they belong, escape some little persecution, and secure some little interests; and entitle themselves to some favourable distinctions from the worthless, of which last many seem extremely ambitious. But while the Disposer of all things gives them their desire in these respects, he sends leanness withal into their souls*. Either they pine away with secret consciousness, that they act a mean part; and feel their sense of duty grow languid for want of exerting it: or if they decline without perceiving the decay, their state is the more dangerous and hopeless. Acknowledgment of God is as necessary to our acceptance, as faith in him. For St. Paul hath told us, that as with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, so with the mouth confession is made unto salvation †. And St. John hath ranked together in future punishment, the fearful with the unbelieving. Nay, our Saviour's own declaration, which cannot be too often brought to mind, is: Whoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels §. Our religion then is not to be dissembled, but avowed. He that is not openly with Christ, is against him: disobeys his directions, and frustrates, as far as he can, a valuable part of his design. But they, who assist his followers to support his cause, though wicked or thoughtless men revile them for it, are expressly assured, that great is their reward in heaven¶: always provided, that the rest of their character and conduct be suitable to this part. For Scripture promises, made to one duty, must ever be understood on supposition of its being performed from such principles, Ps. cvi. 15. Matt. xii. 30. + Rom. x. 10. Luke xi. 23. ↑ Rev. xxi. 8. & Mark viii. 38. Luke vi. 22,23. as will effectually influence us to observe every duty. And then, the more we abound in this particularly, the ampler will be our recompense. Now therefore I proceed, III. To apply what hath been said, to the present occasion. Beneficial as pious discourse and consultation is in general, the benefit may both be increased to ourselves and other serious believers, and extended further amongst the vicious and inconsiderate, by our uniting into regular societies for the more constant intercourse of mutual edification, and support of religious behaviour. In these, the knot of virtuous friendship is drawn closer; each member of them is by the rest warmed into greater earnestness, furnished with fuller advice, bound to stricter circumspection. They are shelters and protections, to which the weak may fly: they are cities, though small, set on a hill, to attract the observation and direct the steps of travellers: they are lights shining in the world, to shew men the path of life*. Such indeed principally are the more public assemblies of Christians: which true Christians will on no account ever forsake; though it be the manner of some †, indeed of many in our days, who yet retain the name, to slight them, in direct opposition both to Scripture and reason. But going to church at the appointed times hath been represented as a thing, which people do thoughtlessly and of course, or to avoid censure: whereas voluntary societies, like yours, cannot be under that imputation. Joining in them proceeds plainly from deliberate choice; and proclaims very seasonably in a degenerate age, a sense of duty, which may through God's blessing have excellent effects. Indeed, were + Heb. x. 25. Matth. v. 14. this method recommended no other way, the practice of our adversaries might teach it us. Unbelievers have their infidel clubs: nay, turn into such, as far as they can, every sort of meeting for every other purpose. Thus they strengthen each others' hands in impiety: and surely then we should associate to build up each other in our holy faith. Not that you are to condemn those, who do not in form become members of your societies. They may have reasons, with which you are unacquainted: they may do what is equivalent in some other way; they may judge ill in this particular, and yet mean and act well in the main. But still joining more visibly and professedly in the work of the Lord, as you do, may be of singular service to yourselves and others. Nor can it be doubted, but these societies, in the many years which they have subsisted, have preserved and reclaimed from sin, improved and ripened in goodness, great multitudes of souls: a praise infinitely superior to all that any other combinations can claim, which are instituted for worldly pleasure or profit; and, without much caution, may divert the attention to wrong matters, to fix it on such as are comparatively trifles; whereas your's points it directly to the one thing needful +. Long practice and trial hath taught you, what regulations are most proper to avoid inconveniences; and attain the excellent ends, which you propose. Indeed the printed orders of one of your assemblies, which I take it for granted the rest have in substance, are so perfectly right and wise, that you need but little more direction, than often to read them carefully over, and keep up to the spirit of them. Merely paying a personal attendance at your so cieties, and joining with it a decent deportment in common life, though it may be an example of some spiritual use to others, will be of little more than worldly benefit to yourselves: indeed will deceive you fatally, if you rest in it. For a bare outside profession is nothing, is hypocrisy. Nay, though you practise from an inward principle of conscience ever so many human virtues, but without regard to God, you are only moral, not pious men. Nay further, if you also worship and honour Him, and think that by this you merit favour and reward from him, you are miserably ignorant of his holiness, and your own sinful imperfections. Or even should you go yet another step, and trust, not in your good works, but in his mercy, as discoverable by the light of reason only: that can never shew you certainly, whether, and in what degree, his mercy will extend to you; and though not far from the kingdom of God*, you still want one thing before you can enter into it, faith in his mercy, as purchased by the blood, and offered by the Gospel, of Jesus Christ. Numbers, alas! in our days have wholly, or in part, slighted and cast off his Gospel. But instead of following them, remember the saying of St. Peter, when many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him; Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life t. If you once leave the revealed will of God; what you are to do, will often be matter of doubt: but how you shall be able to do it, and what you are to hope or to fear, after doing so little rightly, and so much amiss, will be always uncertain. And in these circumstances, worldly interest, or sensuality, or vanity, will soon John vi. 66, 67, 68. * Mark xii. 34. tempt you, as too frequent experience hath proved, first to live wickedly, then to disbelieve a future recompense. Therefore if you love your souls, if indeed you would preserve any sense of religion at all, stand fast in the faith of your blessed Redeemer. Very possibly you may hear not only jests thrown upon it, which deserve nothing more than contempt and abhorrence, but seeming or real difficulties raised in relation to it, and shrewd objections urged against such a doctrine, or such a text, or such a fact. Qualify yourselves to answer them, if you can: for answers to them all there are. But if you cannot; rely securely, as you well may, on the accumulated evidence of innumerable miracles performed and prophecies fulfilled, the sublimity and purity of the doctrine, the incomparable excellence of the character of Christ, the disinterested sufferings of his first followers, the glorious prevalence of his Gospel against all opposition, the divine efficacy of it on the hearts of men. These are general, obvious, irrefragable proofs of the whole of Christianity at once: sufficient to outweigh ten thousand exceptions to particular parts. Being convinced then, that you ought to receive the Gospel of Christ, receive it in simplicity, as the truth is in Jesus". Believe in him, as God manifest in the flesh, believe in the atonement of his death, the necessity of the grace of his Spirit, the efficacy of his institutions: and that with such a faith, as will equally prompt you to pray for pardon and help, and to cleanse yourselves, by means of the assistance granted you, from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God . From this faith will arise comfortable hope, which |
