76 AN WIMPLE ATTEMPT, &C. among the children of men : but he is pleased often to condes- cend in his word, to talk with us after the manner of men, in order to awaken us to diligence, to watchfulness, and to an tn- provement of our blessingsto some answerable purposes in reli- gion. So he argues the case concerning the unfruitful nation of Israel, whom he called and chose to be his own people ; Isa. v. 3, 4. What could have been dine more to my vineyard that 1 have not done it h Wherefore When I looked that it should bring forth grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes t The ever-blessed Godcomplains here of his people like a vine- dresser disappoint- ed of his hopes. Again, Angels expect it of you, for they are ministers of many a favour of God to you : they are witnesses of your pri- vileges and your obligations; they rejoice -at your conversion to God, and at your growth in holiness, and at every victory you obtain ; but perhaps you give them occasion to carry many a me- lancholy message concerning you to their Lord in heaven; melancholy messages indeed of abused privileges and broken obligations. There are seasons when the sons of God who are sent through the earth come to present themselves before the Lord, Mid give an account of their commission and your conduct; Job i. 6. 0 mayyou furnish those heavenly ministers with constant matter of joyful tidings to the throne ! And let me add farther, men expect it of you, both the good and the bad : everyone that Observes what advantages you enjoy for godliness, and what special obligations You lie under, expects to see some fruits of holiness answerable to your profession, and to the cultivation which heaven has bestowed upon you. Your fellow-christians would rejoice to seeyour religion in a flourishing state, and tha ungodly world watchfor your halting, and stand ready to cover your names with reproach if you fail in your duty. Butthis leads to a second motive. II. If you neglect to improve your obligations and advantages, you will give a scandalous and mournful occasion to the wicked to speak evil of the ways of God and godliness: they will be ready to cry out, This religionandvirtue has nothing in it, for the strictest p*ofessors of zt shamefully fail in their duty. And as every party of christians suppose themselves to, have some peculiar advantages; you will give occasion to every different sect and party, to throw disgrace upon your particular profession, if you pretend to more than others, and practise less. What are these people who would have us believe, that their advantages for improvement of holinessare superior to that of their neighbours? 71re these the persons that.possess privileges above the rest of the world, and yet make no higher advances in virtue or purityof life, and have as little of sobriety, or honesty, or of religion zn them as their neighbours?
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