_The Nature and Extent of Christian Devotion._
¹ By Letter 640, Volume II. page 144. it appears that this tract was written about _June 1748_.
CHRISTIAN devotion, signifies a life given or devoted to GOD; he consequently, and he alone, is the _devout man_, who lives no longer to his own will, or after the way and spirit of the world, but to the sole will of GOD; who considers GOD in every thing; who makes all the parts of his common life, as well as his more immediate religious exercises, parts of piety, by doing every thing in the name of JESUS CHRIST, and under such rules as are conducive to promote GOD’s glory.
Reason and scripture plainly evince the truth of this. For as there is but “one GOD and Father of us all,” whose glory gives light and life to every thing that lives; whose presence fills all places, whose power supports all beings, whose providence ruleth all events; so every thing that lives, whether in _heaven_ or _earth_, whether they be thrones or principalities, men or angels, they are all bound, by the laws of their creation, to live wholly to the praise and glory of this one God and Father of them all.
We readily acknowledge, that GOD alone is to be the rule and measure of our prayers; that in them we are to look wholly unto him, and act wholly for him; that we are only to pray in such a manner, and for such things, and with such ends as are suitable to his glory.
Now let any one but find out the reason why he is to be thus strictly pious in his prayers, and he will find the same, as strong a reason, why he is to be as strictly pious in all the other parts of his life: for were it not our strict duty to live by reason, and to devote all the actions of our lives to GOD; were it not absolutely necessary, and our highest privilege to walk before him in wisdom and holiness, and all heavenly conversation, doing every thing in his name, and for his glory, there would be no excellency and wisdom in the most heavenly prayers. Nay, such prayers would be absurdities, they would be like praying for wings, when it was no part of our duty to fly.
Again, we readily acknowledge, that _Clergymen_ must live wholly unto GOD in one particular way, in the exercise of _holy offices_; in the ministration of prayers and sacraments, and a zealous distribution of spiritual things: but men of other employments, are in their particular ways as much obliged to act as the servants of GOD, and to live wholly unto him in their several callings. For as all christians are by their baptism devoted to GOD, and made professors of holiness; so are they all in their several callings, to live as holy and heavenly persons; doing every thing in _common life_, only in such a manner as it may be received by GOD, as a service done to him.
Further, it will be readily acknowledged on all sides, that angels, whether they are principalities or powers, must all with one spirit, live wholly to the praise and glory of the one GOD and Father of them all; and that it is not allowable for, or becoming them, to act below the dignity of their proper state. And is not a devout life, and a wise use of our proper condition, as much the duty of all _christians_, as it is the duty of _angels_ and celestial beings? Our blessed Saviour has cleared up this point, by making this petition a constant part of all our prayers, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” A plain proof, that the obedience of _christians_, is to imitate at least the obedience of _angels_; and that rational beings on earth, are to be wholly devoted unto GOD, in like manner as rational beings in heaven are devoted to him.
These are not speculative flights, or imaginary notions, but are plain and undeniable truths, founded in the very nature of rational beings, and upon the infallible testimony of the lively oracles of GOD.
It is but barely complying with that apostolical precept, “Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of GOD.” For no one can come near the doctrine of this passage, but he that proposes to himself to do every thing in this life, as a servant of GOD; to live by reason in every thing that he does; and to make the wisdom and holiness of the gospel, and the glory of GOD, the rule and measure of his desiring and using every gift of GOD.
Eating is one of the lowest actions of our lives; it is common to us with mere animals: yet we see, that this text, as well as by the practice of christians in all ages, has turned this ordinary action of an animal life, into an act of piety to GOD, by making every meal to begin and end with devotion.
Some remains of this custom are yet to be seen in most christian families; but indeed it is now generally so performed, as to look more like a mockery upon devotion, than any solemn application of the mind unto GOD. However, these very remains, such as they are, are proofs, that religion has formerly belonged to this, and consequently to every other part of common life.