Thirdly, According to this reasoning, there can be no religion in the world ; for name me that religion which is not scandalized by the practices of some that profess it. So that this practice hath a natural tendency to Atheism ; and is, no doubt, encouraged by the devil for that end.
Inf. 2. If all men forfeit their claim to Christ, who endeavour not to imitate him in the holiness of his life, then how small a number of real Christians are there in the world ? Indeed, if liberal talking, without accurate walking: if common profession without holy prac- tices, were enough to constitute a Christian ; then this quarter of the world would abound with Christians: But if Christ owns none for such but those that tread in the steps of his example ; then the number of real Christians is very small. The generality of men that live under the Christian name, are such as walk after the flesh, Rom. viii. 2. according to the course of this world, they yield their members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, Rom. vi. 13. Strict godliness is a mere bondage to them ; narrow is the way, and few there be that walk therein.
Inf. o. What blessed times should we all see, if true religion did once generally obtain, and prevail in the world'. How would it humble the proud, meeken the passionate, and spiritualize those that are carnal ! The perverse world charges religion with all the tumults and disturbances that are in it ; whereas nothing in the
SERM. XXX. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 41?
world but religion, advanced in the power of it, can heal and cure these epidemical evils. O if men were once brought under the power of religion indeed, to walk after Christ in holiness, obedience, meek- ness, and self-denial ; no such miseries as these would be heard of among us, Isa. xi. 8, 9. " The sucking child shall play upon the " hole of the asp, and a weaned child shall put his hand on the " cockatrice den ; they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy " mountain : For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the " Lord, as the waters cover the sea.11
Inf. 4. Hence it also follows, that real Christians are the swccfrst companiojis. It is a comfortable thing to walk with them that walk after the example of Christ ; the holiness, heavenliness, humility, self-denial, and diligence in obedience, which was in Christ, are, in some measure, to be found in all sincere Christians : They shew forth the virtues of him that calleth them ; the graces of the Spirit do more or less shine forth in them : And O how endearing, sweet, and engaging are these things ! Upon this very account the apostle invited others into the fellowship of the saints, 1 John i. 3. " That " ye might have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with " the Father, and with his Son Christ Jesus.11 And is it not sweet to have fellowship with them who have fellowship with Christ? O let all your delights be in the saints, and in the excellent of the earth, who excel in virtue, Psal. xvi. 3. Yet, mistake not, there is a great deal of difference betwixt one Christian and another, and even the best of Christians are sanctified but in part. If there be something sweet and engaging, there is also something bitter and distasteful in the best of men. If there be something to draw forth your delight and love, there is also something to exercise your pity and patience. Yet this is most certain, that notwithstanding all their infirmities and corruptions, they are the best and sweetest company this world affords.
Lif. 5. In a word, if no mens claim to Christ be warranted but theirs that walk as he walked ; how vain and groundless then are the hopes and expectations of all unsanctified men, who walk after their own lusts ? None are more forward to claim the privileges of reli- gion than those that reject the duties of it; multitudes hope to be saved by Christ, who yet refuse to be governed by him ; But such hopes have no scripture warrant to support them ; yea, they have many scripture testimonies against them, 1 Cor. vi. 9. " Know je " not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God ? " Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adul- " terers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind ; i6 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor ex- " tortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.11 O how many
4 IS THE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. XXX,
thousand vain hopes are laid in the dust, and how many thousand souls are sentenced to hell by this one scripture !
Second use, for exhortation.
If this be so, it naturally presses all the professors of Christianity to strict godliness in their conversations, as ever they expect benefit by Christ. O professors, be ye not conformed unto this world, but be ve transformed bv the renewing of your minds : Set the example of Christ before you, and labour to tread in his steps. This is the great business of religion, the main scope of the gospel. Give me leave, therefore, closely to press it upon your hearts, by the follow- ing motives.
Motive 1. Christ hath conformed himself to you by his abasing incarnation ; how reasonable therefore is it that you conform your- selves to him in the way of obedience and sanctification ? He came as near to you as it was possible for him to do, strive you therefore to come as near to Christ as it is possible for you to do: he hath taken your nature upon him, Heb. ii. 14. yea, and with your nature he hath taken your weaknesses and infirmities, Rom. viii. 3. and not only your natures and your infirmities, but your condition also, for he came under the law for your sakes, Gal. iv. 4. He conformed himself to you, though he was infinitely above you ; that was his abasement : do you conform yourselves to him who are infinitely beneath him : that will be your advancement : his conformity to you emptied him of his glory, your conformity to him will fill you with glory : he conformed himself to you, though you had no obligation upon him ; will you not conform yourselves to him, who lie under infinite obligations so to do ?
Motive 2. You shall be conformed to Christ in glory ; how rea- sonable therefore is it you should now conform yourselves to him in holiness ? The apostle saith, 1 John iii. 2. " We shall be like unto " him, for we shall see him as he is :" Yea, not only your souls shall be like him, but your very bodies, even those vile bodies of yours " shall be changed, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious " bodv." How forcible a motive is this to bring men into confor- mity with Christ here ! especially, seeing our conformity to him in holiness, is the evidence of our conformity to him in glory, Rom. vi. 5. 2 Pet. iii. 11. O professors, as ever you look to be with Christ in glory hereafter, see that ye walk after Christ's example in holiness and obedience here.