310 The nature and extent of visible religion.

most careful when you will reap the greatest prefent reward? By examining into these particulars, you may be enabled to judge of the purity of your intentions.

In the last place, Suffer me to improve this fubject, by an earnest exhortation to all who now hear me, to the practice of the duty recommended in the text, to "make your light shine "before men, that they may fee your good "works, and glorify your Father who is in hea" That this may be the more distinct and effectual, I fhall addrefs it to three different claffes.

ven.

ift, To those vho are the profeffed advocates of good works. Every one who hath any experience of, or commerce with the world, must know, that there is a fet of men who profess to love and efteem thofe difcourfes only that teach and recommend good works; and that in order to ftate a diftinction where there ought to be none, between the truths of the glorious go. fpel, and the doctrines of morality. I intreat all of you to confider what hath been faid of the great extent of visible religion, and it will have a greater tendency to humble you, and excite you to feek the fanctifying grace of God as the fource of true holiness, than to glory in the excellence or perfection of your moral character. Take heed also, that you fall not into the shameful inconfiftency too common in the world, of being the strongest pleaders for moral preaching, and the least tender of moral practice. What a fhame and scandal is it, and how pitiful in the eyes of those who understand what true and undefiled

defiled religion is, to hear one who is unwil ling, unable, or afhamed to worship God in his own family, who is but rarely to be feen in the public affemblies of God's people, who hardly ever gave child or fervant a ferious advice, but whom they have often seen guilty of drunkenness and excefs; to hear, I fay, fuch an one rife up as an advocate for morality; to hear him crying out, morality is the whole of religion; and therefore that he cannot endure fuch stuff as con. viction and humiliation, converfion or regeneration, flying to, embracing, or relying upon a Saviour; phrafes which, among too many, are now going into defuetude; whether they retain their important meaning, I fhall leave to the judgement of another day. Nay, I am afraid we might produce more inftances than one, capable of faying, upon hearing a difcourfe of the love of God, "Such things are not to be under"ftood; 'twere pity but minifters would fatif"fy themselves with preaching plain morality;" as if the love of God, which is the fum and subftance of the moral law, were no part of it at all. To fuch may it not juftly be faid, "* Thou "that makeft thy boaft of the law, through "breaking the law dishonoureft thou God?" Let all fuch of you, therefore, be exhorted to act up to their character: "If thou wilt enter into "life, keep the commandments." But be fure you understand what these commandments are: and then, if you can maintain before God, who is greater than your hearts, that you have kept *Rom. ii. 23. thefe

312 The nature and extent of visible religion.

these perfectly in thought, word, and deed, you may reft your falvation upon it; for it not only was, but continues to be a certain truth, that "the man who doth them shall live in them.” But it is greatly to be feared, that this is a fource of life by far too deep for any of the chil dren of Adam to draw it out.

In the 2d place, I would addrefs this exhortation to all who have, or profess to have, a high esteem of the doctrine of Chrift, and of him crucified. Extremes commonly beget one another; and fo the ill-founded zeal which defpifers of the gospel sometimes pretend for good works, makes others ftate themselves in oppofition to them, and makes the word itself to have an unacceptable found. But, my brethren, beware of being thus overcome of evil. Remember the words of our Saviour, "Let your light fo shine "before men, that they may fee your good "works." Hear alfo the apoftle Paul: "This "is a faithful faying, and these things I will that "thou affirm conftantly, that they which have "believed in God, might be careful to maintain "good works." You cannot more effectually bring a reproach on that holy name by which you are called, and in which you glory, than by being enemies in word or in deed to holiness and purity of conversation, or by not being even apparently and visibly holy. For though you must lay your account with the reproach of men, and hatred of the world in many cafes, wo is pronounced against you, if you do not "love

Titus iii. 8.

"them

"them that hate you, and bless them that per"fecute you." Let therefore your converfation be without offence. Neglect not any part of your duty in the fight of the world, and be the more watchful, that, on account of your profession, they will be the more diligent in observing, and the more fevere in censuring, your conduct. Whilst therefore you remember that faith in Chrift is the only fource of new obedience, remember alfo that faith without works is dead, being alone.

In the last place, I would address this exhortation to all fuch in this audience as, by their office or station, or wealth or character, are raifed above others. You will furely be fenfible of the propriety of this exhortation, "Let your light fo fhine before men, that they may fee

your good works." You are placed in a confpicuous fituation, exposed to public view, and your influence will be great, whether it be profitable or hurtful. You ought not to count your higher station in life a favour blindly bestowed on you for your pleasure only, but a truft com. mitted to you for which you must render an impartial account. How fhould this reprefs and reftrain all vain-glorious oftentation of the temporary differences between man and man, and excite to a diligent improvement of your talents against the coming of your Lord, when the higheft shall be upon a level with the loweft. I hope it will contribute to enforce the exhortation, that, in this age, the declining state of religion loudly calls for the affiftance of all to its revi

314 The nature and extent of visible religion.

val, but particularly for eminent and fhining examples. How hard- is it, that when vice and infidelity have fo many advocates in writing and converfation, there fhould be fo few exerting themselves in their ftation, for the promoting of truth and righteoufnefs! And let none excuse themselves for their own neglect of duty, by throwing the blame upon others, and holding up to light the floth or wickedness of those who are most eminently guilty. Let none fay, "Alas

"

my fphere of usefulness is very narrow, my "influence is very fmall; but if those who are "in more eminent ftations, and whofe ftations "give them greater weight, would but exert "themselves, the effect would be fenfible." Remember your stations are just what God hath af figned you, and for thefe, and these alone, you are to be called to an account. The lefs important they are, the duties are the more easily fulfilled, and the neglect, in one respect at least, (though I cannot say in all), more criminal and inexcufable. To conclude, Let the wife and powerful magiftrates, minifters, parents, and heads of families, be diligent in discharging the duties incumbent upon them, and join earnest prayer to God, that he would arife and effectually plead his own caufe. Amen.

The End of the FIRST VOLUME.