Private Christians, walking in wisdom, toward them them that are without, may be exceeding helpful, to promote the entertainment of the Gospel among them. This, they may do and more. For they may be helpful to promote their Conversion, and Salvation. To further the entertainment of the Gospel among them, is but the Means: To promote their Conversion, and Salvation is the End. And the Means are for the end. Now, it is expressly affirmed, That a Private Believer may save an Infidel, 1 Cor. vii. 16. For what knowest thou, O Wife, whether thou shalt save thy Husband? Or, how knowest thou, O Man, whether thou shalt save thy Wife? i. e. The believing party may be induced to cohabit with the unbeliever, upon a hopeful prospect, that it is possible to conquer them by love, to attract them to have an esteem for holiness, by an exemplary conversation, and to obtain Gods grace for them, by ardent prayers, and so be the Means of saving their Souls. The Apostle Peter exhorts Christian Women, who were yoked with unbelievers, to become eminent for their Modesty, Chastity, Humility and Respectfulness to their Husbands, by the same argument, 1 Pet. iii. 1, 2. Likewise, ye Wives, be in Subjection to your own Husbands, that if any obey not the word, they also may, without the word, be won by the conversation of their Wives: while they behold your chaste conversation, coupled with fear. Christian graces being so exercised, that they may be seen, in their proper lustre, are excellent Orators, and have a mighty power to persuade. It is more to live virtue, than to commend it. Let me have leave to say to women professing godliness, (as the Apostle stiles them, 1 Tim: ii. 10.) O, live to such an eminent pitch of holiness, that ye may raise an admiration of you, in the judgments of such, as otherwise, would have no great reverence for religion, and ⟨image 125⟩give them occasion to say (as it is reported that Libanius an Heathen Philosopher, did) Proh, Quales faeminas habent Christiani! Oh, what excellent women have these Christians!
Private Christians, walking in wisdom, toward them them that are without, may be exceeding helpfu l, to promote the entertainment of the Gospel among them. This, they may do and more. For they may be helpful to promote their Conversion, and Salvation. To further the entertainment of the Gospel among them, is but the Means: To promote their Conversion, and Salvation is the End. And the Means are for the end. Now, it is expresly affirmed, That a Private Believer may save an Infidel, 1 Cor. vii. 16. For what knowest thou, O Wife, whether thou shalt save thy Husband? Or, how knowest thou, O Man, whether thou shalt save thy Wife? i. e. The believing party may be induced to cohabit with the unbeliever, upon a hopeful prospect, that it is possible to conquer them by love, to attract them to have an esteem for holiness, by an exemplary conversation, and to obtain Gods grace for them, by ardent prayers, and so be the Means of saving their Souls. The Apostle Peter exhorts Christian Women, who were yoaked with unbelievers, to become eminent for their Modesty, Chastity, Humility and Respectfulness to their Husbands, by the same argument, 1 Pet. iii. 1, 2. Likewise, ye Wives, be in Subjection to your own Husbands, that if any obey not the word, they also may, without the word, be won by the conversation of their Wives: while they behold your chast conversation, coupled with fear. Christian graces being so exercised, that they may be seen, in their proper luster, are excellent Orators, and have a mighty power to perswade. It is more to live vertue, than to commend it. Let me have leave to say to women professing godliness, (as the Apostle stiles them, 1 Tim: ii. 10.) O, live to such an eminent pitch of holiness, that ye may raise an admiration of you, in the judgments of such, as otherwise, would have no great reverence for religion, and ⟨image 125⟩give them occasion to say (as it is reported that Libanius an Heathen Philosopher, did) Proh, Quales faeminas habent Christiani! Oh, what excellent women have these Christians!
