Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

2. But these Obstructions being removed, what ways are to be taken, to help on the Entertainment of the Gospel? To answer that Question, I shall recommend unto you some Few, among many, which, I conceive to be most obvious, practicable, and effectual, e. gr.

1. Private Christians should endeavour to oblige those whom they would persuade, by Civilities, Kindness, and doing good Offices for them, that they may be assured, that they love them, and seek their real, and eternal good. Our blessed Saviour, who best understood what Attractives were most proper, and powerful to draw men to receive Him, and his Gospel, took this Method, Act. x. 38. He went about Doing good. He did Good to mens Bodies, that he might do good to their Souls. The Miracles which he wrought, were generally, of Beneficence, and Obligations, as, To heal the Sick, To give Sight to the Blind, &c. It's true, He had a superior Aim, and End in working Miracles; which was, To show forth his Glory, to confirm his Doctrine, to strengthen the Faith of his Disciples, &c. Joh. ii. 11. and xx. 31. yet secondarily, it was, To testify his Kindness, and Compassion toward those, whom he designed to persuade, to believe on him, Matth. xv. 32.—I have compassion on the multitude—and thereupon, he wrought a Miracle, for their Refreshment, ver. 36, 37, 38. feeding Four thousand Men, beside Women, and Children, with seven Loaves, and a few little Fishes. And, to this we may add the Apostles advice, Gal. vi. 10. As ye have opportunity, let us do good unto all men; even to such as are not of the household of faith; i. e. tho they be Infidels. Very pertinent hereto, is that remarkable passage in Eusebius, ⟨p. 312⟩who acquaints us, That the Christian Religion gained a very high esteem among the Infidels, upon this occasion; when Famine, and Pestilence raged extremely, in the reign of Maximinus, the Christians showed a tender compassion to the Pagans, when they were neglected by those of their own Superstition, for they Buried their Dead: attended, and ministered unto their Sick: and every day, distributed Bread, to those who were ready to perish; and so, by their works, declared themselves to be the true worshippers of God, through Jesus Christ, Euseb. Hist. Eccl. l. 9. c. 8.