ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

cheap and common duties, left its galling reproofs fhould alarm their fears, and anticipate the horrors of approaching judge

ment.

Thus they dream of fafety, when deftruction is faft coming upon them; and, with "untempered mortar," rear up for themselves" a refuge of lies," which, ere long, shall be tumbled down, and bury them in its ruins. For awakening fuch perfons from their fatal fecurity, I have chofen this paffage of Holy Scripture, wherein the Apoftle gives us a part of the character of deceiving hypocrites, or rather, indeed, a comprehenfive defcription of them in few words: They have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. Their religion is a mere carcass, a body without the foul, a lifelefs picture or image of godliness: they affume the garb and air of fanctity, but are ftrangers, nay, enemies, to the thing itself.That the following discourse may be "profitable for doctrine, "for reproof, for correction, and for in"ftruction in righteoufnefs," I fhall, in

the

First place, Endeavour to open the nature

of

of true godliness, and to fhow wherein the life and power of it confift.

Secondly, I fhall enquire, whence it is, that any who deny the power of godliness should fubmit to the drudgery of practising the forms of it?-and then point out the improvement which both faints and finners ought to make of this fubject.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

GODLINESS, in general, is the subjection or devotedness of the foul to God himself. It is the practical acknowledgement of his unlimited fovereignty, and the unreserved dedication of the whole man to his fervice; or, to speak in the emphatical language of this Apoftle, it is "Chrift formed" in the heart, by the powerful energy of the Holy Spirit in confequence whereof, the perfon becomes " a new creature," both with regard to his temper and practice; "he par"takes of the divine nature;" and "thofe "members" which were formerly the "fer"vants of fin," are now employed as "in"ftruments of righteoufnefs unto God."

It is not a cold affent to the truths of religion; it is not a natural foftnefs and benevolence

volence of temper; it is not the abstaining from grofs fins, or the giving to God a corner of our hearts, and fome vacant portions of our time, while the bulk of both is alienated from him,-that will intitle us to the character of godly men.-As he only is God, who is univerfal Lord, fupreme in wisdom, in power, and in goodness; fo that only is godlinefs which reveres and honours God, in a way fuited to that high and incommunicable character.-Genuine piety expreffeth itself thus: "Whom have I "in heaven but thee, O Lord? there is "none upon earth that I defire befides thee." We are not godly, whatever we profess or feem, if, in our most deliberate and affectionate choice, we do not prefer the one true God, and the enjoyment of his favour, to all that can be found throughout the wide extent of his works; if we make not his will the measure of ours, his law the fovereign guide of our conduct, and his glory the ultimate end of our obedience. But more particularly, in the

First place, Godliness includes a fupreme love to God himself, and a conftant prevail

VOL. I.

Η

ing

ing defire to please him, mixed with a holy reverential awe, or fear of offending him. I have joined thefe together, because they appear to be of equal neceffity and use, to constitute that frame and temper of mind wherein the effence of piety or true godliness doth confift.Fear is neceffary to keep God in our eye: it is the office of love to enthrone him in our heart.-Fear cautiously avoids whatever may offend love yields a prompt and liberal fervice. Fear regards God as a witnefs and judge: love cleaves to him as a friend, nay a father.Fear maketh us watchful and circumfpect: love renders us active and refolute.-In fhort, they go hand in hand, and mutually affift each other: Love keeps fear from being fervile and distrustful; and fear keeps love from being forward and secure: and both fpring from one root, namely, Faith in God, as a being poffeffed of infinite perfection, and related to us as our Creator and Governor, our Redeemer, and our Judge.

This diftinguifheth true godliness from every counterfeit, or falfe appearance of it.

The feeming religioufnefs of the for

malift,

malift, is either affumed to impofe upon the world, without any regard to God at all, or elfe it flows entirely from a tormenting fear of future wrath in his heart there is an averfion from God and his fervice, at the very time he is profeffing to honour him with his body; reluctant, and hefitating at every ftep, he proceeds no farther in the road of duty, than he thinks may fuffice to escape damnation: he doth more than he would do, were he not forced by necessity; and if left to his own choice, he would rather live at large like the beasts that perish, and render no homage to God at all.

Secondly, The power of godliness confifts in the conqueft of our corrupt and rebellious paffions. These indeed ftill live and fight within us; and will continue to do fo, in one degree or other, till death pull down these earthly tabernacles: but if we are truly fanctified, their ftrength fhall gradually languifh and decay: victory is fown in that new nature we have got; for "whatsoever is born of God overcometh

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »