Secondly, A glorious Profession is no infallible evidence of thy right to life. It is good to profess Christianity: Religion is so noble, so bountiful a Master that none need be afraid to be counted her servant. We must confess Christ before men, if we would have Christ to confess us before his Father and the holy Angels, Matth. 10.31. he that disowns his colours, deserves to be cashiered the camp: But confession of the mouth ⟨p. 66⟩must be accompanied with conversion of the heart, or it will not save; that is but the shadow, this is the substance of Religion. A Christian in name, and a Christian in nature, do exceedingly differ. The profession and the power of godliness differ, as leaves on a tree, and good fruit; a tree that hath fruit will have leaves; a man that hath the power will have a form of godliness; but as some trees (as the Ivy) are never without leaves, yet never bear good fruit while they live; so many profess Christ all their days, who never bring forth fruit worthy of repentance and amendment of life. Some defy the Devil with their lips, who Deify him in their lives. There may be gaudy signs at the door where there is not a drop of good wine in the Cellar. Apothecaries boxes have glorious titles, even when they are altogether empty. Many Christians in our days are like a curious bubble, smooth and shining without, but nothing save wind within; professing that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate, Tit. 1. ult. A man may wear Christ's livery, and do the Devils drudgery: Judas called Jesus Master, yet betrayed him. Thou mayst, like the Jews, put a Crown on Christs head, a Sceptre in his hand, and bow the knee to him, as if he were thy King, and yet all be but in mockery; thou mayst crucify and put him to death for all this, by thy sinful ungodly life. Silver looketh ⟨p. 67⟩white, and yet draweth black lines; thy profession may be fair when thy practices are foul. Sin is so ugly that it's ashamed of the light, and therefore walks not openly as Christ, for fear of the people (though for a different reason from his) lest it should fright them from continuing its friends; but as a thief it goeth abroad in the night, and then with visors and false beards (unwilling to be known who they are) even with a form of godliness, 1 Tim. 3.1, 5.
Secondly, A glorious Profession is no infallible evidence of thy right to life. It is good to profess Christianity: Religion is so noble, so bountiful a Master that none need be afraid to be counted her servant. We must confess Christ before men, if we would have Christ to confess us before his Father and the holy Angels, Matth. 10.31. he that disowns his colours, deserves to be cashiered the camp: But confession of the mouth ⟨p. 66⟩must be accompanied with conversion of the heart, or it will not save; that is but the shadow, this is the substance of Religion. A Christian in name, and a Christian in nature, do exceedingly differ. The profession and the power of godliness differ, as leaves on a tree, and good fruit; a tree that hath fruit will have leaves; a man that hath the power will have a form of godliness; but as some trees (as the Ivie) are never without leaves, yet never bear good fruit while they live; so many profess Christ all their days, who never bring forth fruit worthy of repentance and amendment of life. Some defie the Devil with their lips, who Deifie him in their lives. There may be gaudy signs at the door where there is not a drop of good wine in the Cellar. Apothecaries boxes have glorious titles, even when they are altogether empty. Many Christians in our days are like a curious bubble, smooth and shining without, but nothing save wind within; professing that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobrate, Tit. 1. ult. A man may wear Christ's livery, and do the Devils drudgery: Judas called Jesus Master, yet betrayed him. Thou mayst, like the Jews, put a Crown on Christs head, a Scepter in his hand, and bow the knee to him, as if he were thy King, and yet all be but in mockery; thou mayst crucifie and put him to death for all this, by thy sinful ungodly life. Silver looketh ⟨p. 67⟩white, and yet draweth black lines; thy profession may be fair when thy practices are foul. Sin is so ugly that it's ashamed of the light, and therefore walks not openly as Christ, for fear of the people (though for a different reason from his) lest it should fright them from continuing its friends; but as a theif it goeth abroad in the night, and then with vizards and false beards (unwilling to be known who they are) even with a form of godliness, 1 Tim. 3.1, 5.
