Our Profession will not be preserved, nor the work of Faith and Love carried on unto the Glory of God and our own Salvation, without a constant studious diligence in the preservation 1of the one and the exercise of the other. The Reasons hereof are manifest from what hath been discoursed before concerning the greatness and difficulty of this work, and the opposition that is made unto it. Our Apostle knew nothing of that lazy kind of Profession which satisfies the generality of Christians at this day. They can show all diligence in their Trades, in their Callings, in their Studies, it may be in their Pleasures, and sometimes in the pursuit of their Lusts: But for a watchful diligence, an earnest, studious endeavour in and about the Duties of Religion, the work of Faith and Love, they are strangers unto it, yea cannot be persuaded that any such thing is required of them or expected from them. For the Duties of Divine Worship, they will attend unto them out of Custom or Conviction. For some Acts of Charity they may perhaps be sometimes drawn unto, or for their Reputation they may do like others of their Quality in the world. But to project and design in their minds how they may Glorify God in the Duties of Faith and Love, as the liberal man deviseth liberal things, to keep up an earnest bent and warmth of Spirit in them, to lay hold on, and rejoice in all Opportunities for them, all which are required unto this diligence, they utterly reject all such thoughts. But what do we imagine? Is there another way for us to go to Heaven than what was prescribed unto the Primitive Believers? Will God deal with us on more easy terms; or such as have a farther compliance with carnal ease and the flesh, than those that were given to them of Old? We shall but foolishly deceive our selves with such Imaginations? But let no man mistake; These two Principles are as certain and as sacred as any thing in the Gospel. (1) Unless there be in us a work of Faith in personal Holiness and a labour of Love towards others, there is nothing in us that accompanies Salvation or will ever bring us thereunto. Let profane persons deride it whilst they please, and worldlings neglect it, and careless Professors fancy to themselves an easier way unto a blessed Eternity, this will be found to be the Rule whereby they must all stand or fall for ever.
Our Profession will not be preserved, nor the work of Faith and Love carried on unto the Glory of God and our own Salvation, without a constant studious diligence in the preservation 1of the one and the exercise of the other. The Reasons hereof are manifest from what hath been discoursed before concerning the greatness and difficulty of this work, and the opposition that is made unto it. Our Apostle knew nothing of that lazie kind of Profession which satisfies the generality of Christians at this day. They can shew all diligence in their Trades, in their Callings, in their Studies, it may be in their Pleasures, and sometimes in the pursuit of their Lusts: But for a watchful diligence, an earnest, studious endeavour in and about the Duties of Religion, the work of Faith and Love, they are strangers unto it, yea cannot be perswaded that any such thing is required of them or expected from them. For the Duties of Divine Worship, they will attend unto them out of Custom or Conviction. For some Acts of Charity they may perhaps be sometimes drawn unto, or for their Reputation they may do like others of their Quality in the world. But to project and design in their minds how they may Glorifie God in the Duties of Faith and Love, as the liberal man deviseth liberal things, to keep up an earnest bent and warmth of Spirit in them, to lay hold on, and rejoice in all Opportunities for them, all which are required unto this diligence, they utterly reject all such thoughts. But what do we imagine? Is there another way for us to go to Heaven than what was prescribed unto the Primitive Believers? Will God deal with us on more easie terms; or such as have a farther compliance with carnal ease and the flesh, than those that were given to them of Old? We shall but foolishly deceive our selves with such Imaginations? But let no man mistake; These two Principles are as certain and as sacred as any thing in the Gospel. (1) Unless there be in us a work of Faith in personal Holiness and a labour of Love towards others, there is nothing in us that accompanies Salvation or will ever bring us thereunto. Let prophane persons deride it whilst they please, and worldlings neglect it, and careless Professors fancy to themselves an easier way unto a blessed Eternity, this will be found to be the Rule whereby they must all stand or fall for ever.
- 1Obser. 1▪
