2. To self-complacent formalists —
[You profess to reverence the word of God, and to com- ply with its commands: but, whilst you rest in mere forms and ceremonies of religion, you greatly err. God requires the religion of the heart : you must have " the power of godli- ness as well as its form." The wall that you are constructing may look fair to the eye ; but it will not stand : it is raised on a sandy foundation : it is formed of bad materials : it wants the cement of the Spirit : the showers shall soon wash off its external covering ; and the stormy wind shall scatter the loose materials : in the name of God we declare to you, that " it shall fall." Nothing will ever stand, but that which is laid on Christ as the foundation, and has all the graces of the Spirit for its superstructure ]
3. To inconsistent professors —
[Be it granted, that, as far as relates to your views of the Gospel, you are right : still we must look to the effects of the Gospel on your heart and life ; and must declare unto you, that, if you do not manifest by your life and conversation that you have " the same mind as was in Christ," you only deceive your own souls : you may have a faith indeed ; but it is no better than the faith of devils. From this point we cannot recede a hair's breadth. We do not say that you must possess sinless perfection ; for then who could be saved ? But we say, that no sin must have allowed, or habitual, dominion over you: the right eye, or right hand, if knowingly retained contrary to the will of God, will as effectually cast you into perdition, as any number of sins whatever : your condemnation indeed may be increased by a multitude of sins ; but it will not be rendered more certain, than it is by one reigning sin. O that those who are worldly-minded, or covetous, or proud, or passionate, or impure, or slothful, or addicted to any one sinful disposition, would consider this ! God says, By their fruits ye shall know them : and by their fruits they shall be known. If ever we would be Christ's, we must " walk as Christ walked."]