and_o it_o redound_v likewise_o to_o god_n dishonour_n and_o cause_v man_n to_o 'slight_o and_o despise_v and_o undervalue_v his_o worship_n and_o service_n so_o it_o be_v with_o we_o when_o we_o deserve_o by_o some_o evil_a action_n bring_v a_o ill_a report_n upon_o ourselves_o the_o dishonour_n light_v not_o only_o upon_o we_o that_o reflect_v on_o god_n and_o that_o holy_a religion_n that_o we_o profess_v thus_o it_o be_v say_v likewise_o of_o david_n 2_o sam._n 12.14_o that_o by_o his_o sin_n he_o have_v give_v cause_n to_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o blaspheme_n when_o they_o see_v so_o holy_a a_o man_n as_o david_n fall_v so_o foul_o into_o sin_n they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o despise_v religion_n itself_o and_o cry_v out_o be_v this_o the_o fruit_n of_o religion_n and_o when_o those_o that_o be_v christian_n shall_v commit_v dishonest_a and_o abominable_a action_n when_o they_o shall_v allow_v themselves_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o open_a and_o scandalous_a sin_n wicked_a and_o profane_a person_n be_v apt_a to_o traduce_v and_o speak_v evil_a of_o religion_n itself_o thus_o our_o holy_a lord_n and_o his_o religion_n which_o he_o seal_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n be_v despise_v and_o contemn_v through_o the_o bad_a life_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v it_o it_o shall_v therefore_o be_v our_o care_n to_o consult_v the_o credit_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v lovely_a as_o it_o be_v in_o all_o man_n eye_n by_o our_o practise_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v favour_v and_o well_o esteem_v by_o all_o the_o lover_n of_o virtue_n when_o we_o go_v to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o tread_v his_o sacred_a court_n we_o shall_v use_v no_o light_n and_o trifle_a behaviour_n but_o compose_v both_o our_o soul_n and_o body_n with_o that_o awful_a reverence_n as_o become_v the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o his_o holy_a angel_n our_o devotion_n shall_v be_v grave_a serious_a and_o fervent_a without_o any_o affectedness_n or_o vain_a desire_n of_o ostentation_n and_o we_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o heart_n be_v inward_o touch_v and_o inflame_v with_o that_o unimitable_a love_n of_o christ_n in_o die_v for_o the_o world_n by_o our_o frequent_a communicate_v of_o his_o bless_a body_n and_o blood_n for_o these_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o good_a report_n and_o will_v certain_o procure_v favour_n and_o esteem_v so_o they_o show_v that_o religion_n have_v something_o that_o be_v real_o valuable_a in_o it_o and_o that_o christianity_n be_v the_o choice_a wisdom_n that_o ever_o be_v communicate_v to_o mankind_n if_o we_o will_v therefore_o do_v thing_n that_o be_v of_o good_a report_n we_o ought_v 1._o to_o put_v in_o practice_n all_o these_o forementioned_a virtue_n and_o whatever_o else_o be_v laudable_a and_o praiseworthy_a the_o honour_n and_o credit_n of_o religion_n be_v never_o better_o secure_v than_o by_o a_o due_a regard_n to_o its_o sacred_a law_n and_o institution_n though_o we_o profess_v to_o own_o truth_n yet_o if_o we_o be_v always_o waver_v and_o unsettled_a and_o toss_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n if_o we_o be_v not_o true_a to_o our_o word_n and_o promise_n but_o falsify_v and_o dissemble_v and_o lie_v one_o to_o another_o we_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v over-jealous_a of_o her_o honour_n nor_o can_v we_o be_v say_v to_o consult_v the_o credit_n of_o our_o holy_a profession_n while_o by_o the_o lightness_n vanity_n and_o unbecomingness_n of_o our_o action_n we_o express_v no_o veneration_n for_o it_o who_o can_v believe_v that_o we_o be_v in_o earnest_n when_o we_o talk_v of_o justice_n and_o yet_o do_v not_o endeavour_v to_o frame_v our_o conversation_n by_o that_o excellent_a rule_n of_o do_v as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v by_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o sanctity_n and_o purity_n of_o angel_n will_v little_o affect_v other_o while_o we_o ourselves_o wallow_v in_o the_o mire_n and_o sink_v of_o all_o carnal_a lust_n and_o pollution_n shall_v we_o tell_v man_n of_o a_o internal_a beauty_n and_o loveliness_n in_o thing_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v but_o word_n spend_v to_o no_o purpose_n unless_o we_o demonstrate_v our_o knowledge_n of_o it_o by_o do_v lovely_a and_o oblige_a action_n it_o be_v the_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o our_o duty_n that_o conciliate_v reverence_n and_o esteem_n to_o religion_n and_o promote_v a_o fair_a reputation_n to_o ourselves_o when_o man_n shall_v see_v that_o we_o be_v in_o earnest_n by_o our_o
