[2.] This conviction and disproof of their practices often tendeth to and endeth in conversion : 1 Cor. xiv, 24, 25, ' But if all prophesy, and there cometh in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is con- vinced of all, he is judged of all. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest ; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.' Thus may you probably work upon their hearts. They may come scorners and go away wor- shippers, proclaiming that God is really among you ; and this by the word preached and the scripture interpreted. So also by the light of the word breaking out in your actions ; when once they come to a sight of their sins, they may be the better induced to leave and forsake them.
326 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SeR. XV.
This light pierceth also into the conscience. They see their former way of living is so vile and abhorred, and those noble and holy principles you live by are to be embraced : 1 Peter iii. 1, ' That if any obey not tlie vs^ord, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives ; ' that is, they may be induced to receive the gospel. The ministry of the word is usually the ordinary and principal means of conversion to God ; yet sometimes he blesseth the conversations of his people ; without this the best discourses may harden men in their prejudices, rather than reclaim them from their sinful ways. Carnal men do accurately pry into the secret practice of those that are religious, that they may find occasion to shake off the awe of truth ; therefore we should be the more circumspect. They are called our observers : Ps. xxvii. 11, ' Lead me in the way of truth, because of mine enemies ; ' in the Hebrew, ' those that observe me.' God may make use of this con- trary to their intention, that their very observers may be a means of much good to their souls.
[3.] Thereby your profession is justified and vindicated. There lie many prejudices in the heart of man against the gospel ; these are better confuted by a real than a verbal apology, by showing the true and genuine force of religion, and what power it hath to change the heart and life : 1 Peter ii. 12, * Having your conversation honest among the gentiles ; that whereas they sjieak against you as evil-doers, they may, by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.' The world is apt to represent strict christians as a pack of dissemblers, and their religion as a peevish obstinacy or fond supersti- tion. Now your miscarritiges justify them in those misapprehensions; but a holy conversation stoppeth their mouths, and silenceth all their slanders. So the 15th verse, ' For so is the will of God, that with well- doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.' A holy christian carriage doth bind up their mouths, when never so much enraged, as they muzzle up the mouths of wild beasts. Now then it lietli upon your choice, whether you will convince the world or justify the world ; as Israel is said to justify Sodom, Ezek. xvi. 52. If you by your lives declare that you have worse, or no better principles than the carnal world, you justify them ; but if you live at another rate, upon higher principles and for nobler ends, you convince the world and please God.
Use 1. Information. It informeth us of divers truths.
1. That though by the light of nature we have some sense of the turpitude of sin, yet we have not a perfect knowledge of it ; the light of Christianity giveth us that. Some sense they had, some knowledge of sin, and the shame that was in it, therefore they did run into secret with it ; yet he speaketh here of a further discovery and manifestation of it by the light that is by the gospel : ' But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light.' Many things, through the benefit of the light of nature, are written by the philosophers concerning virtues and vices, yet there is infinitely much more manifested in the word of God than in all their writings ; so that we need a divine revelation even in moral duties.
[1.] Because our duty is not so clearly stated by man's reason as by God's authority. When it is found out by nature, it is left more to the
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 327
uncertainty of dispute. Bare nature is a hard book to study in, and the lessons of it not easily found out. While the wise men of the world were debating, practical godliness died on their hands, and men strove to be witty rather than to be good.
[2.] It is so coldly delivered, and not with that life and power as appeareth in this higher light of God's word. And that is the reason why natural light hath been so unsuccessful in the world for the reclaim- ing and reducing of mankind. A cold doctrine, that hath little evidence by real holiness, will not cure a dark diseased mind and heart. Moonlight hath no vital heat in it, therefore nothing groweth by it, Lunce radiis non maturescit hotrus. [3.] Because it is so defective.