na FALLING SHORT. OF HEAVEN. despicable a figureyour souls will make amongst fallen angels, if the love of this world, and neglect of God should bring you into that dreadful company. What gay and swelling figures soever you have made ón earth, you will make but a poor and wretched one in that world, if ye are found destitute of the riches of grace ; and it will be a mournful inscription written on your tomb, " This rich man died, and he lif? up his eyes in hell;" Luke xvi. 23. But, beloved, we hope better things of you, though we thus speàk, and things that accompany salvation ; Heb. vi. 9. Thus I have finished the first general exhortation, to those who have any valuable qualities attending them, but through the love of this world are tempted to neglect heaven. The second exhortation is addressed to those who are weaned, in some good degree, from this world, and llave trea- sures in heaven, but are defective in those good qualities which might render them amiable upon earth. I confess I have no direct commission from my text to address you here : But I am unwilling and ashamed that a rich young man should go to hell with some more lovely appearances upon him than you have, whoare in the way to heaven. Youhave chosen God for your eternal portion, and your highest hope; you have chosen his Son Jesus for your only Mediator, and your way. to the Father: you have chosen the worship and the ordinances of God as your dearest delight ; ye are the chosen objects of the love of God, and his grace has in- clined you to lovehim above all things. Methinks I would not have any blot cast upon so many excellencies. Be ye advised therefore to seek after that agreeable temper and conduct which may make you beloved of men too ; that the wisest and best of men may chute you for an honour to their acquaintance and com- pany. This will render your profession more honourable, and make religion itself look more lovely in the sight of theworld. What a foul blemish it is to our christianity, whenwe shall hear it said, " Here is a man who professes the gospel of grace, but he, does not practise the decencies that the light of nature would teach him! I-Ie tells us, that he belongs to heaven ; but he has so little ofhumanity in his deportment, that lie is hardly fit company for any upon earth." Shall it be said of any of you, "Here is a man that pretends to the loveof God, but heis morose in- his disposition, rude in his behaviour, and makes a very un- lovely figure amongst men ? Let him fill what station he will in the church, he bears but a disagreeable òharacter in the house, and disgraces the familyor the city where hedwells. What his secret virtues or graces are, we know not, for they shine all in- ward ; he keeps all his goodness to himself; and never suffers h a light to shine out amongst his neighbours."
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=