3 34 Of the Form, and Vol. II, SERMON CLI. Of the Form, and the Power ofGodlinefs; TIM. III. 5. Having a Form of Godlinefs, but denying the Power thereof. The feted Text. P HE Third thing propounded was to give fome Marks, whereby we may THE when thefe are feparated, when there is a Form ofReligion without thin the Power ofit. I need not infift long upon this, becaufe this will in a good meafure appear by the account I have given of thefe two feverally, of the Form ofReligion, and of the Power of it; for he that confiders wherein each of thefe confifts, will eaft- ly judge when they are feparated. But yet, that we may be fore not to miftake in a matter of fo great concernment, I will initance in two or three grofs andpal- pable Charafters of this, and theyare fo comprehenfive as to contain molt of the reft. I. He bath only aForm of Godlinefs, who minds merely theexternal pact of Re- ligion, without any inward fenfe of ir. II. He that ufeth only the means of Religion, without regard to the end and effe& of it. III. He that is grofly and knowingly defeftive in the praftice of any part of it. I. He bath only a Form ofGodlinefs, who minds merely the externalpart ofRe- ligion, without any inward fenfe of it. He that worfhips and fervesGod outward- ly, but hath no inward reverenceand efteem for him, who cares noi, fo the work be done, and the duty performed, with what heart and affeaion he does it. This is a mere Carcafs of Religion, which is fo far from being pleating to God, that it is intolerably offenfive to him; for the' it be outwardly an honour done to God, yet really and in truth it is a contempt of him. And yet it is to be feared, that this is a Religion which many in theWorld chufe and content themfelves with. They can ferve God an hour together, and menti- on his Name an hundred times, without ever thinking of him, or being affe&ed with the bufinefs they are about: nay which is worfe, this is a Religion which a great part of theWorld ufe, and cannot help it, I mean all thofe who ferve God in an unknown Tongue. For how is it pollible their minds and hearts can be con- cerned in a Service they do not underftand? They may poflìbly have a devout mind in general; but they cannot exercife any ads ofDevotion in the particular fervice theyare engaged in. The belt of Men are apt enough to let their thoughts fwerve, and go affray from God when they are worfhipping of him, tho' they un- derftand the fervice they are about i but when they do not underffand, it is im- poflìble their minds and thoughts Ihould go along with it, and be concerned in what is done. This is properly and in the arid fenfe of theWord pdpçc.ou sso ßH65 an image of Religion and Devotion, without any life or fenfe. And if to have our Bodies put in a devout pofture, to moveour Hands, and Lips, and Eyes, with- out underftanding the fervice we offer to God, may be accounted worfhipping of him, this is a fervice that may be performed by Puppets as well as Men. God is a fpirit; and they that woifhip him, mull worfl ip him in fpirit and in truth. In fpirit and in truth, in oppofition to a mere bodily fervice, and external thew of Devo- tion. 2
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