Let us now consider the words 1of Christ that are cited out of the Gospel: He that heareth my words, and doeth them, &c. Who doth not clearly apprehend the mind of Christ in these words; for it is manifest that his design was, to rebuke the counterfeit pretences of Hypocrites, and thereby to stir up the minds of his own Disciples to the power 2of Godliness, and sincerity in their profession; which he doth in more than one place, and not without ⟨p. 390⟩weighty reasons. For, as nothing is more detestable, so nothing is more usual, than for false Hypocrites to be covered with a Visor of Holiness, who having no experimental knowledge of the things which they profess, nor drawn unto God by Effectual Calling, nor taught by his Spirit, being ignorant of God, and strangers to the practice of Holiness, do make a great show amongst all men, outwardly pretending to that, which they are not indeed, but would seem to be, who take little or no care at all, to be any way instrumental for the Glory of God: But their chief endeavours are to increase their gain, and satisfy their ambitious desires, that they may be great in this World, and get applause and renown amongst men. Such a frame of spirit is in most Hypocrites. But the great searcher of hearts, who looks into every dark corner of the Soul, and discerns all the most hidden imaginations, is not unacquainted with their Hypocrisy, and there is nothing more abominable unto him. Therefore our Lord, in giving Instructions of Piety to his Disciples, strictly commands, that such as take upon them the profession of Faith in his Name, should not only make show of it in words, or account it enough to incline their Ears to his Doctrine, but also practise it in their Lives; and endeavour, as much as in them lies, to walk suitable to their profession. By what I have said it may evidently appear, that these words do not express the way how we are justified, but they only declare, what manner of men they ought to ⟨p. 391⟩be, who are Justified, and have obtained a right to the Heavenly Inheritance by Faith and free Grace.
Let us now consider the words 1of Christ that are cited out of the Gospel: He that heareth my words, and doeth them, &c. Who doth not clearly apprehend the mind of Christ in these words; for it is manifest that his design was, to rebuke the counterfeit pretences of Hypocrites, and thereby to stir up the minds of his own Disciples to the power 2of Godliness, and sincerity in their profession; which he doth in more than one place, and not without ⟨p. 390⟩weighty reasons. For, as nothing is more detestable, so nothing is more usual, than for false Hypocrites to be covered with a Vizard of Holiness, who having no experimental knowledge of the things which they profess, nor drawn unto God by Effectual Calling, nor taught by his Spirit, being ignorant of God, and strangers to the practice of Holiness, do make a great shew amongst all men, outwardly pretending to that, which they are not indeed, but would seem to be, who take little or no care at all, to be any way instrumental for the Glory of God: But their chief endeavours are to encrease their gain, and satisfie their ambitious desires, that they may be great in this World, and get applause and renown amongst men. Such a frame of spirit is in most Hypocrites. But the great searcher of hearts, who looks into every dark corner of the Soul, and discerns all the most hidden imaginations, is not unacquainted with their Hypocrisie, and there is nothing more abominable unto him. Therefore our Lord, in giving Instructions of Piety to his Disciples, strictly commands, that such as take upon them the profession of Faith in his Name, should not only make shew of it in words, or account it enough to encline their Ears to his Doctrine, but also practise it in their Lives; and endeavour, as much as in them lies, to walk suitable to their profession. By what I have said it may evidently appear, that these words do not express the way how we are justified, but they only declare, what manner of men they ought to ⟨p. 391⟩be, who are Iustified, and have obtained a right to the Heavenly Inheritance by Faith and free Grace.
- 1The words of Christ are considered. Matth. 7.
- 2A good Conscience, and Faith unfeigned. 1 Tim. 1.
