Ornamental piety

II. There is a Wondrous, an Hideous, Ugliness in all Ungodly People, notwithstanding all their Esteemed Ornaments. Hear this O Proud and Vain and Self-applauding Sinner: There is not one Ungodly Sinner, but what is a Prodigy of Deformity. Abominable Men, who Drink in Iniquity like Water! The Person who for many Ages was the Greatest Person in Europe, is called, Dan. 11.21. A Vile Person. Why? He is the Man of Sin. Sin, Sin, always makes a Vile Person ▪ [Compare, Psal. 15.4] We read, — and Oh! What Pumice stones are our Eyes, that we can read it with Dry Eyes! Psal. 14.1, 3. They are Corrupt, they have done abominable Works, they are all together become Filthy. Tis the Description of all Ungodly People. Hear this, O all ye People, every one of You.

II. There is a Wondrous, an Hideous, Ʋgliness in all Ungodly People, notwithstanding all their Esteemed Ornaments. Hear this O Proud and Vain and Self-applauding Sinner: There is not one Ʋngodly Sinner, but what is a Prodigy of Deformity. Abominable Men, who Drink in Iniquity like Water! The Person who for many Ages was the Greatest Person in Europe, is called, Dan. 11.21. A Vile Person. Why? He is the Man of Sin. Sin, Sin, always makes a Vile Person ▪ [Compare, Psal. 15.4] We read, — and Oh! What Pumice stones are our Eyes, that we can read it with Dry Eyes! Psal. 14.1, 3. They are Corrupt, they have done abominable Works, they are all together become Filthy. Tis the Description of all Ungodly People. Hear this, O all ye People, every one of You.

We read of an Adorned Sepulchre. What is an Adorned Sinner but an Adorned Sepulchre? Let never such Ornaments appear upon him▪ he is a Collection of Loathsome Filthiness and Rottenness Come with me, Miserable Wretch: Come along with me; and I will show thee what thou art. The Word of God is Compared unto a Glass. Thou shalt be shown unto thy self in that Glass. Oh! Be not that Forgetful Hearer, that will go away, ⟨p. 9⟩and Straight-way forget what manner of thing thou art. Look into the Third Chapter to the Romans, and Read, from the Twelfth Verse to the Eighteenth. Read, and be Confounded, and never open thy Mouth any more, because of thy Shame. [Turn to the Place, and Read it with Deliberation.]

We read of an Adorned Sepulchre. What is an Adorned Sinner but an Adorned Sepulchre? Let never such Ornaments appear upon him▪ he is a Collection of Loathsom Filthiness and Rottenness Come with me, Miserable Wretch: Come along with me; and I will show thee what thou art. The Word of God is Compared unto a Glass. Thou shalt be showen unto thy self in that Glass. Oh! Be not that Forgetful Hearer, that will go away, ⟨p. 9⟩and Straight-way forget what manner of thing thou art. Look into the Third Chapter to the Romans, and Read, from the Twelfth Verse to the Eighteenth. Read, and be Confounded, and never open thy Mouth any more, because of thy Shame. [Turn to the Place, and Read it with Deliberation.]

Original Sin, Our Original Sin has brought us under an Universal Depravation ▪ it has depraved us with an Universal Deformity. By losing the Image of GOD, we have Lost our Ornaments. By having the Satanic Image upon us, which are made most horrible Objects. — But I anticipate my self; My Discourse is yet but coming to that Extremity.

Original Sin, Our Original Sin has brought us under an Ʋniversal Depravation ▪ it has depraved us with an Ʋniversal Deformity. By losing the Image of GOD, we have Lost our Ornaments. By having the Satanick Image upon us, which are made most horrible Objects. — But I anticipate my self; My Discourse is yet but coming to that Extremity.

Is not an Hater of God, an horrible Object? No Good Man can without Horror think of such an Object. But such an one is every Unrenewed Sinner, every Unrepenting Sinner. We read, Rom. 1.30. They are ⟨p. 10⟩Haters of God. Vile Things are to be spoken of thee, O Thou Hater of God, thou Monster of the World!

We generally decry a man, who Loves none but himself. A Sinner not changed by Grace, comes under this Character. He sets up himself at his GOD. He does nothing but for himself. Self, Self lies at the bottom of all his Designs, all his Actions, all his Friendship.

