(4.) Of the like nature are the scandalous offences of many. I sball not insist on the scandalous apostasies of many professors, who, some by one great sin, some by another, are fallen off from the pro- fession of the gospel. I wish that too many other instances might not be found among them that remain. Are there not some proud unto scandal, or sensual unto scandal, or covetous unto scandal, or negligent of their families and relations unto scandal, or conformable to the ways, customs, and fashions of the world unto scandal ? I wish no such things might be found among1 us.
(5.) Add hereunto the general backsliding, or going back from God, that is amongst professors. We scarce seem to be the same gene- ration of men that we were fifteen or sixteen years ago : — some have utterly lost their principle. Zeal for God, reformation, purity of ordinances, interest of Christ in his saints, are things to be despised, things that have no concernment in our condition and affairs; as though we had no more need of Christ or his interest amongst us : and in the best, is not a fresh spirit of our present engagement almost lost?
But why should I insist farther on these things ? Are not the things that have been spoken sufficient for a rebuke, or a conviction at least, that the professing people of Christ have not walked as though they had a just respect to his coming, or his peculiar presence amongst them ? May we not justly fear, that our multiplied provo- cations may at length prevail with him to withdraw, to put a stop to his work that is upon the wheel ; not only to leave us to manifold entanglements in the carrying of it on, but also utterly to forsake it, — to cast down the tower, and pluck up the hedge that he hath made about his vineyard, and leave it to be laid waste ? He must have a heart like the flint in the rock of stone, that doth not tremble at it. But complaints will not be our relief. That which is incumbent on
AN ARGUMENT FOR UNIVERSAL HOLINESS. 165
us, if yet there may be hope, is our answering the exhortation in my text. If, then, any sense do fall upon onr spirits that Christ is come amongst us in a peculiar manner, in the providential alterations and dissolutions that have been among us ; and that we have not hitherto demeaned ourselves as becometh them who are called to meet him, and to walk with him in such ways and paths as his amongst us have been ; — then, I say, let us apply ourselves in our next use to the ex- hortation that lies before us, — to all manner of " holy conversation/'
Use 2. Of exhortation. That, I say, then, which we are now to attend unto, is the exhortation that is included in this expression, " What manner of persons ought we to be?" To further the efficacy of this exhortation, give me leave to premise some few things : —
First. There are general reasons of holiness and godliness, and there are gpecial motives unto them. I am not now dealing upon the general reasons of holiness on the account of the covenant of grace ; and so shall not press it on those considerations upon believers as such. But I speak of it in reference unto the peculiar motive mentioned in the text, — namely, the providential dissolution of temporal concern- ments; and so speak to believers as men interested therein, — as per- sons whom Christ hath a special regard unto in these his dispensa- tions. It is one thing to say, " What manner of persons ought ye to be, whom God hath loved with an everlasting love, whom Christ hath washed in his own blood, — who have received the Spirit of Christ?" and another to say, " Ye that are loved with an everlasting love, are washed in the blood of Christ, and made partakers of the Holy Ghost, seeing that Christ is come amongst us to the dissolution of the great things of the nations, what manner of persons ought ye to be?" That is it in a peculiar pressing unto holiness on the account of the motive that is intended.
Secondly. There is a holiness and godliness that is required uni- versally, at all times, in all places and seasons, and in all persons whatever, by the gospel ; and there is a peculiar improvement of that holiness and godliness at some seasons, and in some persons, that is not required at other times, and of other persons. Christ hath work for all the grace of his people in this world ; and, according as oppor- tunities for that work are presented unto them, they ought to stir up then grace for it. In the times of Christ's coming, he hath great work to do for and by the holiness and godliness of his people. A great testimony is to be given to himself thereby ; his work is much to be promoted by it; the world to be convinced, condemned; his judg- ments against them justified in the sight of all ; — and much more hath Christ to do with the holiness of his people at such a season. Now, it is this peculiar improvement of covenant, gospel holiness that is required ; not only that holiness that is indispensably incumbent on