328 Of the Form, and Vol. II. Ihave allfaith, fo that I could remove mountains, andhave no charity; I am nothing. And the reafon is plain, becaufe the knowledgeof Religion is only in order to the pra&ice ofit; andan Article or Propofition of Faith is an idle thing, if it do not produce fuch a&ions as the belief of fuch a Propofition doth require. There are many Perfons in the World very folicitous about an orthodox belief; and mightily concern'd to knowwhat the Scriptures, but efpecially what the Councilsand Fathers, have declar'd in fuch a matter ; and they are nice and fcru- pulous in thefe things, even to the utmoft pun&ilio's, and will with a moft un- chriftian paffion contend for the Chriftian Faith : and yet perhaps all this while they can allow themfelves in plain fins, and in the pra&ice of fuch things as are in Scripture as clearly forbidden to be done, as any thing is there commanded to be believ'd. Whereas Religion does not confift fo much in nicety and fubtilty of belief, as in integrity and innocencyof life; and the trueft and molt orthodox perfuafion in matters of Religion, is but a meer Form and Image, if it be not ac- companied with an anfwerable practice; yea, like the Image reprefented to Nebu. chadnezzar in his dream, whofe headwas of fine gold, but the legs and feet were iron andclay. Not but that a right beliefis of great concernment in Religion ; but then this belief muff be profecuted into the proper and genuine confequences of it upon bur lives: If it be not, it is unhappy for men that they believe fo well, when they live fo ill. The Devils have a right Faith, St. James tell us, they believe and tremble. And indeed none have fo much reafon to tremble, as thofe who be- lieve the Principles ofReligion, and yet are corifcious to themfelves that they live contrary to them ; becaufe of all Perfons in the World they are the molt inex- cufable. III. Another Form ofReligion which many take upon them is Enthufiafm, and pretence to infpiration. And this is a very glorious Form, which is apt to dazle and amufe the ignorant, becaufe they know not what to make of it. It feems to be foinething orange and extraordinary, and yet 'tis nothing but what every Man that has confidence enough may pretend to. There is no Chriftian doubts but that theSpirit of God bath heretofore infpir'd Men in an extraordinary manner, and that he may do fo again when he pleafes. But rime the great and ftanding revelation ofthe Gofpel, we have reafon not to be rafh in giving heed to fuch pretences. If thofe who pretend to infpiration de- clare nothing but what is reveal'd in theGofpel already, their infpiration is need- lefs; if they declare any thing contrary thereto, we are fufficiently cautioned a- gainft them ; if any thing befides the revelation of the Gofpel, but not contrary to it, then we are to expeff what evidence they bring for their infpiration. For God does not infpire Men for their own fakes, but for the fake ofothers; and ano- ther Man's infpiration is nothing to me, unlefs he can fatisfie me that he is infpir'd. For either I muff believe every one that pretends to infpiration, or thofe only that can make good their pretence. Not every one,. for then I yield up my felf to the mercy ofevery confident Man to lead me into what delufions he pleafes. If I believe only thofe whoare able tomake good this pretence, then am I in no great danger ; far nothing lefs than a Miracle can give me reafonable affurance of ano- ther Man's infpiration ; and I think few or none ofour modern Enthufiafts have fo much as pretended to Miracles. So that this Form of Religion is calculated on- ly to impofe upon the ignorant, but fignifies little among the fteady and confiderate fort of people. Nay if this pretence were real, yet it may be no more than a Form of Religion. For the Apoflle fuppofes that Men may have the gift of Prophecy, and yet want Charily, without which they are nothing. And our Saviour tells us, that many !hall plead at the day of Judgment, Have we not prophefied in thy name, and in thy name ca/?, cut Devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And yet thefe very Perlons for all this may be workers of iniquity, and fuch as our Lord will bid to depart from him. 1V. A great external thew of Mortification. 4 This
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