Verily, 'tis the shame of Religion, that Christians are so unlike themselves, unless upon their knees. Sirs, our lives and language should tell the world what we are, and whether we are going. Christians, let little things content you in the world, but aspire after great things in the grace of God. Many real Christians do little think what high frames of holiness they might grow up to, even in this life, with pains and diligence. Sirs, be you men of great designs: think it not enough if you have wherewith to bear your charges to Heaven; but aspire with an holy ambition to be great in the Court of Heaven, favourites of the most High, of tall growth, great experience, singular communion, that you may burn and shine in your place, and convince the world; that you may savour of Heaven where ever you come, and that there may be an even-spun thread of Holiness running through your whole course. 'Tis the disgrace of Profession, that there is so little difference to be seen in the ordinary conversation of Believers from other men: It is not a shame, that when we are in company with others, this should be all the difference that is to be seen, only that we will not curse and swear, as do the worst of men? Christians, if you will honour the Gospel, bring forth your Religion out of your Closets (the world can't see what you do there) into your Shops, Trades, Visits, &c and exemplify the rules of Religion in the management of all your Relations, and in your ordinary converse. Let there be no place or company that you come into, in which you do not drop something of God: this will be the glory of Religion, and we shall never convince the world till we come to this. May you come my Brethren, out of your Prisons with your faces shining, having your minds seasoned, and your tongues tipped with holiness: may your mouths be as a Well of Life, from whence may flow the holy Streams of edifying discourse: may you ever remember, as you are sitting in your houses, going by the way, lying down, rising up, what the Lord doth then require of you, Deut. 6. 7.
Verily, 'tis the shame of Religion, that Christians are so unlike themselves, unless upon their knees. Sirs, our lives and language should tell the world what we are, and whether we are going. Christians, let little things content you in the world, but aspire after great things in the grace of God. Many real Christians do little think what high frames of holiness they might grow up to, even in this life, with pains and diligence. Sirs, be you men of great designs: think it not enough if you have wherewith to bear your charges to Heaven; but aspire with an holy ambition to be great in the Court of Heaven, favourites of the most High, of tall growth, great experience, singular communion, that you may burn and shine in your place, and convince the world; that you may savour of Heaven where ever you come, and that there may be an even-spun thred of Holiness running through your whole course. 'Tis the disgrace of Profession, that there is so little difference to be seen in the ordinary conversation of Believers from other men: It is not a shame, that when we are in company with others, this should be all the difference that is to be seen, only that we will not curse and swear, as do the worst of men? Christians, if you will honour the Gospel, bring forth your Religion out of your Closets (the world can't see what you do there) into your Shops, Trades, Visits, &c and exemplifie the rules of Religion in the management of all your Relations, and in your ordinary converse. Let there be no place or company that you come into, in which you do not drop something of God: this will be the glory of Religion, and we shall never convince the world till we come to this. May you come my Brethren, out of your Prisons with your faces shining, having your minds seasoned, and your tongues tipt with holiness: may your mouths be as a Well of Life, from whence may flow the holy Streams of edifying discourse: may you ever remember, as you are sitting in your houses, going by the way, lying down, rising up, what the Lord doth then require of you, Deut. 6. 7.
