A Body of Practical Divinity

5. By Example, Vivitur Exemplis, Examples are powerful and cogent; setting a bad Example occasions another to sin; and so a Person becomes accessary. If the Father Swears, and the Child by his Example learns to Swear, the Father is accessary to the Child's sin, he taught him by his Example: As there are Diseases Hereditary, so Sins.

5. By Example, Vivitur Exemplis, Examples are powerful and cogent; setting a bad Example occasions another to sin; and so a Person becomes accessary. If the Father Swears, and the Child by his Example learns to Swear, the Father is accessary to the Childs sin, he taught him by his Example: As there are Diseases Hereditary, so Sins.

Rule 8. The last Rule about the Commandments, is this, that though we cannot by our own strength fulfil all these Commandments, yet doing, quoad posse, what we are able, the Lord hath provided Encouragement for us. There is a three-fold Encouragement.

1. That though we have not Ability to obey any one Command, yet God hath in the New Covenant promised to work that in us, which he requires, Ezek. 36.27. I will cause you to walk in my Statutes. God commands us to love him: Alas, how weak is our Love? It is like the Herb that is hot only in the first Degree: But God hath promised to Circumcise our Hearts, that we shall love him, Deut. 30.6. He that doth command us will enable us: God commands us to turn from sin, but alas we have not power to turn; therefore God hath promised to turn us; to put his Spirit within us, and turn the Heart of stone into flesh,