Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

¹Here I may draw up a bill of Indictment against five sorts of Persons. 1. Such as are silent in matters of Religion. They would be counted Good, but he must have good eyes that can see it, I know not whether it be Ignorance or Bashfulness that makes good discourse waved. Many are so mute in Religion as if their Tongues did cleave to the roof of their Mouth: had they any love to God, or had they ever tasted how sweet the Lord is, ⟨p. 85⟩their mouth would talk of his Righteousness, Psalm 71.24. Friends, what should we mind but Salvation? what are the things of this world? they are neither Entia^*, nor Manentia^†. Do not we see men heap up Riches, and on a sudden, death as Gods Serjeant Arrests them? What should we talk of but the things Pertaining to the Kingdom of God? Let this cause blushing among Christians, that their meetings are so unprofitable, they leave God out of their discourse. Why is there no good conference? Have you so much Knowledge that you need not have it increased? Have you so much Faith that you need not have it Strengthened? Silence in Religion is a loud sin. We read of one who was possessed with a Dumb Devil, Mark 9.12. How many are Spiritually possessed with a Dumb Devil!

¹Here I may draw up a bill of Indictment against five sorts of Persons. 1. Such as are silent in matters of Religion. They would be counted Good, but he must have good eyes that can see it, I know not whether it be Ignorance or Bashfulness that makes good discourse waved. Many are so mute in Religion as if their Tongues did cleave to the roof of their Mouth: had they any love to God, or had they ever tasted how sweet the Lord is, ⟨p. 85⟩their mouth would talk of his Righteousness,