them. But what we do has a very powerful efiect : it will often " put to silence the ignorance of foolish men"," and make them ashamed who falsely accuse our good conversation
in Christ""
Next, it maij lead them to embrace the Gospel. The Apostle speaks of husbands, who never would have attended to the written or preached word, being won by the good conversation of their wivesP. From the history of the Churcli in all ages, we know that there are many who owe their first impressions of religion to the consistent conduct of some eminent saint; nor can we doubt but that if the dispositions and character of religious people more uniformly corresponded with their holy profession, " the word would have an abundantly freer course," and would be much sooner glorified throughout the world.
Lastly, it cannot fail of stimulating many to increasing activity. The force of example is exceeding great. Many, for want of associates in well-doing, are discouraged, and attempt but httle, because they think that but little can be accomplished. But, when they see a person more abundant in labours than themselves, they are stirred up to a holy emu- lation ; they blush at the view of their own unprofitableness, and whilst they are thankful to God who has given such grace unto 'men, they strive with redoubled ardour to serve and glorify their God.]
We shall conclude this subject with shewing,
1. How we may become hghts to the world —
[Simple as this question may appear, there are few who would answer it aright. Almost all would propose to attain this distinction by doing ; and would be shocked at being told that it must be attained by helieviiig : yet that is the very way by which our blessed Lord has taught us to seek it : *' Believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light ''." This, of course, is not to be understood as though a bare assent to any truths whatever would sanctify the soul : it is to be understood as directing us to the Gospel, and to the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in it. To believe in the light, is to look for salvation entirely through Him whom God has set forth to be a propitiation for sin ; it is to live altogether by faith on him, and to make him our all in all. This would render our union with Christ productive ; and would lead to our perfect renovation after the Divine image. Then should we " shine indeed as lights in a dark world'';" and God him- self would be glorified in us.]
» 1 Pet. ii. 15. 0 1 Pet. iii. 16. p 1 Pet. iii. 1, 2.
q John xii. 36. r Phil, ii, IT), 16.