The seal is fair and excellent, but the impression is languid or not visible. Where is that serious godliness, that heavenliness, that purity, that spirituality, that righteousness, that peace unto which the Christian Religion is most aptly designed to work and form the Spirits of men? we think to be saved by an empty name, and glory in the show and appearance of that, the life and power whereof we hate and deride. 'Tis a reproach with us not to be called a Christian, and a greater reproach to be one. If such and such Doctrines obtain not, in our professed Belief, we are Heretics or Infidels: if they do, in our practice, we are precisians, and fools. To be so serious, and circumspect, and strict, and holy, to make the practice of godliness so much our business, as the known and avowed principles of our Religion do plainly exact from us (yea though we come, as we cannot but do, unspeakably short of that required measure) is to make ones self a common derision and scorn. Not to be professedly religious is barbarous, to be so in good earnest ridiculous. In other things men are wont to act and practise according to the known Rules of their several Callings, and Professions; and he would be reckoned the common fool of the neighbour-hood, that should not do so. The Husbandman that should sow when others reap, or contrive his Harvest into the depth of ⟨p. 188⟩Winter, or sow Fitches, and expect to reap Wheat; The Merchant that should venture abroad his most precious Commodities in a leaky bottom, without Pilot, or Compass; or to places not likely to afford him any valuable return. In Religion only it must be counted absurd to be, and do according to its known agreed Principles, and he a fool that shall but practise as all about him profess to believe. Lord! whence is this apprehended inconsistency between the profession and practise of Religion! what hath thus stupefied, and unmanned the world! that seriousness in Religion should be thought the character of a fool! that men must visibly make a mockery of the most Fundamental Articles of Faith, only to save their reputation, and be afraid to be serious least they should be thought mad! Were the Doctrine here opened, believed in earnest,1 were the due proper impress of it upon our Spirits, or (as the Pagan Moralists expression is) were our mind transfigured into it;
The seal is fair and excellent, but the impression is languid or not visible. Where is that serious godliness, that heavenliness, that purity, that spirituality, that righteousness, that peace unto which the Christian Religion is most aptly designed to work and form the Spirits of men? we think to be saved by an empty name, and glory in the shew and appearance of that, the life and power whereof we hate and deride. 'Tis a reproach with us not to be called a Christian, and a greater reproach to be one. If such and such Doctrines obtain not, in our professed Belief, we are Hereticks or Infidels: if they do, in our practice, we are precisians, and fools. To be so serious, and circumspect, and strict, and holy, to make the practice of godliness so much our business, as the known and avowed principles of our Religion do plainly exact from us (yea though we come, as we cannot but do, unspeakably short of that required measure) is to make ones self a common derision and scorn. Not to be professedly religious is barbarous, to be so in good earnest ridiculous. In other things men are wont to act and practise according to the known Rules of their several Callings, and Professions; and he would be reckon'd the common fool of the neighbour-hood, that should not do so. The Husbandman that should sow when others reap, or contrive his Harvest into the depth of ⟨p. 188⟩Winter, or sow Fitches, and expect to reap Wheat; The Merchant that should venture abroad his most precious Commodities in a leaky bottom, without Pilot, or Compass; or to places not likely to afford him any valuable return. In Religion only it must be counted absurd to be, and do according to its known agreed Principles, and he a fool that shall but practise as all about him professe to believe. Lord! whence is this apprehended inconsistency between the profession and practise of Religion! what hath thus stupify'd, and unman'd the world! that seriousness in Religion should be thought the character of a fool! that men must visibly make a mockery of the most Fundamental Articles of Faith, onely to save their reputation, and be afraid to be serious least they should be thought mad! Were the Doctrine here opened, believed in earnest,1 were the due proper impresse of it upon our Spirits, or (as the Pagan Moralists expression is) were our mind transfigured into it;
- 1•cientiam qui •idicit, & fa•enda & vi•nda percepit, ••dum sapiens […] nisi in ea quae •dicit transfi•ratus est ani••s. Sen. Ep. •4.•cientiam qui •idicit, & fa•enda & vi•nda percepit, ••dum sapiens 〈…〉 nisi in ea quae •dicit transfi•ratus est ani••s. Sen. Ep. •4.