We generally decry a man who is Ingrateful to his Benefactor. This is the Black Character of a Sinner, whom Grace has not made a change upon. His Ingratitude unto GOD, who Keeps him, who Feeds him, who, daily Loads him with his Benefits, tis the most abominable Thing that ever was heard of. He is always Reproaching the Lord, whom every Moment he lives upon.

We generally decry a man who is Ingrateful to his Benefactor. This is the Black Character of a Sinner, whom Grace has not made a change upon. His Ingratitude unto GOD, who Keeps him, who Feeds him, who, daily Loads him with his Benefits, tis the most abominable Thing that ever was heard of. He is alwayes Reproaching the Lord, whom every Moment he lives upon.

How Deformed were a Man turned into a Dog, a Swine, a Serpent! So is the Unrenewed Sinner Painted in the Book of God! A Creature full of Ornaments indeed! Born a Wild Asses Colt! A curious Creature truly▪

How Deformed were a Man turn'd into a Dog, a Swine, a Serpent! So is the Unrenewed Sinner Painted in the Book of God! A Creature full of Ornaments indeed! Born a Wild Asses Colt! A curious Creature truly▪

But I must at last bring the matter to the Extremity. Certainly▪ a Devil is an ugly Thing▪ The Image of the Devil is all over Ugly. Sinner, Tis thy Image. The word of God has called such as thou art; 1 Joh. 3.10. The Children of the Devil. Oh! horrible Deformity!

But I must at last bring the matter to the Extremity. Certainly▪ a Devil is an ugly Thing▪ The Image of the Devil is all over Ʋgly. Sinner, Tis thy Image. The word of God has called such as thou art; 1 Joh. 3.10. The Children of the Devil. Oh! horrible Deformity!

In fine; How do all ungodly People appear ⟨p. 11⟩to all the Angels in Heaven? Verily, Those Holy Angels look upon the Unrenewed Sinner, with Astonishment, with Detestation; they look upon him as you do upon a Toad. An Ungodly World is that rueful and hateful Sight, at which the Angels of Heaven are thus called upon; Jer. 2.12. Be astonished, O ye Heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord.

In fine; How do all ungodly People appear ⟨p. 11⟩to all the Angels in Heaven? Verily, Those Holy Angels look upon the Unrenewed Sinner, with Astonishment, with Detestation; they look upon him as you do upon a Toad. An Ʋngodly World is that rueful and hateful Sight, at which the Angels of Heaven are thus call'd upon; Jer. 2.12. Be astonished, O ye Heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord.

III. The Ornaments on Ungodly People, the very Ornaments themselves, through' their Ungodliness, do even cease to be Ornaments ▪ As we read; Rom. 2.25. If thou be a breaker of the Law, thy Circumcision is made Uncircumcision. Even so, If thou art an ungodly Person, thy Ornaments are made no Ornaments. Ah, Unregenerate and Unreconciled Sinner▪ whatever may be thy pretended Ornaments; Even make no pretensions to any Ornaments; thy Sins, thy Sins, have ruined all thy Ornaments. It was a sore Balance to the Ornaments of Naaman; 2 King▪ 5.1. He was an honourable man; he was also a mighty man in Valour; but he was a Leper. But all the Ornaments of any Person, are much more heavily over-balanced, if there be this Dead Weight on the other side; But he is a Sinner; But he has no Fear of God: But he is a Stranger to Serious Piety; But he is destitute of that Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

III. The Ornaments on Ʋngodly People, the very Ornaments themselves, thro' their Ʋngodliness, do even cease to be Ornaments ▪ As we read; Rom. 2.25. If thou be a breaker of the Law, thy Circumcision is made Ʋncircumcision. Even so, If thou art an ungodly Person, thy Ornaments are made no Ornaments. Ah, Unregenerate and Unreconciled Sinner▪ whatever may be thy pretended Ornaments; E'en make no pretensions to any Ornaments; thy Sins, thy Sins, have ruined all thy Ornaments. It was a sore Ballance to the Ornaments of Naaman; 2 King▪ 5.1. He was an honourable man; he was also a mighty man in Valour; but he was a Leper. But all the Ornaments of any Person, are much more heavily over-ballanced, if there be this Dead Weight on the other side; But he is a Sinner; But he has no Fear of God: But he is a Stranger to Serious Piety; But he is destitute of that Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

We will Enumerate the Principal Ornaments, that are found on any Ungodly People, and see how they are Eclipsed, Absorbed, even Destroyed by their Ungodliness.

