What is the matter that such a one is so earnest, so careful, watchful, laborious, inquisitive ? It is not for want of wit ; surely he hath parts enough, he understands himself well. And then he begins to think, sure I am too cold. Hereupon come competition and co-rivality,* sui'ely I will be as good as he.
Use. Let us labour, therefore, to be exemplary to others, and to express the graces of God ; for thus we shall do more than we are aware. There is a secret influence in good example. Though a man say nothing, saith one, there is a way to profit from a good man though he hold his peace. His course of hfe speaks loud enough. We owe this to all, even to them that are without, to do them so much good as to give them a good example, and we wi'ong them when we do not, and hinder their coming on by an evil or a dead example.
Let this be one motive to stir us up to it, that ansiverable to the good we shall do in this kind shall be our comfort in life and death, and our reward after death. For the more spreading our good is either in word, life, or conversation, the more our consciences shall be settled in the consideration of a good life well spent, our reward shall be answerable to our communi- cation and diffusion of good ; and whereas otherwise it wiU he heavy on the * That is, ' mutual emulation." — G.
Cant. V. 8, 9.j * o thou faikest among women.' 138
conscience, not only in this life, but at the day of judgment and after ; when we shall think not only of the personal ill that we stand guilty of, but exemplary ill also.
It should move those therefore of inferior sort to look to all good examples, as the church here to the love of the other part of the church. Wherefore are examples among us but that we should follow them ? We shall not only be answerable for abuse of knowledge, but also of good examples we have had and neglected. Doth God kindle hghts for us, and shall not we walk by their light ? It is a sin not to consider the sun, the moon, the stars, the heavens, and works of nature and providence, much more not to consider the works of grace. But one place of Scripture shall close up all, which is, Kom. xi. 11, that the example of us Gentiles at length shall stir up and provoke the Jews to believe. To those stiif-necked Jews example shall be so forcible that it shall prevail with them to believe and to be con- verted. If example be of such force as to convert the Jews that are so far off, how much more is it or should it be to convert Christians ! Wondrous is the force of good example ! So we come to the question itself,
* What is thy beloved more than another beloved ? ' &c.
We see there is excellent use of holy conference. The church coming to the daughters of Jerusalem, speaking of Christ her beloved, that she is ' sick of love,' &c., the daughters of Jerusalem are inquisitive to know Christ more and more. Here is the benefit of holy conference and good speeches. One thing draws on another, and that di'aws on another, till at length the soul be warmed and kindled -svith the consideration and medita- tion of heavenly things. That that is little in the beginning may bring forth great matters. This question to the church and talking with her, ' I charge you, if you find my beloved, to tell him that I am sick of love,' breeds questions in others, 'What is thy beloved?' &c. Whence, upon the description of her beloved, her heart is kindled, she findeth her beloved ; so that talking of holy and heavenly things is good for others and ourselves also.
It is good for others, as it was good for the daughters of Jerusalem here ; for thereupon they are sthred up to be inquisitive after Christ. And it was good for the church herself, for hereupon she took occasion to make a large commendation of Christ, wherein she found much comfort.
2. Good conference, then, is good for ourselves ; for we see a little seed brings forth at length a great tree, a little fire kindleth much fuel, and great things many times rise out of small beginnings. It was a little occasion which Naaman the Assyrian* had to efiect his conversion, 2 Kings v. 2. There was a poor banished woman, a stranger, who was a Jewish maid- servant. She told her lord's servants that there was a prophet in Jewiy that could heal him, whereupon he came thither, and was converted and healed. And Paul sheweth that the very report of his bonds did a great deal of good in Caesar's house, Philip, i. 13. Report and fame is a little matter, but Uttle matters make way for the greater.
This may put us in mind to spend our time fruitfully in good conference, when in discretion it is seasonable. We know not, when we begin, where we may make an end. Our souls may be can-ied up to heaven before we are aware, for the Spirit will enlarge itself fi-om one thing to another. ' To him that hath shall be given more and more still,' Mat. xiii. 12. God graciously seconds good beginnings. We see the poor disciples, when they were in a damp for the loss of Christ, after he comes, meets them, and talks of holy things. In that very conference their hearts were warmed and