Berm. CLII. the Power ofGodlinefs. 3 3 9 thepatient continuance in well-doing, to the obeying of the truth, to the working of righteoufnefs, that eternal life is promifed : and the wrath ofGod is threatned to them that obey unrighteoufnefs, to every Soul ofMan that cloth evil. To the Jew far/l, Why fo? Becaufe he had great advantage ofcoming to the knowledge of the truth, which is fo much the greater aggravation of his wicked life, and snakes his Sentence fo much theheavier. Indeed it fhall be to Men at the day of Judgment likewife according to their Faith, in a certain fenfe, that is, according to the Doerrine of the Gofpel which - they profefs to believe, according to what our Saviour and his Apoflles have taught, that the workers of iniquity fhalldepart from him ; that without Mind's no man(hall fee the Lord; and if we live after theAlb we (hall die ; that no whoremonger, nor adulterer, nor covetous, nor unrighteous perfon, flail have any inheritance in the Kingdom ofGod, and ofChr. This we profefs to believe, and according to thefe declarationsGod will proceed with Men at the great Day. And he that believes this, and yet goes on in an impiety and wickednefs of life, tho' his Faith will not juftify him, yet God will juftify his Faith, and make it good, when he fhalljudge the world in righteoufrefs. Thus you fee plainly, that a Form of Godlinefs without the Power, is infignifi- cant to all the great Ends and Purpofes of Religion ; nay, he that takes up in a Form, does not only lofe the Advantages of Religion; but he hath two great Dif- advantages by it. I. He hath the trouble of making a Thew of Religion, without the real benefit of it. H. He incurs a heavier Sentence upon this very account. But thefe with the Application I fhall refer to the next opportunity. SERMON C,IT. Of the Form, and the Power ofGodlinefs. 2 T I M. M. 5. Having a Form of Godlinejs, but denying the Power thereof. ICome now to fhew, that he that takes upon him a Form ofReligion, without rbe third the Power of it, Bothnot only lofe all the confiderable advantages of Religion, thre* but he hath two great difadvantages by it. I. He hath the trouble of making a !hew and appearance of Religion, without the real benefit of it. II. He incurs a heavier fentence upon this account, that he bath a Formof Reli- gion, and yet is deftitute of the Powerof it. I. He bath the trouble of making a thew and appearance of Religion, without the real benefits of it. And 'tis no fmall trouble to perfonate and aft a part well, it requires great art and attention, great guard and caution. That whichMen are prompted to by an inward Principle, is natural and eafie, it is done withpleafure and delight; but whatever is artificial and counterfeit, is Riff and forc'd. Nemo f +clam perfonam diu fuflinerepote, ff, no Man can di/femble always, one time or other he will be furprifed and forget himfelf, and let his Mafk fall. A Form of Religi- Xx z on
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