ICH A P. g.. Epiftle to the Theffslonisns. Vtilt. S. 275 euill themore, becaufe pratifed by Inch men. As Gentiles. At leaf} thus much wee are here taught, That Heathenif, practices are vsrfeently for Chriflians, the people of God. Therefore are thole cautions fo frequent to lfraelGods people: 11 Not to doe to the Lord their Godfoat u Deut,i2,3o. Heathens tot beirgod,.c Not tolearnethewayofthe1Heathen, x Icr.ra2,3, to be afraidofthefignesofhearten: toChriftians, not to be diruftfxlljY carefull for things of this life, becanfe it is y ,7Iat.6.31,3z Neathenifh; in a word, x not to wake ,as Gentiles malke, in z Eph.4.r7. parityoftheir mindes, &e. Is there nothing wherein Chriftians may hold fem blancewith Heathens ? Excellent things are written of Heathens, Temperance,luftice,Honour of Parents,con- fcience of oathes, &c. May not there bee exerci(èd by Ch riftians,becaufe in praEtice among Heathens ?Nio que Ilion yes ; and the rather, becaufé in vfc of Gentiles. Therefore may be obferued in Scripture arguments both wayes : good practices of Heathens brought to Diane Chriftians; as their Iinnes to increafe dcteftation. Their actions conceiue to admit this diftiñction:Firft, force were materially good. Secondly, fen e materially euill. Thirdly, Tome enill by circumftance. Of the firft, faith the Apoftle, a Gentiles doe by 'nature the things of the a Rom.4,2, r4. Law. b Barbarians were kind to f¢rangers diftref ed. They b made cenlcience of oathes, as there are plentiful! inftan- ces in ltory. Though Pimple fornication they thought was nofinne ; yet ofinceftin fome degree, `Paul beares them witneffe,they were fo farre from practice, tbatc they c r Cer.f.a. would not name it. Of thefe let vs thinke; Their practice, fhould be our prouocatió ro good duties. It'fhouldihatn'è a Chriftian, that in any thing commendable an Heathen Mould goe before him. A fccond fort of actions in them, were euill by cir- cumitance.They mourned for their dead ; that is not vn- lawful! i but their mourning was without moderation; that was euill in them. Here our 'rúle is : The faulty cir- T a cumf /ay,'ces
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