THis shews, what a great Blessing the World receives by means of the Godly: They are set up as Lights in a dark Night, to direct Men in the right Way, that they may not stumble and fall upon the dark Mountains.
II. Let this teach Believers their Duties; let them remember to have their Conver∣sations honest among the Gentiles. Let your Light shine forth to others, not that you may be praised, but that the Praise may be given to God, &c. In all your holy Walking, propose this as your ultimate End, not that you may be magnified, and lifted up, but that God by you, and through your good Works, may be magnified, and his glorious Name advanced on high.
III. It may be an Use of Caution to them to take heed of Sin. If they comply with Satan, and yield to Temptations, and thereby let their Light go out, no wonder if the World stumble. Sometimes Professors, instead of being Lights, prove dark Stumbling-Blocks. As to instance in two or three things;
1. When Professors fail in their Morals, i. e. are not just in their Dealings between Man and Man, they give just cause of Offence.
2. When they are like the World, and none can discern any great difference be∣tween them and others, in respect of their Conversation, how can they then be said to be the Light of the World?
3. When they are overcome with scandalous Sins, viz. are proud, covetous, Back∣biters, Tattlers, Drunkards, &c.
4. When they want Love and Bowels of Compassion to their Brethren, they cease to be the Lights of the World. They are no more a Blessing to the World, who thus degenerate from what they should be, but rather the contrary.
Therefore if you want Motives to stir you up to take heed how you walk and live among Men, that you may not give occasion of Offence or Stumbling to them, but contrary-wise, be as Lights to them, take these following,
1. Your good Works, and holy Conversation, will greatly tend to glorify God; but the contrary will greatly dishonour him.
2. Your good Works, and godly Life, will greatly tend to the Profit of the World, but the contrary will prove to their great Hurt.
3. Your holy Life will make your Profession shine, and also further the Promulgation of the Gospel; but the contrary will bring a Stink or ill Savour upon your Profession, and hinder the Promulgation of the Gospel.
4. An evil Life hinders poor Souls from enquiring after the Truth, and stumbles them in the way of their Obedience to it.
5. It stumbles weak Christians that are in the Ways of God.
6. It weakens the Hands, and grieves the Hearts of strong and sincere Ones.* 1.1
7. A holy Life will free thee from Blood-guiltiness; I mean, thou wilt not have the Blood of other Mens Souls to answer for: but the contrary may make thee culpable.