1. Are we content with a name, or do we restlessly seek after the truth of Godliness? It may be we have made a fair and formal profession, and carried it very acceptably to those whom we live among, and have the good word, and abounding charity of the best, who take us for Israelites indeed, and have given us a great room in their hearts and affections. It is no doubt but that every truly Godly man accounts it to be no small blessing to have the hearts and love of those that fear God; hence Paul desired prayers on this account, Rom. 15.31. Strive in your prayers for me, that my Service may be accepted of the Saints. But it is another thing to do all for applause, and look no further in the things that we do, than to be seen of men, and to have praise from them on account thereof: Our Saviour taxeth those Hypocrites w••h this, as that which belonged to their character, and an evidence that they were such, Mat. 6. begin ▪ and you may know whether you do thus or no, by this enquiry, viz. if you do obtain the good word of men do you take up with this, and satisfy your selves in it as a ⟨p. 127⟩good reward, and count it enough to settle you in this persuasion, that all is well, and so you trouble your selves no further in searching into your own estate, but conclude upon it, that all must needs be right. He who builds his assurances on the good opinion which holy men have of him, and seeks not for a better establishment of them than that amounts to, is a mere Formalist: Whereas, if you have any of the power of Godliness in you, you will allow this but its due, & when you enjoy the greatest measures of it, you will reflect and say, it is indeed a mercy in it self, and if I am sound, i• is a fruit of Gods love to me, to give me such a room in the hearts of his Children; but I may not, I dare not rest here, I have to do with the heart searching God; I may deceive the wisest and most discerning Christians, who cannot see my inside, or know what are my principles or aims, but I cannot impose upon him who seeth my inward parts, and will ere long call me to the strictest trial, and lay me open; and this will put you upon a deeper search; it will be so far from nourishing carnal security in you, that it ⟨p. 128⟩will stir you up to the exercise of an holy jealousy, as knowing that none can see into your inward state and frame but only God and your own Consciences.
1. Are we content with a name, or do we restlesly seek after the truth of Godliness? It may be we have made a fair and formal profession, and carried it very acceptably to those whom we live among, and have the good word, and abounding charity of the best, who take us for Israelites indeed, and have given us a great room in their hearts and affections. It is no doubt but that every truly Godly man accounts it to be no small blessing to have the hearts and love of those that fear God; hence Paul desired prayers on this account, Rom. 15.31. Strive in your prayers for me, that my Service may be accepted of the Saints. But it is another thing to do all for applause, and look no further in the things that we do, than to be seen of men, and to have praise from them on account thereof: Our Saviour taxeth those Hypocrites w••h this, as that which belonged to their character, and an evidence that they were such, Mat. 6. begin ▪ and you may know whether you do thus or no, by this enquiry, viz. if you do obtain the good word of men do you take up with this, and satisfie your selves in it as a ⟨p. 127⟩good reward, and count it enough to settle you in this perswasion, that all is well, and so you trouble your selves no further in searching into your own estate, but conclude upon it, that all must needs be right. He who builds his assurances on the good opinion which holy men have of him, and seeks not for a better establishment of them than that amounts to, is a meer Formalist: Whereas, if you have any of the power of Godliness in you, you will allow this but its due, & when you enjoy the greatest measures of it, you will reflect and say, it is indeed a mercy in it self, and if I am sound, i• is a fruit of Gods love to me, to give me such a room in the hearts of his Children; but I may not, I dare not rest here, I have to do with the heart searching God; I may deceive the wisest and most discerning Christians, who cannot see my inside, or know what are my principles or aims, but I cannot impose upon him who seeth my inward parts, and will ere long call me to the strictest trial, and lay me open; and this will put you upon a deeper search; it will be so far from nourishing carnal security in you, that it ⟨p. 128⟩will stir you up to the exercise of an holy jealousy, as knowing that none can see into your inward state and frame but only God and your own Consciences.
