The vain religion of the formal hypocrite, and the mischief of an unbridled tongue…

4. Lastly, his Religion is in Vain as to his Salvation. As he had but an image of true Religion, so he shall have but an image of Heaven. Some dreams and self-created hopes of happiness, may accompany him to the door of eternity: but there they will leave him to everlasting horror.

4. Lastly, his Religion is in Vain as to his Salvation. As he had but an image of true Religion, so he shall have but an image of Heaven. Some dreams and self-created hopes of happiness, may accompany him to the door of eternity: but there they will leave him to everlasting horrour.

V. Use. 1. From what hath been said, you may see the reason why an outside formal seeming Religiousness, is a thing so common in the world, in comparison of the life and power of godliness. ⟨p. 96⟩It is an easier thing to bring men to the strictest opinion, then to bring them to the affectionate and deep reception and practice of the truth. A strict opinion may be held without any great cost and trouble to the flesh. It is the practice that bereaveth a sinner of the pleasure of his sin. It is the common trick by which most Hypocrites cheat their souls, to turn to the side and opinion, and assemblies and company which they think to be the best; that so they may persuade themselves the more easily, that they are as good as those opinions and that company doth import, and that they are truly such as those they join with. As men are taken by others for such, as those they correspond with; so hypocrites take themselves for such. As if it would prove that a man is sound, because he dwelleth with them that are so? ⟨p. 97⟩Or as if it would prove a man rich or honourable, that he converseth with such? As God will not save any Nations on earth, because they are such Nations; nor will he save men because they are of such or such a trade, or because they are skilled in this or that art or science; no more will he save men for being of this or that party or Sect, in matters of Religion. One thinks, when he hath lived a fleshly life, that he shall be saved for hearing or saying the Common-prayer, or because he is for Prelacy and Ceremonies: another thinks he shall be saved, because he can pray without a book, or form of words, or because he frequenteth the private meetings, of those that more diligently redeem their time, for spiritual advantages then others do: another thinks he shall be saved because he is mocked as a Puritan or as too strict, as others are