2. A Profession of Godliness, though never so glorious, should not be rested in, without a saving work of Grace upon the the Heart to maintain it; there was the folly of one sort of Virgins, that they were contented with having Oil in their Lamps for their present use, without looking further; and the Wisdom of the other, that their Vessels were furnished as well as their Lamps; Grace must flow forth, but withal it must have a bottom within: As a Fountain or Spring sendeth forth streams to water the ground about it, or the heart sendeth forth Life and Spirits to every faculty and member, so the Graces of the Spirit in Believers flow forth in their Carriage and Behaviour, to make their Tongue drop that which is savoury, their Actions orderly and even, their Carriage in all relations and affairs grave and serious. 'Tis well when all this hath a bottom, that there is a principle of Life within, to diffuse this virtue into every part of their Conversations, and to keep them mindful and respective to all the Commands of God: Now this is required, (1.) Partly, because this glorious Profession and Practice will not serve the turn for the present: For, God looks not to outward appearance, but regards the frame of the heart; 'tis internal Holiness that is lovely in his eyes, Psa. 51.6. and without which the external is loathsome to him, Math. 23.17. A Christian hath more in the Vessel than in the Lamp•; Psa. 45.13. The Kings Daughter is all glorious within. That which is outwardly professed, is inwardly rooted and cherished ⟨p. 12⟩by them who worship and serve God in Spirit and Truth. Knowledge, Faith, Love, Hope, Zeal, Courage, Patience; these adorn the Heart, as well as the Fruits of them appear in the Life, and this maketh us beautiful in the eyes of him that seeth in secret. It would help us to discover our mistakes, if we did make God our Witness, Approver and Judge; for the present studying to approve him in the frame of our hearts, which is hidden from all others. And (2.) Partly, because the Lamp will not long hold burning, unless there be a stock of Oil to feed it; so that if it could suffice for the present, yet without Grace in the Heart, for the future, we shall miscarry when the slender Provision and store is spent. A Christian is to provide for the time to come, such Grace as my endure and hold out in all trials, and bear weight in the day of Judgment.
2. A Profession of Godliness, though never so glorious, should not be rested in, without a saving work of Grace upon the the Heart to maintain it; there was the folly of one sort of Virgins, that they were contented with having Oyl in their Lamps for their present use, without looking further; and the Wisdom of the other, that their Vessels were furnished as well as their Lamps; Grace must flow forth, but withall it must have a bottom within: As a Fountain or Spring sendeth forth streams to water the ground about it, or the heart sendeth forth Life and Spirits to every faculty and member, so the Graces of the Spirit in Believers flow forth in their Carriage and Behaviour, to make their Tongue drop that which is savoury, their Actions orderly and even, their Carriage in all relations and affairs grave and serious. 'Tis well when all this hath a bottom, that there is a principle of Life within, to diffuse this vertue into every part of their Conversations, and to keep them mindful and respective to all the Commands of God: Now this is required, (1.) Partly, because this glorious Profession and Practice will not serve the turn for the present: For, God looks not to outward appearance, but regards the frame of the heart; 'tis internal Holiness that is lovely in his eyes, Psa. 51.6. and without which the external is loathsome to him, Math. 23.17. A Christian hath more in the Vessel than in the Lamp•; Psa. 45.13. The Kings Daughter is all glorious within. That which is outwardly professed, is inwardly rooted and cherished ⟨p. 12⟩by them who worship and serve God in Spirit and Truth. Knowledge, Faith, Love, Hope, Zeal, Courage, Patience; these adorn the Heart, as well as the Fruits of them appear in the Life, and this maketh us beautiful in the eyes of him that seeth in secret. It would help us to discover our mistakes, if we did make God our Witness, Approver and Judge; for the present studying to approve him in the frame of our hearts, which is hidden from all others. And (2.) Partly, because the Lamp will not long hold burning, unless there be a stock of Oyl to feed it; so that if it could suffice for the present, yet without Grace in the Heart, for the future, we shall miscarry when the slender Provision and store is spent. A Christian is to provide for the time to come, such Grace as my endure and hold out in all tryals, and bear weight in the day of Judgment.
