them, is not the Life of a Christian, nor will it ever procure us the Reward of one. 4. There still remains then a fourth Requifite, without which, however attentive, impartial, and serious, we are, we shall fall short; but towards which all thefe Qualities greatly contribute and what that is, the Apoftle plainly fignifies to us, where he faith, The Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with Faith, in them that heard it. And the Faith, that we must have, to make it profit us, is not a mere hiftorical Perfuafion of the Truth of the Gofpel, though with this we are to begin; but a deep Sense of our Need of God's Mercy promifed in it; a thankful Acceptance of the Terms, on which that Mercy is offered; an humble Reliance on a crucified Saviour for Pardon, Grace and Strength; with a firm Dependance on having these Bleffings conveyed to us, through a right Ufe of the Means, which he hath ordained for that End; his Word, and Sacraments, and Prayer. Such Faith indeed muft come by bearing at firft, as the Apostle hath obferved. But this is no Objection against the Neceffity of exercifing it afterwards, in Order to hear as we ought: and exercifing duly our י, r Heb. iv. 2. • Rom. x. 17. prefent prefent lower Degree of it, is the only Way to obtain a higher. Every one therefore, who defires Benefit from religious Inftruction, muft attend on it with Humility of Heart, as a fallen, finful, undeferving Creature; to whom it makes known a Method of Recovery, which of himself he could never have found out or imagined. He must receive it, when delivered conformably to Scripture, not as the Word of Men, but as it is in Truth, the Word of God, muft labour to strengthen his Conviction of thefe Things. He must apply earnestly to Him, whofe Gift Faith is, for that Faith in his Gofpel, which worketh by Love". For when once we come to love our Maker, our Redeemer, our Sanctifier, we fhall hear the very hardest Parts of our Duty with willing Minds, and perform the Whole with a cheerful and perfevering Zeal: till which Time, all remains imperfect and ineffectual. Every Attainment that comes fhort of uniform univerfal Obedience, however fpecious it be, leaves us in Effect very nearly, if not quite, where we were. St. James's Comparison is perfectly juft. Be ye Doers of the Word: and not Hearers only, deceiving your own t I Theff. ii. 13. u Gal. v. 6. T 2 felves. felves. For if any be a Hearer of the Word, and not a Doer; he is like unto a Man, beholding his natural Face in a Glafs. For he beboldeth himself, and goeth his Way; and ftraitway forgetteth what Manner of Man he was Yet this too plainly appears to be the common Method. A great Part, even of those, who come to hear from a Principle of Conscience, fuch as it is, mind exceedingly little at the Time, reflect lefs afterwards, and continue just the fame Men they were before. They wonder indeed, that their Neighbours take no more Notice of what is faid; and can even wreft Paffages in Sermons to Meanings, which they were never intended to have, and are fcarce, if at all capable of, in order to point them against the Faults of others; while they think not in the lcaft of correcting their own, be they ever fo plainly defcribed: as if Religion were made for every one else to practife, but themfelves. It would really feem quite impoffible, if daily Experience did not shew it, that Men could be told so plainly, and warned fo frequently, of Tranfgreffions and Follies, which they cannot deny to be fuch, by which often they not only do great Harm, but fuffer great Uneafiness, in this World, and which they are fenfible must bring on them, if not forfaken, the heaviest Vengeance of God in the next; yet fit all the While as unconcerned, as if the Discourse were about fome perfectly indifferent Matter; and go away at laft, without fo much as a fingle Thought of ever changing their Conduct. Or if they do think of reforming, it is at fome diftant Time; like Felix, when they have a convenient Seafon; and this they look on as a very pious Intention: whereas indeed it is only determining to live on wickedly for the prefent, and leave off they know not when. Or they refolve from henceforward to perform fome Parts of their Duty, the more eafy, or profitable, or fashionable, perhaps but neglect the reft, as much as ever. Or they go farther, and will break loose from all their Sins: but they will not avoid thofe Temptations, that must in all Likelihood bring them back foon into their former Bondage; nor make Ufe of thofe Means, that would preferve them from it. Thus, one Way or other, they contrive to bear the Word, and not to do it: and all they * Acts xxiv. 25. get by this artful Management, at St. James, in the Paffage abovementioned, hath excellently obferved, is deceiving their own felves. For God we can never deceive; Men we very feldom do; nay even ourselves, for the moft Part, we are able to cheat but poorly; and could we fucceed in it as completely, as we wish, we should be only the more irretrievably ruined. you Take Heed therefore, how ye bear: and begin your Care with confidering fo seriously, and improving fo faithfully, what hath been delivered to you for that Purpose now, that may reap the trueft and utmost Advantage you can, from whatever shall be any where taught you hereafter. Laying afide all Malice, and all Guile and Hypocrify, as new born Babes, defire the fincere Milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge : of our Lrd and Saviour Jefus Chrift: to Him be Glory, both now and for ever. Amen. y 1 Pet. ii. 1, 2. z z Pet. iii. 18. The End of the FIRST VOLUME. |