Logoi eukairoi, essayes and observations theologicall & morall. Wherein many of the humours and diseases of the age are discovered, and characteriz'd: divers cautions and directions præscribed for the avoidance of their infection, and the promotion of their cure. Together with some meditations & prayers adjoyn'd, serving to the same purpose. / By a student in theologie.

Of Prejudices against godliness.

Its a great stumbling-blocke to ingenious men that religion (I meane the full power thereof) seemes to them to destroy mo∣desty,

and other principles of na∣ture, and of education a second nature; and I am perswaded 'tis this that makes some men but partiall Christians. That Chri∣stianity and the power of godlinesse suffers undeservedly herein I make not the least question. Were I to deliver the most ex∣act rules of humble modest beha∣viour, I should pick them out of the sacred preceps: or were I to prescribe an absolute patterne of such carriage and expressions, I should take them from no other place than the sacred histories. Let a man but reade the speeches of Abigail, of Hanna, of Mephibo∣sheth and diverse other holy per∣sons; and if he be not sticken into admiration, I shall pronounce him incapable of any noble im∣pressions of humanity, as well as of devotion. Saint Paul delivers it

for a rule, that we should not give offence to them without, and practised it himselfe in becoming all things to all men, that he might gaine some. Certainly then he had no morose humour within him which he would compell other men to sub∣mit to, no intemperance of Spirit which he would have accounted zeale: yea, we reade with what a noble appellation he answered ••ectus, (who accused him but of madnesse) that he spake the words of sobriety, as well as truth. Notwithstanding all this, the ground of the former charge a∣gainst religion seem's specious and obvious. Some men misin∣terpret the Apostles 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or boldnesse of speech, and take that for a sufficient warrant for indecen∣cies, and ill manners. Others thinke it a crime to be modest in matters of religious concernment;

whereas, if they would consider S^t Pauls behaviour towards his Corin∣thians Ep. 2. 10, 11, 12) they might find it much advantagious, and besides confidence, in mattes that require it, takes most when it holds a combat, and seems some▪times to give the upper hand to bashfulnesse. Another thing that sets forward this prejudice is, that (by I know not what hard hap) the vulgar sort take them for the most genuine Christians, who seem most to have banished such ingenuous principles: and thinke those men not zealous enough for the trueth, or too much regar∣ding their owne reputations, who use cessions, apologies, and excuses, all which well managed Christianity will allow of with∣out a taint of vaine ostentation.

We neede not dwell long on this subject, now the generality of

men of the higher ranke set a greater value on this orna∣ment, than on the substance of Christianity it selfe. Let us re∣member therefore that we im∣proove not matters of conveni∣ence into matters of highest ne∣cessity; & so consequently more accuse a failure or defect in them than in direct honesty and integri∣ty of life, as is the fashion of too many now adaies, who much glo∣ry in their good breeding. But certainly, since Christian love co∣vers a multitude of sins, if such men had but a reasonable mea∣sure of that temper, they would not be so far provoked by a small incivility, or indiscretion which the party who commits perhaps wants, but accommodations to discover in himselfe, and so to re¦forme them.