Englands Unthankfulness Striving with Gods Goodness, Division 2 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
1. § ANd the reason is, the best actions, & services that can be performed: as Preaching and Praying, and Fasting, and receiving and giving of Alme, &c. unlesse they flow from a pious and good heart, sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and be done in saith, obedience to the Word, humility, saving knowledge, and sincere love to God; zeale of his; lory, and a desire to edifie, and win others: are no better in Gods account, then staying of a man: or cutting off a Dogs necke; or offering swines blood; or blessing an Idoll, as himselfe affirmes Esay, 66. 3. And many examples prove, namely Caines sacrificing, 1 John 3. 12. The Jews fasting. Isci. 58. 3. to 8. Those Reprobates preaching in Christs name, and casting out Devils Mat. 7. 21. to 24. whose outward workes, were the same which the godly performe: But they springing from ignorance, infidelity, selfe-love, and such like carnall respects; were no better then shining sinnes. or beautifull abominations. What saith Sr. Austin most excellently? There is no true vertue, where there is no true Religion: And that conscience, which is not directed by the Word; even when it does best, does ill; because it does it not in faith, obedience, and love. Nor will God accept of any action, unlesse it flowes from a pious and good heart; sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
2. §. Whereas thou art so farre from being really religious, and godly: that thou hast not yet, made one step towards it. For the first step to Religion, or Christianity; is to love religion and holinesse in another: but thou (as thine owne conscience will beare me witnesse) wilt hate, scoffe at, and persecute another, for being holy and religious. Nor caust thou indure the power of Religion in any, though thou lovest a forme dearely: as taking the shadow for the substance: which notably discovers the deceitfulnesse of thy heart; and Satans subtilty, if thou hadst but eyes to see it. Nor couldest thou otherwise think so well of thy selfe: for thou thinkest thy selfe as good a Christian as the best. Yea, thou passest for, and art reputed an excellent Christian by men of the World. As divers will say of Morrall honest men; if they goe not to Heaven, Lord have mercy upon us. Yea, by some of o… late, reverend Prelates; and their Creatures: for they, counted men religious, as they were conformable to their Cannons: and all the congregation, is alike holy, and holy enough to naturall men. As Corah and his prophane consorts, told Moses and Aaron, when they rose up against them, Numb. 16. 1. 2. 3.
3. §. But it is manifest enough, by the word of God: that thou art an ignorant, formall, titular, stature, out-side Christian. And that thou hast no more of religion, or godlinesse; then a bare forme, out-side, or shadow, 2 Tim. 3. 5. Tit. 1. 16. That thou art a meere Bladder, empty of all true grace; and onelyonly blowne up with pride. That there is not a poorer wretch, upon the face of the earth then thou: that with Laosicea, braggest thy selfe to be rich, and to want nothing, when thou art wretched and miserable, and poor, & naked, Rev. 2. 17, only thou art pus…t up, and knowest nothing, 1 Tim. 6. 4.
4. §. But because there is no heating thee off, from thy conceited righteousnesse, and selfe purity: except it be by shewing thee thy unrighteousnesse, and actuall impurity: and because thou must of necessity know thy selfe sick; before thou wilt seeke, and sue to Christ the Physitian of soules: I will further discover unto thee, not onelyonly thy abominable wickednesse, originall, and actuall; of commission, and omission: but even the very inmost secrets of thy heart, and soule: which thou shalt confesse none could doe, except God were with him. Wherefore marke well what I say.