unblamable_a conversation_n which_o be_v according_a to_o that_o sound_a admonition_n of_o the_o apostle_n 1_o pet._n 2.12_o have_v your_o conversation_n honest_a among_o the_o gentile_n that_o whereas_o they_o speak_v against_o you_o as_o evil_a doer_n they_o may_v by_o your_o good_a work_n which_o they_o shall_v behold_v glorify_v god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o visitation_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o malicious_a cavil_n and_o atheistical_a objection_n make_v against_o religion_n yet_o a_o true_a christian_n that_o walk_v answerable_o to_o his_o profession_n must_v gain_v at_o the_o last_o a_o repute_n and_o esteem_v from_o all_o that_o be_v lover_n of_o god_n and_o virtue_n 2._o if_o we_o will_v do_v thing_n of_o good_a report_n and_o which_o may_v purchase_v we_o a_o good_a name_n among_o man_n we_o must_v careful_o avoid_v not_o only_o the_o open_a practice_n of_o vice_n but_o whatever_o may_v have_v any_o suspicion_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n of_o vice_n and_o this_o be_v call_v by_o the_o apostle_n a_o abstain_v from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a 1_o thess_n 5.22_o whether_o that_o signify_v from_o every_o sort_n or_o kind_n of_o evil_a or_o from_o every_o thing_n that_o bear_v the_o likeness_n appearance_n or_o show_v of_o a_o sin_n for_o he_o that_o will_v venture_v as_o near_o to_o the_o confine_n and_o border_n of_o sin_n as_o he_o can_v seem_v to_o declare_v a_o tacit_fw-la like_n and_o approbation_n of_o it_o and_o consequent_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o hazard_n of_o be_v betray_v and_o surprise_v and_o so_o of_o lose_v his_o credit_n and_o reputation_n therefore_o a_o wary_a and_o cautious_a christian_a and_o such_o it_o behoove_v every_o man_n to_o be_v will_v studious_o avoid_v every_o thing_n that_o may_v cause_v the_o least_o jealousy_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o other_o of_o his_o sincerity_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o direct_o sinful_a yet_o to_o another_o who_o have_v not_o that_o maturity_n and_o ripeness_n of_o understanding_n may_v prove_v a_o occasion_n of_o stumble_v and_o fall_v and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v by_o he_o who_o will_v acquire_v a_o good_a esteem_n and_o reputation_n it_o be_v true_a if_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o itself_o indifferent_a be_v upon_o weighty_a reason_n and_o ground_n command_v by_o law_n and_o another_o through_o weakness_n be_v scandalize_v at_o the_o use_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o a_o good_a christian_n can_v help_v and_o there_o be_v a_o offence_n take_v but_o not_o give_v though_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o there_o be_v as_o few_o of_o these_o stumble_v block_n lay_v before_o weak_a person_n as_o may_v fair_o consist_v with_o the_o honour_n and_o interest_n of_o religion_n itself_o 3._o he_o that_o will_v acquire_v a_o good_a name_n and_o reputation_n must_v take_v care_n that_o in_o all_o his_o act_n with_o other_o he_o be_v sincere_a i._n e._n upon_o all_o emergence_n he_o must_v practice_v virtue_n for_o virtue_n sake_n because_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o the_o best_a and_o most_o desirable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n for_o if_o in_o our_o conversation_n we_o proceed_v upon_o sinister_a end_n and_o that_o self-advantage_n and_o interest_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o our_o action_n beside_o that_o it_o redound_v to_o the_o discredit_n of_o religion_n it_o cast_v a_o disgrace_n upon_o we_o and_o we_o so_o far_o deviate_v from_o the_o principle_n of_o true_a virtue_n as_o selfishness_n be_v concern_v in_o our_o action_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o he_o that_o make_v a_o fair_a show_n of_o some_o virtuous_a action_n mere_o to_o compass_v self-advantage_n do_v hereby_o manifest_o declare_v that_o if_o it_o be_v not_o for_o this_o private_a and_o self_n love_n he_o will_v not_o do_v they_o which_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n must_v needs_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o gross_a piece_n of_o hypocrisy_n and_o dissimulation_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o great_a enemy_n to_o our_o true_a credit_n and_o reputation_n thus_o you_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o several_a virtue_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n so_o serious_o exhort_v we_o and_o he_o that_o have_v any_o care_n for_o the_o peace_n of_o his_o conscience_n in_o this_o life_n and_o his_o eternal_a happiness_n