of religion : but that our faith in Christ is of no farther value than as it manifests itself by these fruits. If we have not oil in our lamps, whereby we are enabled to make our light shine before men, we shall, like the foolish virgins, be excluded, however confidently we may knock at the gate of heaven in expectation of admittance^.]
II. To those who neither practise religion nor pro- fess it —
[The text, though not so directly applicable to persons of this description, may yet suggest to them abundant matter for most serious reflection. While some deceive themselves by a mere profession of religion, there are others who are satisfied with declaiming against hypocrites : who, because they do not pretend to any serious religion, imagine themselves absolved from all obligations to it. But if our Lord does not approve of those who externally honour him, because their lives do not correspond with their professions, can we suppose that he approves of those who openly dishonour and despise him ? If they be excluded from his longdom, shall not these also ? If they be disappointed in their expectations, must not the hope of these also be as a spider's web ? If they who can appeal to the judge himself that they have done much for him, be bidden to depart, shall those, who have never done any thing for him, find a favourable acceptance ? Let such persons then learn, that to hate hypocrisy in others is to little purpose, unless they hate it also in themselves. The same rule of judgment is established for all. We shall all receive according to what we have done, whether it be good or evil. There shall be one doom for those who abused the Gospel, and for those who rejected it. If to the former it shall be said, " Depart, I never knew you;" of the latter it will be' said, " Bring hither those that would not that I should reign over them, and slay them before me."]
III. To those, who both profess religion, and adorn it by a suitable conversation —
[Our Lord expressly declares, that they, who do the will of his Father, shall enter into his kingdom : and his testimony is confirmed by numberless other passages of Holy Writ^ Per- sons of this description are extremely different from the self- deceiving professors, not only in their practice, but also in their spirit and temper. Instead of making an ostentatious parade of their religion, they are intent rather on cultivating the inward principle : instead of hastily entertaining an assured confidence,
t Matt. XXV. 11, 12. Luke xiii. 25—27. " Ps. XV. 1, 2. and xxiv. 3, 4. Heb. v. 9.