SLRM. XRIJC.] A GOOD REPORT, &C. 487 It is the adviceof the Holy Spirit, and St. Paul to the christian converts, Abstainfrom all appearance ofez il, 1 Thess. v. 22. And the apostle Jude requires us to. hate even the garments that are spotted by the flesh, .Jude ver. 23. Every thing that looks like guilt should forbid our approach, we should chuse to stand afar off,, and with-hold our desires, lest we defile our consciences, and bring a blemish upon our christian character. What an honour is' it to any man, when it is said concerning him, " He has a tender soul, and a conscience that will not stretch, to the length of the loose customs and fashions of the times ; he dares not allow himself all the liberties that are innocent and lawful, lest he should wound his own spirit, and his good name, byventuring too near to the borders of iniquity." Let such a temper beour constant guard and ornament. VI. Following the common practices of the saints in doubtful matters, is another thing of good report, and ought to be so among those that profess the name of Christ : Whether it be in our trade and business, in our apparel, or our visits, in our forms of address to our superiors, or common methods of conversation and ci- vility, of recreation, or entertainment, let the general customsof the saints of the purest ages, or the customs of the purest churches, and the best christians in our own age, be a direction to our practice. Ask for the good old way, says the prophet Jeremy, and if we know not what part to chuse, let us go by the footsteps of the flock of Christ. Enquire what the followers of our Lord have done in past ages, and what the wisest and best of them do in our own age, and thiswill give us a considerable assistance to determine what ought to be our practice. In 1,Cor. xi. 16. the apostle -Paul sectas to refer to this general head, for our determination in doubtful matters. When he had-been proposing the law of nature, or the order of creation, to direct the man and the wotnan what sort of coverings they ought to wear,.viz. "that a woman ought not to be uncovered, and that a man should not wear long hair," that is, should net nourish ,his hair to make it grow long, .as, women, nor wattage it ry°ith a nice and effeminate curiosity, be concludes with thissen- tence, " If any man seem to be contentious, that is, if any man be not contented with the arguments I have 2 I 4
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