1. The two general parts of that universal duty that we owe to God; and they are these: — (1.) Holiness of conversation; which is comprehensive of all holiness and righteousness, both in principle and practice ; for no conversation is holy but what comes from a holy heart,
AN ARGUMENT FOR UNIVERSAL HOLINESS. 137
and is carried on to that great and holy end, — the glory of God. (2.) Godliness, or the worship of God according to the appointment and institution of Christ. This is the proper importance1 of iuas(3ua, as distinct from holiness of conversation, — a due adherence to, and observance of, the instituted worship of God.
2. The extent and compass of them both, and their degrees. It is not hi this or that part of conversation, — to be holy in one thing and loose in another, — to be holy in one capacity, and vain in another, — to be godly as a private person, and ungodly or selfish as a magistrate ; nor is it to observe one part of worship, and despise another : but in all concernments of conversation, in all parts of worship, doth this duty lie, — " In all holy conversation and godliness."
Fourthly. There is the relation that we ought to bear to the univer- sality of holiness and godliness. We ought to be "in" them; — da •jnupyjiv vfMLg, — " You ought to be, to exist, in them." In these things is your life. They are not to be followed now and then, as your leisure will serve ; but in all that you do you ought to be still in these, as in the clothes that you wear, — the garment that is on you. Be what you will, or where you will, or employed as you are called, yet still you ought to be in holiness and godliness. And what persons you ought to be in them, or how, hath been declared.
Observation. Great providential alterations or destructions made upon the account of Christ and his church, call for eminency of universal holiness and godliness in all believers.
I esteem it my duty to speak somewhat to this proposition, as con- taining the direction of our great duty in this day. That we have had many providential alterations amongst us, is known to all. What light I have about their relation to Christ and his church, I shall make bold to communicate when I come to the application of the truth in hand, and thereby make way for the pressing of the duty of the text on ourselves in particular. For the present, I confess I am ashamed and astonished at the deportment of many who are professors in these days. They see and talk of the alterations and dissolutions that God is pleased to make ; — but what is the improvement that is made hereof? Many take advantage to vent their lusts and passions, — some one way, some another: one rejoicing at the ruin of another, as if that were his duty ; others repining at the exaltation of another, as if that were their duty ; some contriving one form of outward con- stitutions, others for another. (I speak of private persons.) But who almost looks to that which is the special call of God under such dis- pensations? Let us, then, I pra}^ you, take a little view of our duty, and the grounds of it; and who knows but that the Lord may by it enlarge and fix our hearts to the love and prosecution of it? 1 See note, p. 32 of this volume.
] 38 PROVIDENTIAL CHANGES,
The two great providential alterations and dissolutions that have been and shall be made on the account of Christ and his church, to which all lesser are either consequent or do lie in a tendency, are that, first, of the Judaical church and state, whereof I have spoken ; and, secondly, that of the Antichristian state and worship, whereunto all the shakings of these nations seem to tend, in the wisdom of God, although we are not able to discern their influence thereunto : —
1. Now, for the first of these, we may consider it in its coming as foretold, and as accomplished : —
(1.) As it was foretold and threatened by Christ. How were believers cautioned to be ready for it with eminent holiness and watchfulness therein ! So Luke xxi. 34, 36, " Take heed to your- selves; watch, therefore." Why so? " Christ is coming," verse 27. When? " Why, in this generation," verse 32. What to do? " Why, to dissolve heaven and earth," verse 25 ; to " dissolve the Jewish church and state. Watch, therefore; give all diligence." So also Matt. xxiv. 42. " Watch, therefore." Oh ! on this account what man- ner of persons ought we to be !
(2.) As accomplished. See what use the apostle upon it directs believers unto, Heb. xii. 26-28. This is the use, this the call of Pro- vidence, in all these mighty alterations : " Let us have grace," — strive for it. The nature of the works of God call aloud for an eminent frame of holiness, and close adherence unto God in his worship. I could show how both the duties of my text are here expressed; but I need not.