Gospel-love, heart-purity, and the flourishing of the righteous being the last sermon of the…

But possibly you will say, If it be so, That they who do good, not out of a right principle, their work will not turn to their profit, and therefore their case is to be lamented. If it be so, Were it not best to advise those who yet remain unconverted, to forbear doing good till themselves are better?

I answer, No, by no means. We give no such advice in the matter: but let all men do all the good they ⟨p. 36⟩can. And I would exhort the worst of men to do good: To hear the Word preached, to pray, to give alms. Daniel gave that counsel to Nebuchadnezzar a Heathen King, Dan. 4. 27. The Apostle Peter gave that counsel to Simon Magus, whom he saw to be in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity. And that the good that he had done, his receiving Baptism, and outward profession of faith, it was so far from coming from a good principle, that he was in the very gall of bitterness; yet saith he, pray, if it may be, thy sins may be forgiven thee. Though men are evil, yet let them do good as far as they can: and I would say these three things about it.

I answer, No, by no means. We give no such advice in the matter: but let all men do all the good they ⟨p. 36⟩can. And I would exhort the worst of men to do good: To hear the Word preacht, to pray, to give alms. Daniel gave that counsel to Nebuchadnezzar a Heathen King, Dan. 4. 27. The Apostle Peter gave that counsel to Simon Magus, whom he saw to be in the gaul of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity. And that the good that he had done, his receiving Baptism, and outward profession of faith, it was so far from coming from a good principle, that he was in the very gall of bitterness; yet saith he, pray, if it may be, thy sins may be forgiven thee. Though men are evil, yet let them do good as far as they can: and I would say these three things about it.