To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
A word of inference; And I'll pro∣mise you to have done with the Text, and be as good as my word too.
If fame be the reward of worth, and it be such an honor to have a name on earth, * 1.1 what is it to have our names writ∣ten in heaven? If it be such a happiness to have a deserved good name written
upon a tomb-stone for others to read, what is it to have the white stone given, and in the stone a new name written, * 1.2 which no man knoweth saving he that re∣ceiveth it? If it be such a blessing to have our names up, when we are no more seen; what will it be to see the face of God, and have his name written in our foreheads? * 1.3 Such honor have all his Saints.
Men and Brethren, Do you consult your fames? Would you have a name? Not any name, not such an one as Jero∣boam's which is seldom met without that sad clog hanging at it, that made Israel to sin? Not an empty, aiery, frothy name, such as those Ranters at the build∣ing of Babel aimed at, * 1.4 Let us make us a name? Not such a name as Absalom de∣signed, of whom it is said, Erexerat sibi titulum, * 1.5 He reared himself a pillar; some Pyramid, some Monument with an in∣scription, more title then truth, to speak more for him then he deserved: And therefore God made his Ambition as issueless as his body, and disposed of him under a rude heap of stones, as fittest for him whose name was rotten before his carkass? Not a name to be tossed
up and down, and talked of in the world, which is of no advantage: Vae tibi Ari∣stoteles, laudaris ubi non es, damnaris ubi es; It is miserable happiness to be commended where a man is not, and to be condemned where he is. But would you be famous in Beth-lehem? Have a name with God and good men? A name like Demetrius, * 1.6 who had a good report of all men, and of the truth it self? A name inrolled in the Book oflife, which may tread on the grave of History, * 1.7 bury Monuments, outlive the funerals of the world, see Time laid in the dust, and stand up with Eternity? Would you attain to that good name which is rather to be chosen then great riches? * 1.8 The way to it is by worth: Fight a good fight, finish your course, keep the faith, and take the crown: Overcome and be a pillar in the temple of God, and have the name of God, and the name of the city of God, and the new name written upon you.
Set the spur of glory to your side; * 1.9 by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for honor, and glory, and immor∣tality: * 1.10 Be wise and shine as the bright∣ness of the Firmament, work righteous∣ness and shine as the Stars for ever and
ever: Make Ephratah witness of your worth, and Beth-lehem shall record your fame.
Do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem.
Lu. 10.20.
Rev. 2.17.
Rev. 22.4.
Gen. 11.4.
2 Sam. 18.18.
3 Joh. 12.
Habent sua fata sepul∣chra.
Pro. 22.1. 2 Tim 4.7, 8. Rev. 3.12.
Ro. 27.
Dan. 12.3.