[1.] That God is represented, and his divine perfections, by the holy and godly conversations of christians : 1 Peter ii. 9, ' To show forth the virtues of God, or the praises of God.' His virtues and praises are his attributes, the chiefest of which are wisdom, power, goodness.
(1.) His wisdom, in the exactness and regularity of their conversa- tions ; thereby they show he is wise by whose counsel they are guided : Deut. iv. 6, ' Keep my statutes, for this is your wisdom and under- standing in the sight of the nations.' A regular christian is the beau-
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tifullest sight that a rational mind can look upon : Eph. v. 15, ' Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.' True wisdom consists in accurate walking, as to walk otherwise is extreme folly ; they avoid the snares wherewith others are entangled ; they have fixed the right end, use the proper means, and pursue it with all earnestness. God hath given them counsel. Ps. xvi., and abounded to them in all wisdom and prudence, Eph. i. 8.
(2.) For power ; for they are sustained by a mighty power : 2 Tim. i. 7, ' God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.' He sets forth God's infinite power, not by a feigned experience, but the power that wrought in them, in convert- ing, quickening, carrying on the work of grace, supporting them under trials, who have the impression of it on their hearts. Yea, their very fear to offend showeth what a terrible God they serve ; they dare not run the hazard of his wrath, but choose the greatest evils rather than do the least sin : Deut. xxviii. 58, ' If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, the Lord of hosts.'
(3.) His goodness, moral, beneficial. His moral goodness is his purity and holiness ; and a renewed christian is the transcript of it : 1 John iii. 3, ' Purifieth himself as Christ is pure.' His beneficial good- ness is represented many ways by a christian ; by the joy of his faith, that he can delight in God under the greatest pressures : Rom. v. 3, ' We glory in tribulation.' The readiness of his obedience ; he serves a good master. By his doing good to others : Eph. v. 9, ' The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness ; ' Gal. vi. 10, ' Let us do good unto all men.' Goodness is the frame of his heart, doing good is the business of his life ; and so he is like God, who is good and doth good.
[2.] By the impression of God's goodness upon our conversations, re- ligion is made comely, and recommended to the consciences of men : Titus ii. 10, ' Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.' Eeligion is well spoken of for their sakes, whereas men are otherwise prejudiced against it : 1 Tim. vi. 1, ' That the name of God and his doctrine be not blas- phemed.' As if men were the worse livers for being christians, while they neglect moral duties : Titus ii. 5, ' That the name of God be not blasphemed.9 That Christianity may not be thought to infuse anything into them contrary to moral honesty and righteousness.
Use. Since it is so much for the glory of Christ that those who believe in him should constantly adhere to him, and carefully keep his precepts, then it persuadeth them that have embraced this holy faith and religion of Jesus Christ to glorify him by constancy and patience in their sufferings, and by godliness in their whole life.
1. You otherwise put a disgrace upon Christ's name. The licentious living of professing christians tendeth to the blemish and dishonour of the Lord. Let an ordinary man live in the grossest wickedness, little is spoken of it ; but how the Hams will laugh to see a Noah drunk : Bom. ii. 24, ' Through you the name of God is blasphemed.' It openeth the mouth of the wicked to blaspheme God himself. Sancti essent christiani, si Ohrisfus sancte docuisset — Christians would be holy, if Christ taught what is holy : Ezek. xxxvi. 20, ' Ye have profaned my name among the heathen.' As the priests daughter, committing
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fornication, profaned her father's honour, therefore she was to be burned with fire. Nearness of ministration before God aggravateth the sin.
2. Deeds speak louder than words ; therefore glorify him not in word only, but deed also. It is the strict conversation that alarmeth the conscience, and summoneth our reverence : Mark vi. 20, ' Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy.' Not only because he was a bold reprover, but for his holy conversation.
3. You justify or condemn the world, either by the works of the flesh, or the work of faith. As Israel is said to justify Sodom, Ezek. xvi. 52, made their sins seem little and excusable ; and Noah is said to condemn the world, Heb. xi. 7, not as a preacher of righteousness, but preparing an ark.