§. Sect. 4 The fourth reason is, that we may a∣dorne the Gospell of God which we professe.
The last motiue respecting our duty towards God, which may per∣swade vs to serue him by a godly life, is, that hereby we may adorne the Gospell of God, and of Iesus Christ which we professe; and cause it to bee well spoken of by all that see the fruits of it in our vnblame∣able and holy conuersation. And this argument the Lord vseth to perswade his people to obserue his Commandements, because hereby they should not onely get honour vnto themselues amongst the Nati∣ons, but moue them likewise to speake well of his Lawes and statutes, when as they should see the fruits of them in their obedience. And thus the Apostle perswadeth Christians in diuers callings to performe their duties in them, that they might not cause the Word of God to be blasphe∣med; seeing it is the common custome of worldly and wicked men, to to lay the faults of Professours vpon their profession, and to impute their scandalous sinnes, to their much going to Church and hearing of the Word, as though their profession and hearing were the cause of their wicked and vnlawfull courses, whereas in truth, they would (if they abused them not) bee as strong cables to draw them from all impiety and vnrighteous dealing. And contrariwise, he would haue them to liue in an holy conuersation, that they might adorne the do∣ctrine of God our Sauiour in all things. For men are apt to speake of the Religion and truth which wee professe, either in the better or worser part, according to the fruits which we bring forth of it in our liues; thinking our Religion to bee pure and good, if we approue our selues to bee so, by our holy and Christian practice and conuersation; but contrariwise, if (like those of whom the Apostle speaketh) wee haue onely a forme of Godlinesse, and in our liues deny the power there of, or pro∣fesse that we know God, but in our workes disclaime him, being abominable and disobedient, and vnto euery good worke reprobate; wee shall open their mouthes, not onely against vs, but also against all Professours of Gods true Religion, yea euen against the Religion and Doctrine of truth it selfe which we professe. For if euer Dauid himselfe fall into foule sinnes, it will not onely tend to his owne dishonour, but also giue occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, as though he were a patrone or approuer of such crimes.