men know, that as this is a religion which does not make them like God, it will assuredly fail in the end of bringing them to God.

Still however they think, that this is enough to gain them a reputation in the world, and to promote the interests of it. And this is the whole desire of many, who prostitute religion to the baseness of their worldly designs, and make use of it as a medium to their advancement. They practise just so much of it as serves to represent them in an acceptable view to their fellow-creatures; and the rest they leave for such as have a strength of mind equal to the whole of a Christian's labour. They have the art of making a division in the several duties of religion, and of selecting such as will set them in the fairest point of view to those who are around them.

In fact they find an absolute necessity of some external profession; because from this their honesty in their worldly transactions is often estimated, and conseVOL. IV. quently

T

quently an enlargement of their interests is promoted. Few persons care to have an intercourse with the avowed enemies of religion; because there is not so much as the shadow of the fear of God before their eyes: and it cannot reasonably be expected, that those who are just to God in nothing, should be disposed to practise much justice among men. If they will not give unto God the debt of grateful acknowledgment which is his due, it is not very probable that they will give unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's.

This then is the religious policy of these men; this is their regard to the solemn truths of the divine records. As far as the service of God influences their worldly concerns, so far will they wait upon him in the way of His own appointment; but beyond this their religion will not carry them a single step,

Again: There are others who are willing that a mere external profession should comprehend the whole of their duty, and therefore reason themselves into a belief

that

that it does so; thus perverting the word of God, and making it of none effect.

Such is the wisdom of the world, that it can transform the true nature of things; make that to be religion which is only the bare resemblance of it, and true, genuine, vital religion, to be the creature of mere fancy and delusion.

And indeed, did religion expire with life, and the effects of it terminate in the grave, such reasoning would prove, perhaps, the best philosophy. But the certainty of a future existence, and the rewards which are to be differently dispensed according to the difference of men's behaviour in this life, clearly demonstrate the foundation on which these men build, to be all hay and stubble, which will not be able to endure the fiery trial, The godliness therefore which they profess, may be profitable for the present life, but cannot be so for that which is to come. They draw nigh unto God with their mouths, and honour him with their lips, but their hearts, the center of all true re

ligion, are far from him: therefore sha!! their portion be far from eternal happiness at the great day of account and retribution. For God will never accept the surface of religion for the subtance, or reward the washing of the outside of the cup or platter. They who hope for his divine favour, must wash their hands in innocency; must purge their hearts and consciences from dead works; and endeavour to form themselves into a resemblance of the divine perfections.

St. Paul, in his usual strong and emphatic language, expresses that change of principle which must take place in the breast of every true believer, by the comprehensive phrase of his becoming a new creature:-"For in Christ Jesus," says he, “neither circumcision availeth any thing,

nor uncircumcision, but a new crea"ture." By which we are to understand our regeneration; our being renewed by the Holy Ghost; and an entire change in the whole man. Old things must be done away, and all things must become new. And this change must not consist in mere

Pharisaical observances, which terminate in outward washings and purifications, but it must be a real and inward change, as inward as the soul itself, which will lead us to dedicate ourselves, our souls, and bodies to the service of God.

The considerations which move a natural man to the performance of religious acts are fetched from outward things; so that his religion continues no longer than the pleasure or views of advantage, which first gave birth to it. But the principle which animates a true Christian is an inward principle, which in its first motion is towards God, and which prompts him to do all things to the honour of God. All his services are kindled with a fire from Heaven. He considers what it is that stamps a value upon all his actions, and finds that they are good or evil, according as the fountain from which they proceed is pure or corrupted. He takes care therefore to purify and cleanse his heart; on the right government of which depend the issues of life or death eternal.