with indignation, which was visibly manifested in all their cqjin- tenances, and which gave occasion to that exceedingly abrupt change in Stephen's address to them ; " Ye stiff-necked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost : as your fathers did, so do ye''." Similar offence is given at this day, when we declare the worthlessness of all external duties as detached from the feelings of the heart. But the very circumstance of God calling heaven and earth to hear his testi- mony against his people, sufSciently shews, that his accusations, against whomsoever brought, involve in them the deepest crimi- nality, and subject the accused to the heaviest condemnation.]
Contrasted with mere ritual observances, we be- hold in our text,
II. The religion which alone is pleasing and ac- ceptable to God — Religion consists not so much in actions, as in the habit of the mind towards God. Holy actions of every kind spring from it ; but they are only as the fruit, which originates in, and bears testimony to, the vital energy of the root. Wherever religion exists in the soul, it will have respect to God in all things, and will induce in us a habit towards him,
1 . Of lively gratitude — [He is our Creator, our Benefactor, our Redeemer : and the very first motions of religion will lead us to view him under these relations, and with feelings suited to the obligations he has con- ferred upon us. Can we reflect on the faculties with which he has endowed us, so far superior to all the brute creation, and not adore and magnify his name ? Can we contemplate the in- numerable benefits with which we are loaded by him from day to day, and not feel how greatly we are indebted to him ? Above all, can we survey the wonders of Redeeming Love, and not have our whole souls penetrated with an overwhelming sense of grati- tude ? So infinitely does this love surpass all human
comprehension or conception, that if our minds were filled with it as they ought to be, we should scarcely be able to think or
speak of any thing else Such, we are sure, is the religion
of heaven ; for there " thev rest not day nor night" in ascribing all possible praises to their Redeeming God ' : and such, according to the measure of grace given to us, will be the dispositions and
habits of all who are truly alive to God — ■ " We shall offer
him the sacrifice of praise continnally""," and *^ render to him the calves of our lips"."]
2. Of
^ Compare Isai. Ixvi. 1, 2. with Acts vii. 47 — 51.
'Rev. IV. 8 — n. Jt v. 11 — 13. "' Heb, xiii. 15.
" Hos. xiv. 2.