We will Enumerate the Principal Ornaments, that are found on any Ʋngodly People, and see how they are Eclips'd, Absorb'd, even Destroy'd by their Ʋngodliness.

First. Some are Adorned with Wit, with Knowledge, with Learning; Their Natural Abilities are very Pregnant; Their Acquired Abilities are very shining. They have Sharp Understandings, Quick Inventions, Strong Memories. These are admirable Ornaments. These Ornaments may be found in some that yet are not Wise unto Salvation. But, Ah, Witty Sinner; What will become of thy Wit, when in thy Later End thou shalt be found a Fool, and thou wilt call thy self a Fool World without End? Count not thy self a Wise Man. Thou art One of those, of whom the Oracles of Wisdom declare, There is no Wisdom in them. An Unconverted Sinner is a Fool. He does nothing, but what calls for that Acknowledgement; 2 Sam. 24.•0. I have done very foolishly. The whole course of a Sinner is, To go astray in the greatness of his Folly. What Wisdom is there in a Sinner? There is not yet in him so much as the Beginning of Wisdom. Until a man has the Fear of God, he has not the Beginning of Wisdom. What Signify the brightest Accomplishments & Embellishments of Mind, in that Man, who is all the while a Mad-man? He that is not a Good Man is a Mad-man. We read, Eccl. 9.3. Madness is in their hearts. ⟨p. 13⟩Ah, Foolish Sinner! He has the Wit to do & Speak ingenious things without Number: But he has not the Wit, to Encounter the Devices of Satan against him. He may be a Knowing Person; But he Knows not the Things of his Everlasting Peace. He may be a Learned Person; But he has not Learned the skill of Living unto God. He may be reckoned a Wise Man; but he never did One Wise Act in all his Life. A Wise Man! Alas, he is a Madman! He Sells a Soul for a Song. He parts with Eternal Pleasures, for some Shadow of a Delight, which Expires in a Moment. He contends with an Almighty GOD, who can crush him in a Moment! Fool, Put off thy Ornaments. A Fools Coat belongs unto thee.

First. Some are Adorned with Wit, with Knowledge, with Learning; Their Natural Abilities are very Pregnant; Their Acquired Abilities are very shining. They have Sharp Ʋnderstandings, Quick Inventions, Strong Memories. These are admirable Ornaments. These Ornaments may be found in some that yet are not Wise unto Salvation. But, Ah, Witty Sinner; What will become of thy Wit, when in thy Later End thou shalt be found a Fool, and thou wilt call thy self a Fool World without End? Count not thy self a Wise Man. Thou art One of those, of whom the Oracles of Wisdom declare, There is no Wisdom in them. An Unconverted Sinner is a Fool. He does nothing, but what calls for that Acknowledgment;

Secondly: Some are Adorned with a Sweetness of Temper They are so Good-natured, so Good-humoured, so Obliging, that they may be styled, as One was, Delicium humani generis; The Delight of all that Converse with them. A Courteous▪ Officious, Condescending Temper, is an Ornament, which every body commends. It commands Commendation, Every bodies Commendation. But, Oh, Sweet tempered Child; If thou art yet in thy Sins, the greatest Baseness of Temper in the World, is to be charged upon thee. A Glorious CHRIST has dyed for thee; has Entreated thee, Requested thee, Importuned thee, long waited on thee, to become His. Thou takest no notice of Him. Nothing ⟨p. 14⟩will win upon thee. A Dying Saviour will not win upon thee. Base-tempered Wretch; All Heaven cries out upon thee. Thou art an Enemy to GOD; That is to be an Enemy to Infinite Goodness. Is this the Goodness of thy Temper? To Abuse Goodness it self! Thou art a most Unthankful Creature. The Complaint which the Blessed GOD makes over thee, is that; Isa. 1.2 I have nourished, and brought up Children and they have Rebelled against me. The Blessed GOD even courts thee, with His Blessings. Thy Heart beats not so many Pulses, as a Good GOD heaps Blessings of Goodness upon thee. All these Kindnesses will not persuade thee to Love Him. After all these Kindnesses, thou dost continue in Arms against Him. Verily, Every Person in a State of Nature, is a very ill-natured Person. Hard-hearted Sinner; Put off thy Ornaments. Dost thou thus Requite the Lord?

