5. 'Tis no sign that a work that appears, and is wrought on the minds of people, is not from the Spirit of God, that example is made use of as a great means of it.
'Tis surely no argument that an effect is not from God, that means are made use of in producing it; for we know that 'tis God's manner to make use of means in carrying on his work in the world: and 'tis no more an argument against the divinity of an effect, that this means is made use of, than if it was by any other means.
'Tis agreeable to Scripture that persons should be influenced by one another's good example: the Scripture directs us to set good examples to that end, Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 3:1; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7; and also directs us to be influenced by the good examples that others set, and to follow them, 2 Corinthians 8:1–7; Hebrews 6:12; Philippians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:16 and chap. 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:7.
By which it appears that example is one of God's means; and certainly 'tis no argument that a work is not the work of God, that God's own means are made use of to effect it.
And as 'tis a scriptural way of carrying on God's work, to carry it on by example, so 'tis a reasonable way.
'Tis no argument that men are not influenced by reason, that they are influenced by example.
This way of persons holding forth truth to one another, has a tendency to enlighten the mind, and to convince reason.
None will deny but that for persons to signify things one to another by words, may rationally be supposed to tend to enlighten each other's minds; but the same things may be signified by actions, and signified much more fully and effectually.
Words are of no use any otherwise than as they convey our own ideas to others; but actions, in some cases, may do it much more fully. There is a language in actions; and in some cases, much more clear and convincing than in words.
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