him so bold to come before his master, and impudently lie to his head, not dreaming the least that he was aware of his sin ; yet this man is found out, and for the garments he got of Naaman by a lie, he had another given of the Lord, which he was to wear as a livery for his sin, for he was clothed with a leprosy ; a garment not to hide his shame, but to discover it to all the world; a gannent more lasting than the two changes of suits he had from the Syrian ; for this lasted him all his life ; neither was it then worn out, but to be put on by his children after him, 2 Kings v. 27. Yea, be he a saint, yet if he goes about to save himself from the shame of a sin, by any secret plot of wickedness, he takes the direct way to bring that upon him which he contrives to keep off. Uriah's blood was shed only as a sinful expedient to save David's credit, that Avould have suffered, if his folly with Bathsheba should become a town-talk: and how sped he with his plot ? Ah, poor man ! all comes out to his greater shame ; this engaged God to lay him open ; David shall know that God will be as tender of his own honour, as he is of his credit ; ' For thou didst it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun,' 2 Sam. xii. 12. Yea, David himself at last is sick of his own plot; and was not at first more stu- dious to hide his sin, than afterward willing to acknowledge it ; and therefore we find him (Psa.li.) standing as it were in a white sheet, and doing voluntary penance for his sin, in all the churches of God, so long as the Scriptures shall be read in their assemblies, to the end of the world.
Section III. — May be thou art tempted to sin by the example of others. Indeed, though example be an artificial argument, yet it is of great force with many, especially when the persons quoted in favour of a sin, be either the most, or thought to be the best. When most, they carry presently with them those that ai-e false-hearted, or weak-headed, as dead fish swim with the stream; for with such, shame strikes the greatest stroke, and a multitude to bear one company hi a sin takes away the shame of it ; where all go naked, few will blush : they rather are exposed to shame that will be singular, and not do as the rest : as Micaiah, who was made a scorn because he would not tune his pipe to Ahab's ear, nor join with the whole college of his flattering chaplains in their judgment. Or if they be such who have the reputation for wisdom and piety, then it often proves a snare to them that are none of the worst ; which slioidd make all of high place or eminent grace very circumspect what opinion or practice they espouse. The devil is greatly pleased when he can get such to set their hand to his testimonial. The country will soon ring of this, and their example be shewn everywhere to draw in others: — Why, such an one is of this opinion : he holds this, and doth that; I hope he is one you reverence and ho- nour. Now, in this case, consult with the word, and it will bring thee off" this temptation. First, The word commands, that we bring the examples of men, be they who they will, to the test of the word. Is it their opinion that is quoted? ' To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them,' Isa. viii. 20. It is the light which a man carries in his lantern which we follow ; when that is gone we leave him. Now we see by this Scripture, that he hath no light, who hath not the word to vouch his opinion : so that neither knows he where himself goes, nor we where such an one will lead us. Again, is it the practice of another that is laid before thee for thy copy to write after? What saith the word? ' Follow not a multitude to do evil,' Exod. xxiii. 2. Examples are not our warrant, but precepts ; neither will it procure a man a discharge, because he had a precedent in his sin. Adam, indeed, said the woman gave him the apple, but it did not excuse him from paying the reckoning with her ; she was, indeed, first in the transgression, yet both met in the punishment. Woiddst thou eat poison, because another dares be so bold as to do so ? Surely his example cannot make the poison less dead- ly to thee. Secondly, The word will tell thee, that the best of saints do not always foot it right, but too often tread awry : ' In many things we offend all,' Jam. iii. 2. And he that is himself subject to step awry, may also lead thee aside. Therefore Paul, as holy a man as ever lived, when he calls others after him, would have them follow him with their eyes open, to see whether he fol- lowed Christ; 'Be ye followers of me, even as I am also of Christ,'! Cor. xi. 1. The holiest life of the best saint on earth is but an imperfect translation of the perfect rule of holiness in the word, and therefore must be tried by it.
AND THE SWunU Ol.' THE SPIIUT. (^J| J