[Sidenote: 6 Object.]
There are but few such, no not of the better sort, as you speake of.
[Sidenote: Answer.]
Graunt there bee any, and zealous emulation culleth the highest
examples. Such as meane to excell in any Art, travell to find out the
rarest workemen, purchase the choysest Copies; hee that hath true zeale,
will strive to purge himselfe, as Christ is pure.
[Sidenote: 7 Object.]
Will you have us runne before our neighbours, or live without example or
company?
[Sidenote: Answer.]
Cowards and cravens, stand and look who goes first: souldiers of courage
will cast lots for the onset and fore-rank, for desperat services, and
single combats. Lades will not go without the way be led.
[Sidenote: 8 Object.]
So we may soone come to trouble, and danger enough.
[Sidenote: Answer.]
What daunger can there bee, of an honest, peaceable, religious
forwardnesse?
The slug or snaile, puts out the tender horne to feele for lets in the
way, and puls them in where there is no cause; so doe the fearfull that
shall be without: but zeale either findes no dangers, or makes them
none; it neither feares to doe well, or to reproove ill doers, let who
so will be displeased.
Some indeed care not whome they offend, they are so harsh and fiery,
they can beare with nothing.
[Sidenote: 9 Object.]
Will true Christianity allow us to beare with any sinne?
[Sidenote: Answer.]
Can tinne, or hot iron choose but hisse againe, if cold water be cast on
it? can a righteous soul choose but vexe it selfe at open evill? Such
Ostriches as can digest oathes, prophane and filthie speeches, shew what
mettle they have for the Lord of hosts; who yet will be ready enough to
offer the challenge, or stab, for the least disgrace to themselves, or
their mistresse: _Phineas_ had rather, if it were lawfull, fight in Gods
quarrels then his owne.
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