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viore plainly , how to do them. Thirdly, they shew how graceful and accept- able they are lohen they are done. So as the Scriptures arc not penned alto- gether in a commanding fashion, but have mingled sweet alluring examples. For there are four ways of teaching : rule, reason, similitudes, and examples. The two former enjoins, but works not on the affections. Similitudes are but slight ; only examples conforms us in a most sweet alluring manner.
Use 1. And therefore we ought to be exemplary, as to follow others, and especially those that are above others. They should be burning and shining lights, as stars giving light to passengers in the darkness of this world. To this end observe some means. And,
Direct. 1. First, Reverence not only the eye of God but of weak Christians, maxima debetur puero reverentia {v). We are to be awful of our carriage, that we may give no ill example to them ; and to this end we are to know that we should give account for those sins that we either cause or suffer others to fall into if we may hinder them. Give therefore no offence or Bcandal to the little ones.
Direct. 2. Labour to deny ourselves in liberties, especially when we are in the presence of such as will take scandal; and to this end labour for the grace of love, which will cause us to endure much, and put up many things which we count injuries.
Direct. 3. Thirdly, In our carriage we are so to demean ourselves that we value, esteem, and respect those ivith whom we converse ; for else our actions being visible to others, they will seem to be done out of a self- respect, and so will not affect or work on them. Grace will teach us to honour the meanest, as those that may be dearly beloved of God, who also may excel us in many excellent qualities, and in some kind of grace may also go beyond us.
TJse 2. Secondly, If ive be bound to give good example, then tooe to ths world for offences. What shall become of those who wound and vex con- tinually the hearts of those with whom they converse ? Many are in hell, propter alienum peccatum. In the eyes of God, who knows the heart and intentions, sin is committed before it be acted, and therefore it is all one whether thou committest it or not. But it is not thus before men ; for when it is committed it turns to scandal, and opens the enemies' mouths, and grieves the Spirit of God in his children. The prophets complain hereof ; and we may observe God correct his children most to keep them from scandalising others, and that others may beware of scandal. So David's sin was pardoned, yet because he gave scandal the child died.
Use 3. Thirdly, As ive must give good exampjle, so we inust endeavour to take good from others' example ; and to this end,
1. First, We must eye them, and pry into their actions ; for this end hath God left us a continual succession of examples.
2. Secondly, We must eye them not to observe their weaknesses, to uncover their shame ; for this is a poisonous disposition, proceeding even from tho devil. Neither are we to observe them, thereby to take liberty to the flesh from their ill example ; but we are to eye them as we view glasses, to deck and adorn ourselves by them, and to compose ourselves in a good course.
3. Thirdly, In imitation toe are to observe the best, and the best of the best, and not to compare ourselves with those that are inferior to us. For he that thinks himself good by comparison, he is not good, as a runner will not conclude he runs swiftly, because he hath outrun a lame man. And therefore St Paul savs elsewhere, ' Brethren, follow me as I follow Christ, 1 Cor. iv. 16, propounding to himself the most excellent pattern ol all,
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Christ Jesus. Contrariwise he blaroes the Corinthians because they measured themselves by themselves, 2 Cor. x. 12.
4. Fourthly, We must learn truths he/ore tve practise, for the best have their blemishes. So that we must learn to know how to avoid them. The papists urge us with the succession and universality of their church. No, say we, it is the doctrine that must try the church, whether it be true or false, for men are mensura mensurata. It is the doctrine is mensura men- surans, the measure measuring, whereby our actions ought to be squared and framed aright. The papists urge us with an implicit faith. Alas ! what example, what imitation can there be, when they know not what to imitate ? They know not what the church believes, and yet they must believe as the church believeth.
5. Fifthly, We must labour to have soft hearts, sanctified with gi'ace and mollified, for a stony hard heart will receive no impression ; and to this end are we to use the means, to embrace the word, to receive the sacra- ments, and to pray that God would open our eyes and soften our stony hearts.
6. Sixthly, We are to look to every one that hath any good thing ivorthg of imitation, as those that delight in gardens, where they hear of any choice flowers, they will have a slip for their own garden. Thus it should be with us ; where we see any flower of any grace, get that and place it in our own gardens. In every Christian there is something imitable, and something that may further us ; and therefore this apostle longed to see the Eomans, that he might be comforted by their faith, Eom. i. 12. It is with the church as with the firmament, ever some are rising and some are setting. Let us look to the stars of our time, and walk by their light. It is not enough that we can commend the martyrs, for that is ordinary, as it was with the Jews in Mat. xxiii. 29. Though they builded the sepulchres of the prophets, if they had been alive together with them, they would have persecuted them ; and therefore Christ saith, ' They killed the prophets.' And the ground of it is because it is a dishonour to God not to take notice of his goodness and glorious graces in others ; and therefore if the stars do praise him, surely these stars must much more set forth his glory, that being of themselves sinful wretched men, by his power are made glorious lights for others to walk by.