2. Endeavour to reform them by thy gracious carriage in their Company. A Christian is Gods Jewel (Mal. 3. 17.) and should always cast a radiancy and lustre before the eyes of others; but especially amongst them that are wicked: He is double guilty who ••lks disorderly amidst his Masters enemies. Saints ••ould like Diamonds, sparkle gloriously in a Ditch, and as Stars, shine the brighter in cold nights; Be blameless and harmless, without rebuke, shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation, Phil. 2. 15. Believers should, like lights hung out in the City, shine so brightly, as to prevent others wandering and stumbling;1 The word is [Greek or Hebrew], such lights as the Sun, Moon, and Stars are, which do not keep their light to themselves, but communicate it to others. This gracious conversation is often profitable to the conviction of others. They who as the Atlantes, are ready to curse the Sun, because it scorcheth them with its beams, to hate the light because it discovereth their deeds of darkness, may nevertheless in their consciences be so convinced of its beauty and glory, that they may turn Persians, to admire and adore it.2 Show thy self a pattern of good works, that he that is of the contrary ⟨p. 187⟩part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you, Tit. 2. 7, 8. 1 Pet. 3. 15, 16. Grace doth powerfully, though silently, oppose and overthrow Profaneness; It forceth reverence from its bitterest enemies. The righteousness of Noah condemned the old World; The holiness of the Baptist, did obtain respect from wicked Herod; How did the Magnanimous Sanctity of the three Worthies, triumph in the conscience of Nebuchadnezzar? and the innocency of Daniel in the soul of Darius? Many a sinner hath been struck dumb, by the exemplary and heroic faith and patience of the Saints. Such a gracious carriage is sometimes helpful to the conversation of others. They who stood out against the Word of God, have been won by the Works of Men. Sanctified actions are unanswerable Syllogisms, and effectual demonstrations. Though the ears have been shut against pious precepts, the heart it self hath been opened to a gracious pattern. Abstain from fleshly lusts, and have your conversations honest, that whereas they speak evil of you as evil doers, they ma• by your good works which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation, 1 Pet. 2. 11, 12.
2. Endeavour to reform them by thy gracious carriage in their Company. A Christian is Gods Iewel (Mal. 3. 17.) and should always cast a radiancy and lustre before the eyes of others; but especially amongst them that are wicked: He is double guilty who ••lks disorderly amidst his Masters enemies. Saints ••ould like Diamonds, sparkle gloriously in a Ditch, and as Stars, shine the brighter in cold nights; Be blameless and harmless, without rebuke, shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation, Phil. 2. 15. Beleivers should, like lights hung out in the City, shine so brightly, as to prevent others wandring and stumbling;1 The word is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, such lights as the Sun, Moon, and Stars are, which do not keep their light to themselves, but communicate it to others. This gracious conversation is often profitable to the conviction of others. They who as the Atlantes, are ready to curse the Sun, because it scorcheth them with its beams, to hate the light because it discovereth their deeds of darkness, may nevertheless in their consciences be so convinced of its beauty and glory, that they may turn Persians, to admire and adore it.2 Shew thy self a pattern of good works, that he that is of the contrary ⟨p. 187⟩part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you, Tit. 2. 7, 8. 1 Pet. 3. 15, 16. Grace doth powerfully, though silently, oppose and overthrow Prophaness; It forceth reverence from its bitterest enemies. The righteousness of Noah condemned the old World; The holiness of the Baptist, did obtain respect from wicked Herod; How did the Magnanimous Sanctity of the three Worthies, triumph in the conscience of Nebuchadnezar? and the innocency of Daniel in the soul of Darius? Many a sinner hath been struck dumb, by the exemplary and heroick faith and patience of the Saints. Such a gracious carriage is sometimes helpful to the conversation of others. They who stood out against the Word of God, have been won by the Works of Men. Sanctified actions are unanswerable Syllogismes, and effectual demonstrations. Though the ears have been shut against pious precepts, the heart it self hath been opened to a gracious pattern. Abstain from fleshly lusts, and have your conversations honest, that whereas they speak evil of you as evil doers, they ma by your good works which they behold, glorifie God in the day of visitation,
- 1[Greek or Hebrew] a [Greek or Hebrew] lumen, & [Greek or Hebrew] servo, quod receptum l•men servat; significat tale quid quod lumen ex se emittit, ut S•l, Luna Stella.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 a 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 lumen, & 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 servo, quod receptum l•men servat; significat tale quid quod lumen ex se emittit, ut S•l, Luna Stella.
- 2Sicuti caeli luminaria ac sidera in firmamento caeli à Deo collocata, cunctis indesinenter quae sub caelo sunt, fulgent, & omnibus quae super terram sunt, per tempora, ac tempora, per generations ac generations, mirabiliter reluce•t; alia quidem per noctem di luna & stellae, alia nihilominus per d•em, ut solis speciosissimi radii: Sic & sanctorum virtutis insignia atque beatissimi eorum agones, omnibus in perpetuum singulariter fulgent omnibus in aeternum bonorum formam tribuunt, omnibus sub sole pictatis exemplum ostendunt. Orig. Homil. 1. in Job.Sicuti caeli luminaria ac sidera in firmamento caeli à Deo collocata, cunctis indesinenter quae sub caelo sunt, fulgent, & omnibus quae super terram sunt, per tempora, ac tempora, per generationes ac generationes, mirabiliter reluce•t; alia quidem per noctem di luna & stellae, alia nihilominus per d•em, ut solis speciosissimi radii: Sic & sanctorum virtutis insignia atque beatissimi eorum agones, omnibus in perpetuum singulariter fulgent omnibus in aeternum bonorum formam tribuunt, omnibus sub sole pictatis exemplum ostendunt. Orig. Homil. 1. in Job.
