Serin. 26. the life of Religion without public k ordinances ? 593 4. His foul cannot be quickned with life of the Religion of the Gofpell, who is not in hear perfwaded, that the fecuring the life of R ligion in his foul, is hugely more his concernment, than the prcfervieg of the life of the body. Yea his Religion is built on a fandy foundation who bath not ferioufly confidered, that for oug he knows, his Religion may coif him his life, and bath not brought his foul to an humble r. efolution to lay down his life, rather than let go his Religion : thus much is clearly imported in that paf- fage L ik 14.27,28, &c. Which of you intending to build a tower, fit- tab not down frf and cotsnteth the cofi, &c ? 5. The fociety of good men, and enjoyment of Gofpell Ordinan- ces, is of fpeciall ufe to preferve, quicken and enliven the principle of Religion in the foul ; they are to Religion in the foul, what food i to the naturals life of the body : and therefore the O: dinances in the Church, are compared to breath of cenfolation, ILr. 66.1 t. "i he great deign of God in appointing Gofpell Ordinances is, that by the help and afíi:hlance of chofe gifts and graces which he beflows upon his Minifies =, the fouls of thofe who are of ranged from him, fhould be brought home to the owning and acknowledging of the truth ; and that thofe who have returned to the Lord , fhould he more and more aff.aed with a fenfe of divine goodnefs, and their dep:n- dance on the Lord, for all they have and hope for ; and indeed if preaching, and reading, and praying, and every other Ordinance, both in publike and in private, do not aim at and intend this great end, the begetting or actuating and íiirring up the life of Religion in our fouls, th °n are they, what fame would fain perfwade us, vain, ufekfs, troublefome things. If thy coming to Church to hear a prayer, or a Sermon, be not by thee defigned, and do not in the event tend to make thee better, to love God more, loath fin more, and value the world lets, and refolve more heartily to obey the Go- fpell, thou hadit as good have been in thy bed or fhop as in the Church ; and if in preaching and praying, we that are Gods mouth to you, and your mouth to God, have any other deign than to fair up in your fouls good thoughts of God, affec`fionate workings of heart towards a Ioving tender-hearted father zealous and hungring delres, to do the will of God, and exprefs our love by obeying bis commandments, I ferioufly profefs I fhould think my felt much bet- ter ìmployed to be working in a Coblers flail, or raking in the ken- nel!, or filling a dung cart, than preaching or praying in a pulpit ;and let thofe who do not intend thefe great ends, know that ere brig they
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=