320 SERMONS upon Serin.37. 6. If there be fome real Motions, (as there may be in temporary Believers, for we mutt not think all is Hypocritical) jet it is not intire. Mark 6.2o. Herod did many things, and heard John Baptift gladly : His Heart and his Profeffion went a great way together, till he was to part with his Bofom -Luft. John was Cafe, till he touched upon his Herodias ; then Convielion grows furious, and he turneth into a Devil. Therefore take heed of meet Convietión. tie 4. To preis the Children of God to exprefs fuch Fruits of their Union with Chrift,that they may convince the World. Chrift prays,not only that the World may be convinced, but that it might be by thofe that are real Members of his Myftical Body, that they may have a Hand to further it. What are the Fruits .of the Myflical Union, that you may convince the World ? 1. Love and mutual ferviceablenefs to one another's Good. When we live as Mem- bers of the fame Body, that have a mutual care for one another, then we (hall bring a mighty Honour and Credit to Religion, and can with Power give Teftimony to the Truths of Chrift. Aths z. 44. And all that believed were together, and had all thing.rcam- man. When Chriilians were of One Mind and Heart, they had all things common. O, it is a mighty convincing thing, when al" thofe that profefs Godlinefs, labour to carry on the fame Truths and Practices. Divifions breed Atheifm in the World. The Lord Jefus knew it, and therefore he prays, Let them be all one, &c. that the World may. believe that thou haft feet fie. We never propagate the Faith fo much, as by this Union. Divilions put a great ftop to the progrefs of Truth. When contrary Fa&ions mutual- ly condemn one another, it is a wonder any are brought off from their vain Converfa- tions : The World is apt to think, there is no fuch thing as Religion, and one fort is na better than another : they fee the World cannot agree about ir, therefore they flay where they are. z. blinds and Strittnefs of Life and Converfation : there is a convincing Majefty in it ; natural Confcience doth homage to it, where -ever it findeth it. Therefore live . as thofe who are taken up into Fellowfhip with God through Chrifl. Herod feared John Bappt f : Why, becaufe he was a Met Preacher ? No, but becaufh he was a jufl Man, Mark 6. zo. When you live thus holily, and accomplifh the Work of Faith with Power, then the. Lord Jefus is glorified in you, 2 Theft t. t t, t z. 3. When you can contemn the Baits of the World, and Allurements of Seale, this is a mighty Argument to convince the World, that you have higher and nobler Princi- ples you are acted by, and better Hopes you are called to. Tho you have not divefled and put off the Interefls of Flefh and Blood, for you are not Angels, yet you can be faithful to God and Chrift. The World admireth what kind of Temper Men are made of. t Pet. 4.4. They think it orange that you run not with them into all exrefr of Riot. They have the fame Interdis and Concernments, and yet how mortified! how weaned are they from thole Things which others go a, whoring after ! fure they have a felicity which the World knoweth not of; they dread and admire this, tho they hate you. 4. A Chearftilnefs and Comfortablenefs in the midi of Troubles, and deep Wants, when you can live above your Condition, take joyfully the fpoiling of your Goods, Heb. to. 34. and bear Loties with an equal mind, for you are not much troubled with thefe Things, then you live as thofe that are called to a higher Happinefs. g. To be more faithful in the Duties of your Relations. The Fruits of the Mythical Union run to every part of the Spiritual Life. None commend their Religion fo much, as:ehofe that make Confcience of the Duties of their Relations, that they may carry themfelves as becomes Chrillians ; Hufbands and Wives., Parents and Children, Matters and Servants. So poor Servants make the Doctrine of the Lord Jefus Chrift comely : Tit. a. to. That ye may adorn the Doflrine of God our Saviour in all things. And the -Apoftle faith, Men that do not obey the Word, may without the Word be won by the Conver- fation of their Wives, t Pet. 3. a. Worldly Men have been much gained by the Lives of Religious Perfons. Thus you propagate the Truth, by carrying your (elves ufe- fully in your Relations. This bath been ever the Glory of Religion, as it was in the Primitive Times. Auf in tpakes this Challenge ; Z.Ai tales Imperatoren ? &c. Let all the :Religions in the. World thew Inch Emperors, fuch Captains, filch Armies, filch Mana- gers of Publick Treafury, as the Chriftian Religion. The World was convinced there was fometbing.Divine in them. O ! it is pity the Glory of Religion Ihould fall to the ground in our days, and that the quite contrary thould be laid : none fuch carelefs Parents
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