The life and death of Mr. Tho. Wilson, minister of Maidstone, in the county…

To the Christian READER, Especially those of Maidstone in Kent, who were Hearers of, and held Communion with Mr. Wilson.

How great the force of examples is to draw Men to good or evil, is evident to the World by daily experience. The Governors of Families and Parishes, are usually the Looking Glasses, by which inferiors dress themselves. And most look rather to their doings then their sayings. Hereupon the Orator tells us, Non solum obsunt superiores, quod illi ipsi corrum patitur, sed etiam quod cotrumpunt: plusquam exemplo quam peccato nocent. Waters do not more constantly vary their savour, according to the veins of the Soil, through which they slide, nor Brutes their natures ⟨image 3⟩according to the Climates, in which they live, then men their conversations, according to the examples that are set before them. There is a persuasive power in rational precepts, but a compulsive power in real patterns. It is recorded of Eli's sons (men of vicious lives) that they made (i e) by their examples, The Lords people to transgress, 1 Sam. 2. 24. And the Apostle rebukes Peter to his face for his Judaizing in those words, [Greek or Hebrew], 2 Gal. 14. [Greek or Hebrew], Why dost thou bring the Gentiles under a necessity? Why dost thou necessitate them to judaize? Why dost thou far them by thy example to live as do Jews. Upon this account God commandeth the Jews, to suffer no Canaanites amongst them. They shall not dwell in thy Land, ne forte peccare te faciant in me. A Lapide &c. Saint: Least they make thee sin against me (i e) by their examples, Exod. 23. 32, 33.

HOw great the force of examples is to draw Men to good or evil, is evilent to the World by daily experience. The Governours of Families and Parishes, are usually the Looking Glasses, by which inferiours dress themselves. And most look rather to their doings then their sayings. Hereupon the Oratour tells us, Non solum obsunt superiores, quod illi ipsi corrum patitur, sed etiam quod cotrumpunt: plusquam exemplo quam peccato nocent. Waters do not more constantly vary their savour, according to the veins of the Soyl, through which they slide, nor Brutes their natures