Three Practical Essays, Essay 2 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V. Of the Duties of Religion in particular.
1. THirdly, Endeavour to gain a clear and distinct Knowledge of the particular Duties of Religion. 'Tis not sufficient to understand in general wherein True Religion consists, and to have right Notions concerning its Obligations in general, but we must also consider the Particulars of our Duty, and view them distinctly under some proper Heads. Many there are who have right and true Notions concerning the Nature of Religion in general, who understand well enough and are convinced that the only thing that can be accepted in the sight of God, is Holiness of Life and Universal Obedience to all his Commands; who yet *Nemo nostrum in altum descendit, summa tantum decerpsimus, & exiguum temporis impendisse Philosophiae satis abundeque occupatis fuit. Sen. ep. 60▪contenting themselves with this slight, general, and superficial Knowledge, and never giving themselves time to meditate seriously on the several particular Branches of their Duty, are very apt to impose upon themselves with a partial Obedience; and while they satisfie their own Minds with some loose and general Considerations, that their Lives are Religious in the main, that they have a general esteem for Virtue and Religion, and that they hate Profaneness and professed Irreligion, they make a shift to live in the habitual Practice of some great Sin, or in the constant neglect of some important Duty.
2. My design is not in this short Essay, to make a large and particular Deduction of all the several Branches of our Christian Duty. This has already been fully and excellently done *See Whole Duty of Man, and Mr. Kettelwel's Measures of Christian Obedience. Book 2.by some of our own Writers. I shall only lay down the chief Particulars of our Duty under some brief Heads, which may be easily remembred and carried constantly in Mind, as perpetual Memorials of what upon all occasions we must remember our selves to be absolutely and indispensably obliged to: And they shall be these Three.
3. First, That we ought to be always devout towards God, with the profoundest Veneration of Mind possible, and to seek all opportunities of expressing that Devotion. By this Rule is commanded Faith in God, Trust and Dependance upon him, Submission and Resignedness to his Will, Fear and Love of him, Zeal for his Honour, Prayer and Thankfulness to him, and a conscientious Attendance upon his Worship and Ordinances: And by it is forbidden, Blasphemy and Profaneness, Superstition and Idolatry, Witchcraft and Consulting with such as are reputed to have Skill in any evil Art, Perjury and vain Swearing, Unbelief and Distrust of God, want of Zeal for his Honour, Unthankfulness and Neglect of Prayer, Carelessness in Religion and Neglecting to attend upon the Publick Worship.
4. Secondly, That we ought constantly to indeavour in the whole Course of our Lives, to promote the Good and the Happiness of all Men. By this Rule is commanded Honour and Reverence, Fidelity and Obedience towards those who are our Superiors; Goodness and Kindness, Affability and Courteousness, Justice and Honesty, Gentleness and Candour, Meekness and Peaceableness, Forgiveness of Injuries, and a Desire of doing all possible Kindnesses to those who are our Equals; Pity and Succour, Mercifulness and Compassion, Alms and Beneficence, Instruction and Assistance, and all manner of Help and Encouragement to those who are our Inferiors: And by it is forbidden, Disobedience and Rebellion, Traiterousness and Speaking Evil of Dignities; Murder and Stealing, Extortion and Fraud, Perfidiousness and Lying, Oppression and Over reaching, Calumny and Evil-speaking, Hatred and Revenge, Sourness and Unkindness, Anger and Passion, Peevishness and Ill-nature, Sullenness and Moroseness, Discord and Unpeaceableness; Cruelty and Uncharitableness, Pride and Haughtiness, and Unconcernedness at the Wants and Miseries of Others.
5. Thirdly, That we ought to be Temperate and Abstemious in the Use of all Temporal Enjoyments, as Soldiers of Christ, and Candidates for Heaven; as those who look for their Portion not in the Pleasures of this World, but in the Happiness of the other. By this Rule is commanded Temperance and Sobriety, Chastity and Purity, Contentment and Contempt of the World, Patience and Watchfulness, Mortification and Self-Denial, Heavenly-mindedness and Humility: And by it is forbidden, Gluttony and Drunkenness, Adultery and Fornication, Uncleanness and Lasciviousness, Voluptuousness and Sensuality, Covetousness and Ambition, Idleness and Softness, Impatience and Discontent.
6. This is the Summ of the Duties, which every one who will in earnest dedicate himself to the Service of God, and seriously enter upon a Religious Course of Life, must resolve to perform. Whoever will bear his Cross and come after Christ, must first consider, whether for the sake of God and Religion, he can be able to bear the Scorn and Contempt of Impious and Prophane Men, and suffer all things rather than be compelled to do any thing to the dishonour of his God; he must consider whether for the sake of Justice and Charity he can be able to Sacrifice his dearest Interests, to conquer his most natural Passions, and to despise the Glory and Splendour of the World; and he must ask himself whether for the sake of Temperance and Purity, he can be able to mortifie his most darling Lusts, and as a resolute follower of a Crucified Saviour, contemn all the Pleasures of Flesh and Sense: For unless he can peremptorily resolve with himself to do all this, his Profession of Religion will certainly be in vain, and he cannot be the Disciple of Christ. Which of you, saith our blessed Saviour, intending to build a Tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply after he has laid the Foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This Man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what King going to make War against another King, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand, to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? So likewise, whosoever he be of you, that forsaketh not all that he hath, that is, who does not resolve with himself to perform his Duty, whatever it may cost him, he cannot be my▪ Disciple, Luke 14. 28, &c.