Secondly: Some are Adorned with a Sweetness of Temper They are so Good-natured, so Good-humoured, so Obliging, that they may be styled, as One was, Delicium humani generis; The Delight of all that Converse with them. A Courteous▪ Officious, Condescending Temper, is an Ornament, which every body commends. It commands Commendation, Every bodies Commendation. But, Oh, Sweet tempered Child; If thou art yet in thy Sins, the greatest Baseness of Temper in the World, is to be charg'd upon thee. A Glorious CHRIST has dyed for thee; has Entreated thee, Requested thee, Importuned thee, long waited on thee, to become His. Thou takest no notice of Him. Nothing ⟨p. 14⟩will win upon thee. A Dying Saviour will not win upon thee. Base-tempered Wretch; All Heaven cryes out upon thee. Thou art an Enemy to GOD; That is to be an Enemy to Infinite Goodness. Is this the Goodness of thy Temper? To Abuse Goodness it self! Thou art a most Ʋnthankful Creature. The Complaint which the Blessed GOD makes over thee, is that;

Thirdly. Some are Adorned with a Noble Courage and Valour; a Courageous, Valiant, Undaunted Magnanimity. They are, as it was said about certain Men of Moab; Lion-like Men. They are men of Resolution. They Enjoy a Presence of Mind among Showers of Bullets; amidst the Thunder of the Armies and their Shouting, as well as in their Closets. This is a very Sparkling Ornament. But if this Resolute Man be one that is not Resolved for the Service of GOD, he is a Coward. We ⟨p. 15⟩read, who Leads the Van, in the Host, of them that are the Children of Perdition; Rev. 21.8. The Fearful. Fool-hardy Sinner; He is found a Fighter against GOD. Faint-hearted Sinner; He is Afraid of Engaging in the Strict ways of Religion; He is Afraid of coming under Obligations to cross his Fleshly Inclinations. He is Afraid of Suffering a little Persecution, a little Disadvantage, perhaps a little Derision, for the Cause of GOD. Coward, Put off thy Ornaments, Thou art Afraid of a Shadow ▪

Thirdly. Some are Adorned with a Noble Courage and Valour; a Courageous, Valiant, Undaunted Magnanimity. They are, as it was said about certain Men of Moab; Lion-like Men. They are men of Resolution. They Enjoy a Presence of Mind among Showers of Bullets; amidst the Thunder of the Armies and their Shouting, as well as in their Closets. This is a very Sparkling Ornament. But if this Resolute Man be one that is not Resolved for the Service of GOD, he is a Coward. We ⟨p. 15⟩read, who Leads the Van, in the Host, of them that are the Children of Perdition; Rev. 21.8. The Fearful. Fool-hardy Sinner; He is found a Fighter against GOD. Faint-hearted Sinner; He is Afraid of Engaging in the Strict wayes of Religion; He is Afraid of coming under Obligations to cross his Fleshly Inclinations. He is Afraid of Suffering a little Persecution, a little Disadvantage, perhaps a little Derision, for the Cause of GOD. Coward, Put off thy Ornaments, Thou art Afraid of a Shadow ▪

Fourthly. Some are Adorned with Good Breeding; They have been Well-bred; have had a Polite Education. They have a Civil, a Decent, in one Word, which comprehends all the Rules of Behaviour, A MODEST Behaviour; They Behave themselves Handsomely, that is to say, Modestly, on all occasions. A very taking Ornament! An Handsome Carriage. But what becomes of the Good Manners, where the People do nothing but Miscarry every day? They whose Manner it is, to do nothing but Sin, are guilty of Ill-Manners. The Manners of all Impious People, are the worst of Manners. They Corrupt Good Manners; they Cast off Good Manners, and the thing that is Good. It may be said unto them; Jer. 22 21. This hath been thy manner from thy Youth, that thou Obeyed not my Voice. Ah, Ill bred Sinner! A Sinner that Misbehaves himself in every Business; in every Company. A Sinner that goes about ⟨p. 16⟩every Good Thing, with a very Misbecoming Awkwardness. Oh! Thou Accustomed to do Evil; Put off thy Ornaments. Thou dost nothing Right!