True it is, that these persons have more specious grounds on which to vindicate their conduct, inasmuch as it seems nearly allied to prudence and diligence. Still, however, while we highly approve of those virtues, we cannot but condemn a worldly spirit as evil ; since it is declared to be incompatible with the love of Godc: and therefore we say to all, "Turn from it," lest you deceive yourselves to your utter ruin.]
3. From formality — [There is a very considerable number of persons, whose strictness of principle, and correctness of manners, screen them effectually against any charge of profaneness ; while their indif- ference to riches and aggrandizement shews, that they are not open, in any great degree, to the imputation of worldliness. But their religion consists in a mere round of duties, in which they have no real enjoyment of God, but only a self-righteous, self-complacent approbation of their own minds
That this also is evil, we cannot doubt, if only we bear in mind that God requires our hearts^; and that every service, in which the heart is not engaged, is declared to be vain and worthless in his sight e.
In exhorting such persons to turn from the evil of their doings, we would by no means be understood to discourage diligence in attending on divine ordinances, whether public or private ; but only to guard against a resting in the perform- ance of duties, and a substituting of that in the place of Christ. In appreciating our religious observances, let us judge of them by their spirituality, and by our enjoyment of God in them : and, if they be ever so devout, still let us remember that they make no atonement for sin, nor do they confer any obligation whatever upon God : yea, rather the more devout they are, the more we are indebted to God. for that grace whereby we are so enabled to worship him.]
To confirm the exhortation, God has been pleased to add, II. A promise —
At first sight the promise appears to be unworthy of God, and incapable of affording any great encou- ragement to those to whom it is made. But, if taken altogether abstractedly, it surely is no light matter for those who deserve all the judgments that God can inflict, to be assured, that he will never do them any hurt : and, if considered in connexion with our fears
c 1 John ii. 15 — 17. d Prov. xxxiii. 26.
e Matt. xv. 8, 0. Compare 2 Tim. iii. 5.