The beatitudes

1. It will honour Religion; the Gospel may be compared to a beautiful Queen; the fruitful lives of Professors are so many jewels that do adorn this Queen, and make her shine forth in greater glory and magnificence; what a honour was it to godliness when the Apostle could say, the faith of the Romans was trumpeted abroad in every place! Rom. 1.8. I thank my God that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. That is, faith flourishing ⟨p. 646⟩into obedience; 1 Thes. 1.2, 3. We give thanks to God for you, remembering your work of faith, and labour of love. Christians should be ambitious to keep up the credit of Religion.

1. It will honour Religion; the Gospel may be compar'd to a beautiful Queen; the fruitful lives of Professors are so many jewels that do adorn this Queen, and make her shine forth in greater glory and magnificence; what a honour was it to godliness when the Apostle could say, the faith of the Romans was trumpeted abroad in every place! Rom. 1.8. I thank my God that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. That is, faith flourishing ⟨p. 646⟩into obedience; 1 Thes. 1.2, 3. We give thanks to God for you, remembring your work of faith, and labour of love. Christians should be ambitious to keep up the credit of Religion.

2. The practice of those truths we know, will much propagate Religion; Practice is the best Syllogism and Argument we can use to prevail with others; this will confirm them in the truth of Religion. The Emperor Jovinian said to the Orthodox, and Arian Bishops, I cannot judge of your Doctrine, but I can judge of your lives; their practice would preach loudest. If others see us make a profession, and yet live in a contradiction to what we profess; if they hear Jacobs voice, but see Esau's hands, they will think Religion is but a devout complement, a severe policy; why doth the Father forbid his Children to swear, when he himself swears? would you gain many Proselytes to Religion? be doers of the Word; say as Abimilech to his fellows,