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fend to the practice and increase of godliness and honesty.

Secondly, Your conversation must be humble. You must give all due respect to all men, according to their several places and gifts; reverencing your betters, submitting to all in authority over you, 1 Peter ii. 17, Eph. v. 21; esteeming others as better than yourselves, in honour preferring them before you, Phil. ii. 3; condescending unto, and behaving respectfully towards, those of meaner rank, Rom. xii. 16.

Thirdly, You must be wise and discreet in your carriage towards all, and that in divers particulars.

(1.) Be not too open, nor too reserved; not over suspicious, 1 Cor. xiii. 7, nor over credulous, John ii. 24. Jer. xl. 14 - 16. For the simple believes every word, but the prudent looks well to his going, Prov. xiv. 15.

(2.) Apply yourself to the several conditions and dispositions of men in all indifferent things, so far as you may, without sin against God, or offence to your brother, becoming all things to all men, 1 Cor. ix. 19 - 23; suiting yourself to them in such a manner, that if it be possible, you may live in peace with them, Rom. xii. 18, and may gain some interest in them, to do them good.

But far be it from you to do as many, who under this pretence, are for all companies; seeming religious with those that are religious; but profane and licentious with those that are profane and licentious; for this is carnal policy, and damnable hypocrisy, and not true wisdom.

(3.) Intermeddle not with other men's business, 1 Thess. iv. 11, but upon due and necessary occasion.

(4.) Know when to speak, and when to be silent, 1 Tim. v. 13. How excellent is a word spoken in season! Eccles. iii. 7. As either speech or silence will make for the glory of God, and for the cause of religion, and good one of another, so speak, and so hold your peace, Prov. xv. 23, xxv. 11.

(5.) Be not hasty to speak, Prov. xxix. 11, nor be much in speaking, Prov. xvii. 27, Eccles. x. 14, but