[2.] Holiness of life. Not only is the light of God's word considered here, but the holy life of the christian, which is also an awful and con- vincing thing, because it hath light in it, and shines to us. It is not words prevail so much as deeds. Light hath its power as it is held forth in our words, but much more as it shineth in our lives for the illumin- ation and conviction of the world : Mat. v. 16, ' Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' The most convincing splendour is in the works of christians ; when they do not only speak, but do gi'eat things, then the world seeth and acknowledgeth that you have a spirit and a wisdom that they have not: Mark vi. 20, 'For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and an holy, and observed him ; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.'
4. This then is that which we are to make conscience of, that our light may be a reproving light to the wicked and carnal world ; and that for these reasons — (1.) Because of our many and great
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obli.o^ations ; (2.) Because of the many benefits which come thereby. First, Because of our great obligations, both to God and man. [1.] Our obligations to God, whose creatures we are, and whose glory we are bound to promote. But here I shall not consider you as men, but as renewed men ; and I will prove —
(1.) That God is glorified when the light of religion shineth forth in a holy conversation and godliness. God the Father is glorified, for holiness and goodness is the image and resplendency of God ; he is discovered to the world to be what he is, a holy and good God. As we are not to betray the honour of God wherewith we are intrusted, so we are to do great things for him ; and a greater we cannot do than aright to represent him to the world, and to keep up his remembrance in the hearts of men, that from us and by us they may know what a God he is ; for we glorify God, not by adding to him, but representing what he is : 1 Peter i. 15, ' But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.' The world is greatly ignorant of causes, and therefore looketh much to effects ; they observe what the people of God are, and thereby judge of God himself. Therefore it concerneth us greatly that we do not leaven men with ill thoughts of God ; the more pure and holy we are, the more do we beget this thought in the minds of others. What a holy God do they serve ! 1 John i. 5, 6, ' God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth ; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.' God is perfect purity ; if we favour ourselves in any degi-ee of licentiousness and impiety, we bespatter God with our lies, and put a great dishonour upon him in the eyes of the world : ' I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen,' Ezek. xx. 9. But if we walk in purity and holiness, we show that we have communion with God, who is all pure and holy, and so beget a good character of him in the minds of men; for by this means the light we have received from him shineth forth to others. Christ is glorified as the head of the renewed estate, by whose laws we live, and whose people we are. We show to the world what is the proper influence of his doctrine : 2 Cor. iii. 3, ' For- asmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, mani- fested by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.* Those that hold forth his doctrine in word or deed are said to glorify him ; for this account he giveth of his disciples to his Father, John xvii. 10, ' I am glorified in them,' that is, by their faith and doctrine. God is glorified in deed (and this is that we are upon) when the doctrine of the gospel is imprinted on their hearts, and shineth forth in their lives ; it sendeth us with letters of recommendation to the world. You may know his mind, and what his gospel is, by what is stamped upon your hearts ; and by the fashioning and moulding your lives you declare plainly to others what a holy doctrine Christ is the author of. So the Spirit is glorified as his operations are perfected in us : 1 Peter iv. 14, * If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye ; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you : on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.' The Spirit is glorified as a sanctifier and as a comforter. As a sanctifier he mastereth those