1. Use, Is to Reprove those, that can afford a little Religion, but cannot afford enough. It may be good words, without practice; or practice, without principle. Good words without practice; many talk well, their notions are high and strict; but observe them narrowly, and you will find them cold and careless: like the Carbuncle, at a distance it seemeth all on fire, but touch it, and it is Key-cold. Be warmed▪ be clothed, will not pass for Charity, nor Opinions for Faith, nor Notions and elevated Strains for Godliness. You would laugh at him that would think to pay his Debts with the Noise of Money; and instead of opening his Purse, shake it: 'Tis as ridiculous, to think to satisfy God, or discharge our Duty, by fine words, or heavenly Language, without an heavenly Heart or Life; or afford practice without a Principle, or an inward disposition or inclination of heart to holy things. 'Tis not enough to do good, but we must get the Habit of doing good; to believe, but we must get the Habit of Faith; to do a virtuous action, but we must have the Habit of Virtue; to perform an Act of Obedience, but we must get the Root of Obedience. The Soul must be divested of evil Habits, and decked and adorned with habits of Grace, and endowed with new and spiritual Qualities; before it can have a Principle of Life in its self. But most men content themselves with a little good Affection, that is soon spent: Hosea 6.4. Ephraim's goodness is like the morning dew, that wets the surface, but is soon dried up. Many have some good things in them, but they want a firm Root; which is, an habitual Inclination towards God. Oh, the difference that is between a man that forceth himself to do good, and one whose Heart is inclined to do good! He doth not go to it like a Bear to the Stake, but with a native willingness: he is inclined to think of good, inclined to talk of good and holy discourse; inclined to pray, to exercise himself to Godliness: The Lord hath put a new Nature in him, and he feeleth an internal Mover, or an inward Impression, that moveth him: This is Life, but 'tis little regarded. Many have a show, but Life cannot be painted; otherwise, an handsome Picture of Godliness men may keep up.
1. Vse, Is to Reprove those, that can afford a little Religion, but cannot afford enough. It may be good words, without practice; or practice, without principle. Good words without practice; many talk well, their notions are high and strict; but observe them narrowly, and you will find them cold and careless: like the Carbuncle, at a distance it seemeth all on fire, but touch it, and it is Key-cold. Be warmed▪ be cloathed, will not pass for Charity, nor Opinions for Faith, nor Notions and elevated Strains for Godliness. You would laugh at him that would think to pay his Debts with the Noise of Money; and instead of opening his Purse, shake it: 'Tis as ridiculous, to think to satisfie God, or discharge our Duty, by fine words, or heavenly Language, without an heavenly Heart or Life; or afford practice without a Principle, or an inward disposition or inclination of heart to holy things. 'Tis not enough to do good, but we must get the Habit of doing good; to believe, but we must get the Habit of Faith; to do a vertuous action, but we must have the Habit of Vertue; to perform an Act of Obedience, but we must get the Root of Obedience. The Soul must be divested of evil Habits, and decked and adorned with habits of Grace, and endowed with new and spiritual Qualities; before it can have a Principle of Life in its self. But most men content themselves with a little good Affection, that is soon spent: Hosea 6.4. Ephraim's goodness is like the morning dew, that wets the surface, but is soon dryed up. Many have some good things in them, but they want a firm Root; which is, an habitual Inclination towards God. Oh, the difference that is between a man that forceth himself to do good, and one whose Heart is inclined to do good! He doth not go to it like a Bear to the Stake, but with a native willingness: he is inclined to think of good, inclined to talk of good and holy discourse; inclined to pray, to exercise himself to Godliness: The Lord hath put a new Nature in him, and he feeleth an internal Mover, or an inward Impression, that moveth him: This is Life, but 'tis little regarded. Many have a shew, but Life cannot be painted; otherwise, an handsome Picture of Godliness men may keep up.