hereafter_o will_v careful_o think_v on_o these_o thing_n which_o that_o we_o may_v all_o do_v he_o who_o be_v the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n grant_v to_o we_o to_o who_o be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n a_o discourse_n of_o sincerity_n john_n 1.47_o behold_v a_o israelite_n indeed_o in_o who_o be_v no_o guile_n these_o word_n our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o nathanael_n who_o be_v reckon_v one_o of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n though_o call_v by_o another_o name_n for_o we_o find_v he_o express_o mention_v with_o they_o john_n 21.2_o this_o person_n be_v bring_v by_o philip_n to_o jesus_n when_o he_o be_v come_v within_o distance_n or_o hear_n christ_n say_v behold_v a_o israelite_n indeed_o in_o who_o be_v no_o guile_n as_o if_o our_o lord_n have_v say_v see_v here_o a_o man_n of_o that_o integrity_n simplicity_n and_o sincerity_n which_o be_v high_o value_v and_o prize_v in_o god_n sight_n and_o though_o this_o be_v speak_v particular_o of_o that_o apostle_n yet_o it_o instruct_v we_o in_o this_o great_a and_o weighty_a truth_n that_o sincerity_n be_v the_o great_a accomplishment_n and_o perfection_n of_o a_o christian_a in_o god_n sight_n for_o it_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n for_o true_a christian_n to_o be_v call_v in_o scripture_n by_o the_o name_n of_o israelite_n for_o st._n paul_n express_v it_o so_o in_o more_o than_o one_o place_n in_o plain_a term_n rom._n 9.6_o they_o be_v not_o all_o israel_n which_o be_v of_o israel_n i._n e._n though_o they_o may_v lineal_o descend_v from_o israel_n yet_o it_o be_v only_o those_o that_o be_v sincere_a that_o be_v the_o proper_a israelite_n or_o true_a christian_n so_o again_o rom._n 2.28_o now_o to_o be_v without_o guile_n here_o be_v to_o be_v sincere_a and_o without_o hypocrisy_n whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o a_o man_n be_v value_v and_o esteem_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n according_a to_o his_o sincerity_n and_o this_o sometime_o be_v represent_v by_o the_o name_n of_o truth_n i_o have_v no_o great_a joy_n say_v st._n john_n ep._n 3.4_o then_o to_o hear_v that_o my_o child_n walk_v in_o truth_n that_o be_v that_o they_o be_v sincere_a christian_n i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v st._n paul_n great_a comfort_n when_o he_o suppose_v himself_o near_o his_o death_n 2_o cor._n 1.12_o that_o in_o sincerity_n and_o godly_a simplicity_n he_o have_v his_o conversation_n in_o the_o world_n he_o neither_o flatter_v himself_o nor_o those_o that_o hear_v he_o but_o tell_v they_o the_o plain_a truth_n show_v they_o both_o by_o what_o he_o himself_o and_o they_o must_v hope_v to_o go_v to_o heaven_n and_o this_o be_v the_o downright_a sincerity_n of_o his_o heart_n when_o he_o have_v no_o doubling_n wind_n or_o turn_n with_o god_n but_o endeavour_v as_o far_o as_o ever_o he_o can_v to_o please_v he_o and_o do_v his_o will._n this_o alone_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o heaven_n and_o upon_o this_o the_o bless_a land_n of_o righteousness_n the_o pleasant_a mansion_n of_o immortality_n be_v entail_v this_o be_v the_o compliment_n and_o perfection_n of_o holiness_n without_o which_o all_o our_o religion_n be_v but_o a_o mere_a shadow_n &_o pageantry_n for_o then_o only_o be_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n say_v to_o be_v sincere_a when_o it_o be_v full_o and_o whole_o carry_v out_o after_o that_o which_o be_v simple_o and_o absolute_o the_o best_a and_o all_o man_n that_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o religion_n must_v own_v that_o god_n and_o the_o participation_n of_o his_o nature_n be_v absolute_o and_o above_o all_o comparison_n the_o best_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o attain_v to_o a_o union_n with_o god_n can_v be_v deny_v to_o be_v the_o great_a happiness_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o since_o this_o be_v not_o only_o simple_o the_o best_a but_o the_o utmost_a and_o complete_a felicity_n of_o our_o nature_n it_o follow_v that_o sincerity_n be_v then_o most_o perfect_a when_o our_o will_n with_o all_o their_o affection_n and_o desire_n be_v full_o and_o whole_o carry_v out_o after_o it_o full_o and_o whole_o i_o say_v that_o be_v without_o any_o by-end_n or_o self-design_n or_o sinister_a respect_n of_o particular_a fame_n or_o gain_n or_o any_o such_o thing_n but_o mere_o upon_o a_o clear_a knowledge_n that_o it_o be_v the_o best_a thing_n in_o the_o whole_a creation_n for_o he_o who_o intention_n be_v not_o direct_v aright_o can_v hardly_o attain_v that_o excellent_a qualification_n our_o saviour_n so_o much_o commend_v in_o his_o